YouTube took down over 2.2 million videos in India between October and December 2023, marking the highest removal rate globally. The United States and Singapore followed with 788,354 and 1,243,871 takedowns, respectively. Globally, YouTube removed 9 million videos during the same period, mainly flagged by machines. Videos were removed for various violations, including harmful content and misinformation. The platform emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe community and enforcing strict guidelines against pornography, violence, harassment, and hate speech. The removals highlight efforts to combat inappropriate content and ensure user safety on the platform.

Analysts caution of increasing cyber-attacks linked to Chinese intelligence agencies, following UK and US sanctions over mass hacking of UK data. Western governments accuse China-backed hacking group APT 31 of targeting politicians and journalists. New Zealand also raises concerns about Chinese involvement in past attacks. Analysts note escalation in cyber threats, suggesting China seeks to test foreign responses and cause instability. Despite denial, China's cyber activities raise tensions with Western nations, prompting calls for robust defense measures.

The prestigious Game Developers Conference in San Francisco welcomed India's first-ever pavilion, signifying a deepening Indo-US relationship. Hosted by the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum, the inauguration also marked the debut of the 'India Gaming Market Report', projecting a growth from USD 3.1 billion in 2023 to USD 6 billion in 2028. Mukesh Aghi, President of USISPF, hailed the milestone, emphasizing the burgeoning online gaming sector and its potential for bilateral collaboration. India's Consul General in San Francisco, K Srikar Reddy, highlighted India's digital economy's promise and the role of storytelling in driving gaming sector growth.

Users worldwide faced login issues and app crashes on Meta's popular platforms, Instagram and Facebook, along with difficulties on Messenger. The outage, reported by Downdetector.com, peaked around 8:00 PM IST, affecting over 1000 Messenger users and 800 Instagram users. Expressing frustrations on micro-blogging platform X, individuals highlighted the recurring nature of such outages, following a recent massive outage a few weeks ago. Reports indicated that a significant percentage of users encountered problems accessing both platforms, prompting concerns about the stability and reliability of Meta's services.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a physical appearance before a court in the national capital regarding the Enforcement Directorate summonses case. The Rouse Avenue Court later granted him bail. This marks Kejriwal's first in-person appearance in connection with the case, following a previous virtual appearance. The Enforcement Directorate has filed two complaints against Kejriwal for allegedly disobeying their summons related to the Delhi excise policy case. The development comes amidst heightened political scrutiny as India gears up for the upcoming general elections.

Cyber fraud hubs are spreading beyond Jamtara to towns across North India. Kolkata Police found new hotspots in places like Bharatpur and Mathura. Lack of cyber awareness and proximity to cities contribute to the rise. Authorities stress the need for awareness campaigns and cyber education. Perpetrators, mostly under 35, are often repeat offenders, posing a challenge. Efforts include setting up awareness displays and partnering with schools and banks. The goal is to promote cyber literacy and curb cybercrimes effectively.

India's Ministry of Electronics & IT considers increasing funding for the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) scheme, currently set at ₹76,000 crore, to bolster semiconductor manufacturing. Secretary S Krishnan mentions the need for additional funding if the ISM exhausts its funds. The government aims to establish 2-3 semiconductor fabrication units over the next 2-3 years, with recent Cabinet approvals for additional units, including Tata Group's collaboration with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation. These initiatives aim to create a robust semiconductor ecosystem, challenging China and Taiwan's dominance, while generating significant employment opportunities.

Elon Musk proposed dropping his lawsuit against OpenAI if the company rebrands as 'ClosedAI'. Musk accused OpenAI of straying from its mission and prioritizing profits. OpenAI, founded with Musk in 2015, denied allegations and released private emails, stating Musk initially suggested merging with Tesla for funding. Musk, who left OpenAI's board in 2018, allegedly claimed the company's success probability was zero upon departure. OpenAI refused Musk's proposal to attach to Tesla for funding, leading to his exit. The lawsuit exposes tensions between Musk and OpenAI over the company's direction and priorities.

KTCT Higher Secondary School in Kerala unveils 'Iris,' an AI teacher robot developed by Makerlabs Edutech. Part of the Atal Tinkering Lab initiative, Iris features an in-built voice assistant, runs on an Intel chipset, and uses an Android app interface. This saree-clad humanoid interacts with students, providing personalized learning experiences. Iris's ability to understand various languages and tackle complex subjects reflects the school's commitment to innovative education. Tech leaders, including Bill Gates, share optimism about AI's potential to positively impact learning styles in the future.

A recent study by Emission Analytics challenges the belief that electric vehicles (EVs) are more environmentally friendly than traditional cars. The study suggests that due to their heavier weight, EVs may release 1,850 times more particulate matter from brakes and tires compared to efficient gas-powered vehicles. Tire wear, accelerated by EVs' weight, leads to the release of harmful chemicals. The study also emphasizes the impact of heavy batteries, claiming that tire emissions from an EV with a half-tonne battery could be over 400 times higher than exhaust emissions from a modern petrol car. Particle pollution from brakes and tires needs more consideration in evaluating EVs' environmental impact.