Sending festive greetings in the digital world has become more exciting with the introduction of expressive and colorful stickers on WhatsApp. These stickers are perfect to celebrate various events, including the New Year. As 2024 is approaching, here is a guide on how to send Happy New Year 2024 stickers on WhatsApp to add a vibrant festive spirit to your chats.
Open WhatsApp
Next, navigate to the chat window of the individual or group where you want to share your New Year wishes.
Tap on the text input field to bring up the keyboard and look for the smiley face icon beside the text input area. Tap on it to access the emojis and stickers section.
At the bottom of the screen, adjacent to emojis and GIFs, you’ll find a sticker icon. Tap on this icon to access WhatsApp’s vast sticker library.
Explore the available sticker packs, and if you haven’t already downloaded the New Year-themed sticker packs, you can do so by tapping the ‘+’ or ‘Add’ icon to access various collections.
Once you have access to the Happy New Year 2024 sticker pack, simply tap on the sticker you wish to send, and it will automatically be inserted into the chat window.
You can send several stickers in succession by tapping on different stickers within the pack before hitting the send button.
Some sticker packs allow customization options such as resizing, rotating, or adding text to the stickers before sending. Explore these options for a more personalized touch.
WhatsApp also allows you to mark stickers as favorites for quick access in the future. Long-press on a sticker and select the “Add to Favorites” option.
Best year end deals: Planning to party on New Year’s Eve and the first day of 2024? Now, you can get the best speakers at low prices due to year end sales. Various e-commerce platforms are offering heavy discounts on Bluetooth speakers. So, if you are planning to buy one, hurry up. Currently, Amazon is offering an exciting sale on these 8 top Bluetooth speakers including Mivi Play, Zebronics Zeb-Warrior 2.0, and more. We have made a list of these best year end deals, check it out below:
Portability: Bluetooth speakers are easier to use and because of their compact design you take them anywhere on the go.
Energy efficient: you can use Bluetooth speakers for long hours and they require low power to work for 5-7 hours.
Affordable: Bluetooth speakers are available in various ranges from lower to high-end prices. You can choose according to your needs and budget.
Connectivity: you can connect Bluetooth speakers with your smartphone and laptop easily.
1. Zebronics Zeb-Warrior 2.0
Why buy Bluetooth speakers?
Portability: Bluetooth speakers are easier to use and because of their compact design you take them anywhere on the go.
Energy efficient: you can use Bluetooth speakers for long hours and they require low power to work for 5-7 hours.
Affordable: Bluetooth speakers are available in various ranges from lower to high-end prices. You can choose according to your needs and budget.
Connectivity: you can connect Bluetooth speakers with your smartphone and laptop easily.
1. Zebronics Zeb-Warrior 2.0
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The first on the list of best year end deals is Zebronics Zeb-Warrior 2.0 Multimedia Speaker. It enhances your gaming setup with its USB-powered 2.0 configuration and modern design. Elevating the experience, it features dynamic RGB LED lights for a visually immersive atmosphere. With AUX connectivity and convenient volume control, this speaker ensures versatile usage. Boasting an output power of 10W RMS (5W x 2) and an impedance of 3Ω, it delivers robust audio performance. The frequency response spans from 120Hz to 15kHz, catering to a wide range of sounds. Additionally, the inclusion of a 3.5mm jack for line input adds flexibility to your audio setup, making the Zeb-Warrior a comprehensive multimedia solution.
RGB LED lights: yes
Output power : 10W RMS (5W x 2)
Impedance: 3Ω
Frequency response: 120Hz- 15kHz
Line input : 3.5mm jack
2. JBL Flip 5
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The JBL Flip 5 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker offers an immersive audio experience with JBL Signature Sound, featuring race track drivers for booming bass in a compact design. Enjoy extended music sessions with its impressive 12-hour playtime under optimal audio settings. The speaker boasts an IPX7 waterproof rating, ensuring you can groove to your favorite tunes in the rain or at pool parties. Utilize PartyBoost to connect two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers for stereo sound or link multiple units to amplify your party.
Designed for outdoor adventures, the Flip 5 is tough and rugged, featuring a durable fabric covering and rubber housing. Its vibrant aesthetic is complemented by a variety of 11 distinct colors, adding a touch of style to your audio setup. The package includes the JBL Flip 5 Speaker, a Type C USB cable, Quick Start Guide, Safety Sheet, and Warranty Card. Whether you’re seeking powerful bass, durability, waterproofing, or a visually appealing design, the JBL Flip 5 offers a comprehensive package for your portable audio needs and is a best year end deal.
PLAYTIME: 12 Hours of playtime under optimal audio settings
WATERPROOF: IPX7 rated
Bluetooth connectivity: Yes
Design: Covered with Durable Fabric material along with Rubber housing
3. Mivi Play Bluetooth Speaker
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The third one on this list of best year end deals is the Mivi Play Bluetooth speaker. Crafted in India for music enthusiasts worldwide. Revel in the deep and powerful audio, featuring solid bass that enhances every beat. The wireless speaker ensures a non-stop party with an impressive 12-hour battery life on a single charge. Its premium design makes it the top choice for those who cherish music privately or with a small group of friends. Stay connected seamlessly with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology, preventing interruptions and ensuring a continuous audio experience. Mivi Play represents the next generation of wireless Bluetooth speakers, marrying exceptional sound quality with reliable connectivity.
This portable speaker is a source of national pride, being entirely made in India, from design to manufacturing. Competing globally, it stands out with a sleek and brag-worthy design. Enjoy easy control over your music experience with responsive controls, while a 1-year warranty Makes it the best year-end deal for speakers
Playtime: up to 12 long hours on a single charge
Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Made in India: From design to manufacturing, everything is made in India.
Warranty: one year
4. JBL Go 3
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The JBL Go 3 is a wireless ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers the ultimate JBL Pro Sound, ensuring you enjoy signature bass without any distortion. With its feather-light and ultra-portable grab-and-go design, this speaker is perfect for on-the-go music enthusiasts. The quick-connect feature powered by Bluetooth 5.1’s Insta-sync ensures a seamless experience, allowing you to enjoy your music and movies without any lag.
Designed for versatility, the JBL Go 3 is IP67 water-resistant and dust-resistant, engineered to withstand splashes and sand. Whether you’re by the pool or at the beach, this speaker is built to endure various environments. The rugged fabric design adds durability to its vibrant colors, making it both stylish and resilient.
Charging the JBL Go 3 is a breeze, with a quick 2.5-hour charging time. Once fully charged, you can revel in the mega playtime, as one single charge provides up to 5 hours of battery backup under optimum audio settings. This can be the best speaker for year-end sale
Charging Time: 2.5 Hrs
water-resistant and dust-resistant: IP67
Bluetooth: 5.1.
Playtime: up to 5 Hour battery backup
5. Sony SRS-XE300 X-Series
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The next on the list of best year end deals is the Sony SRS-XE300 X-Series Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It boasts a range of features that make it a standout choice for music enthusiasts on the move. Its line-shaped diffuser ensures music is evenly distributed across a wide sound stage, providing an immersive listening experience.
Designed to withstand the elements, this speaker comes with an IP67 rating, making it waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. Whether you’re at the beach, in the mountains, or simply at home, the SRS-XE300 is built to endure various environments.
Equipped with X-Balanced speakers, this Sony speaker delivers a powerful, clear, and distortion-free sound. The advanced speaker technology ensures a rich audio experience for your favorite tunes. With up to 24 hours of battery life, you can enjoy an extended listening session without worrying about recharging constantly. The quick charging feature adds convenience, allowing you to get back to your music faster.
Stream your favorite tracks wirelessly via Bluetooth, providing seamless connectivity with your devices. The Sony SRS-XE300 X-Series Bluetooth Speaker combines durability, powerful sound, and convenient features, making it an ideal choice for those who demand quality audio in various environments.
Diffuser- Line shaped
Water and Dust resistance: IP67
X-Balanced speakers- distortion-free sound
Battery life- Up to 24-hour with quick charging
Bluetooth – yes
6. Bose Soundlink Micro Speaker
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The Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker, in a stylish Stone Blue, is a compact powerhouse that delivers impressive audio performance. Despite its small size, this waterproof speaker packs a punch with 5 Watts, producing loud and clear sound accompanied by shockingly deep bass. Featuring a custom-designed transducer and passive radiators, it ensures a crisp and balanced audio experience.
Designed for on-the-go convenience, the SoundLink Micro comes equipped with a tear-resistant silicone strap. This user-friendly strap allows you to securely fasten the speaker to your backpack, beach cooler, or handlebars, ensuring it stays in place through shocks and shakes.
Built to withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures, this rugged speaker boasts a durable rubberized silicone exterior that resists drops, dents, cracks, and scratches. Its soft-touch finish not only enhances its aesthetics but also minimizes visible marks.
With an impressive IP67 rating, the SoundLink Micro has been rigorously tested to be waterproof, dustproof, and protected from extreme temperatures, liquids, and other substances. Whether you’re at the beach or on a hike, this speaker is ready for any environment.
Equipped with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery, you can enjoy up to 6 hours of continuous music on a single charge. Recharging is convenient with the included Micro-USB cable, ensuring that your outdoor adventures are always accompanied by your favorite tunes. The Bose SoundLink Micro combines portability, durability, and impressive sound quality for those who seek a reliable audio companion in any setting.
Transducer and passive radiators- yes
Water Resistance: IP67
Battery life: Upto 6 hours
Bluetooth- yes
7. JBL Xtreme 2
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The JBL Xtreme 2 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker delivers the iconic JBL Signature Sound with a powerful bass radiator for an unparalleled audio experience. With 15 hours of playtime under optimum audio settings, this speaker ensures a lasting musical companion for your adventures.
You can seamlessly stream your favorite tunes through wireless Bluetooth connectivity, while the IPX7 waterproof rating safeguards against water exposure, allowing you to enjoy your music poolside or in unpredictable weather conditions.
A unique feature of the JBL Xtreme 2 is its capability to activate Google Assistant or Siri with a long press of the play button, adding a convenient hands-free aspect to your experience. The speaker also comes equipped with JBL Connect+ Technology, enabling the pairing of up to 100 JBL speakers for an immersive and synchronized audio environment.
Enhancing the bass experience are the dual passive bass radiators, providing a rich and dynamic sound profile. Additionally, the Xtreme 2 doubles as a 10,000mAh built-in power bank, ensuring your devices stay charged while you enjoy your music on the go.
It features a fabric design that complements its robust construction. The package includes essential accessories like a power adaptor, strap, safety sheet, quick start guide, and warranty card, making it an excellent choice for best year-end speaker sales.
Playtime: 15 Hours
Wireless Bluetooth Streaming: yes
Water resistance: IPX7
Google Assistant or Siri: yes
Built-in power bank – yes
8. Sony SRS-XB100
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The last one on this list of best year-end deals is the Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Bluetooth Portable Travel Speaker. It is available in vibrant orange, designed for those who crave music on the move. Its durable exterior and versatile strap make it ready for any adventure – hang it on your backpack, wrist, or a tree, and the downward-facing speaker will project clear sound wherever you go.
Equipped with a USB Type-C port for efficient charging, the XB100 ensures your music is always ready to play. With an impressive 16 hours of battery life, you and your friends can enjoy music throughout the day and into the night, with the remaining battery percentage displayed on your connected smartphone.
Despite its compact size, this speaker delivers powerful and clear sound. Its lightweight and durable design, along with the multiway strap, make it an ideal companion for life on the go.
The XB100 speaker offers versatility, you can take and make calls with ease, and pair a second speaker via Bluetooth for a stereo sound experience. Sony also prioritizes sustainability, with the XB100 body and strap partially crafted from recycled plastic materials, contributing to a reduced environmental impact. Embrace an immersive audio journey with the Sony SRS-XB100, where portability, durability, and eco-conscious design converge.
Take it wherever you want: The durable exterior & strap make this speaker ready for just going anywhere. You can hang it on your backpack, on your wrist, or even from a tree when you’re out in the sun, & the downwards-facing speaker will project the sound. This can be the best speaker for the year-end sale.
Sending festive greetings on social media platforms like Instagram has become an engaging way to share the excitement of the New Year. Instagram is known for its Stories and Direct Messages feature, which allows users to add colorful stickers to their posts and messages. With 2024 fast approaching, here is a step-by-step guide on how to send Happy New Year 2024 stickers on Instagram, adding a cheerful vibe to your shared moments. To start, launch the Instagram app on your mobile device and make sure you are logged into your account. Then, tap on your profile picture or swipe right from your feed to access the Stories camera. When the camera is open, look for the sticker icon at the top of the screen. It usually looks like a square smiley face. Next, tap on the sticker icon to open the sticker library. In the search bar, type “Happy New Year 2024” or simply browse through the available sticker options. When you find the desired Happy New Year sticker, tap on it to add it to your Story. You can resize, rotate, or place multiple stickers on your post to create a customized festive greeting. Instagram offers various text styles and customization options. Add a personalized message or change the font style and color to complement your sticker. Once your Story is ready, tap the “Your Story” button at the bottom of the screen to share it with your followers. If you prefer a more direct approach, access Direct Messages by tapping the paper airplane icon on the top right corner of your feed or within someone’s profile. Start composing a message, tap on the sticker icon, and add New Year stickers to enhance your greeting. That’s it, now you know how to send Happy New Year 2024 stickers on Instagram. Happy New Year!
The anticipation for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024) has begun rising. The physical event which will be held in Las Vegas starting January 9 to January 12 is going to bring some of the biggest consumer tech brands together as they showcase gadgets that will be launched in 2024. Apart from that, many startups will also showcase their technologies and products in front of tech enthusiasts, journalists, distributors, and important dignitaries from the tech ecosystem. But what exactly can you expect from the CES 2024 event? Let us take a look.
CES 2024
CES is an annual industry-only technology tradeshow, meaning it is not open to the public but anyone affiliated with the consumer tech industry can attend it. These include professionals working with such brands, journalists, and other ecosystem enablers. In 2019, more than 182,000 people attended the event. Due to the pandemic and its aftereffects, the number has been low so far, with CES 2023 peaking at 115,000 attendees. However, this year it is expected to go higher.
Next year’s CES is likely to feature 3,500 exhibitors in a 2.4 million square feet space, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some of the major brands that will be participating in the event include Samsung, Hyundai, Asus, Dell, AMD, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Sony, and many more.
What to expect at CES 2024
Intel: This year, the chipmaker is expected to introduce the 14th generation of Intel Core processors. It is expected to feature higher performance and better optimization to run complex tasks. AI can also be central to these processors.
Qualcomm: We do not expect any mobile technology to be unveiled at CES 2024, as the company usually keeps these announcements for the Mobile World Congress. However, there are some rumors that the company may showcase some of its automotive technology, such as the Snapdragon Chassis. The company is also expected to host a keynote session during the event.
AMD: Just like Intel, we expect AMD to make a chipset announcement at the event. The most likely are Ryzen 8000G APUs for PCs and AMD Z1 for handheld gaming consoles. Alongside, AMD may showcase hardware built for running AI systems as well.
Asus: The company is likely to unveil the ROG 2024 gaming laptop lineup which may bring new innovations for gamers. We may see the new Zenbook series be teased at the event as well.
Dell: Dell is expected to announce its new Alienware laptops. These gaming laptops may feature enhanced performance, better cooling systems, and better GPUs.
Nvidia: Nvidia is set to make big announcements at CES 2024. The company will deliver a special address which might be to unveil the new RTX 4000 Super cards.
Mercedes-Benz: The German luxury car maker will also be participating in the event. It is believed that the company can preview the MBUX Virtual Assistant at CES 2024. It is an in-car voice assistant and the company claims it flaunts a “whole new visual dimension with high-resolution game-engine graphics from Unity”.
Samsung: Samsung’s focus will be on kitchen appliances, with an AI-powered fridge already set for unveiling at the event. Apart from this, we expect new TVs to be on the showcase. There might be a small tease for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup.
Sony: This year Sony’s focus is expected to be on its enhanced Cognitive XR processor-equipped smart TVs. But we will not rule out a surprise PS6 announcement either.
But this is just a glimpse at everything that may take place at the 4-day long event. The list of brands participating is long, and we anticipate that brands will display innovative technologies that will shape up the rest of 2024.
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From politics to films and even war, the year 2023 has demonstrated that not everything one sees or hears on the internet may be real.
With the ever-evolving Artificial Intelligence technology rapidly becoming a part of people’s lives, a sharp rise in deepfakes has raised concerns in the country about its potential to influence electoral politics, especially during the Lok Sabha polls slated to be held next year.
Deepfakes are manipulated videos or other digital representations that use artificial intelligence to create cogent videos or audio of individuals they never did or said, posing a risk of spreading misinformation and damaging their reputation.
According to the ‘2023 State of Deepfakes Report’ by ‘Home Security Heroes’ — a US-based web security services company — deepfake videos saw a five-times increase since 2019.
In 2023, India witnessed scores of troubling instances related to deepfake videos, like the one involving actor Rashmika Mandanna, whose face was superimposed on that of a British-Indian social media influencer.
The incident sparked a nationwide debate around the implications of deepfakes and raised alarms about the invasion of privacy and the potential to cause harm. Four people were arrested for making and uploading the deepfake video on social media.
It was not just her, other film stars such as Alia Bhatt, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif were also targeted with deepfake videos.
A couple of months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the use of artificial intelligence for creating deepfakes, saying this can precipitate a big crisis. He urged the media to spread awareness about its misuse and impact.
Modi said he recently suggested to ChatGPT professionals that as products like cigarettes come with health warnings, deepfakes too should carry disclosures.
Supreme Court Advocate and chairman of the International Commission on Cyber Security Law Pavan Duggal said, “It is a new emerging technology but is very quickly becoming a part of people’s lives. More and more people are going to use deepfakes, not just by cybercriminals but also in all kinds of human activities, including election processes.”
“You don’t need to be a Rashmika Mandana, Katrina Kaif or Alia Bhatt. We will soon start realising that there will be deepfakes on normal users of the internet,” he said.
Duggal expressed fear that since one can now create deepfakes at the drop of a hat using online tools, a lot of which are available for free, “we are going to see far more poisoning of the data stream in the entire cyber eco-system”.
“Already, we are seeing so many deepfake videos put on pornographic websites. It is going to become a huge challenge,” he added.
Globally, deepfakes have been used to shape narratives around conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza. In India, the worrying factor is their potential usage in elections.
During the recently concluded Assembly elections, deepfake videos targeted not only individual political leaders but also attempted to influence public narratives. Deepfakes targeting public figures like YS Sharmila and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emerged as potential threats to electoral politics.
With the general elections scheduled next year, the gravity of the situation has captured the attention of lawmakers and technology experts.
“For a country like ours, the largest democracy in the world, deepfakes and the misinformation they represent is certainly a very problematic issue to the conducting of safe, free, and fair elections,” said Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.
Amid growing concerns over deepfakes, the government directed all social media platforms to comply with IT rules, as companies have been mandated to inform users in clear terms about prohibited content, and cautioned that violations will attract legal consequences.
The IT Ministry will closely observe the compliance of intermediaries (social media and digital platforms) in the coming weeks and decide on further amendments to the IT Rules or the law if and when needed, an official release said.
The missive underlines the hardening of the government’s stance on the issue, amid growing concerns around misinformation powered by AI-Deepfakes.
However, experts feel there is perhaps a need for the government to do more to ensure the impact of the evolution of such technologies is regulated.
“The Indian government realised that there was a need for a data privacy act. This act exists. It now has to be extended to include potential misuse of AI and deepfake to be able to protect the citizens and corporates alike from such misuse across the world,” said Pankit Desai, the cofounder and CEO of cybersecurity company Sequretek.
Chinese tech giant Huawei said Friday it “weathered the storm” of US sanctions as it announced a rise of almost nine percent in revenues in 2023, a year that saw it shock Washington with the release of a high-end smartphone.
The Shenzhen-based giant has been at the centre of an intense standoff between China and the United States, with Washington warning its equipment could be used for state espionage, an allegation the company denies.
Sanctions since 2019 have cut the firm off from access to US-made components and technologies, forcing it to diversify its growth sources.
“After years of hard work, we managed to weather the storm,” rotating chairman Ken Hu said in New Year’s remarks released Friday.
In 2023, the group expected revenues of more than 700 billion yuan ($99.2 billion), Hu said — an increase of nearly nine percent from last year.
But the revenue remains much lower than the 891.4 billion yuan it earned in 2020, the year before the company announced a sharp decline in turnover due to US sanctions.
The firm, however, appears to be bouncing back, announcing moderate sales growth for the first nine months of the year in October.
“Shared conviction has helped us break the siege and forge ahead together,” chairman Hu said.
He warned the firm faces “serious challenges ahead of us”.
“Geopolitical and economic uncertainties abound, while technology restrictions and trade barriers continue to have an impact on the world,” Hu said.
But, he added, “changes in the business environment are not caused by geopolitical conflict alone, but also by fluctuating global economic cycles”.
Smartphone breakthrough
During an August visit to Beijing by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the firm released its Mate 60 Pro handset.
The device, powered by an advanced domestically-produced chip, sparked debate about whether attempts to curb China’s technological advancements have been effective.
Commerce Secretary Raimondo this month told Bloomberg the development was “deeply concerning”, promising the “strongest possible” response to ensure the breakthrough did not harm US national security.
And the Mate 60 Pro has shown the ability to bite into key competitor Apple’s profits in China, analysts cited by Bloomberg in October said.
Huawei remains the world’s leading equipment manufacturer for 5G, the fifth generation of mobile internet.
The United States is seeking to convince its allies to ban Huawei from their 5G networks, arguing that Beijing could use the group’s products to monitor a country’s communications and data traffic.
In June, the European Commission ruled that Chinese telecom equipment suppliers — including Huawei — posed a security risk to the EU.
Beijing in response to US curbs has repeatedly slammed what it characterises as Washington’s “abuse of the concept of national security to hobble Chinese companies” and “discriminatory and unfair practices”.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that for a large, connected nation like India, deepfakes and misinformation represent a “very problematic issue” for conducting safe, free and fair elections.
With respect to tackling deepfakes and misinformation, he said social media platforms are under watch on remedial actions they take in next 7-10 days on ‘advisories’ issued by the government.
The minister also promised that inaction on their part may prompt amendment to the IT Rules that will be more “prescriptive”.
In an interview with PTI, Chandrasekhar, who is Minister of State for IT and Electronics, counted the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) legislation, setting up of grievances appellate panels and tighter accountability enforced on digital platforms for user safety as being among the big achievements for 2023.
Chandrasekhar, however, said that the Digital India Act (that will supersede the 22-year-old Information Technology Act) despite undergoing extensive pre-consultations “ran out of time” and termed it “an unfinished agenda”.
“…The Digital India Act which we put a lot of effort into…spent almost a year on pre-consultations…we ran out of time…these things happen, but certainly, it’s an unfinished, incomplete agenda. But the principles of the DIA, the fact that we have advocated this new framework, and the fact that people are all beginning to understand some of the principles that we laid out during these consultations, is certainly gratifying,” the minister said, adding that this is something the government will take up.
India is headed for general elections early next year, and the DIA is expected to be legislated only after the 2024 polls and the formation of the government.
On the issue of deepfakes, the minister said that for a large, connected nation like India, which is the world’s largest democracy, deepfake represents “certainly a very, very problematic issue to the conducting of safe and free and fair elections”.
Moreover, it challenges the right to personal liberty and lives of individuals who can be targeted with deepfakes that mischaracterised them, their statements or behaviour.
The government has been flagging its worries to social media and other digital platforms about misinformation and deepfakes, and has alerted them about the problems it could create in a democracy like India. Unfortunately, the platforms did not heed the warnings or take necessary action in terms of prosecuting or barring those users who were violating the laws, thus triggering the need for advisories, he said.
“They should have done a number of things in terms of prosecuting and barring people who are violating these laws. They didn’t do any of this. It is becoming increasingly more and more visible that deepfakes are trying to influence election outcomes,” Chandrasekhar said.
The prime minister has signalled it as a real problem to be dealt with, and the IT ministry has held two rounds of consultation with intermediaries, following it up with advisories to platforms detailing the immediate actionable.
“We will keep an eye on the intermediaries for the 7-15 days after they come back from vacations…and if they still have not made a move, then we will basically amend the IT rules and notify amended IT rules to be as prescriptive as the advisories are,” the minister said.
The comment assumes significance as it underlines the toughening of the government’s position on the issue, amid growing concerns around deepfakes powered by AI. Earlier this week, the government directed all platforms to comply with the IT rules, and mandated companies to inform users in clear and precise terms about prohibited content.
The government had deliberately stayed away from being prescriptive so far, as it believed that laying out the guardrails and the principles would prompt intermediaries to comply. “But as it turns out…some have, and some have not…so those who have not, will have to read the advisory and follow what has been advised and if they do not, we will take a look and notify new IT rules, if necessary,” he said.
Advisories are aimed at helping platforms to better comply with the IT rules, and if the companies do not respond to it, then the government will encode them in law.
Asked if the homegrown social media platforms had taken a lead on abiding by the government’s directions on deepfake, the minister said, “I think it is clear that some of the platforms that are much more India-centric have a much more deeper respect for Indian law than somebody sitting in outside jurisdiction who is still living this ‘twilight zone’ about which law they should follow.”
The government talked tough with social media platforms after several ‘deepfake’ videos targeting leading actors, including Rashmika Mandanna, sparking public outrage and raising concerns over the weaponisation of technology for creating doctored content and harmful narratives.
The Centre has asked platforms to act decisively on deepfakes and align their terms of use and community guidelines as per the IT Rules and current laws. The government made it clear that any compliance failure would be dealt with strictly and evoke legal consequences.
The modern age has seen vulnerabilities extending beyond the physical realm. Reports suggest that online predators lurk in the shadows and now wield potent digital tools to exploit a vulnerability and steal valuable information. From individuals to businesses, everyone is a potential target. But how do these hackers operate? Here are five common tactics to be aware of: Phishing attacks Phishing is a classic tactic where hackers disguise themselves as trusted entities to steal sensitive information.Phishing attacks are commonly done over emails wherein users receive an urgent email from their bank, demanding immediate action. Panicked, the users click the suspicious link, leading them to a fake website that mimics the real one. Before they realise it, the login credentials are gone. Malware distribution Ever received and opened a seemingly harmless attachment or downloaded a free app? That could be a gateway to malware – malicious software that infects users’ devices and steals data like personal information, photos and even chats. Malware can spy on the keystrokes and encrypt files. Public Wi-Fi peril We all crave the convenience of free Wi-Fi but connecting to unsecured networks in public places can be very dangerous. It is like leaving your laptop unattended. Hackers can easily intercept users’ data traffic, steal passwords and financial information. Social engineering hacks Not all hacks involve technology, which means it’s the victim who helps a hacker in stealing information or has financial gain. Social engineering tactics involve manipulation of human trust to gain access to information or systems. A hacker might pose as a customer service representative to trick you into revealing personal details or click on a malicious link. This may lead to you losing your hard earned money. Outdated armour One of the common ways to be attacked by hackers boils down to weak digital security infrastructure. India has seen some cases of hacking, such as ransomware attack on AIIMS where the medical institution wore a rusted armour. Using outdated software and operating systems are prone to vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to gain access to these systems. How to stay safe Staying vigilant and informed about these common hacking tactics is the only way to keep yourself safe to the highest degree and significantly reduce the risk of falling victim. A little caution goes a long way in protecting valuable information and digital assets.
Be cautious about what you download and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Stick to using trusted networks and consider a VPN for added security when using public Wi-FI.
Always verify the identity of anyone contacting you, even if they seem legitimate.
Update software and devices regularly to patch vulnerabilities and stay secure.
Michael Cohen, former lawyer and “fixer” for Donald Trump, has admitted to using Google‘s AI language model Bard to fabricate citations for non-existent court cases in legal documents. In a rather lame defence, Cohen said that he thought Bard was a “super-charged search engine” and not an AI-powered chatbot. Cohen’s admission came to light during a recent court hearing regarding his ongoing legal troubles.He confessed to using Bard to generate references to non-existent legal rulings in an attempt to bolster his arguments. According to a report by The Verge, Cohen also said that he wasn’t aware of the latest tech trends and the risks associated with them. “As a non-lawyer I have not kept up with emerging trends (and related risks) in legal technology and did not know that Google Bard was a generative text service that, like Chat-GPT, could show citations and descriptions that looked real but actually were not,” Cohen said. “Instead, I understood it to be a super-charged search engine and had repeatedly used it in other contexts to (successfully) find accurate information online.” Furthermore, Cohen also blamed his lawyer and said that he never realised that the legal pro “would drop the cases into his submission wholesale without even confirming that they existed.” The pitfalls of generative AI Bard, while adept at generating human-like text, does not have the capacity to discern real from fictional legal precedents. As a result, it unknowingly created citations for cases that never existed, further muddying the already complex legal waters surrounding Cohen. Also, this incident underscores the importance of individual user accountability when utilising AI tools. Users must be aware of the limitations of these technologies and exercise critical thinking when evaluating the information they provide. In Cohen’s case, a lack of due diligence and reliance on unverified AI-generated information resulted in a potentially damaging legal blunder.
Popular dating site Tinder will be celebrating the first Sunday in January as “Dating Sunday”, also known as Swipe Sunday. The company claims that it is “one of the busiest days of the year on dating apps as singletons bring their new year energy and intentions into their quest for making new connections.” As per new data from Tinder, the number of Likes increases by 18.2% and the number of DMs sent increases by 22% on Swipe Sunday.From then until Valentine’s Day there are 11.4 million more messages sent globally compared with the rest of the year, and 58.7 million more likes sent compared to the rest of the year. How to increase your chance of likes For many singles, this period is the perfect moment to get their Tinder profile ready for whatever the new year’s connections may bring, the company suggests. The company also claims that on ‘Dating Sunday’, Tinder users respond on average 19.4 minutes faster than on other Sundays of the year. OnePoll on behalf of Tinder conducted a study of 1000 18-25 year old dating singles across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Guwahati between April – May 2023. These are findings from this study Tips from Tinder’s Year in Swipe report This recently released report shows that 2023 was the year of dating “For the Plot”, with singles less concerned with where their relationship was heading, and were more concerned with creating memorable experiences and opportunities – also known as N.A.T.O Dating (a.k.a. Not Attached To Outcomes).
To help singletons live their best main character lives and maximize their chances of finding a match this New Year, Tinder is sharing the best profile trends, from its recently released Year in Swipe report.
The optimal amount of words in a Tinder bio is between 15-45 – During peak season there are 519 Tinder bios edited a minute. So don’t hold back – in 2023, singles in India passionately voiced their values, championing social causes such as Environment, Mental Health, and Animal Rights to their dating mantras like Authenticity, No Labels, and Emotionally Available in their Tinder bios.
Share at least five photos: Focus on images that capture your personality at different times. During peak season, 2263 photos are added to Tinder profiles every minute2. And don’t forget to photo verify to get a blue tick on your profile showing your potential Tinder matches that it’s you in the photos. 65% of young daters in India said a verified profile makes a match more attractive.
Discover attractive interests – Finding common ground is one of the easiest ways to meet someone compatible with you. Use Tinder’s newest features Profile Quiz to check your compatibility with potential Tinder matches through a fun quiz about yourself. Share your responses on your Tinder profile, offering a glimpse into your preferences and interests. The most attractive interests in India right now are makeup, cafe hopping, self-care, skin care and pinterest.
Be open about what you are looking for – Be clear with your intentions. Tinder’s Relationship Goals feature, where Tinder users can share what they are looking for in a relationship, reveals that a quarter (25%) of Tinder users in India are “still figuring it out”.
Quality Time – Including your love language on your profile helps indicate your communication style for future relationships. Spending quality time together is the most popular love language for singles on Tinder.
Spark conversations beyond ‘hi’ – It can be pretty hard to start a conversation out of thin air but Tinder’s new profile prompts help users in expressing their unique personalities and show all their sides, from the fun humor to the ‘real talk’. By selecting and responding to Prompts, you can spark engaging conversations that dig deeper than a mere Like or Nope. The three most popular prompts globally are: “The key to my heart is”, “The first item on my bucket list is”, and “Two truths and a lie”.
