- 8 hours ago
Stay updated with the biggest stories of the day on India Today's 5Live with Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor. The broadcast covers the IT Ministry's scrutiny of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal over proposed username features amid cybercrime concerns, the government's summons to Meta over Instagram ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material, and the latest on Mumbai's monsoon tragedy.
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00:00Hello and welcome. I'm Sonal Mayr Uttar Kapoor. This is 5 Live.
00:04On the program today, we've got two stories in focus with you.
00:07Let's begin with the first one.
00:09There's a new update that's available on your and my most used app, the WhatsApp.
00:16This new update offers you to choose a username.
00:20And WhatsApp says that this is for privacy and that people in the future,
00:26once this update is rolled out, will be able to contact you not with your number,
00:31but with your username as well.
00:35Now, this has divided the internet over what does it really mean?
00:39Is it really for our privacy or is it doing just the opposite?
00:43The government of India is not convinced and now they have asked for a pause on the rollout.
00:49In fact, they have gone ahead to say that not just WhatsApp,
00:52other platforms like Telegram and Signal have also been called in to portray their case.
00:57So where should you stand?
01:00Should you do that update?
01:01Should you not?
01:02We'll tell you on the program.
01:03And then story number two.
01:06We are still thinking about the 11-year-old Veehan who lost his life.
01:10He was just going home in a school bus and a tree fell on him.
01:14After that, we calculated in this monsoon alone,
01:17which is barely a week old in Mumbai,
01:21some six deaths have been reported.
01:23Who's responsible and how cheap really is life in India?
01:27That one monsoon hits, there is sometimes electricity current that hits you,
01:34you die or you fall in a ditch and you die
01:36or the tree falls on you and you die.
01:38All of that story is what will be our focus on the program.
01:42But first up, as always,
01:43let me take you through all the top headlines at this hour.
01:47Mumbai's monsoon has turned deadly once again.
01:5017-year-old girl has died after being electrocuted in Thane.
01:53Just a day after a 60-year-old man lost his life
01:56after falling into an open manhole in Sakinaka.
02:00In separate incidents,
02:02the man was crushed by a falling tree in Thane.
02:05Another was electrocuted in Domvil.
02:08And an 11-year-old boy,
02:09as we've been looking at that case already,
02:12killed by a tree that crashed into a school van in Shamboor.
02:16But the tragedies have now renewed questions
02:19over civic preparedness during the monsoon.
02:24A heartbreaking tragedy has been reported in Pune,
02:27where a two-year-old boy drowned from falling into an open rainwater-filled pit
02:32near his home.
02:32The pit allegedly dug for drainage work
02:35had reportedly been left uncovered.
02:38Without safety measures,
02:39police have booked the contractor.
02:41The contractor and an investigation is now underway.
02:44But really, the contractor is responsible?
02:46What about the local authorities as well?
02:48Shouldn't they be taking some ownership?
02:50The conspiracy angle in the Ketan Agarwal murder case is widening.
02:55While Sia Goyal and Chetan Chaudhry remain the main accused,
03:00police are now probing the possible role of Chetan's 22-year-old classmate,
03:04from Beel.
03:05Investigators claim that the alleged murder plot
03:07was discussed with him as well before the crime
03:11and that Chetan met him again after Ketan's death as well.
03:14Police are now trying to determine
03:16whether he was merely aware of the plan
03:18or played a larger role.
03:22A fresh twist in the honeymoon murder case,
03:25the Supreme Court has now refused to stay the bail
03:28granted to Sonam Raghuvanchri
03:30even as it issued notice on the Meghalaya government's plea
03:34seeking cancellation of her bail.
03:36The court observed the allegations are serious
03:39but said that it was not inclined to suspend the bail
03:42after her release.
03:44The matter will now be heard again on 6th, 9th of July.
03:50In the mega India Today Impact,
03:52the Bengaluru daycare abuse case has taken a serious turn
03:55with police now arresting one caregiver seen in the viral videos
03:59and issuing notices to three other staff members.
04:02The day also learned that the child line complaint
04:04had flagged the alleged abuse before the case even came to light
04:09as disturbing videos continue to spark outrage
04:12continue to trigger every mother in the country.
04:19Rambandi donation theft probe has intensified
04:22with the RSS now breaking its silence on the controversy.
04:25RSS General Secretary has now said that
04:29devotees' sentiments have been heard
04:31and called for strict action against those found guilty.
04:34Meanwhile, the SIT have uncovered fresh details
04:38about the accused in the Trust's July 6th meeting
04:40is expected to be crucial, which show cause notices
04:44likely for two senior office bearers.
04:49Political tensions have escalated in Tamil Nadu
04:52after former DMK minister in MLA,
04:54Anita Radhakrishnan, was arrested over his alleged remarks
04:59against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay.
05:01The arrest follows the Madras High Court's rejection
05:03of his anticipatory bail plea.
05:05The DMK has hit out at the TVK government,
05:08calling the action politically motivated
05:10and alleging a crackdown on opposition voices.
05:15The centre has stepped up its scrutiny of messaging platforms
05:18over their proposed username feature.
05:21Union IT Secretary S. Krishnan says usernames could increase
05:24the risk of impersonation, cybercrime as well.
05:28The government has sought explanation from WhatsApp,
05:30Signal and Telegram, asking them to justify the feature
05:33and address security implications.
05:37Shocking CCTV footage has emerged of the deadly LPG tanker fire
05:43in Uttar Pradesh's Koshambi that claimed five lives on the 26th of June.
05:49The video shows that speeding tanker crashed into a divider
05:52near a toll plaza before a massive police engulfed the entire vehicle.
05:56Police say that the impact triggered a gas leak
05:59leading to devastating fire that also left two people injured.
06:07Global attention is now on Tehran,
06:09where six days of funeral ceremonies for Iran's late supreme leader,
06:14Khamenei, has set to begin tomorrow.
06:16An Indian delegation led by Minister of State for External Affairs
06:20has already reached Iran to attend the ceremonies.
06:24Leaders and delegations from several countries as well,
06:27including Pakistan, Russia and China,
06:30are also expected to participate amidst tight security.
06:37All right, our top story.
06:39The most used app on your phone has to be WhatsApp
06:42and it has a new feature.
06:45And like always, they are promising privacy.
06:48You can now be not your number, but a username.
06:52And here's the logic that they give.
06:54That right now, to message you on WhatsApp,
06:56someone needs your phone number.
06:58WhatsApp says that that's a problem.
07:02It says, handing out your number to a stranger,
07:05a new client, someone in a group chat feels risky.
07:09So instead, you pick a username, like a handle.
07:13And that becomes your identity on the app instead of your number.
07:17Now, sounds like privacy.
07:18Sometimes we're all joining this group
07:21where we only know one person,
07:22but everybody else has access to our numbers as well, right?
07:27So it does sound like privacy,
07:28but now understand what it actually means.
07:32WhatsApp says there's no public directory.
07:35You can't open the app and type a random name
07:37to hunt someone down,
07:40which is the fear mostly, right?
07:42Because if you and I become a username,
07:44you can just go on WhatsApp,
07:46search with my username,
07:47and it's like any other social media app, then, is it?
07:49But here's the part that matters.
07:52If someone already has your exact username,
07:56they can message you.
07:57No number needed.
07:58No permission asked.
08:00Just the handle.
08:02So ask yourself,
08:03what was the point of hiding your number
08:05if a handle does the same job?
08:09WhatsApp does offer a lock for this, remember.
08:11It's called a username key.
08:13And if you've done this,
08:14like I tried it out before the show,
08:16it does that.
08:17It gives you a way in which you can link a key.
08:20Also link your same ID
08:21to your different social media accounts,
08:23and then there's a key that you can give
08:25for people to access.
08:26You can turn it on,
08:27and people need both your username and the key then
08:31before they reach you.
08:32Turn it off,
08:33and the handle alone is the only gate.
08:37But then ask the question again.
08:39If you have to hand someone a username and a key
08:42just to let them in,
08:44how's it different from just giving them a number
08:46in the first place?
08:49What exactly is being protected here?
08:53And remember,
08:54these are not just questions
08:56that I'm raising with doubt.
08:59I genuinely don't know.
09:00What is the logic?
09:02We still are waiting for a response
09:04from WhatsApp on this.
09:06Perhaps the reason why
09:08the Secretary of India's IT Ministry,
09:11S. Krishnan,
09:12spoke on this directly,
09:13and he said that there's a serious possibility
09:16of impersonation.
09:17That's another risk, he says.
09:19He said usernames provide a facility
09:22for committing cybercrimes.
09:24In other words,
09:24this is another dimension
09:26in which people can commit cybercrime.
09:28The government has directed WhatsApp
09:30to explain why it needs this feature at all.
09:35And the government did not stop at WhatsApp.
09:38Off late,
09:39with all the paper leaks doing the rounds.
09:41All of us now know of Signal and Telegram, right?
09:44Similar explanations the government has asked
09:46of Signal and Telegram
09:47because that's exactly the model they operate on.
09:50As of now,
09:52it isn't clear whether WhatsApp
09:54has even asked the government
09:55for more time to respond.
09:57And here's where things get really interesting.
10:02So in your WhatsApp,
10:04just indulge me a little bit,
10:05it already has a status,
10:07it already has stories,
10:09and now it wants a username as well.
10:11Put all of that together
10:13and you ask yourself,
10:14status, stories,
10:15public handle,
10:16instead of a phone number,
10:18is this still a closed private messaging app
10:22that you and I signed up for
10:24or is it starting to look like something else?
10:27This is the same company, remember,
10:29Meta,
10:29that built WhatsApp
10:31into something over 3 billion people.
10:33All of us are now addicted to it
10:35precisely because it was closed.
10:37Your contacts,
10:38your number,
10:39or nobody else.
10:40Now,
10:41piece by piece,
10:43that closed circle
10:44is opening up.
10:46So the feature is being sold as privacy,
10:48but ask,
10:50I'm asking,
10:51a company sitting on 3 billion users
10:53still hasn't cracked
10:55how to monetize them
10:56the way Instagram or Facebook has?
10:59Now that company,
11:00quietly,
11:01the same company is building public handles,
11:04open identity,
11:05more visibility into the app,
11:07built on being closed.
11:08Is this really about privacy
11:11or is this something else
11:15that we are just not getting into just yet?
11:21Let me take that question to my colleague Cyrus.
11:25Cyrus,
11:25whenever it comes to big tech,
11:27we take every update,
11:29every information with a pinch of salt.
11:31We have said this time and again,
11:34when the product is free,
11:35you and I are the product.
11:37Right?
11:38That's with that understood.
11:42Explain to me
11:44why you went and still reserved your username.
11:47Explain to me,
11:48is it not risky?
11:50Right now,
11:51at least people need a phone number
11:53to contact me.
11:54Now my username,
11:56if linked to my username
11:58on other social media accounts,
12:00there's just,
12:01it's like any other app then.
12:03Well, Sonal,
12:04the thing is,
12:05you will always require a phone number
12:07to establish connection with anyone,
12:09be it WhatsApp,
12:10Telegram,
12:11or Signal.
12:12Now the thing with username,
12:14at least WhatsApp,
12:14is pretty clear about it
12:15that they want to establish
12:17some privacy for users.
12:19Beyond that,
12:19they have no other purpose.
12:20Now while other platforms
12:22like Telegram and Signal
12:23have been offering this feature
12:25for eons now,
12:26WhatsApp says that they want to maybe
12:28onboard some of the Telegram
12:30and Signal users
12:30onto their platform
12:31by offering this privacy feature.
12:34Now concerns,
12:35yes,
12:36there are around the fact
12:37that people might be impersonating
12:38other genuine users
12:39and scammers might amplify
12:41on the platform,
12:42but then you also need to figure out
12:44some of the nuances
12:45of this feature.
12:46Like you just mentioned
12:47about a security code
12:49after a specific username
12:50only then
12:51will someone be able
12:52to message someone.
12:53You cannot just like
12:54go on a directory
12:56and search for a username
12:57and then message.
12:58So there are certain,
12:59let's just say,
13:00security features
13:01that have been embedded
13:02into this
13:03to make sure
13:03that scammers
13:04can't make use of
13:05some of the other...
13:08Then why is the government
13:09so apprehensive?
13:11Well, I think it's about
13:13understanding this feature.
13:15It's been there
13:15for such a long time.
13:16The government,
13:17because of WhatsApp's popularity,
13:19having more than
13:20850 million users in India,
13:22they thought that
13:23scammers might be able
13:24to make use of this,
13:25where this feature
13:26has already existed
13:27on Telegram and Signal.
13:28It kind of feels
13:29a little funny
13:30that this kind of
13:31an awareness has come now
13:32that they want explanation
13:34of how this feature
13:35actually works
13:36and they are kind of
13:37dragging WhatsApp
13:37into this.
13:38But I think it's now
13:39upon WhatsApp
13:40to convince the government
13:41that this is indeed secure.
13:43Because remember,
13:44this is optional.
13:45It's not something
13:46that is going to be
13:46thwarted upon people
13:47that they have to use this.
13:49They will have an option
13:50to get usernames
13:51for themselves
13:51and then maybe
13:52have their number
13:54displayed as another option.
13:56Yes, I think people
13:57have concerns
13:58about their phone numbers
13:59being displayed
13:59because it often reaches
14:01these banking tellers
14:02who often call you
14:04for promotional offers.
14:06I think that is the one thing
14:07that people are maybe
14:08fell off of
14:09and that's exactly why
14:10they want usernames
14:11so that their numbers
14:12at least aren't displayed
14:13on public groups
14:15or maybe communities
14:16where they're often
14:17communicating.
14:18will be,
14:19it's making not much sense
14:20but let me take that question
14:21to Jitin Jain then.
14:23Jitin Jain is a security expert
14:25and he said this
14:25long time ago to me,
14:28many moons ago
14:29and reminds me
14:30every time
14:31that your phone
14:32is,
14:33nothing is safe.
14:34You're already,
14:35you will never be able
14:36to claim your identity.
14:37It's already sold out
14:38to all these big tech companies.
14:40There's no use
14:40even trying
14:41to claim it.
14:42but explain this
14:43to me Jitin
14:44before I go
14:44and ask you
14:45more questions on this.
14:46How does WhatsApp
14:47make money?
14:51See,
14:51I'll tell you what,
14:52when Facebook
14:53bought WhatsApp
14:53for almost
14:54300-400 billion dollars,
14:56nobody knew
14:56how this valuation
14:57was arriving.
14:58Then you realize
14:59that that valuation
15:00was derived
15:01based on two things.
15:02One,
15:02number of users
15:03and the data
15:04WhatsApp had
15:04for monetizing
15:05on,
15:06for precision advertisements,
15:07metadata and stuff.
15:09So,
15:09a company
15:10which never charged
15:11even a single penny
15:11to a user
15:12still had billions
15:13of dollars
15:14in valuation.
15:15So,
15:15you have to understand
15:15that it is all
15:16a game of
15:18monetizing the data.
15:19Now,
15:19if you look at
15:20this current issue
15:21in the entire context,
15:22there are two sides
15:23of it.
15:23Previous is always
15:24a double-a swap.
15:25So far as WhatsApp
15:26intention is to
15:27create a username
15:28where users
15:28do not have to
15:29disclose their numbers
15:29to random
15:32shopping portals
15:32or shopping malls
15:33or random people,
15:34it is fine,
15:34it will work that way.
15:36But,
15:36the problem arises
15:37when you look at
15:38the size and scale
15:38of WhatsApp
15:39and the previous conduct
15:40in these geographies.
15:41So,
15:41what happens
15:42if you make
15:43usernames,
15:43three things,
15:44you know,
15:44obviously you will be
15:45able to hide your number
15:46but it will lead
15:46to three things.
15:47A,
15:48impersonation.
15:49So,
15:49let's say Alia Bhatt,
15:50Dez Bhatt,
15:51Amitabh Bachchan,
15:52people will start
15:53scamming.
15:53No,
15:54you are not talking
15:54about America
15:55or Europe,
15:56you are talking
15:56about India
15:57where we are
15:57already seeing
15:58floodgates
15:58of digital arrest
15:59cases.
16:00Now,
16:00what will happen
16:01tomorrow,
16:01a call comes
16:02from ED
16:02or somebody
16:04impersonating a
16:04Delhi police,
16:05you will not know
16:06this is some
16:06Pathan sitting
16:07in Pakistan
16:07or some
16:08scammer
16:08setting in
16:09Rawalpindi.
16:09So,
16:10I think one of the
16:10things WhatsApp
16:11can do,
16:12see,
16:12it's not a,
16:13you know,
16:14black and white
16:15debate.
16:15One of the things
16:16WhatsApp can do,
16:16if somebody is
16:17using username,
16:18you still allow
16:19recipient to see
16:20whether the number
16:21behind that username
16:22is from India
16:22or Pakistan
16:23or some other
16:24geography.
16:25So,
16:25that might ease
16:26out certain
16:26things.
16:27Second,
16:28see,
16:28they have said
16:29that we will
16:29reserve the
16:30username of
16:30VVIPs.
16:31Who are these
16:32VVIPs and
16:32celebrities?
16:33You and me,
16:34I mean,
16:34you could say
16:35100 Bollywood
16:36top celebrities,
16:36100 politicians,
16:37200 bureaucrats.
16:38What about
16:392000 entrepreneurs?
16:40What about
16:405000,
16:41you know,
16:41influencers,
16:42Baba,
16:43Ziyogis,
16:43Ashram?
16:43So,
16:44people can scam
16:44and name up
16:45anyone.
16:45It will not work.
16:46So,
16:46you might give a
16:47username based
16:47on KYC,
16:48that is fine.
16:49but Jitin,
16:50remember the days,
16:51remember the days of
16:53BBM,
16:54when before
16:55iPhone came and
16:56changed and
16:57smartphones came and
16:58changed our life
16:58forever,
16:59remember that
17:00Blackberry used to
17:01have a messenger
17:02and all of us
17:03used to feel
17:03relatively easy
17:05being on that
17:05messenger.
17:06So,
17:06that's what I'm
17:07asking,
17:08why is WhatsApp
17:09doing this?
17:11What,
17:12you know,
17:13Cyrus is trying to
17:13say is that
17:14they want to
17:15board on board
17:16the people
17:17who are on
17:19Signal
17:19or perhaps
17:20on Telegram
17:21and all these
17:21people,
17:22that number
17:22is very
17:23minuscule
17:23for WhatsApp
17:24to look at
17:25really.
17:25So,
17:25why are they
17:26after it?
17:26One simple
17:27reason,
17:28only one
17:29simple reason,
17:30monetization.
17:32You wait
17:32for premium
17:33services come
17:33for these
17:34usernames,
17:35very soon
17:35you will have
17:35this payment
17:36data from
17:37your UPI
17:37coming in
17:37on WhatsApp,
17:38that is where
17:39they want to
17:39make it easier,
17:40that if you
17:41want to pay
17:41some money
17:42to someone,
17:42you don't
17:43have to give
17:43your number,
17:43just give
17:44them the
17:44username.
17:44So,
17:44they are
17:45looking at
17:45that angle.
17:46Second,
17:46they are
17:47offering to
17:47connect your
17:47Instagram account
17:48and then
17:49Facebook account,
17:49so they have
17:50already connected
17:50Facebook and
17:51Instagram.
17:51Now,
17:52they want to
17:52connect WhatsApp
17:53also into
17:53that ecosystem
17:54so then they
17:54can monetize
17:55WhatsApp.
17:56Precision
17:56advertisements,
17:57ads,
17:58you know,
17:58shopping,
17:58they have
17:58already tied
17:59up a reliance
17:59for these
18:00big carts,
18:00you could do
18:01some small
18:01grocery shopping
18:02on WhatsApp.
18:02You look at
18:03from that
18:03perspective and
18:04that is why
18:05username is
18:05coming in and
18:06don't compare
18:06it to BBM or
18:08Signal or even
18:08Telegram today.
18:10These apps are
18:10used as privacy
18:11conscious people,
18:11people who
18:12understand what
18:12they are doing,
18:13who are privacy
18:14conscious,
18:14who are doing
18:15some shady
18:15stuff or they
18:16want to stay
18:17away from the
18:17radar.
18:18If you look at
18:18the size and
18:19scale of
18:19population which
18:20is using
18:20WhatsApp,
18:21I am sorry,
18:22they will open
18:23floodgates of
18:24impersonation and
18:25name squatting.
18:26These problems
18:27happen today even
18:27on Instagram and
18:28Facebook.
18:28It's not that
18:29people do email
18:30squatting or
18:31website squatting,
18:32but doing
18:33squatting on
18:33WhatsApp is
18:34something different.
18:35Sonala, I'll
18:35give you an
18:35example.
18:36I got that
18:37point.
18:37You get 10-20
18:37SMS points every
18:38day.
18:39I got that
18:39point.
18:39Just one more
18:40second.
18:40Just one second.
18:41I want to ask
18:43one second,
18:43Cyrus.
18:44I just want to
18:44understand this.
18:46If, you know,
18:47in this entire
18:48process, how
18:50will you ensure
18:52that this does
18:52not become
18:54another Instagram?
18:55Can you tell
18:56me that?
18:57How will we
18:57ensure this does
18:58not become
18:59another Instagram?
19:00It will
19:00happen.
19:01And are
19:01other countries
19:02protesting?
19:03The way in
19:04India, everybody
19:04is divided,
19:05government is
19:05on to them.
19:06How have
19:07other countries
19:07adopted this
19:08change?
19:10Okay, let's
19:11say privacy is
19:12the real concern.
19:13Then what they
19:13are suggesting
19:14that you reserve
19:14the same name
19:15what is there on
19:15Facebook and
19:16Instagram on
19:17WhatsApp.
19:17So I don't
19:18want to give
19:18my number,
19:19but you will
19:19then use the
19:20same username to
19:20search my
19:21family and
19:21friends on
19:22Instagram and
19:22Facebook.
19:22You will
19:23find my
19:23ID.
19:24So see,
19:24privacy is
19:25an excuse,
19:26monetization is
19:27objective.
19:28As simple as
19:29that.
19:29Two, can
19:30you tell
19:30WhatsApp to
19:31give it in
19:31writing that
19:31they will
19:32not launch
19:32some premium
19:33features on
19:33WhatsApp tomorrow?
19:34They will.
19:35The subscription
19:36is coming.
19:37Once the name
19:37squatting,
19:38impersonation and
19:39scams happen,
19:39they'll say,
19:40okay, fine,
19:40we want to
19:41give you a
19:41blue tick on
19:41WhatsApp,
19:42pay 500
19:43rupees a month.
19:43This is what
19:44it is coming
19:44in.
19:45Otherwise,
19:46you lay out
19:46a process
19:47that what
19:47is the name
19:48process of
19:49reserving a
19:49name.
19:50If not
19:51KYC,
19:51let's say
19:51a number
19:53name which
19:54exists on
19:55the eSIM
19:55or the
19:56SIM card
19:57owner of
19:57that number,
19:59you could
19:59verify it
20:00using Aadhaar
20:00or some
20:00API without
20:01giving much
20:01of data.
20:02So if you
20:03allow random
20:03people to
20:04reserve random
20:04names,
20:05then this
20:05problem will
20:06happen.
20:06Ideal user
20:07would have
20:07been that your
20:08name and
20:08surname has
20:09to be there
20:09in that
20:09username
20:10and then we
20:10will allow
20:11you.
20:11We will also
20:12reveal your
20:12geography and
20:13the country
20:14code of
20:14your number
20:14if you are
20:15making a
20:15username.
20:16I want to
20:16know whether
20:17a call is
20:17coming from
20:17plus nine
20:18to number
20:18or plus
20:19nine one
20:19number.
20:20WhatsApp will
20:21take that
20:21away and
20:21tomorrow they
20:22will say
20:22we don't
20:23want to share
20:24the data with
20:24the government,
20:25we don't want
20:25to have law
20:26enforcement.
20:27So we are
20:28looking at the
20:29problems of
20:29tomorrow.
20:30Don't look at
20:30a simple
20:31username.
20:32Look at the
20:32problems
20:33username will
20:33create and
20:34the money
20:35which will
20:35create for
20:36Instagram.
20:36So you have
20:37to find a
20:37balance between
20:38both of them
20:38And other countries
20:39very quickly have
20:42other countries
20:43also similar
20:43concerns or just
20:44India?
20:46I think other
20:47countries they
20:48have stronger
20:48laws like GDPR
20:50and you know
20:50European laws
20:51where they are not
20:52playing this
20:52merry of sharing
20:53Indian business
20:54data with
20:54WhatsApp,
20:55WhatsApp data with
20:55Instagram,
20:56Instagram data with
20:57Facebook.
20:57So you have
20:58weak laws here
20:59and you are
20:59making us
21:00scapegoats and
21:00guinea pigs for
21:01these experiments.
21:02Okay, okay.
21:03Alright, Jitin
21:04Jain as always
21:05never mincing his
21:06words, always
21:06speaking the
21:07truth.
21:07Thank you so
21:07much for
21:08joining us on
21:09this new
21:10WhatsApp upgrade.
21:11Is it an
21:12upgrade or is
21:13it really trying
21:14to get your
21:14information out or
21:15bigger plans for
21:16business expansion
21:17when it comes to
21:17big tech, you've
21:18also got to be
21:19careful.
21:20So let's take
21:20that with a
21:21pinch of salt.
21:21But moving
21:22across to some
21:22more breaking
21:23news coming in and
21:24this is from the
21:24IT ministry which
21:26is now directed
21:29officials from
21:30Meta on a
21:32matter of
21:33Instagram ads
21:34promoting child
21:35sexual material in
21:36India.
21:37The Ministry of
21:37Electronics,
21:38Information,
21:38Technology to
21:39seek explanation
21:40from Meta on
21:41that matter as
21:42well.
21:44Cyrus is with
21:45us for more
21:46details on this.
21:46Cyrus, what's
21:47this case all
21:47about?
21:49Just getting
21:50information right
21:50now, Sonal.
21:51It's not clear
21:52what exactly the
21:54explanation is going
21:55to be because
21:55right now the
21:57information that
21:57has come has
21:58just come to
21:59me but it is a
22:00matter of serious
22:01concern.
22:01I mean the
22:02Meta officials
22:03being summoned by
22:04the IT ministry
22:05for Instagram ads
22:07promoting child
22:08sexual abuse
22:09material in India.
22:10They have a
22:10massive network
22:11now.
22:12Remember Meta
22:12has control over
22:14three platforms
22:15right now in
22:15India.
22:16One being
22:17Instagram and
22:18also WhatsApp.
22:20So amplification of
22:20these messages can
22:21be like pretty
22:22wide almost like a
22:24billion users exist
22:25just on WhatsApp
22:26and Instagram ads
22:28as you know
22:28they, I mean
22:30Facebook in
22:31itself amplifies
22:32all of these
22:33ads on the
22:34same network
22:35and also on
22:35WhatsApp.
22:36So yes, a bit
22:37surprising that
22:38it has like
22:39escaped under the
22:40radar but we
22:42are looking to see
22:42what other
22:43information and
22:44details can be
22:44shared.
22:44We'll come back
22:45to you when we
22:46have more
22:46information on
22:47this.
22:47Thanks so much
22:48insiders for
22:48joining us.
22:57Alright, cutting
22:57across to some
22:58updates coming in.
22:59This is on the
23:00judicial custody of
23:01Sia Goyal and
23:02Chetan Chaudhary in
23:03the Ketan Agarwal
23:04murder probe.
23:05Both will be in
23:06judicial custody now
23:07for the next 14
23:08days.
23:09Cops have sought a
23:10three-day extension
23:10of police custody to
23:11probe the code,
23:12words and secret
23:14signals used by
23:15Sia and Chetan
23:17during their
23:17conversations.
23:18The meanings of
23:19those code words
23:20and proposed were
23:21the reason behind
23:23they wanted more
23:24but they've been
23:24sent to judicial
23:26custody.
23:28That's a big
23:29update coming in.
23:30My colleague
23:31Devesh Singh is
23:31live with us for
23:32more on this.
23:33Devesh, explain to
23:34us what exactly
23:35happened.
23:36It comes on a
23:37day where Sia was
23:38seen being taken
23:39back, making some
23:40obscene gestures with
23:42her hand towards
23:43the media and
23:44towards the camera.
23:45I mean, this case
23:46is just, it's
23:47been a cliffhanging
23:48murder quite
23:48literally from the
23:49very beginning, but
23:50it's getting murkier
23:51by the day.
23:55Well, Sonal, this
23:56is an uphill task
23:57for the police to
23:59build a watertight
24:00case.
24:00This is a steep
24:01slope where the
24:03police have to
24:03collect corroborative
24:05evidence, evidence,
24:06witness statements
24:07which will nail or
24:09which will provide
24:10the evidence that
24:11will prove that
24:13Sia Goyal and
24:14Chetan were the
24:16conspirators and did
24:18execute the
24:19murder, did execute
24:20the terminate, Ketan
24:22Agarwal from
24:23Lohogart Fort.
24:24Now, what has come to
24:25light in the
24:26investigation is that
24:27what was told to the
24:28court just a while
24:30ago by the
24:31investigators was that
24:32Sia and Chetan
24:34were using code
24:35words and they need
24:36to elaborate on that,
24:38they need to get
24:38more details on that,
24:40what were these
24:40code words indicating,
24:43what do these
24:44code words indicate.
24:45Also, earlier
24:46Chetan's one
24:48mobile phone, Sia's
24:49one mobile phone
24:49was seized, another
24:50mobile phone of
24:52Sia Goyal has also
24:53been recovered, it
24:54has been seized, it
24:55will also be sent to
24:57the FSL to retrieve
24:59data, to retrieve
25:00messages.
25:00Remember, earlier
25:01police had pointed
25:02out that a lot of
25:03messages have been
25:04deleted, those need
25:06to be recovered, those
25:07need to be recovered
25:08and once they are
25:09recovered, they will
25:10also be part of the
25:12evidence against
25:13Chetan and Sia.
25:15Now, three days
25:16more custody was
25:17sought by police but
25:19court has sent Sia
25:21and Chetan to
25:23judicial custody for
25:2414 days.
25:25Alright, we leave
25:26it there for the
25:26moment, thanks so
25:27much Devesh for
25:27joining us.
25:27For those of us
25:28who are joining in
25:29on this story,
25:29however, here is a
25:30quick update.
25:30Now, the investigation
25:31is throwing up
25:32disturbing new
25:33twists on the
25:33story even as
25:34prime accused
25:35Sia Goyal's obscene
25:36gesture at the media
25:37has sparked outrage.
25:38You see that on
25:38your screen right
25:39now.
25:39Investigators are
25:40now probing whether
25:41the alleged conspiracy
25:42extended beyond just
25:43the two of them.
25:44The 22-year-old
25:45classmate of the
25:46co-accused Chetan
25:47Chaudhary is now
25:48under the scanner with
25:49police trying to
25:49establish exactly what
25:51he knew about the
25:52alleged murder plot.
25:54Here's a report.
26:02An obscene gesture.
26:04Even as police
26:05investigate one of the
26:07most chilling murder
26:07cases in recent memory,
26:09Sia Goyal's reaction
26:11while being escorted
26:12by police has
26:13triggered outrage.
26:15Caught on camera,
26:16Sia is seen flashing
26:17her middle finger at
26:18the media.
26:19A gesture many saw
26:20as a defiance.
26:21Even as investigators
26:23continue to piece
26:24together the evidence
26:25behind Ketan
26:26Agarwal's alleged
26:27murder.
26:28And with every new
26:29lead, the alleged
26:30conspiracy appears to
26:32be getting deeper.
26:33What began as a case
26:34against Sia Goyal and
26:35Chetan Chaudhary has
26:37now widened, with
26:38investigators probing a
26:40possible third link.
26:42Police have taken
26:43Chetan Chaudhary's 22-year-old
26:45classmate from Beir into
26:47custody for questioning.
26:50Investigators say Chetan
26:51allegedly shared the
26:52murder plan with him.
26:53He was allegedly
26:54invited to join the
26:55Lohagar trek.
26:57Police claim Chetan
26:58met him after Ketan's
26:59killing.
27:00Sia too is said to
27:01have spoken to him
27:02after the murder.
27:03Chetan had reportedly
27:04been in touch with him
27:06since late May.
27:08And investigators say
27:09the friend had urged
27:10the duo not to go
27:11ahead with the
27:11alleged plan.
27:13Police are probing
27:14the classmate's exact
27:15role.
27:16From a middle finger,
27:17a possible third
27:19conspirator.
27:20The mystery behind
27:21Chetan's murder is
27:22only deepening.
27:23Vidum Karwab,
27:24Le Bureau Report,
27:25India Today.
27:30Alright, moving on to
27:31the other big story
27:31that we are tracking.
27:32Five lives have been
27:34lost in just three days.
27:35Five innocents, five
27:37families shattered and
27:38five tragedies that
27:39many believed could
27:40have been prevented.
27:41It started with the
27:4211-year-old school boy
27:43crushed by a falling
27:44tree.
27:45A 17-year-old
27:46electrocuted.
27:47A 60-year-old
27:48swallowed by an
27:49open manhole.
27:49Another man
27:50electrocuted and
27:51yet another killed
27:52by a collapsing
27:53tree.
27:54That's just any
27:56other monsoon day
27:57in India.
27:58This isn't just the
27:59story of one spell
28:00of rain.
28:00Government data
28:01shows 337 people
28:03died in Maharashtra
28:03during last year's
28:04monsoon.
28:05While studies estimate
28:06over 2,300 people
28:08lose their lives in
28:09Mumbai every year
28:10due to heavy rain.
28:12So when the rain
28:13returns every year,
28:14why do the same
28:14deaths keep repeating
28:16is this a natural
28:17disaster?
28:18We all know it
28:19isn't.
28:20Or a failure of
28:21civic planning,
28:22maintenance and
28:23accountability?
28:24Whose really is
28:25the question?
28:31Rahul killed by a
28:32falling tree.
28:34Alia and Shashi,
28:36Rahul,
28:37electrocuted.
28:40Aslam drowned in
28:41an open manhole.
28:43Vihan crushed to
28:45death in his school
28:46bus.
28:46And Soham drowned
28:48in an open pit.
28:52The Maharashtra
28:54government and civic
28:55authorities should look
28:56at these faces.
28:58Innocent lives lost
29:00because of sheer
29:01negligence.
29:02No matter what they
29:03claim, the blood of
29:04these innocent citizens
29:06are on their hands.
29:08At least five lives
29:09have been lost in
29:10Mumbai and one in
29:12Pune over the last
29:13four days.
29:14All because those
29:15responsible failed to
29:17do their jobs.
29:1935-year-old Rahul
29:20Ashok Patil, the son
29:22of a former deputy
29:23mayor, was critically
29:24injured after a coconut
29:26tree fell on him
29:26during heavy rain and
29:28strong winds in
29:29Meera, Bhayanthar.
29:32The incident took place
29:33on Wednesday.
29:34Rahul battled for his
29:35life for two days
29:36before succumbing to
29:37his injuries on
29:38Friday.
29:40Another victim of
29:41Mumbai's civic apathy
29:42was 17-year-old
29:43Alia, who died of
29:44electrocution in
29:45Thane on Thursday.
29:47Her family is
29:48demanding justice.
30:17In Dombi Willis,
30:18Hanuman Nagar, 42-year-old Shashi Rahul Chakar came into contact with electricity from a light power line on a
30:25water-locked road and died.
30:2760-year-old Aslam Sheikh also met a tragic fate after falling into an open manhole in Sakinaka in drowning.
30:35Just days earlier, 11-year-old Vihana Shivastav lost his life after a tree fell on his school bus.
30:41His mother clutched his cricket bat, hoping her son would return.
30:45He never will.
30:46He was cremated with the same bat he loved.
30:51Around 160 kilometers from Mumbai, two-year-old Soham Lakhan Kasbe accidentally fell into an open pit filled with rainwater
30:59and drowned.
31:00It is alleged that the pit had been dug for sewage and rainwater drainage but was left uncovered without any
31:07safety measures.
31:08His mother was inconsolable.
31:17Let us meanwhile are doing what they do best, politics.
31:22Those in power are assuring action while the opposition is raising questions.
31:27Contractor is on the investigation committee.
31:42foreign
31:56foreign
32:24The government has initiated action against those
32:27responsible. But the lives lost cannot be brought back. With Omkar Wable, Bureau Report, India Today.
32:57Just one week in just one city. Five deaths. In fact, there how it's going. All right.
33:04My colleague Devesh joins us for more on this. Devesh, this is just how cheap life is.
33:11I want to understand so many investigations happen, right? Every time there's a death,
33:15there's an investigation that is opened. Do we ever get to know if there's a time-bound
33:20manner, what this investigation says? And importantly, if there's a follow-up to ensure
33:24it does not repeat again. Does that ever happen?
33:31Well, Sonal, these incidents do beg the question that are these investigations or these inquiries
33:38being ordered by the civic body, by the authorities enough? Can they bring back the lost lives?
33:45Can the 11-year-old Vihant Srivastava be brought back? 60-year-old Aslam Sheikh who died in a manhole,
33:53who slept in a manhole and died, can he be brought back? There are a number of lives
33:58which have been lost. And this is due to civic apathy, due to lethargy of some of the contractors,
34:04some of the officials who did not pay attention that there was a pit being dug up somewhere,
34:10left open somewhere. There was a manhole left open somewhere. And this is not happening for
34:15the first time. Earlier also, earlier also, we have seen such instances where people have lost
34:21their lives due to civic apathy, due to lethargy of certain officials. They've been suspended,
34:27inquiry has been ordered. But what about the lives being lost? Now, there are police cases being
34:33registered against some of the contractors. Officials are being named in the FIRs also. But
34:40what kind of fix does the civic authority have? The richest municipal corporation, BMC,
34:49Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which is the richest municipal corporation in the country,
34:53which has a budget which is more than many states of the country. But such kind of civic apathy in
35:00a
35:00city, which is the financial capital of the country, where people are losing their lives just
35:05because a manhole cover was left open. There was some... It'll only change when we start voting on
35:12these issues. It'll only change, Devesh, once we start voting on these issues and we start raising
35:17these questions. This basic question of Bijali, Sadak, Paani, we start raising that air pollution,
35:22we start raising that with our councillors, we go out and vote. That's the only way it'll change
35:26because this doesn't seem to be ending, be it whatever party that comes into power.
35:30Netas, just know that they can get your vote otherwise, which is why they, you know, continue
35:34to ignore the basics. That's where the problem is. But we leave it there. Thanks, Devesh, for joining
35:39us with the very latest on that story.
35:43Now, what began as a disturbing video sent to us has now led to arrests. A police crackdown and
35:49official action. Just yesterday on the program, we showed you this horrific video. It has not let
35:55people sleep, including me. It gives you nightmares at night that this can happen inside a daycare
35:59centre. The abuse of toddlers at a daycare inside Capgemini's Bengaluru campus has shocked the nation,
36:05shocked every mother at least. The videos, you know, purportedly shown children being forced into a front
36:12loading washing machine, made to sit on a toilet, sprayed with a toilet jet inside their mouth. It's just,
36:18you know, just unspeakable really what happened inside that daycare centre. And following that
36:25outrage, police have now arrested one daycare worker seen in the video while against action has been
36:31initiated against the others as well. Bengaluru police commissioner there, Seemant Kumar Singh,
36:35has called the allegations extremely serious, saying that the videos clearly depict abuse. He has also
36:40announced inspection of daycare centres across the city and ensure compliance with safety norms,
36:44warnings that those responsible will not be spared. But what about the company?
36:50The company who was running this daycare centre, who told their employees that we'll take care of
36:55kids while you make us more profits. What about them? Why are they not coming out and making a
37:00statement? Why are they not coming and responding is still the question India today continues to ask.
37:21And the cyber scare then really is what we will get our focus back to. The cyber scare is now
37:28hitting
37:28India's e-rickshaw drivers. An app, and this is where the story gets really interesting. Okay, an app
37:35allegedly used to remotely disable battery-powered vehicles has sparked panic across several states
37:42reports of moving e-rickshaws suddenly coming to an halt because somebody was controlling it with an
37:49app sitting somewhere else. India today did a ground investigation on this one and the government has
37:56stepped in but it's crazy. Imagine you're going on an e-rickshaw and because it runs on a battery which
38:01is
38:01controlled by a mobile phone and an app by someone sitting somewhere else, they are now pressing and
38:08pausing how that moves. Take a look.
38:16Imagine travelling in an e-rickshaw through a busy road and suddenly without warning your vehicle
38:22comes to a complete halt. No mechanical fault, no dead battery, just someone with a smartphone taking
38:29control and switching it off. A Bluetooth app called BAT BMS is now at the centre of a growing cyber
38:35security scare. From Delhi to Uttar Pradesh to Madhya Pradesh, drivers claim their livelihoods are
38:41literally being switched off. The app allegedly connects to an e-rickshaw battery management system
38:48or BMS through Bluetooth. Once paired, it can reportedly disconnect the battery, lock the system
38:54and immobilize the vehicle remotely, all in a matter of seconds. The controversy first gained traction
39:01after videos of moving e-rickshaws suddenly stopping went viral online. An India today reality check in
39:08South Delhi found that several drivers were aware of the BAT BMS app and confirmed that such incidents
39:14were indeed taking place. For many, every forced stoppage means lost passengers, lost income and growing panic.
39:21Si, P. Do you have to ask your question? Yes, there has been an application. This is a BAT BMS
39:26app.
39:27Actually, people have stopped the battery. Some people are travelling for this, so don't do this,
39:32do not do that, as if someone is used by someone for a long time alone. A hundred or two
39:37hundred
39:37rupees of cost will get a harm, but if someone gets sick, sick, 악 and sick, don't do this,
40:09In
40:10Muradabad, the emotional cost of the alleged cyber attack became painfully visible.
40:15An Erik Shah driver broke down in tears, claiming that his vehicle had been remotely disabled
40:21through the bad VMS app.
40:55In Bidjnar, the controversy took another twist.
41:01The E-Rikshah Drivers Union has accused two youths riding a white scooter and going about
41:07remotely stopping E-Rikshahs.
41:09They have now approached the police, demanding strict action against the accused.
41:38And in Ujjayen, police say they have cracked what appears to be the first cybercrime case
41:43linked to the app, with one accused being arrested.
42:08These are no longer just isolated pranks.
42:11Cyber law experts say an E-Rikshah today is effectively a computer on wheel.
42:16And unauthorized access to its digital system could amount to a criminal offense.
42:21In the eyes of law, I am very clear.
42:23This is not a game.
42:25This is an offense under Section 66, led with Section 43 of the Information Technology Act
42:312000.
42:32And that becomes the offense of a computer-related offense under Section 66 of the IT Act, punishable
42:37with three years imprisonment and five lakh rupees fine.
42:40The government has now acted, ordering the removal of Batch BMS, Losergy and Epoch IEON apps
42:47being allegedly misused in remotely disabling battery-operated vehicles.
42:53But the uneasy concerns remain.
42:55In India's rapidly expanding electric mobility revolution, the next road accident may not begin
43:01with reckless driving.
43:02It could begin with a software vulnerability.
43:06Bureau Report, India Today.
43:11Patrin, E-Rikshah's right now.
43:12What about our cars and scooters?
43:14Well, we've got to be careful and the government has to come with a stronger mandate on this
43:18one.
43:19But talking about strong mandate, well, are you one of those who drinks energy drinks quite
43:27often?
43:28Well, this next story is for you.
43:29And don't worry, it's not a ban yet, but there are some tough questions for you to consider.
43:33The tough questions are coming in from the Food and Safety Regulatory Authority of India.
43:38So a lot of these energy drinks come out in the market saying that they will boost energy,
43:42that they will sharpen focus.
43:44All they really have is sugar and caffeine.
43:47And the government is now saying you've got to change your labeling and call it out for
43:51what it is.
43:53If you are one of those who didn't know, this story is for you.
44:15Well, do you think your favorite energy drink gives you the wings?
44:20Well, it may now need a new label before it can make that claim here.
44:25India's food regulator FSSAI has pulled up six popular energy drink brands, not because
44:34they're being banned, but because of what they're promising on the can right here in the front.
44:40So what's this buzz really all about?
44:44Well, it turns out under the current FSSAI rules, there is no official food category called energy drinks,
44:52which really means that calling a beverage an energy drink like these two can land brands in trouble.
45:00And that's really not all claims like boost energy, sharpens focus, vitalizes body and mind of fights,
45:09weakness, giving you wings.
45:12All of these claims are under the standard.
45:15Well, the FSSAI says if you make a health or performance claim, you need the science and the legal approval
45:23to back it up.
45:25But before you panic or worry, there is no reason to do so.
45:30Your favorite can, if it is any of these, isn't really disappearing from shelves.
45:36This isn't a ban.
45:37It's a truth in labeling crackdown.
45:41Be truthful in your labels is all that the FSSAI is saying.
45:45The regulator wants companies to prove what they're claiming or stop claiming it altogether.
45:51So the next time you reach out for that fizzy pick-me-up, remember, the biggest jewel may not be
45:57the caffeine here.
45:59It might just be the label.
46:05All right.
46:06And preparations are in full swing in what is being called the wedding of the year.
46:11Well, this is fresh visuals that we're showing you right now from New York's Madison Square Garden being transformed ahead
46:16of the rumored wedding of pop star Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis.
46:21Now, while neither Swift nor Travis have officially confirmed that they are tying the knot this weekend, a flurry of
46:29activity through the iconic venue has now intensified speculation.
46:33According to multiple reports, the celebrations are expected to begin with a rehearsal dinner at the venue's Inforces Theatre, followed
46:40by a cocktail hour, a black-tie wedding ceremony with the reception of nearly 1,000 guests.
46:45The guest attendees have reportedly been asked to sign strict non-disclosure agreements and follow a no-photo policy to
46:53keep festivities private.
46:55The rumored guest list includes some of the biggest names from music, Hollywood, and the NFL, with also the stars
47:01such as Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, Tim McGroy, and a lot of the others, really.
47:06Social media stars as well coming in.
47:09Now, meanwhile, social media has been flooded with fan theories of Swifties continuing to decode every clue, the delivery labels,
47:17reading Garden Party to trucks carrying what appeared to be a baby grand piano into the venue.
47:26So, rest assured, the rest of the weekend, all of us are going to be on our phones.
47:30Catch all the updates on the India Today app.
47:39You are also scrolling at 2 o'clock and you are not coming to sleep.
47:43Have you seen another video?
47:46How ironic.
47:47But let me show you a trick today that will knock you out in a few minutes.
47:52At least, that's what the claim is.
47:54It's called cognitive shuffling.
47:57For this video, we've spoken with Dr. Sanjay Chugg, senior psychiatrist based in Delhi.
48:02So, what is it?
48:03What do you have to do?
48:03You have to pick a random word.
48:05Say, time.
48:07And now, think of words starting from T.
48:11Like, train, tulip, telescope, whatever in your mind.
48:14When T's all the words are finished,
48:17you have to come to time's second letter.
48:19I.
48:20Ice cream.
48:21Maybe, I don't think about ice cream.
48:23It's better for the night.
48:24It's better for the cravings.
48:25So, avoid that.
48:26But maybe, ice, other things.
48:28Right?
48:28Then, move to M.
48:29Then, move to E.
48:30Keep doing this.
48:33And before you know, you would have drifted off.
48:35So, what happens?
48:36That's this phenomenon called hypnagogia.
48:38Which is like getting to the boundary between wakefulness and sleep.
48:43And that's the idea.
48:44That how do you hit that line when your mind stops being awake and goes into the sleep mode.
48:52And the entire theory behind it is grounded in real sleep science.
48:58And it talks about that how your brain transitions from wakefulness to sleep,
49:02it naturally starts generating loose, random, disconnected images.
49:07Also called micro dreams.
49:09Random, unconnected words.
49:11Like a bicycle, a cloud, or a car, or a train.
49:14Keeps your brain just busy enough to stop the anxiety spiral, but not busy enough for you to stay awake.
49:20That low, drifting attention is actually a biological cue that it's time to sleep.
49:26What matters to you is this.
49:28Anything that breaks the cycle of anxiousness or repetitive thinking also at bedtime, that helps you sleep.
49:35For some people, it's just counting backwards.
49:38For others, it could be playing this word game.
49:41So, it's possible that you do not work for yourself, but that's when you really need to see a doctor.
49:44But cognitive shuffling, remember, is harmless.
49:47It is free and it requires nothing but your own imagination.
49:51And if you go back to basics, what is the best sleep hygiene?
49:54It is still the boring stuff.
49:56Consistent bedtime, less screen time, a cool dark room.
50:01Cognitive shuffling might help you get there, but it's not a replacement, remember,
50:04for those basics.
50:06And maybe, stop scrolling at 2am.
50:08That's probably the real hack.
50:10If you don't watch our Reels, don't watch the Reels in the morning.
50:12If you watch the Reels during the day, it'll actually help.
50:15So, stay subscribed for more.
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