Top Tech News Today: WhatsApp Users In India Can Pay Via UPI Apps, US Hacking Servers Since 2009, Alleges Huawei, More

Meta-owned WhatsApp has joined hands with Bengaluru-based Razorpay and PayU to support payments via debit and credit cards as well as UPI apps and net banking across India.

Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature during an event in Mumbai. ( Image Source :ABP Live )

WhatsApp Users In India Can Pay Via UPI Apps

In a bid to make it easier to complete a purchase directly in the chat platform in India, WhatsApp on Wednesday announced users in the country can add items to their cart and send a payment using the method of their choice from supported UPI apps such as Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, debit and credit cards, and more. Meta-owned WhatsApp has joined hands with Bengaluru-based Razorpay and PayU to support payments via debit and credit cards as well as UPI apps and net banking across India. Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature during an event in Mumbai.

US Hacking Servers Since 2009, Alleges Huawei

Chinese tech behemoth Huawei has allegedly said its servers are continuously being hacked by the US, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The company has also accused the US of conducting cyberattacks for stealing important data since 2009, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing, the report added. This comes amid reports of Huawei making an attempt to re-enter the mid-range 5G smartphone market after overcoming US sanctions. The US imposed sanctions on Huawei in 2019, citing national security concerns.

Asus Opens Second 'Select Store' In Kolkata

Taiwanese electronics major Asus on Wednesday opened its second "Select Store" in Kolkata, months after inaugurating the first store in Delhi. The Asus Select Store aims to extend an avenue to its potential customers to purchase quality refurbished Asus personal computers (PCs). The Select Store will display a range of the company's products including consumer laptops, gaming PCs, creator series laptops, and desktops, amongst other Asus products. The company has said that the products on display undergo a series of inspections and have been thoroughly tested, restored, and certified by Asus. The company also offers a 1-year warranty on the products offered at these stores.

Itel To Enter Sub-15K Handset Category 

After launching Itel S23+ in Africa last week, homegrown handset maker Itel is set to enter the sub-Rs 15,000 segment in India. The Itel S23+ is likely to launch with a sleek design and curved panel. The 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED 3D curved screen may come with a peak brightness of 900 nits. The smartphone may pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging, similar to its African counterpart.

Some Entities May Get A Year's Time To Comply With Data Protection Norms

Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said on Wednesday that some entities may be given a year’s time to fine-tune their systems to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. On forming the Data Protection Board and key rules, the minister said that these will be placed within 30 days. In the first ‘Digital India Dialogue’ discussions on the recently enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act with key industry stakeholders, the minister deliberated upon the transition time needed for specific clauses of the law and to seek specific inputs on the implementation.

Global Wearable Tech Industry Poised To Cross $290 Billion In 2030

Wearable technology has emerged as a transformative force and the wearable technology industry is set to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3 per cent to $290.6 billion in 2030, up from $99.5 billion in 2022, says data and analytics company GlobalData. According to London-headquartered GlobalData's Wearable Tech (2023) report, riding on the back of the popularity of Apple Watches and Fitbit's fitness trackers, the wearable tech market has received significant attention and hype in the last decade.

WhatsApp Flows Launched In India

During the second Annual Conversations conference held in Mumbai, Meta's founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a range of WhatsApp services tailored for B2B users in India. In a prerecorded address, Zuckerberg introduced WhatsApp Flows, a feature enabling businesses to craft personalised experiences within chat threads. Through Flows, businesses can set specific actions and automate various tasks for customers directly within the chat interface.