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A fifth of UK adults not internet savy: BBC research
MUMBAI: In these days when people are surfing the net in hordes, more than a fifth of adults in the UK are devoid of the internet, according to new a research published by the British Broadcasing Corporation. 21 per cent of UK adults – over 10 million people – do not use the internet at home or anywhere else. The Government has argued that these people are potentially at a disadvantage in terms of access to employment opportunities, public services, as well as cheaper shopping, utilities and financial services. Socially, these adults may also miss out on the opportunities to connect with friends and family, access information, or pursue hobbies and interests. |
| 66 per cent of people not online say that they are simply not interested in the internet, 81 per cent say that they know little or nothing about it while 74 per cent say that they are not confident in using a computer. The findings suggest that there are real and significant barriers for the Government and other agencies to overcome in order to achieve universal access. The BBC has pledged to help people who want to get online using its strong relationship with audiences and sharing research with organisations involved in increasing access as a key part of the Government‘s Digital Britain agenda. |
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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.
