techlogy

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...

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...