The Competition Commission of India hit WhatsApp and its parent company Meta with an INR 213.14 crore (roughly USD 25.3 million) fine on 17 November for violating the Competition Act and abusing its dominant position through the 2021 update to WhatsApp’s privacy policy. WhatsApp has been directed by the CCI to refrain from sharing user data for advertising reasons with other Meta firms (like Facebook and Instagram) for a period of five years.
Additionally, the CCI has prohibited WhatsApp from requiring user data sharing with Meta firms in order to utilise its services in India. WhatsApp’s policy must outline the kind of data that is provided and the reasons behind them when it comes to Meta companies and goods for purposes other than advertising. Users of WhatsApp must be given the option to opt out of data sharing and change their preferences in-app if their data is shared for purposes other than delivering WhatsApp services. All users, including those who approved the 2021 upgrade, must have access to this option.
Online Network of WhatsApp and Meta Companies
The CCI claimed in a press release that WhatsApp‘s 2021 policy change, which eliminated the previous opt-out option and required users to agree to the new terms, including data sharing with Meta, was an “unfair condition” under the Competition Act.
According to the report, all users were forced to “accept expanded data collection terms and sharing of data within Meta Group without any opt-out” as a result of the update. It claimed that the policy update compelled users to comply, weakened their autonomy, and indicated that Meta had exploited its dominating position due to the network effect and a lack of viable alternatives.
Creating Entry Barriers to Rival Firms
The CCI further claimed that by exchanging WhatsApp user data amongst Meta businesses for objectives other than delivering WhatsApp services, Meta’s competitors were prevented from entering the market and were denied access to the display ad market. WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy modification has drawn criticism worldwide for violating users’ privacy and raising antitrust issues. In August 2024, a Brazilian judge banned WhatsApp from exchanging data with Facebook and Instagram within the nation. According to a Meta representative, they intend to challenge the CCI’s ruling.
The company intends to appeal the CCI’s ruling because it disagrees with it. As a reminder, the 2021 upgrade was available to users at the time and did not alter the privacy of their private communications. A spokesperson for the company also confirmed that the update did not result in the deletion of any accounts or the loss of WhatsApp functionality.
In March 2021, CCI launched an inquiry into WhatsApp’s January 2021 upgrade. Because the policy change had been contested in both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, Meta (formerly Facebook) and WhatsApp had petitioned the Delhi High Court to halt this probe.
WhatsApp’s case was denied by a single-judge panel led by Justice Navin Chawla in April 2021. In August 2022, a division bench consisting of Justice Subramonium Prasad and then Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed the appeal that Meta (formerly Facebook) and WhatsApp had filed against the ruling.
Sayan Ghosh, a former World Bank officer, has launched Ortella Global Capital (OG Capital), a new venture capital (VC) fund worth INR 300 crore (about $36 million), which would work with creators to co-build firms. The fund would distribute cheques of up to INR 15 crore ($2 million) apiece and intends to invest in over 20 early and growth stage firms in the consumer and “enterprise solutions” sectors.
OG Capital said in a statement that it has already invested in three firms. It lacked particular information about these startups, though. In addition to providing funding, OG Capital intends to support startups by adding them to its portfolio and assisting with business expansion.
Created Largest Early-Stage Investment Team in Indi
OG Capital asserts that it has put together the biggest team of early-stage investors in India, which includes seasoned founders and operators. Scaling startups, determining product-market fit, increasing profitability, developing go-to-market strategies, and facilitating high-value exits are just a few of the areas in which the team specialises.
The goal of OG Capital is to transform early-stage investing by doing more than just writing cheques. In order to assist creators in facing the major obstacles head-on and creating organisations that are meaningful, successful, and have rapid growth, Ghosh stated. He further elaborated that the company believes in getting its hands dirty by supporting startups right from the start. The venture capital business stated that it will promote projects that prioritise gender diversity, sustainability, and grassroots effect in an effort to generate 10X returns. The schedule for closing the fund and deploying it, however, was unclear.
India’s Startup Ecosystem
A spirit of entrepreneurship is in the air! With the number of tech companies in India reaching 122,000 to date, with a peak of over 16,000 new additions in 2020, the country has solidified its position as a major global centre for innovation and businesses. In the past ten years, India has seen an unprecedented surge in the creation and funding of startups.
The financial landscape has also changed significantly, with the largest levels of investment over the last 10 years occurring in 2020 and 2021. Despite the challenges in the funding landscape in 2023, venture capitalists, private equity firms, angel investors, and investment firms have shown a surprising level of faith in Indian entrepreneurs. The investment scenario—from both Indian and foreign investors—has been positive and demonstrates resilience in the face of market concerns, with total funding of $8.4 billion in India in 2023.
From 2014 to 2023, a number of factors, including government initiatives, digitisation, and rising internet usage, drove the expansion of India’s top-funded industries. According to the Tracxn research, these industries include Edtech, Retail, Enterprise Applications, Fintech, Transportation & Logistics, Food & Agriculture, Auto, and Travel & Hospitality.
With a total funding of $6.73 billion throughout the years and $6.23 billion in just ten years, Indian investment in the Deep Tech (R&D orientated) industry has been growing consistently, demonstrating the nation’s dedication to science and technology and its continuous expansion. This pattern highlights how crucial technology-driven innovation is to determining India’s future.
The development of firmware and embedded systems still depends heavily on efficiency and dependability. Fast firmware testing and validation while upholding high-quality standards has become essential to the success of products. The traditional methods of firmware testing, which heavily rely on manual intervention, are proving inadequate for modern, fast-paced development cycles. Transforming firmware testing by integrating automation, continuous validation, and real-world simulations is essential for organizations striving for faster, more reliable releases.
Soujanya Annapareddy has contributed to firmware validation and automation, helping improve the efficiency and accuracy of testing processes for energy solutions. By working on Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, she has supported streamlining firmware testing and release processes, ensuring smoother integration and reducing the risk of issues during deployment.
Over the course of her career, Soujanya Annapareddy has worked with top tech companies, helping with firmware automation and validation projects for massive embedded and cloud-based systems. Her research and published papers in peer-reviewed journals focus on firmware automation, embedded systems, and test methodologies, further establishing her influence in this domain. Moreover, her experience in developing automation frameworks using Python, Go, and C++ has significantly improved test efficiency in firmware validation processes.
At her workplace, Annapareddy has played a crucial role in improving efficiency, reliability, and scalability within firmware testing. Her initiatives in automation have reduced manual intervention, enabling structured and continuous firmware validation. By integrating real-time test monitoring systems using GoogleSQL and automated dashboards, she has enhanced defect tracking, allowing for more data-driven decision-making. These optimizations have led to reduced costs, improved release cycle timelines, and a significant enhancement in firmware reliability.
One of her most important endeavors is the creation of a framework for automated firmware testing. She was able to decrease firmware validation time while increasing system reliability by utilizing real-time logging mechanisms, CI/CD integration, and Python-based automation. Additionally, her research on Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for embedded firmware development has led to advancements in multi-threading and resource optimization, ensuring that firmware functions efficiently under real-time conditions.
Measurable outcomes have also been obtained from her efforts in firmware. By automating firmware validation processes, she increased test execution efficiency by 40% and reduced firmware release cycles by 30%. Furthermore, her implementation of stress and failure mode testing allowed for defect detection 35% earlier in the development cycle, preventing post-deployment failures and improving long-term firmware stability. By implementing automated debugging tools and real-time test monitoring dashboards, she reduced manual reporting efforts by 50% and enhanced test analysis efficiency.
Despite these achievements, Soujanya Annapareddy has encountered and successfully overcome significant challenges. One of the primary obstacles in firmware validation was the lack of standardized automated testing frameworks for embedded systems. Manual testing processes were slow and inconsistent, leading to delays and increased costs. By developing a custom automation framework incorporating Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations, she improved real-world accuracy in firmware validation while reducing dependency on physical prototypes. Additionally, debugging firmware failures across complex system integrations proved challenging. Implementing automated logging and real-time monitoring tools provided deeper insights into defect trends, improving efficiency in debugging and troubleshooting.
Industry knowledge has greatly benefited from her published works, which include studies on practical uses of Python in firmware and software automation, as well as improvements in firmware testing and validation methods. These publications highlight the importance of automation and real-time monitoring in firmware validation, offering insights into best practices for organizations aiming to streamline their testing processes.
Regarding the future, Soujanya Annapareddy highlights how automation, AI-powered testing, and cloud-based validation are becoming more and more important in firmware testing. Traditional manual testing is becoming obsolete due to its inefficiency and scalability limitations. Instead, organizations are shifting toward AI-powered automation and predictive analytics, which can identify potential firmware failures before they occur. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations and containerized testing environments are also gaining traction, allowing firmware to be validated in real-world conditions without requiring extensive physical hardware setups.
Security is another growing concern in firmware validation. With the rise of IoT devices and industrial automation, ensuring firmware security through secure boot mechanisms, anomaly detection, and penetration testing will become standard practices. Future firmware validation pipelines will need to incorporate security testing to mitigate cybersecurity threats and system vulnerabilities.
Prioritizing security testing, integrating CI/CD pipelines, and investing in automation frameworks will be essential for enterprises hoping to maintain their lead in firmware validation. Cloud-based testing solutions will further enhance scalability, allowing teams to conduct firmware validation remotely and with greater efficiency.
The transformation of firmware testing is well underway, with automation, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring paving the way for faster, more reliable releases. As the demands of contemporary embedded systems continue to grow, experts like Soujanya Annapareddy are pushing the envelope of innovation to make sure firmware validation keeps up.
Streamline Operations, Slash Costs by 60%, and Skyrocket Revenue with the World’s First Voice-Agent-Enabled SaaS ERP.
San Francisco, November 19: Bestsys, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence and enterprise resource planning (ERP), has unveiled its groundbreaking AI-powered SaaS ERP platform designed to redefine how businesses operate. Targeted at startups, SMEs, and e-commerce merchants on platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, Bestsys delivers a comprehensive solution to streamline operations, reduce costs, and maximize revenue growth.
This transformative platform introduces AI-powered voice agents that automate routine tasks, optimize processes, and provide actionable insights, enabling businesses to focus on growth. In an industry where research shows only 10% of resources are fully optimized, Bestsys identifies and automates the remaining 90%, unlocking operational efficiency like never before.
Transforming Business Operations, One Task at a Time
“We created Bestsys to eliminate inefficiency and complexity in business management,” said Subhodip Dutta, Founder and CEO of Bestsys. “Our AI voice agents act as a 24/7 operational manager, transforming tedious tasks into seamless automation. Whether you’re a startup or a growing enterprise, Bestsys provides tools that scale with you, making it easy to cut costs, boost productivity, and unlock new growth opportunities.”
How Bestsys Empowers Businesses
AI-Powered Voice Agent: Simplifies business management by automating accounting, bookkeeping, taxation, and marketing tasks while offering real-time strategic insights.
Tailored for E-Commerce and Startups: Seamlessly integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce, helping merchants reduce expenses and increase sales through actionable AI-driven insights.
Cost Reduction: Businesses report a 60% reduction in operational costs and a 25% boost in revenue thanks to automation and predictive analytics.
Scalable and Modular Design: With over 35 add-ons, businesses can customize their workflows, ensuring the platform adapts to their unique needs.
Revolutionizing ERP with Next-Gen AI
In a groundbreaking move, Bestsys is set to launch an AI RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and agent-based ERP system, which will redefine how businesses interact with their data. This advanced version will provide a conversational AI interface for managing complex ERP functions, offering unparalleled speed and accuracy.
“Think of it as having an intelligent business partner who understands your goals and proactively helps you achieve them,” Dutta added. “This is the future of ERP, and we’re excited to bring it to the world.”
Proven Results with Bestsys
Early adopters have reported dramatic improvements:
60% reduction in operational costs
40% increase in employee productivity
35% accuracy boost in inventory management
25% revenue growth driven by AI-optimized campaigns
Key Features That Set Bestsys Apart
Natural Language Voice AI: Simplify management tasks with a conversational AI assistant.
Predictive Analytics: Anticipate inventory and demand trends.
Automated Financial Tools: Simplify accounting, bookkeeping, and taxation processes.
Real-Time Monitoring: Gain actionable insights into business performance.
Integrated Call Center Suite: AI agents run marketing campaigns and manage customer interactions efficiently.
About Bestsys
Bestsys is a San Francisco-based tech pioneer led by serial entrepreneur and software engineer Subhodip Dutta, known for his innovative work in tele-radiology AI and digital security. Bestsys aims to democratize enterprise-grade operational solutions, empowering businesses to scale effortlessly with AI-driven efficiency.
Join the Revolution Today
Bestsys is now available for startups, SMEs, and e-commerce merchants worldwide. Discover how AI-powered automation can transform your business. Visit bestsys.co to learn more or schedule a live demo.
In an effort to save money, Amazon India is relocating its headquarters from the World Trade Centre in Bengaluru’s northwest to a site near the airport, according to various media reports. In a 30-story building owned by Brigade Enterprises, the e-commerce and cloud computing giant currently utilises half a million square feet of office space on 18 floors. The Bengaluru airport is 15 minutes away by car from Amazon’s new headquarters. A third of the INR 250 per square foot rent that the corporation paid for the WTC office is probably going to be lost. According to the reports, the relocation would start in April and be finished by 2026.
Current Office’s Dynamics
Amazon‘s present location is a part of Brigade Gateway, the first integrated complex in the city, which also includes a hospital, a five-star hotel, 1,200 residential apartments, and a shopping centre. The report suggests that the 5,000 personnel of the World Trade Centre are encouraged to reside in the vicinity. Amazon employs 300 people, and they occupy one-fourth of the apartments.
A spokesperson told the media that the company is thrilled to be relocating to a new campus, a cutting-edge building intended to promote improved cooperation and provide an unmatched employee experience.
Nevertheless, the staff has been dissatisfied with the company’s new office, which is situated 20 kilometres away, as a result of the prolonged commute time, which is approximately 80 minutes during peak traffic.
Recent Developments in Amazon India
There is currently a top leadership turnover in Amazon India. Manish Tiwary resigned as India’s country manager in August, and Samir Kumar, a seasoned member of the company, took over in September. Kumar will oversee Amazon’s consumer businesses in the Middle East, South Africa, and Turkey in addition to the Indian market.
The Indian marketplace division of the e-commerce giant, Amazon Seller Services, announced on November 11 that its operational revenue for FY24 increased by 14% to INR 25,406 crore, while its net loss decreased by 28% to INR 3,469 crore. Revenue growth was slower than the growth rates observed during the pandemic period, although it still exceeded the 3% increase in FY23.
While Amazon India’s wholesale division, which sells goods and services in bulk to retailers and distributors, saw a slight dip, the company’s logistics and payments divisions reported a 7-9% increase in operational income and somewhat reduced losses for the fiscal year that ended in March 2024. As part of its global employment reduction announced in 2023, the retailer let go of 500–1,000 workers in India. Amazon announced that it would lay off more than 18,000 workers in January 2023. In 2024, the firm laid off hundreds of workers across several sectors, including Twitch, Prime Video, and Audible.
On 15 November, Matrimony.com, a matchmaking service provider, announced the launch of weddingloans.com, a financial technology platform with the goal of assisting with marriage-related expenses.
To provide a full lending solution, the company has worked with top financial institutions like Larsen and Toubro Finance, Tata Capital, and IDFC. According to an official statement released by Matrimony.com, this platform will do more than just provide wedding loans; it will assist clients in making the best choice possible, paying particular attention to their financial security.
Catching on the Opportunity
Since wedding costs have increased over the past ten years and extravagant weddings have become more popular due to social media, many couples are choosing to take out personal loans for their union, according to the WeddingLoans website.
For more than 20 years, marriage has served as a springboard for fulfilling unions. For millions of people looking for the right match, Matrimony is their go-to partner. According to CEO Murugavel Janakiraman, the company wants to expand its offerings with WeddingLoan.com in order to simplify the planning, budgeting, and execution of weddings.
According to the statement, these wedding loans are unsecured personal loans designed to give a couple a one-time payment and then require them to make regular installments to pay back the loan. According to Janakiraman, Matrimony.com would completely safeguard the interests of its customers thanks to its open advisory-led procedures.
Current Wedding Loan Scenario in India
A major change is occurring in the wedding industry: millennials want to finance their own special day instead of burdening their parents. Although this is a considerate gesture, it is most practical when the couple has saved money beforehand; otherwise, they will have to take out a loan. Couples are increasingly using personal loans designed especially for wedding finance to address rising expenses.
Personalisation, unique experiences, and destination or themed weddings—all of which are fueled by the demand for approval and “likes” on social media platforms like Instagram—are the main factors driving the trend towards wedding loans.
About 26% of brides and grooms who intend to pay for their own weddings think about taking out personal loans, citing the IndiaLends Wedding Spends Report 2.0. 68% of individuals who are thinking about taking out a loan intend to borrow between INR 1 lakh and INR 5 lakh. In October and November of 2023, 1,200 millennials participated in the survey.
Banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and fintech lenders all approach wedding loans as personal loans with comparable qualifying requirements. According to Gaurav Chopra, founder and CEO of fintech lender IndiaLends, customers normally require a decent credit score—ideally above 730—to qualify because it shows responsible credit behaviour. Recent bank statements and evidence of a consistent income are also required by lenders. A solid repayment history is also essential, with no late or missed payments for the previous one to three years.
The ‘District’ app is the most recent venture of Gurgaon-based food delivery giant Zomato. The goal of this new platform is to serve Zomato’s expanding “going-out” business, which includes reservations for restaurants, events, and cinema tickets. After the rapid commerce platform Blinkit and the food delivery service Zomato, this is the company’s third consumer-facing venture.
Zomato made a calculated decision to enter the going-out market in order to increase its revenue sources and take advantage of the growing entertainment sector. In August 2023, the company paid a hefty INR 2,048 crore to acquire Paytm’s events and ticketing division, strengthening its dominance in this market.
Attracting Features
The District app provides a wide range of services, including the ability for users to reserve movie tickets from multiple chains, including Cinepolis and PVR-Inox. Bookings for plays, concerts, and other live events are made easier by the app. Zomato‘s vast restaurant network allows users to book tables at eateries.
Locking Horns With BookMyShow
Competition from well-established firms like BookMyShow (supported by Reliance), which presently commands a sizable market share in movie ticketing, is heightened by Zomato’s foray into the going-out sector. Nonetheless, Zomato might have a competitive advantage due to its well-known brand, large user base, and substantial financial resources.
Zomato intends to gradually move services from its main app, the Insider app, and Paytm’s platform under the District app, which would house its going-out businesses. This calculated action will improve emphasis on the main offerings and streamline the user experience.
Zomato is in a strong position to benefit from the rising demand for entertainment and leisure activities as it keeps extending its presence in the going-out market.
Zomato and Paytm Deal
In an exchange filing on August 28, food delivery giant Zomato said that it has successfully acquired Wasteland Entertainment Private Limited (WEPL) and Orbgen Technologies Private Limited (OTPL), Paytm’s event ticketing subsidiaries. The Insider and TicketNew platforms are run by WEPL and OTPL, respectively. On June 16, media outlets first revealed that Paytm was in negotiations to sell Paytm Insider to Zomato, owned by Deepinder Goyal, who wants to grow the “going-out” industry.
Paytm, a company based in Noida, also attested in a different filing that the events and movie tickets business was successfully transferred to Zomato on August 27. To ensure a seamless and continuous experience for users and merchant partners, the movie and event tickets will be accessible on the Paytm app, as well as on the TicketNew and Insider platforms, for a maximum of 12 months during the transition time. Approximately 280 current workers of the entertainment ticketing company will transfer to Zomato as part of the agreement.
According to Paytm, the company’s goal is to concentrate on the delivery of financial services and payments. Following aggressive investments in the popular rapid commerce sector, the deal represents a significant step towards Zomato expanding its operations beyond food delivery.
Under its Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOP) 2021, PB Fintech, the parent company of the well-known insurtech company Policybazaar, has distributed about 27 lakh equity shares. On November 15, PB Fintech said in an exchange filing that its board has given its authority to distribute 27,85,962 equity shares to qualified employees under the 2021 plan. The company’s issued and paid-up share capital, after these shares are allocated, is INR 91,77,91,852, which is made up of 45,88,95,926 equity shares with a face value of INR 2 apiece.
After qualified workers exercised their vested options under the PB Fintech Workers Stock Option Plan 2021, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee awarded them 27,85,962 equity shares with a face value of INR 2 apiece, the document stated.
Stats Prior to Allotment
The issued and paid-up share capital of PB Fintech, which included 45,61,09,964 equity shares, was INR 91,22,19,928 prior to share allocation. On the BSE, shares of PB Fintech ended the most recent trading session at INR 1725.15 each. According to the stock’s 15 November closing price, the freshly allotted equity shares are valued at INR 480 Cr. This follows the company’s distribution of 75,760 equity shares under the same ESOP Plan to qualified employees. Under its ESOP plan 2021, PB Fintech distributed 48.3 lakh equity shares earlier in June.
Current Financial Report of PB Fintech
In the second quarter (Q2) of the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), it posted a quarterly profit of INR 50.98 Cr, its fourth consecutive quarter. Yashish Dahiya, the company’s chairman and Group CEO, acknowledged earlier in September that the business is thinking about entering the healthcare industry. According to reports, PB Fintech is expected to obtain board permission before making a one-time investment of $100 million to purchase a 30% interest in a new healthcare company.
Current ESOP Scenario in India
According to a 2024 survey of 160 companies, 78% of them offered employee stock option plans (ESOPs) to their staff, a considerable increase from 59% in 2021. This indicates that ESOPs are becoming more and more popular among startup owners. More firms are now offering ESOPs to all employees, not only senior management, according to a survey done by Saison Capital, XA Network, and Carta. Compared to one in four in 2021, one in three firms now provides these plans to all employees.
Furthermore, the median ESOP pool size grew from 9% in 2021 to 12.6% in 2024, and 90% of founders now talk about ESOPs with candidates during interviews or job offers, up from 75% in 2021. Additionally, the reasons for providing ESOPs have changed; in 2024, 40% of founders cited cost reductions, up from 28% in 2021.
The founders cited the necessity to retain people as the second most important reason for putting these plans into action, behind creating a sense of ownership and company culture. Even with this increase, fewer than 30% of founders still fully understand the complexity of ESOPs, a percentage that hasn’t changed since 2021.
According to a media citation, Tata Electronics plans to establish a new joint venture (JV) to purchase a 60% majority stake in Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron’s iPhone facility in Tamil Nadu. According to the report, the action will improve Tata’s standing as an Apple supplier in its supply chain in India.
Partnership Plan
According to the plan, Pegatron would own the remaining 40% of the joint venture and offer technical support, while Tata Electronics would own 60% and manage day-to-day operations.
The report added that the sources did not go into detail about the financial components of the arrangement, stating that details are not yet public. Internally, inside the iPhone plant, the contract was announced on November 15. Tata and Pegatron would submit a request for permission to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) “in the coming days.”
Tata Has Become Preferred Partner of iPhone
According to a media outlet in April, Pegatron is in advanced negotiations to sell the Tata Group its sole iPhone production facility in India, which is located close to Chennai.
Apple has supported the purchase, sources informed the agency at the time. About 10,000 people work at Pegatron’s India plant, which produces 5 million iPhones a year. Tata is currently establishing an iPhone assembly factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, where Pegatron is anticipated to become a joint venture partner. The company already runs an iPhone assembly unit in Karnataka, which it acquired from Taiwan’s Wistron last year.
In Light of the US-China Trade Tensions, Apple May Boost iPhone Manufacturing in India
According to a report by a renowned media outlet, if US President Donald Trump fulfills his warning of enacting high taxes on Chinese imports, Apple Inc. could dramatically expand its iPhone manufacturing in India, possibly reaching $30 billion yearly over the next two years.
The current estimated yearly value of Apple’s iPhone production in India is $15–16 billion. However, Apple may decide to move more manufacturing operations to India in response to Trump’s earlier warnings to put 60–100% taxes on Chinese goods, a position he reaffirmed during his campaign. According to the source, Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods during his first term, and analysts think he could use a similar tactic in his second term to strengthen India’s position in Apple’s global production network. A large rise in iPhone manufacturing might improve trade dynamics overall and cement Indo-US economic ties. According to the analysis, the electronics sector in India, especially the production of iPhones, stands to gain significantly, even though other industries may see difficulties.
According to an official cited in the report, a possible boost in iPhone production may greatly benefit India, particularly in the electronics sector. According to experts, Apple may decide to move a sizable amount of its iPhone manufacturing to India as a result of Trump’s tariff policies, especially those pertaining to Chinese imports. Such a move would probably result in the creation of up to 200,000 new jobs and increase India’s manufacturing share of iPhones from the current 12 to 14% to over 26% in the upcoming years.
According to a media report, the government is developing voluntary rules of ethics and conduct for businesses to adhere to while using generative AI or artificial intelligence (AI).
According to an official, the ethics and conduct guidelines created by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will resemble “informal directive principles” for businesses, particularly those developing large language models (LLMs) or utilising data to train artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models. AI legislation is still a ways off. “We are currently trying to get the industry on board with a common set of principles and guidelines and are talking to all stakeholders to see what can be included,” the official stated.
Sharing he thoughts on the move, Sakshi Shah, Founder of GoodLives stated, “The effort by the Indian government to create voluntary rules of conduct for AI companies is a praiseworthy step in striking a balance between responsibility and innovation. As the founder of GoodLives, a platform for holistic wellness powered by AI, I am aware of how revolutionary AI may be, particularly in fields like mental health and general wellbeing. But enormous power also carries a great deal of responsibility.”
“Although artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to completely transform businesses, if ethical standards are not followed, it may have unforeseen effects such as data privacy issues, biased algorithms, or the exploitation of private data. In addition to encouraging self-regulation by firms, voluntary codes of conduct also help to build user trust. These norms, which prioritize openness, equity, and inclusivity, can serve as a model for the responsible application of AI. GoodLives uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide data-driven, customized wellness solutions while keeping user privacy and ethical issues top of mind,” she added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Kiran Rudrappa, the CEO & Co-Founder of Posspole, opined, “A significant step towards fostering ethical and responsible innovation has been taken by the Indian government by developing voluntary codes of conduct for AI businesses. In order to build trust in the market and to differentiate themselves from the competition, startups must adhere to these guidelines that emphasize transparency, accountability, and fairness.”
“In addition to enhancing their reputation, Indian startups can also access government support and partnerships by aligning themselves with these principles. There are some challenges to this initiative, such as resource constraints and ambiguous guidelines, but it encourages collaboration between startups, corporations, and regulators, which is crucial to achieving sustainable growth. India’s commitment to ethical AI development is underlined by adopting these codes, positioning Indian startups to lead globally in responsible AI practices,” he commented further.
Arpit Mittal, Founder and CEO of SpeakX , said, “India’s AI market is growing rapidly, with a projected CAGR of 25-35%, expected to reach around $17 billion by 2027, according to a recent report by BCG and Nasscom. As AI transforms industries, the Indian government’s move to introduce voluntary codes of conduct for AI businesses comes at a crucial time. It offers a much-needed framework to ensure that as companies innovate, they also prioritize transparency, fairness, and accountability. These guidelines are not just about setting standards—they help build trust with users, which is essential for AI’s long-term success.”
Scheduled to be Released by Next Year
Another official stated that the optional code of conduct might be made public early in the next year. The IT ministry may publish broader guidelines as part of the voluntary code that include actions that businesses can take to prevent potential misuse of the company’s LLM and AI platforms, as well as steps that businesses can take during training, deployment, and commercial sale.
An 11-point code of conduct for businesses operating in the AI and gen-AI area has been prepared by the G7 members. According to a media report that quoted a ministry official, “The idea will be the same, but what we are trying to develop will be completely different.”
“This move by the Indian government is a significant step toward fostering ethical innovation in the industry. This initiative reflects a growing recognition that AI has immense potential to transform economies and societies, but it must be developed and deployed responsibly. From our perspective, a voluntary code provides the flexibility needed for companies to innovate while ensuring adherence to best practices in areas like data privacy, transparency, and fairness. It’s also an opportunity to build trust with consumers and regulators, ensuring that AI is used in a manner that aligns with societal values. However, while the voluntary nature of these codes is encouraging, I hope the government provides clear guidelines and engages with industry stakeholders to ensure these standards are practical and effective,” said Eric Fonseca- VP Marketing at IndoAI Tecnologies Pvt Ltd.
Bruce Keith, CEO and Cofounder, Investor AI, said,”AI is all around us, and with the rise of ChatGPT, every business will be using AI to some extent in the next five years. The velocity of change and global nature of AI is making it extremely difficult for any national government to legislate. The rewards for countries that become leaders are akin to winning the next industrial revolution. Any code of conduct needs to recognise this and be framed in a way that protects the consumer while allowing enterprise to innovate. The recent successes of GenAI and neural networks over symbolic AI (logic and reasoning) mean it is harder to make AI models explainable. As a result, I believe that the code of conduct needs to focus on the traceability of source data (and availability of citations) and transparent metrics.”
Advisory Released by the IT Ministry
The IT ministry released an advisory earlier this year in March, requesting that all platforms make sure that their computer resources do not allow for bias or discrimination or jeopardise the integrity of the voting process through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, LLMs, or any other algorithm of that like.
The IT ministry also stated in its advisory that before any AI models, large language models (LLMs), software that uses generative AI, or algorithms that are being tested in the beta stage of development or are unreliable in any way are made available to users on the Indian internet, they must obtain “explicit permission of the government of India.” Later, the advisory was dismissed, and businesses were no longer required to register their AI or LLM prior to implementation.
Why This Step is Needed?
Even while artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many industries, it also presents a number of threats to society, including prejudice, avoidable mistakes, poor decision-making, misinformation, and manipulation. Deepfakes and internet bots have the potential to damage democracies and erode social confidence. Criminals, rogue governments, ideological radicals, or just special interest groups may also abuse this technology to influence individuals for political or financial benefit. The possible harm to society and democratic processes has been brought to the attention of the European Parliament.
According to a recent global report, the number of deepfakes discovered worldwide across all industries increased by a factor of ten between 2022 and 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed worry about the use of deepfakes to disseminate false information. At the national and international levels, numerous attempts are being made to address the threats posed by AI by addressing issues of ethics, morality, and legal values in the development and application of AI.
Nitin Konde
