Weekly Tech Wrap: Data Protection Bill Passes, Online Gaming GST Burdens Cos, Scams On Instagram & WhatsApp

Every week, we gather the top tech news headlines worth your time. From Zoom calling employees back to office to DPDP Bill getting passed, here are the top news from the week that was.

From the Centre being ready to implement Data Protection Bill within 10 months, to scams on two popular Meta platforms — the world of tech has been dominated by these headlines over the past week. Take a look.

DPDP Bill Set For Enforcement Soon

The Modi government has announced its intention to enact the Digital Personal Data Protection law within approximately 10 months. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has revealed that the government has initiated the necessary steps for its execution. The Parliament recently granted approval to the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDPB) of 2023. Despite vocal protests from the Opposition, the bill was successfully passed in the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote.

The initiation of DPDPB comes after a span of six years subsequent to the Supreme Court's recognition of the "Right to Privacy" as a fundamental right. Following its eventual acknowledgement in the official gazette, the bill will be signed into law after receiving assent from President Draupadi Murmu.

Gaming Cos Bear Burden Of Online Gaming Tax

In response to the recent surge in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates that has affected the online gaming sector, Hike, a company founded by Kavin Bharti Mittal and owner of Rush Gaming Universe, has made the difficult decision to lay off around 55 employees, which accounts for more than a fifth of its total workforce. An official from the company confirmed this step on Thursday, as reported by PTI.

This move comes shortly after another major player in the gaming industry, Mobile Premier League (MPL), reduced its Indian workforce by almost 50%, letting go of around 350 employees due to the higher GST rate, now fixed at 28 per cent.

Out of the impacted individuals at Hike, 55 employees have been affected, including 24 who were part-time workers. This downsizing constitutes roughly 22 per cent of the entire workforce. Despite enjoying a strong business standing, the unforeseen quadruple increase in GST has presented a considerable challenge for the company.
Kavin Bharti Mittal, who serves as the CEO and Founder of Hike, stated, "Our business is currently performing remarkably well, but the sudden 400 per cent rise in GST feels like an overwhelming challenge. We will need to absorb a portion of this burden, which unfortunately has led to a necessity to reduce our workforce at Hike/Rush."

Pink WhatsApp Scam Is Real…

The alluring image of the pink WhatsApp logo might catch your attention, but exercise caution if someone approaches you claiming to offer access to "WhatsApp Pink" through an exclusive update promising additional features for the messaging platform. WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, stands as the globe's most widely used messaging service, consequently making it a prime target for cybercriminals and scammers.

While scams targeting WhatsApp and Telegram users are not novel, the emergence of WhatsApp Pink malware marks a relatively recent development. This malware purportedly alters the app's theme colour while stealthily pilfering personal information. In the preceding year, security researcher Rajashekhar Rajaharia raised a red flag on WhatsApp Pink, identifying it as a virus propagated via Android Application Package (APKs). 

Despite efforts to curtail its spread, this malicious virus remains active, triggering cautionary messages from law enforcement and cybersecurity units regarding the prevalent scam that has already ensnared numerous users. However, maintaining vigilance and employing mobile antivirus solutions can serve as effective safeguards against potential financial loss and the compromise of personal security.

…And So Is Cloned Instagram Account Scam

With a staggering user base of more than 2.35 billion active monthly users worldwide, Instagram has become a prime target for unscrupulous individuals attempting to defraud innocent users through deceptive tactics. This issue is particularly pronounced in India, which contributes around 229 million users to the platform's global count. 

Unfortunately, due to this substantial user volume, the platform has become vulnerable to exploitation by malicious entities seeking to exploit individuals for financial gain using phishing schemes. Recent reports from ABP Live have highlighted a series of incidents in which users have fallen victim to account cloning, with hackers subsequently contacting their connections for nefarious purposes.

Even Zoom Wants Employees Back At Office

Zoom, renowned for its contribution as a remote work facilitator during the pandemic, has initiated a transition for its employees back to office premises. The company's approach, characterized as a "structured hybrid approach," marks a shift from its previous stance. In accordance with details outlined in a recent statement highlighted by BBC, Zoom will now request employees living in proximity to office locations to attend in-person work for a minimum of two days every week. This strategic decision is underpinned by the company's belief that such an arrangement will effectively uphold the operational excellence of its video-conferencing service.

That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

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