BUSINESS
Hacker claims to have deleted MobiKwik users' data; security researchers cautious
The massive breach of MobiKwik user data reportedly included KYC details of 3.5 million people and phone numbers, email, hashed passwords, addresses, bank accounts and card details of close to 10 crore users. This data was available for sale on the dark web for anyone who could pay 1.5 bitcoins, which is equal to $8,8434.
BUSINESS
Internet Freedom Foundation calls for CERT-IN inquiry into reported MobiKwik data leak
The Cert-IN is governed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. MobiKwik continued to deny that the data has been leaked and said it would get a third party to conduct forensic data security audit.
BUSINESS
USCIS completes H-1B lottery selection for FY22
The selected petitioners can start filing applications from April 1, 2021. Every year the US issues 85,000 fresh H-1B visas.
BUSINESS
MobiKwik data leak: Security researchers, users not convinced with denial
Despite the outrage, and tell-tale signs of a blunder, the company is in the denial mode and under the current laws, there is nothing that can possibly be done, even if highly sensitive information has been stolen.
BUSINESS
Wipro hires former PayPal, Walmart executive Subha Tatavarti as chief technology officer
US-based Subha Tatavarti worked at PayPal for nearly a decade before moving on to Walmart in 2020
BUSINESS
Clubhouse could launch its Android version as early as May 2021
The launch can boost the Clubhouse users in India, which now stands at 100,000. The iOS only app currently has 13.4 million downloads.
BUSINESS
Explained | All about the new WhatsApp privacy policy and why the competition watchdog ordered a probe
The Competition Commission believes that WhatsApp should have allowed users to opt out of the policy, as it did with a 2016 update. One of the biggest complaints against the platform is that it collects more data about users automatically and also through third parties.
BUSINESS
Coinbase to set up base in Hyderabad, hire staff despite uncertainty around cryptocurrency regulation
The company is looking at establishing base in Hyderabad, where it will set up IT services, including engineering, software development and customer support operations.
BUSINESS
Uncertainty grips Indian investors as they await EB-5 regional investor programme to be reauthorised
A short term technical lapse in authorization of the programme could increase the expected wait time to immigrate to the US by many months. Increasing wait times come with an additional risk – a well-to-do project invested in, might go bust. In the unlikely case of non-renewal, all investments would be reduced to naught
BUSINESS
New class action lawsuit against H4 processing delays brings hope to Indian H-1B spouses
The lawsuit alleges that close to 91,000 of them have lost jobs as the US immigration agency “stalled processing visa extension”. The lawsuit also highlights the plight of L-1 visa holders. Of the 1.25 lakh H-4 visas issued in the US in 2019, Indians accounted for over 1 lakh.
BUSINESS
US H-1B visa | Relief for techies, Indian IT firms as Joe Biden administration proposes 18-month delay for wage hike rule
The proposed delay, the statement said, will also give them the time to compute and validate prevailing wage data covering specific occupations and geographic areas, complete necessary system modifications and conduct public outreach.
BUSINESS
It may be raining job offers for techies in India, but it is a talent war for tech firms
As one executive put it: It is better to hire expensive, great talent and be tough in their evaluation, than to hire average and end up never letting them go because you can't find talent at that salary
BUSINESS
Google wants to change the future of hiring with its career certificates. Will it work in India?
The tech giant’s certification programme can revolutionise the job market, making it skills oriented and inclusive, but experts say its success requires a change in mindset as Indian companies would still prefer people with conventional degrees although Google’s certificates as an add-on would give job seekers an edge.
BUSINESS
H-1B ban: Computer jobs on the rise, continued visa restrictions can hurt businesses, says US policy think tank
The NFAP pointed out in its report that nearly 56,000 of the 85,000 H-1B visas issued every year are for computer-related jobs that are growing significantly of late. Indians corner a chunk of the H-1B visas.
BUSINESS
Accenture doles out one-time bonus to employees
The company added 22,365 people during the quarter even as its attrition stayed low at 12 percent.
BUSINESS
Explained | Why Indian tech entrepreneurs are unhappy with Google
Indian entrepreneurs say Google is abusing its monopolistic power to arm-twist them with Play Store fee, which they find exorbitant even after the tech giant promised to halve it. They say an Indian app ecosystem is needed to break the monopoly, but this requires government intervention and support.
BUSINESS
Chinese investor Shunwei Capital exits Koo's parent company Bombinate Technologies
Individuals who participated in the buy out include former Indian Cricketer Javagal Srinath, BookMyShow Founder Ashish Hemrajani, Udaan Co-Founder Sujeet Kumar, Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy and Zerodha Founder Nikhil Kamath.
BUSINESS
About 80% companies think Haryana's new labour bill will negatively impact them: NASSCOM report
The NASSCOM report was based on the response by the 73 member organisations that employ close to 1.44 lakh people in the State. Around 500 IT-ITeS firms employ about 4 lakh people in Haryana.
BUSINESS
Servers impacted by ransomware attack recoverable, no commercial impact: Tech Mahindra
Government intervention in the form of a cybersecurity policy and the deployment of skilled manpower are need of the hour; department is treated as additional charge instead of being assigned to specialists
TRENDS
Meet the youngsters from smaller cities in India who are making AR lenses for the world
They are creative, technically equipped, engaged with the product and willing to experiment with offbeat ideas. Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram are their stage, as they tread a previously unused path
BUSINESS
Haryana CM’s clarification on 75% reservation brings some respite but tech firms want more clarity
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar told Moneycontrol that the 75% reservation for locals rule would apply only for non-technical jobs. Industry, however, now wants clarity on what constitutes a non-technical job. For instance, it is not clear if the sales function in an engineering firm is a technical or non-technical job. Again, IT/ITeS firms hire freshers for non-technical roles such as business process functions
BUSINESS
Cognizant to cover vaccination cost of over 6 lakh people in India
The company will also vaccinate 50,000 people, comprising contingent staff such as contract, support, and security personnel, and their families, Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman, and Managing Director, Cognizant India, said in a statement.
BUSINESS
Glance beats Instagram to be among top content consumption platforms along with Facebook, YouTube
In India, a partnership with Reliance can potentially provide Instagram the capability to create an end-to-end play, across consumer-facing and supply side elements of building a commerce platform, the report added.
BUSINESS
Caste-bias lawsuit| US Court stays hearing for Cisco’s legal challenge to the complaint
Cisco had filed petitions arguing that the complainant was not entitled to legal relief and that caste-bias allegations should be deleted from the complaint.
