All posts tagged: Encryption

NEET-PG 2026 reforms: From ‘multiple layers of encryption’ to centres closer to home — Key changes in 30 August exam

NEET-PG 2026 reforms: From ‘multiple layers of encryption’ to centres closer to home — Key changes in 30 August exam

Health Ministry recently announced reforms in NEET-PG 2026 examination on the same day the exam date was announced. From expanding choice of test locations to allotment of centres closer to candidates’ residence, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a press release on 1 August underlining key changes in the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG). The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts NEET-PG for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses across India, has revamped entrance examination procedure after scrutiny and public uproar over irregularities in the conduct of NEET UG by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The ministry in a statement said, “The end-to-end question paper preparation and delivery process has been further reinforced through multiple layers of encryption, secure offline preparation, time-bound finalisation of the question paper shortly before the examination, and controlled digital decryption only at the scheduled commencement of the test.” NEET-PG scheduled later this month will be held in computer-based test mode across around 340 cities and more than 1,300 examination centres. …

Indian government has asked GitHub to remove Bitchat repositories; Jack Dorsey shares notice on X

Indian government has asked GitHub to remove Bitchat repositories; Jack Dorsey shares notice on X

The Indian government has directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging application developed by Jack Dorsey, citing concerns over national security and public order. Centre’s move comes amid the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests in Delhi, where the Bluetooth-based messaging apps were reportedly being used by the protesters to stay connected after mobile internet services were allegedly suspended. Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Apple confirms big Messages upgrade: RCS encryption is finally coming to your iPhone

Apple confirms big Messages upgrade: RCS encryption is finally coming to your iPhone

Apple first brought support for RCS in its Messages app with the roll out of iOS 18 back in September 2024. However, this feature came with a critical loophole – it didn’t support end-to-end encryption, which is considered the gold standard for safeguarding communications in the digital world. Now, almost two years after introducing the feature, Apple is finally about to close this loophole with the release of iOS 26.5. RCS messages arrived on iPhones in 2024. (Apple) Shweta Ganjoo is a Chief Content Producer at HT Tech. She has over 10 years of experience covering technology, during which time she has focused on consumer tech devices, AI, social media, gadgets, and tech policy, delivering authoritative and reader-focused insights across India’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem. She began her career in the early 2010s, building a strong foundation in digital-first reporting as India’s tech landscape rapidly expanded. Over the years, she has worked with leading media organizations including India Today Tech, Indian Express Group, and Techlusive, where she played a key role in scaling editorial content and …

WhatsApp Rolls Out Voice Chat Feature for All Group Chats With End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp Rolls Out Voice Chat Feature for All Group Chats With End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that makes it easier and more seamless to connect with others in group chats through live audio. The Meta-owned instant messaging client says users can now hop on a voice chat without having to leave the group or switch to a voice call. This feature was previously available only for large groups but has now been introduced for all group chats. Voice chats carry the same end-to-end encryption as individual chats. Voice Chats in WhatsApp According to WhatsApp, voice chats are available for groups of all sizes. Anyone in a group can start a voice chat by navigating to the bottom of the chat and swiping up till the Swipe up to chat message appears. Upon holding for a few seconds, WhatsApp will first display Release to talk and then a Connect option that enables the voice chat feature. The Meta-owned messaging platform says starting a voice chat does not notify or ring anyone in the group chat. People can join and leave the hangout space as per their …

Google Updating Gmail to Allow Enterprise Users to Send End-to-End Encrypted Emails Across Platforms

Google Updating Gmail to Allow Enterprise Users to Send End-to-End Encrypted Emails Across Platforms

Google is enabling its enterprise users to easily send end-to-end encrypted emails via Gmail. Announced on Wednesday, the Mountain View-based tech giant said that it has made progress in implementing the Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) protocol in an easier way to allow users to send encrypted email to others on Gmail as well as on other email clients. The company said this will allow even those businesses that do not have large IT infrastructure to send encrypted emails with ease. Gmail Is Making It Easier to Send Encrypted Emails In a blog post, Google detailed the new privacy feature for its email client. With this, eligible users will be able to send end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) emails to any user on any email inbox with a couple of steps. Notably, this is not being implemented from just Gmail’s side, but the emails are protected using encryption keys controlled by the user. These keys will not be available to Google servers to ensure privacy and security. The tech giant said that this new capability will require …

Google’s Present to Enterprise Gmail Users: End-to-End Encryption

Google’s Present to Enterprise Gmail Users: End-to-End Encryption

Image: Google All enterprise users of Gmail can now easily apply end-to-end encryption to their emails. Prior to today, this was a luxury reserved for big businesses with significant IT resources, but Google recognises that email attacks are on the rise across the board. Starting today, Gmail users can send end-to-end encrypted emails to others within their organisation; in the coming weeks, they will also be able to send encrypted emails to Gmail inboxes outside their organisation, with support for all email inboxes expected later this year. To get early access for E2EE emails in Gmail, fill out Google’s Pre-General Availability Test Application. How users and IT can use E2EE in Gmail Emails sent with Gmail’s end-to-end encryption are extremely secure because only the sender has control over the encryption key, which is stored outside of Google’s infrastructure. Users can click the padlock by the Bcc button and press Turn On under the Additional Encryption’ option to apply it. The security feature can be applied to emails sent to anyone, regardless of whether they are within …

A Major Privacy Upgrade is Coming Soon

A Major Privacy Upgrade is Coming Soon

Image: vinnikava/Envato Elements Cross-platform encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android is coming soon, thanks to updated Rich Communication Services (RCS) standards. The GSM Association has announced that the latest RCS specifications now include end-to-end encryption based on the Messaging Layer Security protocol. This breakthrough, initially teased back in September, will finally allow secure, encrypted messaging between different mobile platforms. This is a huge privacy win — end-to-end encryption (E2EE) means nobody else can see your messages, not even your cell carrier or the companies that make the messaging apps. According to the GSMA, they developed this new RCS standard by bringing everyone to the table: mobile carriers, device makers, and tech companies, including Apple. GSMA Technical Director Tom Van Pelt wrote on his organization’s site that, “…RCS will be the first large-scale messaging service to support interoperable E2EE between client implementations from different providers. Together with other unique security features such as SIM-based authentication, E2EE will provide RCS users with the highest level of privacy and security for stronger protection from scams, fraud and other …

Apple Fights UK Over Encryption Backdoors as US Officials Warn of Privacy Violations

Apple Fights UK Over Encryption Backdoors as US Officials Warn of Privacy Violations

Image: garloon/Envato Images Senior officials from the U.K. have privately met with their U.S. counterparts to clarify that their request for access to encrypted data in Apple’s iCloud is not a blanket demand; instead, they are seeking access solely to data linked to individuals already involved in crimes such as terrorism, according to Bloomberg. People familiar with the matter told the publication that the British officials emphasized separate warrants would be required for each access request, ensuring they are strictly tied to investigations into serious crime within the U.K. They denied seeking wide-ranging powers to access anyone’s data for any reason, particularly that of U.S. residents, a claim that has fueled controversy. Must-read Apple coverage Apple fights back, restricts encryption for UK users In February, it was reported that the U.K. had asked Apple for a way to access user information that was covered under Advanced Data Protection, an optional security layer introduced in 2022. The Home Secretary’s office invoked the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which grants law enforcement the authority to compel companies …

The UK will neither confirm nor deny that it’s killing encryption

The UK will neither confirm nor deny that it’s killing encryption

The United Kingdom dealt a significant blow in its war on encryption last week that, aside from blemishing Apple’s meticulously curated privacy commitments, could have worldwide ramifications for personal data protections. And while several days have passed since Apple pulled its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature from UK customers, other end-to-end encryption providers like Meta, Signal, and Telegram have yet to meaningfully take an official stand beyond some of their execs posting about it on social media. The UK may have set a precedent for other global governments to follow when it reportedly ordered Apple to give it backdoor access to iCloud data. Under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), the British government can legally demand user data be handed over for the purpose of national security and crime prevention. That seemingly includes worldwide data access, even if it’s tightly encrypted. Some of these demands would be facilitated by controversial changes that were made to the IPA in April 2024 to expand its surveillance capabilities, like allowing intelligence services to access bulk personal datasets held …