BUSINESS
Govt warns of threat actors using 'Mythic framework' to target Indian defence, research organisations
The Mythic framework provides a set of tools and a structure to create, deploy, and manage a Command and Control system for controlling a network of compromised computers.
BUSINESS
Tech policy in 2023: From DPDP Act to net neutrality concerns, deepfakes, new telecom law and more
From the Digital Personal Data Protection Law to government's plans on regulating deepfakes and other AI-related misinformation, a look at the key tech policy developments in 2023
BUSINESS
Three startups to launch payloads aboard ISRO's PSLV - C58 XPoSat Mission on January 1
While Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space will launch their LEAPTD to demonstrate the microsatellite subsystems, Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace is set to launch two payloads aboard the launch vehicle.
BUSINESS
DPDP Rules: Educational, health institutions may be exempted from restrictions on children’s data processing
The DPDP Act defines a child as someone below the age of 18, and mandates that parental consent is required to process the data of a child.
TECHNOLOGY
Cabinet Secretary likely to head Data Protection Board chairperson selection committee
The committee to appoint the chairperson of data protection board and its members may also include secretaries in Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Legal Affairs.
BUSINESS
Social media, e-comm, gaming companies may be required to erase data of inactive users after 3 years
These provisions are likely to be introduced in the draft version of the rules of Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act
BUSINESS
Verify parents through govt ID: Draft DPDP Rules on avoiding self verification by children
The DPDP Act defines a child as someone below the age of 18, and mandates that parental consent is required to process the data of a child
TECHNOLOGY
New DPDP rules may mandate immediate reporting of data breaches to Data Protection Board
The details that a platform will need to communicate to the DPB, on a best-effort basis, should include a description of the breach, the date and time when the platform became aware of the breach, the location of the breach, its extent, and potential impact.
BUSINESS
Comply with IT Rules: MeitY issues second advisory on deepfakes to social media platforms
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology warned platforms that if IT Rules are violated "consequences under law will follow”
BUSINESS
Big tech firms, Google, Apple, others seek assurance on Telecom Bill's scope on internet services
Asia Internet Coalition requested the government for clarification on The Telecommunications Bill 2023, so that it is not "misinterpreted" to include regulation of internet services
BUSINESS
Telecom Bill 2023: After Meta, Signal, Proton, Mozilla, 57 other platforms raise concerns
In a letter addressed to Minister of Communication Ashwini Vaishnaw, the signatories warned that the new Telecom Bill was a threat to end-to-end encryption and platforms, which use such features, may "choose to not operate in India"
BUSINESS
DPDP Act: Big tech, MNCs may have to take one data protection impact test per year
During the meeting on December 20, discussions were also held on whether certain classes of data fiduciaries, such as educational or health institutions, can be exempted when it comes to restrictions related to processing of children's data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act
TECHNOLOGY
Meta is concerned that Indian govt could regulate internet apps with proposed telecom law
Meta’s India policy head Shivnath Thukral writes in an internal email, ‘Govt could have sufficient discretion to designate OTTs as a telecommunications service’ under the Telecommunications Bill, 2023
BUSINESS
Govt to release rules for data protection law soon, aims to notify in January 2024
If the Digital Personal Data Protection Law, in its current form, offers a legislative framework, the process of rule-making will be responsible for defining its specific parameters.
BUSINESS
GPAI Summit: India crafting declaration for mitigating AI risk, boosting innovation
Electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says discussions are on to finalise a declaration document, with the hope of reaching consensus
TECHNOLOGY
All you need to know about how the government is planning to regulate deepfakes
One can identify deepfakes by scrutinising incongruities in facial expressions, irregular blinking, and lip-sync disparities. Users should also look out for unnatural artefacts, anomalies in hair, clothing, and background.
TECHNOLOGY
Deepfakes: Govt may temporarily block platforms, apps that violate norms repeatedly
During the meeting with the social media platforms on combating deepfakes, the government also said that platforms will have to disclose first originator of information. This particular requirement, which figures in the IT Rules, have been controversial as it experts say that it threatens encryption of messaging platforms
TECHNOLOGY
Deepfakes: MeitY gives social media platforms 7-day deadline, to help aggrieved users in filing FIR
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that such content could be subject to action under the current IT Rules, particularly Rule 3(1)(b), which mandates the removal of 12 types of content within 24 hours of receiving user complaints.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple's technical experts to visit India for threat notification investigation
A government official, giving insight into the investigation into the threat notifications, said it was a vulnerability in Apple's systems that allegedly exposed citizens across the world to viruses
BUSINESS
Government to come up with regulations to tackle deepfakes, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
In 10 days, the government will also come up with actionable points on how to detect, prevent, strengthen reporting mechanisms and increase awareness when it comes to deepfakes, Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw has said
BUSINESS
Deepfakes: Nervous November for social media cos with back to back meetings lined up with IT ministers
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has invited social media platforms for a meeting with Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on November 24
BUSINESS
MeitY to meet social media companies on deepfakes issue on November 23
The government recently sent social media platforms an advisory on deepfakes, warning them that not removing such content from their platforms may lead to loss of safe-harbour provisions
BUSINESS
OpIndia AI row: Google says Bard's responses don't reflect its perspective
On November 16, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that safe harbour protections will not apply to platforms that promote algorithmic or search bias, or whose artificial intelligence models exhibit discriminatory behaviour.
BUSINESS
CERT-In tackled over 1.39 million cybersecurity incidents in 2022: Annual report
When compared to 2021, although CERT-In tackled marginally lesser number of cybersecurity incidents in 2022, data showed that phishing and malware attacks in India increased largely in the previous year
