Category: Info

Key Highlights

• Google Maps joins hands with the ONDC network
• Users will now be able to book metro tickets using it
• Additionally, Google Maps will provide reliable information about metro routes

At the Google for India event held on Thursday, Google unveiled its collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to offer metro ticket booking services. This development will be integrated into Google Maps, allowing users to not only book metro tickets but also access reliable information regarding metro transportation in various cities. The introduction of this feature in Google Maps is expected within the next few months, although the timeline depends on the readiness of service partners to integrate with the ONDC network. Also Read | Delhi Metro To Go Tokenless, Commuters Can Soon Use Their Mobile Phones To Travel

Book Metro Tickets via Buyer Apps On ONDC Network

The process for booking metro tickets through this initiative will be facilitated via buyer apps connected to the ONDC network. Although specific details about the booking process remain unclear, this move aims to enable users to seamlessly purchase metro tickets while searching for metro routes in supported cities. However, Google has not disclosed which metro services will be compatible with Google Maps, with more information expected as the feature becomes available in the near future.

ONDC Partnership To Empower Farmers And Sellers

Earlier this year, Google and ONDC initiated an accelerator program in India, encouraging sellers to transition to online platforms for selling their products. This initiative also encompasses open-sourcing and the establishment of the necessary infrastructure for the ONDC network’s operation. In a further extension of this partnership, Google announced its plans to enable Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to sell their produce online, offering farmers additional revenue streams.

Alternative Ticket Booking Method

Apart from Google’s collaboration, Delhi Metro commuters can also book tickets through WhatsApp. To do so, users need to send a message with the keyword “Hi” to the number 9650855800. This service allows users to book up to six metro tickets at a time and operates between specific hours, from 6 AM to 9 PM. For the Airport Line, ticket booking is available between 4 AM and 11 AM, covering 228 metro stations.

Also Read | Delhi Metro Goes Digital: How To Use DMRC Travel App To Buy Tickets On Mobile

Key Highlights

• X Introduces “Not-A-Bot” Subscription Program
• Annual Fee for New Users to Verify Accounts
• Combatting Spam and Bot Activity

X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a new subscription program called “Not A Bot” to address the ongoing issue of spam and bot activity on its platform. The program is currently being tested in New Zealand and the Philippines, and it requires new, unverified accounts to sign up for an annual subscription of $1.

This subscription will allow users to post and interact with other content on the platform. Existing users will not be affected by this change.

Here’s what you need to know about this approach to improving the X experience:

Also Read: Say Goodbye To Old Twitter: Elon Musk Debuts The New Name And Logo

A Solution To The Spam Problem

Spam and bot accounts have been a persistent issue on social media platforms, and X is taking steps to address this problem. The “Not A Bot” subscription service is designed to verify the authenticity of new user accounts. By requiring a small annual fee, X aims to discourage spammy and fake accounts from proliferating.

Not-A-Bot Subscription: How It Works

To create a new X account, users will first need to verify their phone number. Once the verification is complete, they can choose to subscribe to one of the available plans. The subscription, priced at $1 annually, grants users the ability to post content, like, reply, repost, and bookmark other users’ posts. It ensures that users are genuine and not automated bots or spammers.

What Happens to Non-Subscribers

Users who opt not to subscribe to the “Not A Bot” service can still use X, but with certain limitations. They will be able to read posts, watch videos, and follow other accounts, but they won’t have the full range of interactive features. This approach encourages users to opt for the subscription while maintaining accessibility to the platform for all.

Also Read: Elon Musk’s Twitter: Genuine Followers Or Fakes Dominating the 153 Million?

While the Not-A-Bot subscription program introduces a small fee, it is not intended as a profit-making venture for X. Instead, it is part of X’s commitment to reducing spam and bot activity, ultimately ensuring a more pleasant experience for its users. The program’s success in New Zealand and the Philippines suggests a promising solution to tackle these long-standing challenges on the platform, with plans to expand to more regions in the future.

Also Read: X (Twitter) To Soon Allow Video, Audio Calling Without Any Phone Number

Key Highlights

• Bumble and The Dialogue join forces to advance gender safety in India
• It focuses on addressing Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
• Bumble’s ongoing commitment to combating gender-based cyber violence includes AI-based moderation, partnerships, and support for victims within its global community

Bumble has unveiled its partnership with The Dialogue, a renowned research and public policy think-tank based in New Delhi. This collaboration aims to boost the research and initiatives dedicated to creating a safer online environment for women in India. Also Read | Bumble Introduces Limited-Edition ‘Cricket Fan’ Badge In India For Cricket Enthusiasts

#BreakTheSilo

With Bumble’s support, The Dialogue has released an insightful report titled “#BreakTheSilo: Streamlining Gender Safety in the Digital Space.” This report serves as a cornerstone for launching a multi-stakeholder responsibility framework, designed to foster public discourse on the critical issue of Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in India.

The research conducted by The Dialogue has unveiled a fragmented landscape in the efforts to combat tech-facilitated gender-based violence. Policymakers and non-profit organizations have been working diligently, but their interventions have often been disjointed, lacking a cohesive approach.

The Dialogue’s report introduces a comprehensive framework that identifies key stages where harm emerges and persists in the digital sphere. These stages include access, prevention, intervention, response & redressal, recovery, and research. By doing so, the report paves the way for more organized efforts among stakeholders to combat TFGBV in India.

Bumble’s Role In Uniting Stakeholders

Bumble pledges its support to The Dialogue as it convenes multi-stakeholder consultations with influential policymakers and leading experts. Together, they aim to create a unified and victim-survivor-centric approach to addressing online gender-based violence in India.

At the launch event in New Delhi, Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, stressed the importance of this framework. She highlighted the need for a unified approach and called for socializing the framework across different sectors of society. Dr. Ravi emphasized the necessity of further research to design and implement better laws, ultimately creating a more equitable digital environment.

Also Read | WhatsApp Passkey Available For Android, iOS, And Web: How To Use?

Endorsement By Non-Profit Organizations

The framework developed by The Dialogue has garnered endorsements from reputable non-profit organizations with a longstanding commitment to online safety. These organizations, many of whom participated in the stakeholder consultation process, include the Centre for Social Research, Safetipin, Responsible Netism, Woman of Elements Trust, Red Dot Foundation, Breakthrough, Internet Freedom Foundation, Social Media Matters, Sayfty, Imaara Survivor Support Foundation, and more.

Bumble’s Ongoing Commitment

Bumble has a history of taking a stand against gender-based cyber violence. The app has consistently advocated for products and policies to combat online misogyny, harassment, and toxicity. Notably, Bumble introduced the Private Detector, a feature that uses AI to automatically detect and blur unsolicited nude images and has made this technology open source. In 2022, Bumble became the first dating app to partner with StopNCII.org to combat the sharing of non-consensual intimate images. In 2023, Bumble played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Partnership on AI, contributing to the development and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, Bumble, in an industry-first partnership with Bloom, offers complimentary online trauma support to its global community members who have experienced sexual assault or relationship abuse.

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