Applications
ONDC launches the “ONDC Guide app” as a go-to resource for the ONDC user community
Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, recently announced the launch of the ONDC Official Guide App, a significant milestone in its commitment to help and support the user community like Sellers, Buyers, Logistics Providers and the Network Participants. The guide is available for download from the Google Play Store with language support in English, Hindi and ten other Indian languages.
The ONDC Official Guide App is a vital tool, to help the user base to participate in the ONDC ecosystem effectively. Designed as a go-to resource, its key features include:
1. Authenticated Information: The app offers verified and validated information, ensuring users have a reliable source of knowledge about the ONDC ecosystem.
2. Ecosystem Insights: Users can gain valuable insights into ONDC’s core principles, functionality, and benefits. This includes detailed explanations of the Network’s operations, key features, and the value it brings to various stakeholders.
3. Latest Updates: The app keeps users informed about the latest developments, news, and announcements related to ONDC, ensuring they are always up-to-date with changes and improvements within the ecosystem.
4. Interactive Features: Users can engage with the app through interactive elements such as videos, infographics, and FAQs, making it an engaging and informative resource.
The Guide App has been launched after successful development and rigorous testing to ensure functionality and compliance with Google Play Store policies and guidelines.
“We are thrilled to introduce the ONDC Official Guide App, designed to empower users for the ONDC ecosystem. It is an extension of our continued dedication to transparency and accessibility for all. We look forward to the app’s pickup on the Google Play Store and remain dedicated to continuously enhancing its functionality to provide ongoing value to our ecosystem.” said ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy.
Applications
With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
