techlogy

New Delhi: Several major websites hosted on Cloudflare’s servers went down again on Friday, leaving users frustrated across India and other regions. The disruption affected popular platforms such as Canva, BookMyShow, Groww, Coinbase and LinkedIn, all of which became inaccessible for millions of users. This marks the second major Cloudflare outage in just three weeks, raising concerns over the platform’s reliability. The last outage on 18 November had disrupted access to several AI platforms across India. According to reports, services of OpenAI and ChatGPT remain operational, but Claude.AI users are currently unable to access the platform. Cloudflare, one of the world’s largest content delivery networks (CDNs), is yet to issue a detailed statement on the cause of the latest disru...

New Delhi: Soon, every retail and wholesale pharmacy in India will display a special QR code and toll-free number—not for ordering medicines, but to report adverse effects or side effects caused by drugs. This initiative, aimed at smartphone users, allows anyone to quickly report issues like rashes, dizziness, swelling, nausea, or other serious drug reactions. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has instructed all state and union territory drug licensing authorities to implement the system across all pharmacies. How It Works Customers and healthcare professionals can scan the QR code or call 1800-180-3024, connecting directly to India’s Pharmacovigilance Program’s Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (PvPI ADRMS). This will allow for instant reporting of adv...

New Delhi: Today, Wi-Fi is an indispensable part of our daily lives, powering work, communication, and entertainment. But few know that the roots of this revolutionary technology trace back to a Hollywood actress and decades of scientific innovation. Hedy Lamarr: The Hollywood Pioneer In 1942, famous actress Hedy Lamarr, along with composer George Antheil, patented a “Secret Communication System”. Their invention used frequency-hopping technology to send radio signals across multiple frequencies, preventing enemy torpedoes from being jammed during World War II. While this technology wasn’t called Wi-Fi, it laid the foundation for modern wireless communication, and its principles continue to secure today’s wireless systems. Dr. John O’Sullivan and Modern Wi-Fi In the 1970s, D...

New Delhi: With the growing popularity of home entertainment, many people face the dilemma: should they buy a projector or a TV? While both have their advantages, a major flaw in projectors often makes TVs the preferred choice. Lens Blur: The Biggest Issue The most critical component of a projector is its lens, which projects images onto a wall or screen. Over time, dust, moisture, and dirt accumulate on the lens. While the outer surface can be cleaned, dirt inside is difficult to remove. In some cases, fungus develops inside the lens, creating white spots or blurring the image. Even with high-end projectors, this problem typically appears within 2–3 years. In contrast, TV panels are sealed and dust-free, maintaining clear picture quality for years. This is why lens blur often mak...

New Delhi: A new website named ProxyEarth is causing major privacy concerns in India. According to reports, the site can reveal an individual’s name, address, father’s name, alternate phone numbers, email ID, and even live location using only their mobile number. The website has been developed by a man named Rakesh, who claims he is a programmer and video editor. How ProxyEarth Works ProxyEarth uses telecom data to track users. By entering a mobile number, the site can sometimes determine a person’s live location using triangulation from telecom towers. This exposes serious flaws in telecom infrastructure security, making sensitive personal information easily accessible. The Developer’s Claim Rakesh reportedly runs ProxyEarth to promote his other products and generate web traff...

Taipei: Taiwan has taken strict action against China’s popular app ‘Rednote’, imposing a one-year ban due to a surge in online shopping scams on the platform. Known as Xiaohongshu in China, the app has gained global popularity, offering social media features along with e-commerce services. Reports indicate that in the past year, Rednote was linked to over 1,700 fraud cases, resulting in financial losses exceeding $7.9 million (approximately ₹70 crore). Impact on Users Rednote’s ban will affect more than 3 million domestic users in Taiwan. Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been instructed to block access to the app, which had become increasingly popular in the country. The app resembles TikTok in functionality, which contributed to its rapid adoption. Popularity Beyon...

Washington, D.C.: While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized daily life, a new concern has emerged in the realm of children’s toys. In the United States, an AI-enabled teddy bear named ‘Kumma’ reportedly started giving children inappropriate and violent advice, raising alarm among parents and experts. The toy operated on OpenAI’s AI model, and after the incident came to light, OpenAI suspended the company producing the toy. The company later claimed to have fixed the issue, but it remains unclear if independent experts verified the corrections. Privacy Concerns AI toys do more than just talk—they record children’s voices and conversations, sometimes sharing the data with third-party platforms. According to reports from The New York Times, some AI toys send children’s in...

New Delhi: As 2025 comes to a close, Google India has released its Year in Search 2025, highlighting what captivated the attention of Indians online. The report showcases trends across sports, entertainment, technology, national events, and personal curiosities, reflecting the diverse interests of the country. Top Sports Searches:The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 remained the most searched sporting event, followed by the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy. Women’s cricket also gained significant interest, with players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Verma trending as the top female sports personalities. Entertainment & Celebrities:Bollywood veteran Dharmendra appeared among the top 10 overall searches, ranking second in news-related queries. Popular films l...

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is arriving in India for a two-day visit starting December 4, 2025. While his diplomatic engagements draw global attention, his personal lifestyle choices—particularly his avoidance of smartphones—have also intrigued many. Unlike leaders such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, who actively used an iPhone, Putin has no personal smartphone and openly admits he is not tech-savvy. Putin Confirms: “I Don’t Have a Smartphone”According to France 24, in 2018, during a meeting with scientists, Putin remarked that unlike most people, he does not own a smartphone. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has also confirmed in interviews that the President does not carry a personal phone, citing concerns over privacy and security, particularly for someone i...

WhatsApp and Google Push Back as India’s SIM Binding Rule Wins Praise from Jio, Airtel India’s recent SIM Binding rule has sparked a heated debate between telecom operators and major tech companies. While Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea have welcomed the move, tech giants like WhatsApp, Google, and Meta have raised objections. What is the SIM Binding Rule?As per the new regulation issued on November 28, 2025, messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, and ShareChat must remain linked to the SIM card registered on the user’s device. Without the registered SIM, the apps will stop functioning. For users accessing these apps on laptops or web versions, auto logouts will occur every six hours, requiring a fresh QR code scan to log in. Companies have 90 days to im...