iWorld
Reliance says allegations against Jio Chat ‘unfounded and malicious’
MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm has said that statements against its Jio Chat application, which alleged that it sends user information to China based servers, are “unfounded and malicious” and that it fanatically respects and adheres to the privacy, security, and confidentiality of its users’ information.
The Jio Chat app has seen over a million downloads since its launch earlier this year. Reliance Jio Infocomm believes that the analysis published was a deliberate attempt to sensationalize the issue by conveniently highlighting irrelevant portions of the APK script and malign this app.
“We have seen various comments online by anonymous users and other aliases that question the integrity and security of the Jio Chat app. As a rule, we prefer not to respond to gossip and innuendo; however, we want to assure our users that Jio Chat takes privacy and security very seriously,” Reliance Jio Infocomm said in a statement.
The company said that all Jio Chat data and associated servers are hosted physically in Reliance Jio data centers in India and no data travels outside of India from Jio Chat servers.
“As part of standard development practices, the code base has reference to a number of servers, in the comment area. This is not executable code, meaning these references are not used by the application while running. Proper and complete examination of the code would show that the app does not transfer data to any servers outside of India. Within the developer community, it is well understood that decompiled snippets of code is not indicative of how the application actually functions with respect to end users and associated data transfer. “Anonymous” posters often raise false alarms by quoting items such as this out of context,” the statement added.
Concern was also raised regarding references to Chinese map APIs. To counter this, the company said, “Jio Chat is a global application. It is well known that China does not support Google Maps (or for that matter, any Google applications). Thus, for location-based services within China, a Chinese-based mapping service is required. This is a common practice for any app wishing to provide location-based services within China. However, when used Globally, JioChat (outside of China) always uses Google Maps. (This can be checked by anyone by using Jio Chat Location Sharing function).”
The company further clarified that Jio Chat was developed by developers across the world, including India. “Occasionally these developers use their native language while writing comments within the APK to better understand the problem. We are committed to having the best talent working on our products, regardless of race, nationality, gender, or native tongue. India embraces diversity, and, as a company, we do too,” the company said.
iWorld
Uber spotlights Rs 25 bike rides with music led IPL campaign
Uber uses 15 second music films with Divine and Roll Rida to push Rs 25 rides
MUMBAI: In a season where ads usually swing for sixes with celebrity spectacle, Uber has chosen to play a clever single sharp, fast, and straight to the point. Uber has rolled out a distinctly stripped-down IPL campaign, putting its product Uber Bike rides starting at Rs 25 for up to 3 km front and centre, rather than leaning on big-budget storytelling. The campaign features hip-hop artist Divine in Mumbai and Roll Rida in southern markets, using music as the primary vehicle for recall.
IPL advertising has long been dominated by high-production narratives packed with cricketers and film stars. Uber’s approach flips that playbook. Instead of elaborate storytelling, the brand opts for 15-second music-led films quick, rhythmic bursts designed to mirror the pace of urban mobility itself.
The message is deliberately simple, affordable, fast rides that cut through city traffic. No layered plots, no extended build-up just a functional promise delivered with cultural flair.
In the Mumbai-led film, Divine zips through traffic on an Uber Bike, turning the Rs 25 price point into a hook with his signature wordplay around “pachisi”. The campaign cleverly reframes affordability as a moment of delight, the kind that leaves commuters with a “32-teeth smile” after beating traffic at minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Roll Rida’s version leans into southern sensibilities, blending Telugu and Tamil influences with high-energy visuals. Set to the beat of tape drums, the film celebrates how low-cost rides can unlock a more connected and vibrant city experience. Together, the films reflect a conscious push towards regional authenticity, rather than a one-size-fits-all national narrative.
The campaign also signals Uber’s sharper focus on India’s growing bike taxi segment. While the company offers multi-modal services spanning cars, autos, metro integrations and intercity travel, this push zeroes in on two-wheelers as a key growth lever in dense urban markets.
By anchoring the campaign around a Rs 25 entry price for short distances, Uber is targeting everyday commuters, particularly younger users navigating congested cities where speed and cost matter more than comfort.
With IPL advertising clutter at its peak, even the most straightforward message risks getting lost. Uber’s answer is to embed the proposition within culture using music, regional nuance and repeat-friendly short formats to drive recall. The creative team has also layered subtle visual cues including multiple references to “25” within frames encouraging repeat viewing and reinforcing the core message without over-explaining it.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in advertising priorities. As attention spans shrink and media environments get noisier, brands are increasingly favouring clarity over complexity and speed over scale.
Uber’s IPL play may not shout the loudest, but it lands where it matters in the everyday commute. Because sometimes, in a marketplace full of grand narratives, a Rs 25 ride is story enough.
