Here are the top trending stories from the world of technology. News that we feel every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
No ‘offline viewing’ for Netflix’s ad supported plan
Netflix’s upcoming ad supported plan has already created a lot of buzz in the market. But the soon to be launched subscription plan may not spell good news for all those who love to watch Netflix movies in the offline mode. According to some developers, who have reportedly accessed the Netflix code on the iPhone, claim that the code for download option is not available in the ad supported plan. This means that Netflix’s ad supported plan subscribers can only watch movies online but cannot download and watch them in the offline mode. This may prove to be a big let down for all those who are planning to subscribe to this plan.
2)
Indian government bans 8 YouTube Channels for fake & anti-Indian news
The ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued orders to block 8 news based YouTube channels for spreading fake & anti-Indian news. The ministry used special emergency powers enshrined in the IT Rules, 2021 to block these channels. These YouTube channels were quite popular and had a total viewership of over 100 crore. The ministry said these channels were spreading falsified information and content that was aimed at communal disharmony in the country. Names of some of these banned channels are as follows: Loktantra TV, Sarkari Update, Sab Kuch Dekho and U & V TV.
3)
Industrialist Gautam Adani to get Z level security
Famous business tycoon and world’s fourth richest man Gautam Adani will be soon accorded a Z level VIP security. The Home Ministry said that this decision was taken following the latest intelligence report hinting that there is considerable security threat to the business tycoon. A special convoy of CRPF commandos will now continuously accompany and provide security cover to Adani. However, the Indian government has clarified that Adani has been accorded Z level security on payment and he will have shell Rs 15-20 lakhs per month for his security. Adani’s various businesses have enjoyed phenomenal success over the years and he is widely considered to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
4)
RBI planning to impose fees on UPI fund transfer
India’s central bank RBI is mooting a rather ambitious plan of imposing nominal fees on UPI fund transfer activities like IMPS, NEFT and RTGS. As is already known, the central bank imposes a marginal fee when such fund transfer activities are carried through normal net banking. But mind you, RBI’s plan of introducing fees on UPI fund transfer is still very much on paper and is currently taking feedback from various stake-holders. Over the years, UPI payment has emerged as a popular mode of payment, with UPI boosting 260 million users across India.
5)
Snap to pause its Drone Project Pixy
The popular video messaging app Snap had unveiled its selfie drone Pixy in April with lot of fanfare. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, Snap is now planning to give up on its drone product as part of its cost cutting measure. This means that the company won’t launch any other version of Pixy in the future. Priced at $230, Pixy was designed as a lightweight drone and had created a lot of buzz because of its unique design. Snap freezing the Pixy project underlines the tough times that the company had predicted during the second quarter results.