New Delhi: Spam calls can be incredibly irritating as it disrupts our day and often leads to frustration. These unwanted calls can come at any time, making it difficult to focus on important tasks. Recognizing this issue, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to review and strengthen regulations to curb these pesky spam calls. On Wednesday, TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti announced plans to implement stricter measures to protect consumers from this growing nuisance. Dealing with pesky spam calls is a top priority for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI is taking a tougher stance to address the issue with a surge in consumer complaints about unwanted calls from unauthorised telemarketers. “We had an interaction with service providers on spam calls and that is the next thing on our table. We will work seriously…we will plug any loopholes that people are finding on existing regulations to tighten (the checks on) spam call issue,” Lahoti made this announcement during the India SatCom 2024 event organized by the Broadband India Forum (BIF). Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, TRAI @TRAI addressing to India Satcom 2024, 9th Flagship Summit at New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/eX8HD3ClkL — TRAI (@TRAI) August 7, 2024 TRAI on Tuesday held a meeting and conveyed a strong message to service providers and their telemarketers to take effective measures to curb bulk communications using voice calls. As part of the crackdown, the regulator has sought proactive action from all the stakeholders specially access service providers (telcos) and their delivery telemarketers. The immediate action sought includes implementing technical solutions for traceability and preventing bulk calling by enterprise customers using 10-digit numbers. Asked about the rising instances of fraud and scams over calls, and actions that are being proposed, Lahoti said that a joint committee of regulators is working collectively to address the issue. “The role of TRAI comes in controlling spam calls. Where it is fraudster or scammer…it also becomes an issue of law enforcement where Ministry of Home Affairs… and financial sector regulator also plays a role,” he said. Asked if raising the criminal liability could serve as an effective deterrent, he said, “We will review regulations to make it strong and very strict as far as control of spam is concerned…As far as the scam is concerned that falls in the domain of law”. (With PTI Inputs)

New Delhi: Tesla Chief Elon Musk’s estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, has launched a fresh attack on the SpaceX CEO, days after alleging that she was “killed” by the “woke mind virus.” Vivian, who came out as trans at 18, also dropped the surname ‘Musk.’ She stated that the 53-year-old “just won’t stop lying” about her and lives in his “own delusional fantasy land.” This attack came out after the Tesla CEO shared a photo of himself with his kids on X and wrote, “All 5 boys super happy.” On the X’s rival platform Threads, Vivian defamed her father and said how he has been attempting an image makeover in a bid to gain favour in conservative Christian circles. Adding further, Vivian Jenna Wilson also claimed that he cheated on all of his partners and had lied about her several times in interviews in an attempt to make himself look better.   In another post on X, Musk stated that Wilson was “born gay and slightly autistic,” and by the age of 4, she adored musicals and exclaimed “fabulous!” to describe his jacket.  Meanwhile, Musk’s ex-girlfriend singer-songwriter Grimes also gave a shoutout to Vivian. In July, she took to X and wrote, “I love and am forever, endlessly proud of Vivian.”  It is important to note that the 20-year-old legally changed her name and gender at the age of 18. This legal transition occurred on June 22, 2022, at a court in California.  She also questioned his climate change claims and his space exploration programs. She wrote on the social media platform, “You are not ‘saving the planet’, you do not give a f*** about climate change and you’re lying about multi-planetary civilization as both an excuse, and because you want to seem like the CEO from Ready Player One.”  Notably, the world’s richest man recently claimed in an interview that he was deceived into signing documents for his older child, Vivian Jenna Wilson, during the pandemic. He stated, “My son is dead,” and referred to gender-reassignment surgery as “child mutilation and sterilization.” After purchasing X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2022, Musk faced allegations of turning the platform into a “toxic” space for LGBTQ+ users by eliminating several inclusive policies, including the ban on deadnaming and misgendering individuals. 

iPhone 15 Discount: Ahead of the iPhone 16 series launch tipped on September 10, Apple has reduced the price of the iPhone 15 series in India. The premium smartphone is available with a significant discount on Flipkart. Consumers can also avail an additional cashback via bank and exchange offers to ease the deal further. If you are planning to buy the iPhone 15 series available at the lowest possible price on the e-commerce giant. However, the 2024 iPhones have received multiple discount offers in the recent past.  iPhone 15 Discount On Flipkart:  The iPhone 15 is listed on Flipkart with a starting price of Rs 71,999 for the 128GB storage model (Black) which is a 9 per cent discount. This is down from its original retail price of Rs 79,600.  This means that consumers will be able to buy the iPhone 15 with a flat discount offer of Rs 7.601 without exchanging the model. There is also a 5 per cent cashback on Flipkart Axis Bank Card. There is also up to Rs 53,000 off with exchange on select models.   iPhone 15 Pro Discount On Flipkart  The iPhone 15 Pro is listed on Flipkart with a starting price of Rs 1,24,990 for the 128GB storage model (Black Titanium) which is a 3per cent discount. This is down from its original retail price of Rs 1,29,800.  

POCO has launched the POCO M6 Plus 5G smartphone and Buds X1 wireless earphones in the Indian market. Now, both devices are going on sale in the Indian market. Both devices are available for purchase on the e-commerce platform Flipkart.  The smartphone runs Android 14-based Xiaomi HyperOS and has promised 2 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. Meanwhile, the POCO Buds X1 are budget offerings with support for hybrid noise cancellation and multiple sound profiles.   The POCO M6 Plus 5G smartphone comes in Misty Lavender, Ice Silver, and Graphite Black colour options. It is offered in 6GB RAM+128GB and 8GB RAM +128GB storage model.  Poco M6 Plus And Buds X1 Price In India:   The smartphone is priced at Rs 13,499 for the 6GB RAM+128GB model and the 8GB RAM+128GB costs at Rs 14,999. The company is providing a Rs 1,000 instant discount on making the payment SBI, HDFC and ICICI bank cards. Moreover, there is also an additional Rs 500 coupon on the vanilla variant. Meanwhile, the POCO Buds X1 are priced at Rs 1,699.  POCO M6 Plus Specifications:  The smartphone sports a 6.79-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a peak brightness of 550 nits in high brightness mode.  It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE chipset and paired with the Adreno A613 GPU to handle all graphics-intensive tasks. The device is powered by 5,030mAh battery which can be fast-charged using the 33W charger included in the box. On the optics front, there is a 108MP and a 2MP macro sensor on the back. For selfies and video chats, there is a 13MP front-facing shooter on the front.  POCO Buds X1 Wireless Earphones The wearables are equipped with  40dB Hybrid Noise Cancelation. It packs a 12.4mm Dynamic Titanium Driver and quad-mic setup with AI Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC).  The POCO Buds X1 offers five EQ sound profiles, providing customisable audio settings. For connectivity, the earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.3 for stable connections and low latency, and Google Fast Pair for easy setup.  POCO has claimed up to 36 hours of total playtime and 7 hours of playtime on a single charge.

OPPO K12x 5G Vs Vivo T3x 5G: In the competitive world of smartphone market, choosing the right 5G smartphone in the Rs 15,000 price segment can be a tough task in India, especially with options like the OPPO K12x and Vivo T3x vying for your attention.  Both smartphones offer impressive features and performance at an affordable price, but which one is the best fit for you? In this article, we’ll compare their specifications, prices and colour options to help you make an informed decision.  OPPO K12x 5G Vs Vivo T3x 5G Price:  The OPPO K12x 5G smartphone costs Rs 12,999 for the 6GB+128GB storage variant while 8GB+256GB carries a price tag of Rs 15,999. Meanwhile, the Vivo T3x 5G smartphone is priced at Rs 13,499 for the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model. The 6GB RAM + 128GB variant cost at Rs 14,999 and the top-end variant with 8GB RAM + 128GB storage carries a price tag of Rs 16,499.   OPPO K12x 5G Vs Vivo T3x 5G Colour Options:  The OPPO K12x 5G is available in Breeze Blue and Midnight Violet colour options. On the other hand, the Vivo T3x 5G smartphone comes in Celestial Green and Crimson Bliss shades.   OPPO K12x 5G Specifications:  The smartphone sports a 6.67-inch panel with 720p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1000 nits peak brightness, Panda Glass protection, and Amazon HD and Widevine L1 support.   It is powered by the K12x with MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G. The smartphone runs Android 14 with ColorOS 14 and is loaded with a 5,100mAh cell with 45W SuperVOOC fast charging support. For connectivity, the smartphone features 5G, dual-band Wi-Fi AC, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and a USB Type-C port.  The OPPO K12x 5G phone offers more similarities similar to the OPPO A3 Pro smartphone. Both devices are loaded with a 5,100mAh+45W setup, a 2MP secondary camera, an 8MP front camera, a 6.67-inch HD+ LCD, and a Dimensity 6300 processor.   The company claims that the smartphone is equipped with a MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification and  IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. The phone also features Splash Touch technology so users can operate its touchscreen even with wet fingers   Vivo T3x 5G Specifications: The smartphone features an expansive 6.72-inch full-HD LCD display delivers stunning visuals with a peak brightness of 1000 nits, a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a sharp pixel density of 393 ppi pixel density.  It is powered by a 6,000mAh battery, supported by 44W fast charging technology. Under the hood, the handset is powered by a 4nm-based Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, delivering unparalleled performance and efficiency. In the camera department, the smartphone packs a dual rear camera setup, comprising a high-resolution 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel sensor. For selfies and video calls, there is an 8-megapixel shooter at the front.  For connectivity, it supports 5G connectivity, alongside Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, OTG, Beidu, Glonass, and a USB Type-C port. The Vivo T3x 5G comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and dual stereo speakers. Adding further, the Vivo T3x 5G is equipped with a range of sensors including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, colour temperature sensor, e-compass, gyroscope, and proximity sensor, enhancing your overall user experience.  Disclaimer: This comparison helps people choose smartphones wisely. It doesn’t favour any brand or model, just gives facts to help consumers understand their options better. 

Beware iPhone, iPads And Mac Users! The Central Government of India has recently raised serious security vulnerabilities in Phones, iPads, Mac and other Apple products. The government has issued an advisory issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).  Moreover, serious security vulnerabilities could lead to spoofing or the leaking of sensitive information from the device, as per the CERT-In advisory. This advisory has been issued on the CERT-In’s official platform, flagging the issue as ‘highly severe’.   “Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Apple products which could allow an attacker to access sensitive information, execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, cause denial of service (DoS) and perform spoofing attacks on the targeted system”, reads CERT-In advisory.  iOS, MacOS, WatchOS, TvOS, VisionOS, And Safari On High Risk  The vulnerabilities impact various Apple software, including iOS and iPadOS versions before 17.6 and 16.7.9, macOS Sonoma before 14.6, macOS Ventura before 13.6.8, macOS Monterey before 12.7.6, watchOS before 10.6, tvOS before 17.6, visionOS before 1.3, and Safari before 17.6.  Apple Issues Latest Security Updates The Cupertino-based company Apple hasn’t confirmed security issues until they conduct an investigation. However, the company issued their latest security updates last week.  It is important to note that the latest versions of this software are also listed on their portal.  Moreover, the CERT-In has requested users to apply the appropriate software updates listed by Apple.  

New Delhi: As cyber frauds reach alarming heights, a local resident became the latest victim when scammers posing as cyber police officials threatened him with arrest. They falsely claimed his Aadhaar card was being used in illegal activities, officials reported on Saturday. How did the fraud begin? Bal Chand Rajput, a resident of Galod in Hamirpur district received a call on July 23 from someone claiming to be a FedEx Courier Service employee, reported PTI. The caller informed him that an illegal parcel bound for Taiwan had been seized by the Customs Department and his Aadhaar card had been used to make the shipping payment of Rs 15,250. Rajput filed his complaint on July 26. Fraudsters Pose as DCP Crime Branch Shortly after, Rajput received another call on WhatsApp from someone claiming to be the DCP Crime Branch. The caller informed him that his Aadhaar card had been used in 18 different accounts linked to underworld and ‘hawala’ businesses, Rajput added in his complaint. Rajput Transfers Rs 5.34 Lakh to Scammers The caller also told Rajput that CBI and RBI officials would investigate all his accounts and that if any evidence of illegal activities was found, he could face seven to nine years of imprisonment. Fearing arrest, Rajput transferred Rs 5.34 lakh to the account shared by the fraudsters over the phone call, according to his complaint. Amount Refunded Within Five Days Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamirpur Bhagat Singh said the cyber crime cell acted on Rajput’s complaint and successfully had the amount refunded to his account within five days. “The police immediately freezed the accounts in which the money was deposited and further transferred, and in three days presented a copy of the complaint on the cyber portal in the court, following which the court issued an order for the release of the money on August 1,” SP Singh said, as quoted by PTI. Ongoing Investigations “I was duped by being threatened with drugs, ‘hawala,’ and underworld connections, but thanks to the prompt action of the police, I have received my money back,” Rathore said. Further investigations into the matter are ongoing, Singh added.

Google Photos: Accidentally losing a photo can be a heart-wrenching experience,  especially when the pics hold the beautiful memories of close ones. If you are using Google Photos, then it doesn’t mean it’s lost forever. Google Photos is one of the most popular backup apps for photos and videos. One of the advantages of this app is that you can use it on several platforms. In this article, we will tell you how to easily restore your deleted photos in Google Photos. Whether you deleted a photo by mistake or changed your mind, we will guide you step-by-step on how to get it back quickly.   Step 1: Launch the app on your device by tapping on the Google Photos icon. Step 2: Navigate to the Trash by looking for a “Trash” or “Bin” icon, usually found in the Library or Albums section. If you’re in the main interface, tap on “Library” at the bottom of the screen. Once in the Library, find and tap on the “Trash” or “Bin” folder. Step 3: Browse through the deleted photos to find the ones you want to restore. Tap on each photo you wish to restore. A check mark or highlight will indicate the selection. Step 4: Tap the “Restore” button, typically found at the bottom of the screen or in the menu options. Once tapped, the selected photos will be restored to your main photo library.  Notably, it is important to note that the deleted photos are typically kept in the Trash for 60 days. After that, they are permanently deleted. If you’ve emptied the Trash, the photos are likely gone permanently 

NEW DELHI: Telecom operators will have to compensate subscribers in case of service outages for more than 24 hours at a district level under the new quality of service rules issued by the sector regulator Trai on Friday. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has also increased the penal amount to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50,000 for failing to meet each quality benchmark under the new rules. The regulator has introduced a graded penalty system of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for different scales of rule violations under revised regulations –“The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024”. The new norms supersede three different regulations — Quality of Service (QoS) for basic and cellular mobile services, broadband services, and broadband wireless services. In case of a network outage in a district, telecom operators will need to provide a rebate on rent for postpaid customers and extend the validity of connection for pre-paid customers as per the new rules. “If any such significant network outage continues for more than 24 hours, the service provider shall provide a proportional rent rebate, as per subscribed tariff offering, for the actual number of days of service outage to postpaid subscribers registered in the affected district(s) in next billing cycle,” Trai said. The regulator will count network outage duration of more than 12 hours in a calendar day as one full day for the calculation of rent rebate or extension of validity. “Rent rebate to postpaid customer or validity extension to prepaid customer, due delay in rectification of faults or due to significant network outage of more than 24 hours, as applicable, shall be made within one week of rectification of significant network outage,” the new norms said. However, outages due to natural calamity will not be considered for the extension of validity. Even fixed-line service providers will have to compensate postpaid and prepaid customers if the fault in their network or service is fixed after three days. The new rule mandates broadband service providers to activate 98 per cent of connections within 7 days of customers making payment. Mobile service providers will need to provide service-wise (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) geospatial coverage maps on their website that will help users. Trai’s new rules will come into force after six months.

New Delhi: Amazon has announced the dates for its much-awaited Great Freedom Festival sale. This annual event is packed with amazing discounts on everything from electronics and fashion to home appliances. For five days, you can find great deals on popular brands and exclusive offers. Whether you’re shopping for new tech, updating your wardrobe or refreshing your home this sale is a chance to save big. When does the Amazon Great Freedom Festival start? The Amazon Great Freedom Festival kicks off on August 6 and runs through August 11. Prime members can start shopping at midnight (12 am) on August 6 while regular users will have access starting at noon (12 pm) on the same day. Bank Offers: Amazon has given a sneak peek at its Great Freedom Festival sale with a new microsite. You can get an extra 10 percent off using SBI credit cards. Up to Rs. 45,000 Off On Laptops & More The Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2024 features discounts of up to Rs. 45,000 on laptops along with great deals on TVs, washing machines, home and kitchen appliances, tablets, smartwatches, and more.  Up to 65% Off Smart TVs, 55% Off On Home Appliances Amazon’s Fire TV and Alexa smart home devices will be on sale at discounted prices. You can also get up to 65 percent off on smart TVs and audio systems while home appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and dishwashers will be available with discounts of up to 55 percent. Up to 75% Off Headphones in Great Freedom Festival Sale The Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2024 features discounts of up to 75 percent on headphones. This is a chance to buy top-quality headphones at significantly reduced prices. Up to 40% Off On Flights and Hotels Amazon is offering up to 40 percent off on air flight tickets and hotel bookings during the Great Freedom Festival Sale. Further, you can get a full refund on train tickets. This sale is a great opportunity to snag your favourite products or book your next trip at a discount.