Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani doubled down on his promise to offer 5G services on his wireless network as early as this year, as his conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd. reported a record profit aided by its consumer businesses.The group’s wireless operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. -- India’s largest -- has started advance tests to prepare the fifth-generation, high-speed network, it said in a statement Friday. But the tycoon’s plans hinge on the availability of spectrum as the Indian government still hasn’t auctioned the required airwaves.The Mumbai-based group, whose businesses span oil refining and petrochemicals to retail and telecommunications, said it’s testing the transmission speeds using locally-developed equipment. Reliance Jio, with almost 411 million users, reported a 15.5% jump in profit for the three months through December from the preceding quarter, while earnings margins before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization touched … [Read more...] about Reliance doubles down on 5G pledge after record profit
Privacy and surveillance: On WhatsApp user policy change
This integration of three large consumption products is a means to monetise their everyday use by consumers and considering the fact that Facebook’s revenue model uses data on its platform to allow advertisers to target ads towards users, the algorithms would benefit from the WhatsApp data as well. Such data transfer from WhatsApp to Facebook is not possible in regions such as the EU, where data protection laws have stringent restrictions on storage and transfer of user data. This regionally differential treatment has attracted the attention of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, which has sent WhatsApp a series of queries, including on why Indian users would be sharing information with Facebook, unlike in Europe. The onus is also on the Indian government to quickly take up the legislation for robust data protection, that aligns with the recommendations of the Srikrishna Committee, which tried to address concerns about online data privacy in line with the 2018 Puttaswamy … [Read more...] about Privacy and surveillance: On WhatsApp user policy change
Actor Semmalar Annam on playing a tribal woman in an upcoming Malayalam film
Former football player and actor I M Vijayan plays the male lead, while Nanjiyamma, an Irula tribal woman, plays his mother. Nanjiyamma’s song ‘Kalakkatha’, written and sung by her in Irula language for the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum got over 10 million views on YouTube. “She plays my mother-in-law. During breaks, she would regale us with singing and Vijay sir would start dancing to the beats. We bonded well. His role is a direct contrast to the villain roles he has been doing. He has excelled himself and it helped me emote better,” says Semmalar. … [Read more...] about Actor Semmalar Annam on playing a tribal woman in an upcoming Malayalam film
What will Chirag Paswan do in Bihar?
Ambedkarite leaders in the BJP like Sanjay Paswan, who have been given a short shrift by the party, are watching these developments carefully. If the Chirag Paswan-led LJP posts a good result, the young leader could become a formidable caste challenger in the years to come and a permanent fixture as a BJP ally. This means an independent Dalit base within the BJP would never get a chance to develop. … [Read more...] about What will Chirag Paswan do in Bihar?
Roundup: U.S. equities post weekly gains as traders assess stimulus prospects
In a confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen made the argument for more deficit spending needed to push the economic recovery forward, underscoring the Biden Administration's priority of providing additional aid to struggling families and businesses. … [Read more...] about Roundup: U.S. equities post weekly gains as traders assess stimulus prospects
