The central government has taken a firm stance against fraudulent loan apps, directing social media and online platforms not to host their advertisements. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's advisory, stating that carrying ads for these apps misleads and exploits users. The move aims to ensure a safe and trusted internet environment, aligning with evolving jurisprudence. The Minister highlighted the government's commitment to enforcing IT rules that prohibit 11 areas of content, emphasizing the crackdown on misleading ads to protect online users.

Billionaire investor Vinod Khosla, a key supporter of OpenAI with a $50 million investment, anticipates AI causing significant economic deflation over the next quarter-century. Khosla suggests a shift in economic metrics, where traditional measures like GDP may lose relevance due to AI's impact. As AI takes center stage, he envisions capital scarcity but an abundance of goods and services. Khosla's insights prompt reflection on the right metrics for this evolving economic landscape, challenging conventional assessments of economic health.

In response to rising concerns over deepfake videos, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory, urging social media platforms to adhere to existing IT rules. The directive, targeting misinformation fueled by AI, emphasizes clear communication of prohibited content under Rule 3(1)(b) to users. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar warns of legal consequences for violations and announces close monitoring of compliance. The advisory aims to combat deepfake dissemination, outlining penalties under the Indian Penal Code and IT Act. Social media platforms must inform users about legal provisions, ensuring due diligence in content removal.

Apple faces a setback as the International Trade Commission orders the halt of Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watch sales before Christmas. Accused of incorporating trade secrets by tech firm Masimo, Apple complies, pausing online sales from December 21 and in-store sales from Christmas Eve. A Presidential Review Period, lasting until December 25, will determine the ban's fate. Apple disagrees with the order, vowing legal and technical pursuit. The dispute centers on blood oxygen sensing technology. Customers affected are urged to stay tuned for updates as Apple explores options to swiftly return the halted models to the U.S. market.

Twitter experienced a major global outage on Thursday morning that prevented tweets from showing up in users' feeds. While the platform itself remained accessible, user timelines were completely empty across all tabs like Following, For You and Lists. The cause of the glitch is still unclear but tweets continue to be posted, as evident by the quick rise of the #TwitterDown hashtag. However, tweeted content is not visible to other users while the outage persists. There is no estimate yet on when full Twitter functionality may resume and timelines start populated again. The fresh issue underscores Elon Musk's ongoing struggles with stabilizing his newly-acquired company.

The European Union initiates formal proceedings against X, owned by Elon Musk, citing potential breaches of Digital Services Act rules. The allegations involve countering illegal content, disinformation, and transparency obligations. X asserts cooperation with regulatory processes, emphasizing the importance of a non-political and lawful investigation. The Digital Services Act introduces stringent regulations, allowing substantial fines or suspension for major tech firms failing to protect users from extreme content. The investigation, the first under the DSA, follows prior EU scrutiny of X over the spread of terrorist content and hate speech.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in a recent all-hands meeting, defended the decision to lay off 12,000 employees, stating it was crucial to navigate economic changes and position the company for future growth. While acknowledging the impact on morale, Pichai emphasized the necessity of the layoffs, noting that delaying the decision would have hindered the company's ability to adapt and invest strategically. The layoffs, representing 6% of Alphabet's workforce, were characterized as a challenging but essential move amid a shifting global landscape.

The Indian government issues a high-risk alert for Samsung Galaxy phone users, citing multiple vulnerabilities that could compromise security. The advisory from CERT-In emphasizes the urgency of updating the phone's operating system or firmware to mitigate risks. Vulnerabilities affect Samsung Mobile Android versions 11 to 14, posing threats like unauthorized access, data theft, and code execution. Users are urged to promptly install Samsung's released fix to safeguard against potential cyber threats. Neglecting updates could expose phones to security breaches, allowing hackers to exploit weaknesses.

Google Maps unveils a new feature, "eco-friendly routing," available in select countries and soon to launch in India. Users can now choose energy-efficient routes, reducing fuel usage and CO2 emissions. The feature suggests alternative routes based on a vehicle's engine type, showing estimates for fuel or energy efficiency. Two-wheelers in India will also benefit from fuel-efficient route options. To activate, users navigate to settings, tap "Prefer fuel-efficient routes," and select their engine type. Google emphasizes the AI-driven feature considers hills, traffic, and constant speeds for optimal efficiency.   [Representative image]

During his annual news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin faced an unexpected encounter with an artificial intelligence-generated version of himself. The AI double, appearing via video link, questioned Putin about his views on artificial intelligence. Amid laughter from the audience, Putin, in his fourth hour of questioning, responded, "I see you may resemble me and speak with my voice. But I have thought about it and decided that only one person must be like me and speak with my voice, and that will be me." The incident added a surreal twist to the marathon event, leaving attendees amused.