Tag: India

Social Media

WhatsApp Bans Over 9.8 Million Indian Accounts in June for Misuse and Spam

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In a significant digital enforcement move, WhatsApp banned more than 9.8 million Indian accounts during June 2025. The figure, released as part of WhatsApp’s monthly compliance report under India’s IT Rules, 2021, highlights the platform’s growing vigilance in combating misuse and maintaining user safety.

Key Highlights:

  • 📅 Period: June 1 to June 30, 2025
  • 🔒 Accounts Banned: 9,822,000
  • 📢 Reasons: Spam messaging, policy violations, and user complaints

According to WhatsApp, the bans were primarily proactive—identified through AI and machine learning tools that monitor behavior for suspicious activity including mass messaging and fake accounts.

A smaller percentage of the bans came through user reports, which included spam, harassment, and fraud. WhatsApp also acknowledged action taken on grievances submitted via the India Grievance Officer channel.

IT Rules, 2021:

The move aligns with India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, which require large platforms to publish monthly reports detailing user complaints and the action taken.

What It Means for Users:

This massive enforcement emphasizes the importance of responsible digital behavior. Users are urged to:

  • Avoid forwarding unverified content
  • Refrain from spam or bulk messaging
  • Respect community guidelines and local laws

As India continues to be one of WhatsApp’s largest markets, the platform’s efforts to maintain a safe, spam-free experience will remain in focus.

📖 For more digital policy updates, visit allycaral.com

International

Dior Faces Backlash for Not Crediting India’s Mukaish Embroidery in $200,000 Coat

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Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In the wake of Prada’s controversy over Kolhapuri chappals, another global fashion giant, Dior, is now facing heat for failing to credit India for a traditional embroidery technique featured in one of its newest couture pieces.

The luxury fashion house unveiled a $200,000 gold and ivory houndstooth coat at Paris Fashion Week as part of designer Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior. The event, attended by high-profile celebrities like Rihanna, Daniel Craig, and Robert Pattinson, was celebrated for its craftsmanship — but has since drawn criticism for cultural insensitivity.

The issue? The embroidery technique used in the opulent coat is believed to be Mukaish, an intricate hand embroidery style from Lucknow, India, known for using metallic threads to create shimmering motifs. Despite the garment reportedly taking 34 days to complete, no mention of “Mukaish” or its Indian roots was made in Dior’s promotional material or runway notes.

The oversight was highlighted by fashion analyst Hanan Besnovic, who runs the popular Instagram page @ideaservecouture. In a now-viral post, he broke down the craftsmanship behind the coat and stated:

“This is a traditional Indian hand embroidery technique… yet nowhere has Dior acknowledged its origin. This is about credit. This is about cultural respect.”

The backlash has reignited debates around cultural appropriation in fashion, where Western labels often incorporate traditional or indigenous art forms without proper acknowledgment or benefit to the original creators.

Fashion lovers, designers, and Indian artisans alike have taken to social media to express frustration, noting that such oversight erases cultural history and overlooks the skilled craftspeople keeping these traditions alive.

Critics argue that Dior missed an opportunity to spotlight India’s rich embroidery heritage — particularly Mukaish, which dates back centuries and has been passed down through generations of artisans in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident comes at a time when global conversations around ethical fashion, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity are louder than ever. As Indian textiles and techniques continue to inspire luxury fashion globally, many are calling for transparency, collaboration, and fair credit.

Whether Dior responds to the controversy remains to be seen, but the message from critics is loud and clear: Acknowledgement matters.

Human Interest

India Post Embraces Digital Payments: UPI Now Accepted at Post Office Counters Nationwide from August 2025

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In a significant step toward advancing financial and digital inclusion, the Government of India has announced that all post office counters across the country will begin accepting UPI payments starting August 2025. The move is expected to enhance customer convenience, reduce dependency on cash, and integrate more citizens into the digital economy — especially in rural and underserved regions.

A Digital Leap for India Post

India Post, with its vast network of over 1.5 lakh post offices, is one of the largest and most trusted public service institutions in the country. While many urban and semi-urban branches have already adopted basic digital services, this step takes things a notch higher by integrating the country’s most popular digital payment platform — Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

With this initiative:

  • Customers can make instant payments for postal services like speed post, parcel booking, savings deposits, and more using their UPI apps.
  • Rural post offices will be digitally empowered, making it easier for people in remote areas to transact without needing cash.
  • It brings transparency and efficiency to payment processes at government service counters.

Key Benefits:

  • Cashless Transactions: No need to carry cash for basic postal services.
  • Speed & Convenience: Faster checkouts at counters.
  • Financial Inclusion: Rural India gets access to modern payment infrastructure.
  • Safety & Hygiene: Reduces physical contact in cash exchanges.

Implementation Details

The rollout is expected to begin in phases starting August 2025, with full implementation targeted by the end of the year. Post office staff are undergoing training to assist users with UPI payments, and signage and QR codes will be prominently displayed at every counter.

Government’s Vision

This initiative is part of the Digital India mission, which aims to connect every Indian with digital tools and services. With India witnessing over 10 billion UPI transactions monthly, extending the service to post offices is a logical and impactful next step.

What’s Next?

Customers visiting post offices for services like:

  • Mail and courier
  • Bill payments
  • Small savings deposits (like RD, NSC, MIS)
  • Aadhaar-linked services

…will be able to scan a QR code and pay using their preferred UPI app — be it Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, or any other.

Automobiles

Two Helmets Now Mandatory with Every New Two-Wheeler Purchase in India

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In a landmark decision aimed at improving road safety, the Government of India has announced that all new two-wheeler sales must include two helmets — one for the rider and one for the pillion passenger. This regulation has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act and is now in effect across the country.

Why the Rule?

India witnesses one of the highest numbers of road accidents in the world, with two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers accounting for a significant portion of fatalities. According to transport ministry data, a large number of deaths occur due to the non-use of helmets, especially among pillion riders.

Until now, only one helmet was required at the time of sale — usually for the rider. The new rule ensures that the pillion passenger is also equally protected from the very beginning.

Key Highlights:

  • Two Helmets at Sale: Every two-wheeler dealer must provide two BIS-certified helmets with every new vehicle purchase.
  • Safety for All: This initiative emphasizes equal safety for both rider and pillion passenger.
  • Strict Enforcement: Dealers failing to comply with the rule may face penalties or lose their licenses.
  • BIS Certification Required: The helmets must conform to safety standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Dealers and Manufacturers React

Several dealers have welcomed the move, though some raised concerns about pricing. Manufacturers are likely to bundle the cost into the vehicle price or offer helmet options to buyers. Some brands have already begun offering branded helmets as part of their promotional strategies.

What Buyers Should Know

If you’re planning to buy a two-wheeler:

  • Ensure you receive two BIS-approved helmets at the time of delivery.
  • Check for safety certifications on the helmets.
  • Helmets must fit properly — request the right size from the dealer.

The Bigger Picture

This is a part of India’s ongoing push towards safer mobility. Combined with stricter helmet checks, speed monitoring, and awareness campaigns, this regulation hopes to bring down the alarming rates of head injuries and fatalities on Indian roads.

Business

Locks & Architectural Solutions redefines customer experience with the launch of advanced cutting edge Service CRMPoised to deliver an unparalleled service experience to over 200,000 customers annually

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Mumbai, June 19 2025 – Locks & Architectural Solutions, a business of the Godrej Enterprises Group—one of India’s most trusted organisations—today announced the launch of its Service CRM, a unified, pan-India after-sales service platform designed to transform customer support in the rapidly growing smart home segment. Aligned with the brand’s commitment to premiumisation through superior customer experience, the platform spans 80+ divisions, 200+ service centres, and serves over 2 lakh customers across 6,500+ pin codes, marking a major milestone in customer-centric digital innovation.
As connected living becomes the norm, after-sales service has become a critical differentiator in India’s ₹6,000 crore locks industry. The new Service CRM empowers customers, faster turnaround times, one-touch complaint registration, and full integration with both smart and traditional locking solutions, ensuring convenience, responsiveness, and peace of mind at every touchpoint.


Mr. Shyam Motwani, Business Head, Locks & Architectural Solutions, Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “At Locks & Architectural Solutions, we believe that our responsibility to the customer begins, not ends, at the point of purchase. The Service CRM is a digital-first initiative designed to simplify and strengthen our service experience, making it more intuitive, efficient, and transparent. This is our commitment to ensuring that every home we secure feels supported, always.”
The Service CRM consolidates physical and digital service infrastructure into one intelligent system, enabling proactive engagement, centralized service history, live updates, and quicker resolutions, particularly for smart lock owners. Whether resolving a digital lock query or assisting with traditional hardware, the platform ensures a uniform standard of excellence across India.

Beyond consumer satisfaction, the Service CRM also lays a strategic foundation for long-term brand growth. Locks & Architectural Solutions closed FY25 with revenues exceeding ₹1,000 crore and is now targeting an ambitious revenue milestone of ₹2,500 crore by FY28. The platform is expected to play a key role in achieving this vision by improving service efficiency, boosting customer retention and reinforcing trust.

As one of India’s most established and trusted names in home safety, this move reaffirms the brand’s leadership in not only pioneering smart lock technology, but also in redefining after-sales excellence in an increasingly digital and demanding consumer environment.