iWorld
Rollback WhatsApp’s new privacy policy: GOI to Facebook
KOLKATA: The union ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has sought the withdrawal of the controversial new privacy policy sought to be introduced in India by the Facebook owned messaging service platform WhatsApp.
A notice issued to the social messaging platform has sought a reply by May 25, 2021, while noting that an unsatisfactory response may prompt legal action against the internet based application. The Indian government has previously banned several (similarly popular) web supported gaming applications emanating from neighbouring China after the Chinese military incursions into India’s sovereign territory resulted in lives of military personnel on both sides being lost.
The new privacy policy was initially expected to come into effect on 8 February but was deferred to 15 May in the wake of a severe backlash from users. WhatsApp intended to make it mandatory for users to agree to new data-sharing norms including one, it is alleged, that would result in sharing of data from WhatsApp business chats with third-party applications including its parent Facebook.
The advisory issued by the ministry on Tuesday noted, “The deferral (to May 15) does not absolve (read indemnify) it from respecting Indian users’ choice, the value of data security and informational privacy.”
MeitY is also unhappy with WhatsApp’s alleged discrimination between Indian and European users in the context of the same policy. According to the ministry, it is highly irresponsible of WhatsApp to leverage its position to impose unfair terms and conditions on the large number of Indian users using the messaging application for day-to-day communication purposes.
“In fulfilment of its sovereign responsibility to protect the rights and interests of Indian citizens, the government of India will consider various options available to it under laws in India,” the notice further stated. India constitutes the largest consumer base of WhatsApp with over 400 million subscribers resident here.
The private messaging platform has previously tried to allay fears over the privacy update stating that it was restricted to users of its business services and would in no way compromise the end-to-end encryption services offered by the application. “We’ve spent the last few months working to clear up confusion and misinformation. As a reminder this update does not impact the privacy of personal messages for anyone,” WhatsApp has repeatedly stated through recently issued advisories.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
