techlogy

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...

India and the European Union (EU) are joining forces to secure undersea internet cables in the Indian Ocean, which carry nearly 99% of global internet traffic. These vital cables connect continents, link countries, and form the backbone of global digital communication. Any damage or tampering could disrupt internet access worldwide. According to ET Telecom, India and EU officials, along with representatives from several Indian Ocean countries, will meet this week to focus exclusively on protecting these submarine cables. The discussions come ahead of the annual India-EU summit scheduled for January 27 in Delhi. The meeting will map potential threats, enhance maritime security, and ensure a coordinated approach to safeguard these critical digital assets. Why are these thick cables so ...

A recent incident has highlighted the hidden dangers of keeping mobile chargers near children while sleeping. Lorenzo Lopez, an 8-year-old from the United States, suffered severe burns after receiving an electric shock from a loosely plugged charger in an extension cord. According to reports, Lorenzo was wearing a gold chain, a part of which got stuck in the gap between the charger and the extension cord. This caused a sudden electric current to pass through his body. Lorenzo experienced an immediate jolt and intense heat in his chest and neck. Terrified, he pulled the chain away, which ultimately saved his life. Medical professionals later confirmed that without this quick reaction, the outcome could have been fatal. Lorenzo was rushed to the hospital with deep burns on his chest an...

Pakistan is reportedly considering a ban on several apps that authorities claim pose serious security risks. According to government officials and cybersecurity experts, these apps have been linked to rising incidents of terrorism, hacking, and data theft. The apps under scrutiny are primarily unregistered and unsecured VPNs. Experts warn that free VPNs secretly collect user data, which can be sold or misused, putting personal privacy, banking information, and national security at risk. Hackers and terrorists can also use these platforms to remain anonymous on social media, increasing threats of cybercrime and online surveillance. Several countries, including India, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh, have already banned illegal VPNs to safeguard national security. Following a simil...

Just like other household appliances, refrigerators have an expiry too. Over time, they consume more electricity and may fail to cool efficiently. According to Sears Home Services, a good fridge typically lasts 10–20 years, depending on its quality, maintenance, and surrounding environment. The upper freezer section generally lasts 10–15 years, while the lower compartment (for vegetables, milk, etc.) can last 15–20 years. French-door fridges also last around 15–20 years. Signs Your Fridge Is Aging: Unusual noises like humming or rattling Persistent bad odor Uneven cooling or some spots becoming warm Food spoiling faster than usual Tips to Extend Your Fridge’s Life: Clean the condenser coils every six months Avoid overfilling the fridge Ensure door seals are...

Mumbai is set to deploy a cutting-edge AI-based air quality monitoring system in June 2026. Named Mumbai Air Network for Advanced Sciences (MANAS), this system has been developed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and will provide real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) readings from every locality, unlike existing stations that give only average data. How it works: MANAS will use 75 small sensors across neighborhoods, feeding AI algorithms to pinpoint pollution sources—traffic jams, construction, factory emissions, or weather changes. The system will help the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) take timely action to reduce pollution. Officials say that after testing and validation, residents will be able to check AQI for their area on mobile or computer by mid-2026, marking a major ste...

The DigiLocker app has added a new feature allowing Indian citizens to access their Passport Verification Records (PVR) digitally, eliminating the need to visit government offices. Launched on 3 December 2025, this initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD), aims to simplify passport-related processes. The PVR confirms that all required verifications—such as police verification and address checks—are complete. Citizens can now securely store and access these records via DigiLocker, just like Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, and educational documents. The digital format saves time, increases transparency, and facilitates sharing with institutions for visa applications, job ...

Google is working on Project Sunbather, a pioneering initiative to deploy AI-powered data centers in space by 2027. These centers will harness solar energy to operate, marking the first time machine learning could be conducted beyond Earth. Initially, small-scale satellite experiments will test the technology before full-scale deployment. The project will utilize Google’s TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) chips, which currently power Google Search, Maps, and Photos. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted that space-based data centers could drastically reduce environmental impact caused by traditional data centers, including high electricity and water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and electronic waste. Pichai emphasized Google’s long-term vision: leveraging the abundant solar energy in spa...

A small village in Punjab witnessed a unique competition testing phone addiction. The contest, called “Whele Ban Da Muqabla” (The Empty Sitting Challenge), required participants to sit stationary for 31 hours without using their phones. While reading books was allowed, participants could not sleep, lie down, or use the washroom during the challenge. Out of 55 contestants, only three participants—Satbir Singh and Lampreet Singh—managed to last the full 31 hours and 4 minutes, emerging as joint winners. Many participants practiced Gurbani recitation to keep their minds calm during the ordeal. Organizers highlighted that the challenge was more than entertainment. It aimed to make people aware of their dependence on smartphones and help them reconnect with patience, mental peace, and sel...

The Modi government has withdrawn its 28 November directive that required all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices sold in India. The decision sparked widespread debate over privacy and user freedom, as companies and consumers raised concerns about mandatory installation. Earlier, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked companies to comply within 90 days and submit a report within 120 days. Following the backlash, the government has now made the app optional, citing its growing popularity among users. Since the directive, millions of people have already downloaded the app voluntarily. Reports indicate that around 1.4 crore users have installed it, with nearly 2,000 cyber fraud cases being reported daily through the platform. Apple, in...