News Analysis India

Tag: WhatsApp

  • Will Your WhatsApp Stop Working? Meta Threatens To Stop Chat App Services In India Over Privacy Row |

    By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.

    Accept All Cookies

    Manage Consent Preferences

  • Apple Removes Meta-Owned WhatsApp And Threads From Its App Store In China; Know Why? |

    New Delhi: The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple has removed the Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. The company has made this move after the request of the Chinese government. 

    According to The Financial Times reports, the iPhone manufacturer company asserted that the country’s internet regulator Cyberspace Administration of China had ordered the applications’ removal from the App Store because of ‘national security concerns’. 

    “We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” Apple was quoted as saying. According to the report, Meta’s other communications platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger are still available on the App Store in the country. (Also Read: Apple Showcases 5 Indian Filmmakers Chosen For ‘MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone’)

    According to Rich Bishop, chief executive of the leading international app publisher in China, AppInChina, the apps were delisted after the Chinese government’s internet regulator and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a deadline of April 1 for app developers to register with the government.

    In China, Apple saw a double-digit decline in overall smartphone unit sales in the first six weeks of 2024. iPhone sales fell 24 per cent over the period because of stiff competition, according to Counterpoint Research. (Also Read: Apple Watch Series 9 Available For Only Rs 7,080 On Amazon; Here’s How To Grab Deal With Bank Discount)

    According to Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang, “Although the iPhone 15 is a great device, it has no significant upgrades from the previous version, so consumers feel fine holding on to the older-generation iPhones for now”.

    Apart from this, Apple has recently launched the latest beta version of its iOS operating system, termed as iOS 17.5 Beta 2. The new version packs with the new features and functionalities. It will be available to eligible iPhone models after its public release next month. (With Inputs From IANS)

  • Using ChatGPT? Know About Company’s 1st Hiring In India |

    New Delhi: ChatGPT is in the headline since its launch in 2022. Every time, the AI app is the talk of the town because of its evolution but this time the reason is different. OpenAI, the parent company of AI, has appointed its first employee in India. Yes, you read it right.

    Who Is Pragya Mishra?

    Pragya Mishra is the first employee that Sam Altman’s OpenAI has employed in India. News agency IANS received confirmation on Friday from sources that Ms. Misra has been assigned to oversee partnerships and public policy issues across the nation. (Also Read: Want To Start Business But Short On Funds? Pitch Your Idea To THIS Billionaire And Get Funding)

    As per the information available on her social media platform, she is also a podcaster and influencer with approx 35,000 followers on Instagram. (Also Read: Mark Zuckerberg In Beard? Check Truth Behind Viral Photo)

    What Was Her Previous Role?

    In her role as Truecaller’s director of public affairs, she worked directly with investors, important stakeholders, government agencies, and media partners.

    First Employee Of WhatsApp In India

    She had been employed by Meta Platforms for three years before that. Pragya Misra was, incidentally, WhatsApp’s first employee in India.

    She oversaw WhatsApp’s 2018 campaign to combat false information and has previously collaborated with Ernst & Young and the Danish Royal Embassy in Delhi.

    Educational Background

    In 2012, Ms. Misra graduated with an MBA from the International Management Institute. She has a diploma in bargaining and negotiations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and graduated with a degree in commerce from Delhi University.

    Podcast

    In addition to being a Heartfulness meditation trainer, Ms. Misra is the host of the Pragyaan podcast (@pragyaan_podcast), which discusses subjects including human consciousness and meditation. 

  • Beware Of Calls Impersonating DoT, Threatening To Disconnect Mobile Numbers; WhatsApp Calls Starting With +92

    The DoT has cautioned on misuse of mobile numbers, WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92-xxxxxxxxxx) impersonating Government officials.
     

  • WhatsApp Android To Introduce Feature For High-Quality Media Sharing |

    New Delhi: Meta-owned instant messaging app, WhatsApp, is known for its continuous upgrade in terms of features. This time, it is reportedly introducing a new feature to its Android app, making it easier for users to send high-quality images and videos. This feature aims to streamline the process by allowing users to specify their preferred media quality setting.

    Introduction Of New Feature

    According to reports from WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, the new feature has been identified in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.17 build. This beta version started rolling out to testers on Monday through the Google Play Beta Program. (Also Read: Discounts On Apple iPhone 15, 14, 13 Available On Flipkart: Check Current Prices)

    Media Upload Quality

    The feature introduces a setting option called ‘Media upload quality’ within the Storage and data menu. Users can choose between Standard quality and HD quality for their media uploads. Once a preference is selected, all future media uploads will adhere to this setting. (Also Read: Delhi Man’s Rs 340 Cab Booking Turns Into Rs 648 Nightmare: Here’s What Happened NEXT)

    What New It Brings And How Different From Previous One?

    Previously, users had to manually select their desired media quality with each photo or video upload. However, this upcoming update eliminates the need for repetitive selection by allowing users to set their preferences in the settings.

    Option To Change Quality On Preview Screen

    WhatsApp initially introduced the HD Photo Sharing feature in August 2023, followed by support for high-resolution videos. While users currently have the option to change quality on the preview screen, the new feature defaults to the preference set in the settings.

    Platform Availability

    While the feature has been reported for Android, its availability on iOS or the desktop app remains unconfirmed. Additionally, it’s important to note that none of the current options allow users to send media in its original resolution, especially for large files. To achieve this, users must share media as a document.

  • Misinformation Spread Via Deepfakes Biggest Threat To Upcoming Polls In India: Tenable |

    New Delhi: Misinformation and disinformation spread through artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes and fake content are the biggest threats to the upcoming elections in India,” exposure management company Tenable said on Sunday.

    According to the company, these threats will be shared across social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others.

    “The biggest threats to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are misinformation and disinformation as part of influence operations conducted by malicious actors against the electorate,” said Satnam Narang, Senior Staff Research Engineer at Tenable, to IANS.

    A recent report by Tidal Cyber highlighted that this year, 10 countries will face the highest levels of election cyber interference threats, including India.

    Recently, deepfake videos of former US President Bill Clinton and current President Joe Biden were fabricated and circulated to confuse citizens during the upcoming presidential elections. (Also Read: Woman Falls Victim To Investment Scam, Loses Jewelry And Over Rs 24 Lakh)

    Experts note that the proliferation of deepfake content surged in late 2017, with over 7,900 videos online. By early 2019, this number nearly doubled to 14,678, and the trend continues to escalate.

    “With the increase in generative AI tools and their use growing worldwide, we may see deepfakes, be it in images or video content, impersonating notable candidates seeking to retain their seats or those hoping to unseat incumbents in parliament,” Narang added.

    The Indian government has recently issued directives to social media platforms such as X and Meta (formerly Facebook), urging them to regulate the proliferation of AI-generated deepfake content.

    Additionally, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has issued an advisory to these platforms to remove AI-generated deepfakes from their platforms. (Also Read: WhatsApp Allows To Pin Multiple Messages In Chat; Here’s How to Pin Messages on Android, iOS, And Desktop)

    Tenable suggests that the easiest way to identify a deepfake image is to look for nonsensical text or language that looks almost alien-like in language. 

  • EC Asks Govt To Stop Sending 'Viksit Bharat' Messages On WhatsApp

    The ministry had informed the Commission that the messages along with a letter from PM Modi were sent before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16. 

  • WhatsApp Will Soon Allow Users To Scan UPI QR Codes, Pin Multiple Chats And More- All You Need To Know |

    New Delhi: Meta-owned WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature that allows users to scan UPI QR Codes directly from the chat list to make digital payments within the app, as reported by WABetaInfo. This feature is currently available to a limited group of beta testers on Android (version 2.24.7.3), with the aim of improving digital payments, especially in India.

    Adding further, WhatsApp is testing a new functionality that allows users to pin more than three chats and more than one message at a time. This feature is currently available to select users, aiming to keep important information easily accessible.

    WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.3: what’s new?

    WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to scan UPI QR codes from the chats list, and it’s available to some beta testers! Some users may get the same feature with the previous updates.https://t.co/Ya0GGeWlXw pic.twitter.com/0yNBmRWJQy
    — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 18, 2024

    In the latest WhatsApp version (2.24.6.15), users can now pin up to five chats and up to three messages. Also, WhatsApp, with over 2 billion users, is testing a feature that enables swiping between tabs for smoother navigation. (Also Read: LinkedIn Likely To Bring Games On Its Platform To Make Job Search Bit Playful: Reports)

    To enhance security, the instant messaging platform is also working on an authentication feature. The company is testing different methods such as fingerprint, device passcode, and face lock to unlock the app, complementing the existing App Lock feature. 

    WhatsApp news of the week: pin more than 3 chats in development on Android beta!

    This weekly summary can help you catch up on our 10 stories about WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, and Desktop!https://t.co/Ae61DqWUek pic.twitter.com/IV1aWxfCv4
    — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 17, 2024

    These new authentication methods offer users additional security and convenience, addressing the demand for a default lock feature among users.

    How to pin chats on WhatsApp For Beta Users 

    -Press and hold on to the chat you want to pin.

    -Select the pin option from the menu.

    -Stable version users can pin up to three chats.

    -Users testing the beta version can pin a maximum of five chats.

    -To pin a new chat, unpin an old chat first. 

    WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.2: what’s new?

    WhatsApp is widely rolling out a feature to swipe between tabs, and it’s available to some users!https://t.co/bYX7DxvKUf pic.twitter.com/wgIiIOzS3l
    — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 16, 2024

    How to pin messages on WhatsApp For Beta Users 

    -Long-press on the text you want to pin.

    -Select the pin option from the menu.

    -Stable WhatsApp users can pin only one message per chat.

    -Select beta users have the option to pin up to three messages at the same time

    -Users can pin a message for a specific period, up to 30 days. (Also Read: Telegram Introduces New Business Features To Enhance Communication With Customers)

  • How To Transfer WhatsApp Chat Backup From Android To iPhone? Here’s Step-By-Step Guide |

    New Delhi: When you get a shiny new iPhone, the next big task is transferring all your data from your old device, especially your WhatsApp chats. While moving from one iPhone to another is straightforward, switching from an Android device to an iPhone can be tricky.

    But fear not, as there’s a solution: the “Move to iOS” app. One thing to note before moving forward is not all WhatsApp data can be transferred. WhatsApp call history cannot be moved to the new iPhone. (Also Read: Good News For 2.56 Lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks; Centre Announces Pay Hike For Time Continuity)

    What You Need To Know Before Transferring?

    Before you start the transfer process, ensure that your iPhone is either brand new or has been reset to its factory settings. (Also Read: Big Bonanza For LIC Employees; Government Approves 17% Wage Hike)

    Also, make sure both your Android and iOS devices are plugged into chargers and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If needed, you can connect your Android device to your iPhone’s hotspot.

    How To Transfer WhatsApp Chat Backup From Android To iPhone:

    – On your Android phone, download the ‘Move to iOS’ app from the Google Play Store.

    – Follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

    – When prompted for a code, enter the code displayed on your iPhone.

    – Tap on “Continue” on both devices and follow the on-screen instructions.

    – On the transfer data screen, select “WhatsApp” as the data you want to transfer.

    – On your Android smartphone, tap on “Get started” and wait for WhatsApp to export the data.

    – Once it’s ready, you’ll be signed out of WhatsApp on your Android device.

    – Return to the ‘Move to iOS’ app on your Android device, tap on “Continue,” and wait for the transfer to complete.

    – After the transfer is done, open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone and log in with your registered phone number.

    – Tap on ‘Start’ and wait for the transfer process to finish.

    – Once it’s done, all your chats and other WhatsApp data will appear on your new iPhone.