WhatsApp Unveils Meta Business Agent at Mumbai Summit, Bringing AI‑driven Customer Engagement and Enterprise‑grade Conversational Commerce to India.

• WhatsApp hosts third annual Business Summit in India; announces Meta Business Agent to help businesses engage with customers and run their operations 24/7

At the third edition of its annual Business Summit in Mumbai, WhatsApp today announced Meta Business Agent – AI that lets every business show up for every customer, in every moment, as if they had an infinite team behind them. Meta Business Agent is designed to enable businesses to deliver faster, more personalized customer experiences at scale.

As businesses increasingly look to improve customer engagement and streamline operations, Meta Business Agent can deliver more relevant, personalized experiences from the very first interaction. Meta Business Agent is designed to handle key customer interactions end-to-end, around the clock including:

• Answering questions specific to the business
• Making product recommendations from the business catalog
• Booking appointments and qualifying incoming leads. 
• Enabling business owners to decide when a team member steps in to provide support

Helping close sales

Beyond customer interactions, Meta Business Agent also acts as a partner for business owners – surfacing insights from customer conversations and providing summaries of missed interactions, helping businesses stay on top of their operations and focus on growth.

Arun Srinivas, Managing Director & Country Head, Meta in India, said, "India has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets for conversational business globally, with messaging becoming the preferred way for people and businesses to connect. As AI becomes more central to the transformation of the way businesses operate, Meta Business Agent represents the next step in that journey – helping businesses harness AI to strengthen customer relationships, improve efficiency, and unlock growth."

Bringing Meta Business Agent Platform to Large Enterprises

For larger businesses that need the infrastructure to build, customize and deploy their Meta Business Agent at scale, the Meta Business Agent Platform is now available – enabling enterprises to build and customize AI-powered agents while integrating with existing business systems such as Shopify, Zendesk and Shopee. Working alongside the WhatsApp Business Platform, it provides enterprise-grade scalability, controls, and measurement.

WhatsApp also showcased how businesses like Swiggy, Madhulika Enterprises and Kaizen Adventours — early adopters of the Meta Business Agent Platform — are already building great experiences and stronger customer relationships using the AI agent.

Rohan Chhazed, Vice President- Product, Rider and Post Order Consumer Experience, Swiggy Food Marketplace said, "Technology delivers the best value when it simplifies everyday experiences for users. By bringing our delivery partner onboarding within WhatsApp with the Meta Business Agent, we are creating a faster and more intuitive journey in a platform that is already familiar to millions. This reflects our broader vision of using conversational AI to reduce complexity and make business interactions more seamless at scale. Conversational commerce is the future of how businesses will interact with their ecosystem, and we're excited to be at the forefront of this shift with Meta."

Madhulika Vikram, Founder, Madhulika Enterprises, said, “In the beauty business, clients expect immediate attention. If you don't reply in minutes, they've already moved on. As demand grew across bridal bookings, makeup courses and beauty products, we were managing hundreds of customer enquiries. Meta Business Agent was a game changer for us, because it learns about your business and handles conversations with customers. We’ve seen a 25-30% increase in conversions since we have enabled the Meta Business Agent. It’s taken care of 50-60% of my repetitive workload” 

Kaizen Adventures is a leading adventure travel company specializing in professionally managed Ladakh bike expeditions and Himalayan road trips. Sharing his views on the Meta Business Agent, Amit Hooda, Founder, Kaizen Adventours, said “Meta Business Agent helped Kaizen Adventours instantly respond to inquiries about Ladakh tours, pricing, itineraries, and bike rentals. It reduces response times, handles peak-season volumes, ensures 24/7 accuracy, and lets our team focus on operations—strengthening conversions and customer experience.”

Helping customers discover businesses

WhatsApp is also making it easier for people to discover businesses powered by Meta Business Agent. Soon, people will be able to search for a business by name directly within WhatsApp Search, or share business contacts with friends and family – making it easier to connect with trusted businesses. 

Businesses looking to enable the Meta Business Agent can click here and join the waitlist. 

About Meta

Meta is building the future of human connection, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward experiences that foster deeper connections and unlock new possibilities.

India’s MeitY Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Exploitation

India’s IT Ministry (MeitY) has reportedly summoned Meta after a BBC investigation revealed that Instagram carried paid ads in India promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), linking users to Telegram channels selling such content. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to demand a formal explanation from Meta.

The BBC World Service investigation, published on July 3, alleged that Instagram’s recommendation systems began surfacing sexually explicit content before serving paid advertisements containing terms such as “rape video” and “child video.”

MeitY will seek an explanation from Meta on the issue and the steps the company has taken to address it, said reports by several media outlets.

MeitY Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting CSAM

What Happened

• BBC Investigation – Found ~30 paid ads on Instagram using explicit terms like “rape video” and “child video”, redirecting users to Telegram channels selling CSAM for as little as ₹99.
• Ads Passed Review – Despite Meta’s ad moderation systems, these ads were approved and shown to Indian users.
• Government Action – MeitY will ask Meta how such ads cleared review, what safeguards exist, and what corrective steps were taken.

Government Response

• Summons Issued – Meta executives will be required to explain their ad‑screening mechanisms.
• Legal Framework – Under India’s IT rules, intermediaries must act against harmful content, especially child exploitation.
• Policy Push – The Centre is tightening accountability for platforms on issues like CSAM, deepfakes, obscene material, and cyber‑enabled abuse.

Meta’s Position

• Zero Tolerance Policy – Meta claims it does not allow CSAM in ads or posts.
• AI Detection – Uses advanced AI to proactively detect violating content, but admits criminals hide among its 3.5 billion users.
• Actions Taken – Disabled multiple ads and accounts, blocked violating URLs, and pledged to strengthen defenses.

Risks & Challenges

• Systemic Gaps – Ads are expected to undergo stricter pre‑publication review than posts, raising questions about Meta’s safeguards.
• Criminal Exploitation – Organized groups exploit loopholes in moderation systems to spread CSAM.
• Global Concern – Highlights the difficulty of policing harmful content at scale across billions of users.

Why It Matters for India

• Child Safety – Reinforces India’s stance on protecting children from online exploitation.
• Platform Accountability – Signals stronger enforcement of IT rules against global tech firms.
• Policy Direction – May accelerate India’s push for an independent AI regulation law to address online harms.

Hackers Hijack Instagram Accounts Through Meta’s AI Flaw

Meta’s AI-powered Instagram support bot was exploited by hackers, allowing them to hijack accounts—including Barack Obama’s White House account, Sephora, and U.S. Space Force officials—simply by asking the bot to change recovery details. Meta has patched the flaw, but the incident highlights serious risks in using AI for sensitive security functions.

Meta launched its AI-powered Instagram Support Bot in December 2025, with a global rollout expanding in March 2026. It was designed to provide 24/7 account help, including password resets, scam reporting, and privacy management, but was later exploited by hackers due to weak safeguards.

The Instagram Support Bot was meant to simplify account recovery, but its exploitation shows how AI-driven customer support can become an attack surface if not properly safeguarded.

What Happened

• Exploit Method: Hackers tricked Meta’s AI support chatbot into linking a target Instagram account to a new attacker-controlled email.
• Password Reset: Once linked, the bot facilitated a password reset, locking out the legitimate owner.
• Bypassing Safeguards: Attackers used VPNs to spoof locations and bypass fraud detection.
• No Alerts: Victims did not receive SMS, push notifications, or warning emails during the takeover.

High-Profile Accounts Compromised

Account	Impact
Obama-era White House Instagram (@obamawhitehouse)	Defaced with politically inflammatory content
Sephora (official account)	Hijacked and disrupted
U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sergeant John Bentivegna	Personal account compromised
Rare “OG” handles (@hey, @jowo)	Valued at over $1M in underground markets

Why It Matters

• AI Security Risks: The bot had backend privileges but lacked identity verification safeguards.
• Prompt Injection Vulnerability: Attackers exploited natural language prompts to override intended security checks.
• Broader Trend: Similar AI manipulation attacks have occurred elsewhere (e.g., dealership chatbots offering cars for $1).

Meta’s Response

• Patch Released: Meta confirmed the vulnerability was fixed on June 1, 2026.
• Account Recovery: Impacted accounts are being secured, though Meta has not disclosed the total number affected.
• Future Safeguards: Renewed scrutiny over reliance on AI for account recovery and password management.

What Users Should Do

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Still critical for other attack vectors.
• Check Recovery Settings: Verify your email and phone number linked to Instagram.
• Monitor for Alerts: Watch for suspicious login attempts or password reset notifications.
• Report Issues: Use Meta’s official support channels immediately if you suspect compromise.

Key Takeaway

This breach shows that AI-driven customer support systems can become attack surfaces if not properly safeguarded. Meta’s incident is a cautionary tale for all platforms deploying AI in sensitive security workflows.

Oakley, Meta Team Up with Virat Kohli to Showcase AI‑Powered Performance Glasses in India

Amid the ongoing cricket season, Oakley and Meta today announced a collaboration with cricket icon Virat Kohli as the face of Oakley Meta Performance AI glasses in India. The partnership highlights how AI-powered wearables bring Athletic Intelligence to the game, supporting how athletes train, create and share moments.

As part of the collaboration, audiences will get a first-person view into Virat Kohli’s world — from training sessions and match preparation to behind-the-scenes moments with Oakley Meta Performances AI glasses which have hands-free AI to help you capture the perfect cricket shot, access personalized insights as you train and record content seamlessly in the flow of action. Combined with hands-free capture and instant sharing, the glasses unlock a more intuitive and responsive way to document high-performance moments, both on and off the field. The collaboration showcases our vision of Athletic Intelligence and how technology can seamlessly integrate into an athlete’s routine to help them take their training and performance to the next level.

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President India and South East Asia, Meta said, “Performance has always been a balance of instinct and awareness, and increasingly that is being shaped by data. With Oakley Meta performance AI glasses, we are exploring what Athletic Intelligence can look like in practice, where timely insights and lightweight assistance come together in a way that supports how athletes train and stay focused. Our collaboration with Virat Kohli reflects how technology can fit naturally into an athlete’s routine, helping them stay present while continuing to learn from every session and every personal record they work towards.”

“Sport is constantly evolving, and so is the way athletes understand and elevate their performance. At Oakley, we’ve always been focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and with Meta, we’re bringing a new dimension to that vision. Virat Kohli embodies the mindset we build for: focused, driven and always pushing limits. And that’s exactly where this product belongs” says Corey Hill, Head of Global Sports Marketing at Oakley.

Adding his perspective, Virat Kohli said,

I have always relied on instinct, but also on understanding my game better over time. What I find useful about Oakley Meta performance AI glasses is that they add small layers of f insight without getting in the way. Whether it is staying focused during training or enhancing on-field awareness, it helps build consistency over time. Over time, that can make a difference when you are working towards your next personal record.”

Oakley Meta performance AI glasses combine performance with intelligence, enabling hands-free photo and video capture, live streaming and voice-enabled AI assistance. With Meta AI, users can access contextual information in real time, making interactions more intuitive and responsive, and enabling more seamless, in-the-moment experiences beyond traditional screens.

The campaign will roll out in phases, beginning with the announcement followed by a series of digital activations across platforms, spotlighting key moments including training footage, AI-led interactions and day-in-the-life content.

The Oakley Meta HSTN and Vanguard collections are priced starting at INR 41,800 and INR 52,300 respectively and are available at leading optical stores.

Meta Launches One of World’s Largest CPU‑Based AI Expansions with AWS Graviton5

Meta has signed a landmark deal with AWS to deploy tens of millions of Graviton5 cores, marking one of the largest CPU‑based AI infrastructure expansions to date. This partnership reflects a strategic shift toward powering agentic AI workloads—real‑time reasoning, code generation, and multi‑step orchestration—on purpose‑built silicon.

It is considered one of the world’s largest CPU‑based infrastructure expansions because Meta is deploying tens of millions of AWS Graviton5 cores at once—making it one of the biggest single CPU deployments ever announced by a major tech company. This scale places Meta among the largest Graviton customers globally and signals a fundamental shift in AI infrastructure design.

Meta’s initial rollout already involves tens of millions of Graviton cores, with flexibility to expand further. Few companies have ever announced CPU deployments at this magnitude.

The infrastructure is designed to support billions of AI interactions daily, powering agentic AI workloads such as reasoning, orchestration, and code generation.

Meta is now officially one of the largest AWS Graviton customers worldwide, surpassing most other enterprises that use Graviton for cloud workloads.

Why This Deal Matters

• Scale: Meta becomes one of the largest Graviton customers globally, starting with tens of millions of cores and room to expand.
• Shift in AI Infrastructure: While GPUs remain critical for training large models, agentic AI workloads are CPU‑intensive—requiring chips optimized for reasoning and orchestration rather than raw matrix multiplication.
• Energy Efficiency: Graviton5, built on 3‑nanometer technology, delivers up to 25% better performance than its predecessor while reducing environmental impact.

AWS Graviton5: Technical Highlights

AWS Graviton5 is Amazon Web Services’ latest generation of custom‑built ARM‑based CPUs, designed specifically for cloud workloads. It delivers up to 25% better performance than Graviton4, packs 192 cores per chip, and features a cache five times larger—making it one of the most powerful and energy‑efficient CPUs available for large‑scale AI and enterprise applications.   

• 192 cores with a cache 5× larger than the previous generation.
• 33% faster inter‑core communication, enabling higher bandwidth and reduced latency.
• Built on the AWS Nitro System, ensuring high performance, availability, and security.
• Supports Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA) for low‑latency, high‑bandwidth communication—critical for distributed agentic AI tasks.

Meta’s Strategic Goals

• Diversification of Compute: Expanding to Graviton allows Meta to run CPU‑intensive workloads efficiently at scale.
• Agentic AI at Scale: Infrastructure capable of handling billions of interactions and coordinating multi‑step agent workflows.
• Sustainability: Leveraging Graviton’s efficiency aligns Meta’s AI expansion with sustainability targets.

Industry Implications

• For AWS: Demonstrates AWS’s ability to deliver custom silicon integrated with its full AI stack.
• For Meta: Positions Meta as a leader in agentic AI infrastructure with a hybrid compute strategy.
• For the Market: Signals a broader industry trend—CPU‑optimized chips complement GPU‑driven training.

Comparison: GPU vs. Graviton CPU Workloads

Aspect	GPU (e.g., Nvidia H100)	AWS Graviton5 CPU
Best For	Training large AI models	Agentic AI workloads (reasoning, orchestration, code generation)
Core Count	Thousands of parallel cores	192 high‑performance cores
Latency	Higher for multi‑step tasks	Lower, optimized for reasoning
Energy Efficiency	High but power‑hungry	25% better than previous gen, built for efficiency
Scalability	Clustered GPU farms	Tens of millions of CPU cores, distributed workloads

Expert Voices

• Nafea Bshara, Amazon VP: “This isn’t just about chips; it’s about giving customers the infrastructure foundation to build AI that scales to billions worldwide.”
• Santosh Janardhan, Meta: “Expanding to Graviton allows us to run CPU‑intensive workloads behind agentic AI with the performance and efficiency we need at scale.”

In short: Meta’s massive Graviton5 deployment with AWS signals a new chapter in AI infrastructure—where CPUs, not just GPUs, become central to powering agentic AI systems at global scale.

Adani in Talks with Meta and Google to Build $100B Data Centers in India

Adani Group is in discussions with Meta and Google to establish partnerships for building large-scale data centers in India, part of Gautam Adani’s broader plan to invest around $100 billion in digital infrastructure. The talks are focused on leveraging Adani’s strengths in land acquisition and renewable energy to support hyperscale facilities that can meet the growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence workloads. Walmart-owned Flipkart is also negotiating with Adani for potential data center sites, underscoring the rising importance of India as a hub for digital infrastructure.

These partnerships, if finalized, would position Adani as a key enabler of global technology expansion in South Asia, while also aligning with sustainability goals through renewable energy integration. The group is evaluating multiple states for site development, though no agreements have yet been finalized. The move reflects India’s ambition to become a central player in the global cloud and AI ecosystem, even as other markets like China warn of oversupply in data centers.

Factor	Impact
Partnership with Meta & Google	Strengthens India’s role in global cloud and AI ecosystems
$100B Infrastructure Push	Signals one of the largest private investments in India’s digital economy
Flipkart’s Interest	Expands ecosystem beyond global tech giants to domestic e-commerce
Renewable Energy Integration	Aligns with sustainability goals and reduces operational costs
Site Exploration Across States	Ensures geographic diversification and resilience

This combination of global partnerships, domestic participation, and renewable energy integration could accelerate India’s readiness for cloud adoption and AI infrastructure, while positioning Adani as a central player in the region’s digital economy.

Meta Bets Big on AI Agents With ~ $3B Manus Deal

Meta Platforms has officially announced the acquisition of Manus, an AI startup known for building “general AI agents.” The deal is valued at around $2–3 billion and marks Meta’s biggest push yet into autonomous AI systems.

Manus has built one of the leading autonomous general-purpose agents that can independently execute complex tasks like market research, coding, and data analysis.

The AI startup was founded in 2022 by Xiao Hong (often referred to as Red Xiao Hong), Red Xiao, and Yichao Peak Ji. The company quickly positioned itself as a pioneer in “general AI agents” capable of autonomous task execution. Its investors include major names such as Benchmark, ZhenFund, and Tencent, alongside backing from Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology (its Chinese parent company).

What This Acquisition Means

• Manus’s core product: Unlike traditional chatbots, Manus developed a general-purpose AI agent capable of independently planning tasks, making decisions, and executing them end-to-end.
• Meta’s strategy shift: Meta is moving from just building large AI models to operationalizing AI — embedding agents directly into consumer apps (Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook) and enterprise workflows.
• Financials: While Meta hasn’t disclosed exact terms, reports estimate the deal at $2–$3 billion, following Manus’s rapid rise from a $500M valuation earlier in 2025.
• Global footprint: Manus is Singapore-based but has Chinese roots, with backing from Tencent, ZhenFund, and HSG (formerly Sequoia China).

Comparison: Meta vs. Manus Roles

Aspect	Meta Platforms (Pre-acquisition)	Manus AI Agent (Pre-acquisition)	Post-acquisition Impact
Focus	Large-scale AI models, infra, consumer apps	Execution-focused autonomous agents	Meta gains execution layer
Strengths	Scale, distribution, ecosystem (FB, IG, WA)	Task automation, decision-making	Integration into workflows
Revenue model	Ads, subscriptions, enterprise AI	Subscription ($39–$199/month)	Potential bundled services
Market positioning	Competing with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic	Claimed outperforming OpenAI’s Deep Research	Stronger enterprise AI play

Risks & Challenges

• Regulatory scrutiny: Given Manus’s Chinese roots, Meta may face geopolitical and data security questions, especially in the U.S. and EU.
• Integration complexity: Embedding autonomous agents into consumer platforms raises privacy and trust concerns.
• Market competition: OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic are also racing to deploy agent-based AI — Meta must prove Manus can scale beyond demos.
• Pricing model: Manus’s subscription pricing was criticized as aggressive; Meta may need to rethink monetization.

Why This Matters

• This acquisition signals a new phase in AI evolution: moving from intelligence (LLMs) to agency (autonomous execution).
• If successful, Meta could embed Manus’s agents into everyday apps — imagine WhatsApp bots that book travel, Instagram agents that manage creator workflows, or enterprise assistants that automate research.
• It’s a bold bet: Meta is essentially saying the future of AI isn’t just smarter chat, but agents that act on your behalf.

Meta Hires Apple’s Design Visionary Alan Dye to Lead AI Hardware Push

Meta has officially hired Alan Dye, Apple’s longtime Vice President of Human Interface Design, to lead a new creative studio within its Reality Labs division.Dye will become Meta’s Chief Design Officer, focusing on AI-powered devices, spatial computing, and next-generation user experiences.

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Key facts

• Alan Dye’s background at Apple:
  • Spent nearly 20 years at Apple, most recently as VP of Human Interface Design.
  • Played a central role in shaping Apple’s Liquid Glass UI across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and VisionOS.
  • Reported directly to Tim Cook and oversaw design for major products including Vision Pro.
• Role at Meta:
  • Dye will head Meta’s new Creative Studio inside Reality Labs.
  • The studio will blend design, fashion, and technology, treating intelligence as a design material for human-centered innovation.
  • He will report to Andrew Bosworth (CTO) and work closely with Mark Zuckerberg.
  • Focus areas: AI smart glasses, VR/AR devices, and spatial computing experiences.
• Leadership transition at Apple:
  • Apple confirmed Dye’s departure; Stephen Lemay, a longtime Apple designer, will succeed him.
  • This marks one of Apple’s most notable design exits in years, amid broader leadership reshuffles.

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Strategic implications

• For Meta:
  • Hiring Dye signals Meta’s push to elevate design in its AI hardware ecosystem.
  • His expertise could help Meta refine interfaces for smart glasses and immersive devices, making them more appealing to mainstream users.
  • Zuckerberg framed this as part of Meta’s vision to make intelligence a design material, indicating an AI-first product design shift.
• For Apple:
  • Losing Dye is significant—he was one of the last senior designers tied to Apple’s post-Jony Ive design era.
  • Apple’s design leadership now rests on Lemay, who has contributed to every major Apple interface since 1999.
  • Raises questions about Apple’s ability to maintain its design dominance while Meta aggressively recruits talent.

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Risks and challenges

• Talent drain: Apple has seen several senior executives leave for rivals, especially Meta, which could impact continuity in design philosophy.
• Execution at Meta: Dye’s vision must align with Meta’s hardware ambitions, which have struggled in adoption compared to Apple’s ecosystem.
• Market perception: Meta’s success hinges on whether Dye can translate Apple’s design ethos into consumer-friendly AI devices, avoiding past missteps like lukewarm VR adoption.

In short, Alan Dye’s move is a major coup for Meta and a notable loss for Apple. It underscores Meta’s ambition to dominate the next wave of AI-driven hardware and spatial computing, while Apple faces the challenge of sustaining its design legacy without one of its most influential leaders.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) AI Glasses Debut in India with 3K Video, Hindi AI, and UPI Payments

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) AI glasses will be available in India starting today, bringing sharper video capture, significantly improved battery life, upgraded Meta AI experiences, and refreshed styles that blend iconic design with everyday utility. The collection will be available nationwide at Ray-Ban India and leading optical and eyewear retailers, with prices starting at INR 39,900.

Next-Generation AI Glasses for Every Lifestyle

Building on the success of the first-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) delivers sharper 3K Ultra HD video capture, ultrawide HDR, and upgraded Meta AI experiences. With up to 8 hours of battery life, fast charging to 50% in 20 minutes, and a charging case providing an additional 48 hours of power, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) is designed to keep up from sunrise to sundown. New capture modes like hyperlapse and slow motion will roll out through software updates later, making storytelling even more creative and immersive.

New Styles, Colors, and Limited Editions

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 arrives in the legendary Wayfarer, the modern Skyler, and the popular Headliner styles. This year’s lineup introduces seasonal colors such as Shiny Cosmic Blue, Shiny Mystic Violet, and Shiny Asteroid Grey.

Smarter, More Helpful Meta AI

Meta AI becomes more useful across everyday scenarios. Users can say “Hey Meta” to get instant answers, recommendations, or creative prompts. Conversation Focus enhances voices in loud settings and Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) now supports full Hindi interaction, allowing users to speak naturally to Meta AI for tasks like asking questions, capturing photos and videos, controlling media, and responding to messages.

Meta AI Now Has Celebrity AI Voice

Recently, Meta AI introduced Celebrity AI Voice, enabling users to interact with the assistant in natural spoken conversation. People can now interact with Deepika Padukone’s AI voice. She joined Meta AI’s global lineup of voices for the assistant, including many other recognizable celebrity voices to choose from.

Testing UPI-Lite payments

Soon, you’ll be able to experience a new feature that allows you to make secure UPI QR-code payments directly from your Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses. Simply look at a QR code while wearing your glasses and say, “Hey Meta, scan and pay” to complete a UPI Lite payment – no need to reach for your phone. Payments will be processed through your WhatsApp-linked bank account, making everyday transactions quicker and more seamless than ever.

Apple, Amazon, Meta Join Forces Against Indian Telcos Over 6 GHz Wi‑Fi Spectrum

Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, along with HP and Intel, have formally opposed Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea’s push to allocate the 6 GHz band for mobile services, instead urging that the entire band be reserved for Wi‑Fi use.

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What’s happening

• Indian telcos’ demand: Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea want the 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz) included in upcoming spectrum auctions for mobile broadband expansion.
• Tech majors’ stance: Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, HP, and Intel submitted a joint response to TRAI’s consultation paper, opposing this demand. They insist the band should be allocated to Wi‑Fi services, not mobile networks.
• Government’s plan: India has said 400 MHz of the 6 GHz band is available for auction now, 300 MHz will be available by 2030, and 500 MHz will be delicensed for low‑power Wi‑Fi applications.

Why the clash matters

• Telcos’ argument: Mobile operators want more spectrum to handle surging data demand, especially for 5G and future 6G.
• Tech giants’ counterpoint: The 6 GHz band is globally being opened for Wi‑Fi, supporting faster, more reliable connectivity in homes, offices, and public spaces; technical readiness for mobile (IMT) use is not established, making allocation for IMT premature; Wi‑Fi expansion benefits device makers and enterprise networks, aligning with their ecosystem strategies.

Global context

• United States & Europe: Large portions of the 6 GHz band have already been delicensed for Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7.
• India’s decision: Will set a precedent for balancing licensed spectrum for telcos vs. unlicensed spectrum for tech ecosystems.

Key takeaways

• Allocation preference: Tech majors want 6 GHz for Wi‑Fi, not mobile.
• Telco position: Indian telcos want it auctioned for 5G/6G expansion.
• Policy path: Government is considering a hybrid approach—auctioning part, delicensing part, and holding back some for future use.
• Impact: The outcome will shape India’s digital infrastructure, influencing whether homes and enterprises get faster Wi‑Fi or telcos get more mobile spectrum.

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Comparative Map of 6 GHz Spectrum Allocation

Region	Allocation Decision	Key Details	Policy Direction
United States	Entire 6 GHz band (5925–7125 MHz) opened for unlicensed Wi‑Fi	Supports Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7; FCC made full band available for Wi‑Fi in 2020	Strong push for Wi‑Fi ecosystem; telcos rely on other mid‑bands for 5G
European Union	Lower 6 GHz (5925–6425 MHz) opened for Wi‑Fi; upper 6 GHz (6425–7125 MHz) under debate	Wi‑Fi Coalition and Dynamic Spectrum Alliance lobbying for full unlicensed access; mobile operators want upper band for IMT	Split approach; EU regulators still deciding on upper band, but momentum favors Wi‑Fi
China	Upper 6 GHz (6425–7125 MHz) allocated for licensed mobile (5G/6G)	MIIT calls 6 GHz “the only high‑quality mid‑band” for future mobile; already positioned for 5G/6G rollout	Clear pro‑mobile stance; prioritizes IMT over Wi‑Fi
India	400 MHz for auction now, 300 MHz by 2030, 500 MHz delicensed for Wi‑Fi	TRAI consultation ongoing; telcos (Jio, Vi) want more for IMT, while tech majors (Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, Intel, HP) demand full Wi‑Fi allocation	Hybrid model: partial auction + partial Wi‑Fi; balancing telco needs with device ecosystem

Key Insights

• US & EU: Favor Wi‑Fi, seeing it as critical for homes, enterprises, and innovation.
• China: Prioritizes mobile operators, ensuring 6 GHz strengthens 5G/6G capacity.
• India: Trying to balance both worlds—auctioning some spectrum for telcos while delicensing a large chunk for Wi‑Fi.

Why This Matters

• For consumers: Wi‑Fi allocation means faster, cheaper connectivity indoors; mobile allocation strengthens outdoor 5G/6G coverage.
• For industry: Device makers benefit from Wi‑Fi expansion; telcos benefit from IMT allocation.
• For policy: India’s hybrid stance could become a global test case for balancing competing ecosystem demands.

Reliance and Meta Forge ~$97M AI Alliance to Accelerate India’s Enterprise Intelligence

In a bold move to reshape India’s AI landscape, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has announced a ₹855 crore ( about $96.96 million USD) joint venture with Meta Platforms Inc., aimed at delivering scalable, enterprise-grade artificial intelligence solutions across sectors.

The announcement was made during the 48th Annual General Meeting of Reliance, where Chairman Mukesh Ambani unveiled a suite of AI initiatives designed to democratize intelligence for every Indian business.

Strategic Partnership: Meta’s Llama Meets Reliance’s Scale

The joint venture will leverage Meta’s open-source Llama models and combine them with Reliance’s deep domain expertise in telecom, retail, energy, and manufacturing.

• Full-stack Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for Indian enterprises
• Pre-configured AI tools for sales, customer engagement, IT operations, and finance
• Sector-specific solutions for retail, telecom, energy, and manufacturing

“We will democratize AI for every Indian organization — from ambitious SMBs to corporates.”
— Mukesh Ambani

“With Reliance’s reach and scale, we can bring AI to every corner of India.”
— Mark Zuckerberg

Investment & Ownership

• Total Investment: ₹855 crore (~$100 million)
• Ownership Split:
  • Reliance: 70%
  • Meta: 30%
• Independent operation with a mandate to build sovereign AI infrastructure

AI Infrastructure: Jamnagar Cloud Region

The JV complements Reliance’s newly announced Google Cloud region in Jamnagar:

• Hosts Google’s AI hypercomputer
• Runs entirely on Reliance’s green energy
• Provides secure, scalable environments for generative AI development

National Impact

This partnership aligns with India’s broader AI ambitions, including the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission:

• Empowers startups, SMBs, and corporates with affordable AI tools
• Accelerates digital transformation across key industries
• Supports India’s push for sovereign, ethical AI infrastructure

What’s Next

• First suite of AI services expected by early 2026
• Pilot programs underway in retail and telecom
• Analysts see this as a pivotal moment in India’s tech evolution

Meta Recruits Four More OpenAI Researchers to Boost Superintelligence Team

Meta has reportedly hired four more researchers from OpenAI, reported The Information. This intensifies the ongoing talent war in the AI industry. The new hires are:

• Shengjia Zhao
• Jiahui Yu
• Shuchao Bi
• Hongyu Ren

These researchers are joining Meta’s ambitious Superintelligence team, which is being led by Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI.

Why This Matters

• Strategic Timing: The hires come shortly after the underwhelming launch of Meta’s Llama 4 AI models, which reportedly didn’t meet CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s expectations.
• High-Stakes Recruitment: Reports suggest Meta has been offering compensation packages worth up to $100 million, with some rumors even citing figures as high as $300 million over four years for top-tier talent.
• OpenAI’s Response: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has downplayed the impact, stating that “none of our best people” have left, though internal concerns have reportedly been raised about the aggressive poaching.

This move is part of Meta’s broader push to dominate the next wave of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The company has already brought in other OpenAI researchers from its Zurich office and is reportedly coordinating recruitment through a private WhatsApp group dubbed “Recruiting Party”.

Meta is reportedly offering staggering compensation packages to lure top AI researchers from OpenAI, with figures reaching up to $300 million over four years for select hires.

Compensation Details

• Total Package: Up to $300 million over four years for top-tier researchers.
• First-Year Payout: Over $100 million in some cases, primarily through stock grants that vest immediately.
• Structure: Not a simple cash signing bonus—packages include a mix of salary, equity, and early vesting stock options.
• Eligibility: These offers are reportedly limited to a small number of leadership roles within Meta’s new Superintelligence team.
• Meta’s Pitch: In addition to money, Meta is promising unlimited compute resources, including access to high-demand GPUs, which are critical for cutting-edge AI research.

Industry Impact

• OpenAI’s Response: CEO Sam Altman confirmed the $100M+ offers but claimed Meta didn’t get their “top people.” OpenAI is now recalibrating its own compensation to retain talent.
• Meta’s Strategy: CEO Mark Zuckerberg is personally leading the recruitment drive, aiming to build a team that can deliver on AGI ambitions after Llama 4’s underwhelming performance.

Meta Invests $14.3 Bn in Scale AI, Taps Alexandr Wang for ‘Superintelligence’ Unit

Meta Platforms has finalized a massive $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI, acquiring a 49% stake in the data-labeling startup. This deal values Scale AI at $29 billion, making it one of Meta’s largest investments, second only to its WhatsApp acquisition.

A key aspect of this move is the recruitment of Scale AI’s CEO, Alexandr Wang, who will join Meta’s newly established "superintelligence" unit. This lab is focused on advancing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and positioning Meta as a leader in AI development. Wang will remain on Scale’s board while Jason Droege steps in as interim CEO.

Scale Al is a data-labeling and Al infrastructure company founded in 2016 by MIT-dropout Alexandr Wang and Lucy Guo. Based in San Francisco, it specializes in annotating and curating datasets for Al model training, serving clients like OpenAl, Google, Microsoft, and the U.S. government. Scale AI also operates subsidiaries like Remotasks and Outlier, which recruit gig workers to manually label data for Al applications, including self-driving cars, large language models, and military projects. 

Scale Al has also developed SEAL (Safety, Evaluations, and Alignment Lab) to assess Al model capabilities and alignment.
Meta’s decision to invest in Scale AI comes at a time when it seeks to refine its AI model strategy, particularly following the lukewarm reception of Llama 4. By partnering with Scale AI, Meta gains access to high-quality labeled data crucial for AI model training. Scale AI has been a key player in providing labeled datasets to major tech firms, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, as well as government agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense.

Interestingly, Meta opted for non-voting shares in Scale AI, likely to avoid antitrust scrutiny. As regulatory pressures mount against major tech companies, this approach allows Meta to benefit from Scale’s expertise without triggering further investigations.

This move mirrors strategies adopted by Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, who have strategically invested in AI startups to accelerate their own development while bringing in top talent. Meta’s entry into the AI investment space signals a renewed push toward achieving superintelligence and enhancing its AI capabilities.

The investment raises significant questions about Meta’s long-term AI strategy. Will this push towards AGI place it ahead of competitors? And how will Scale AI’s capabilities reshape the future of AI innovation?.

Meta & Cerebras Unleash AI Speed—18x Faster Than GPU-based Solutions

Meta has officially teamed up with Cerebras Systems to supercharge its Llama API, delivering inference speeds up to 18 times faster than traditional GPU-based solutions. This move positions Meta to compete directly with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google in the AI inference market, where developers purchase tokens to power their applications.

Cerebras Systems is a cutting-edge Al hardware company specializing in wafer-scale computing, designed to accelerate deep learning and Al inference. Their Wafer-Scale Engine (WSE) is the largest semiconductor chip ever built, offering unprecedented speed and efficiency compared to traditional GPUs.

The Cerebras system enables over 2,600 tokens per second for Llama 4 Scout, compared to 130 tokens per second for ChatGPT and 25 tokens per second for DeepSeek. This speed boost unlocks real-time AI applications, including low-latency voice systems, interactive code generation, and instant multi-step reasoning.

This collaboration positions Cerebras as a major player in Al infrastructure, challenging Nvidia's dominance in Al hardware.

Meta’s shift from just providing open-source models to offering a full-service AI infrastructure marks a significant strategic evolution.

Meta’s partnership with Cerebras Systems could significantly reshape AI development. For an instance, with over 2,600 tokens per second, this collaboration enables real-time AI applications that were previously impractical. Developers can now build low-latency voice assistants, interactive code generation tools, and instant multi-step reasoning systems.

Traditional AI inference relies heavily on GPUs, but Cerebras’ Wafer-Scale Engine offers an alternative that could challenge Nvidia’s dominance in AI hardware. This shift might encourage more companies to explore custom AI chips for efficiency gains.

For an uninitiated, AI inference is the process where a trained AI model applies its learned knowledge to make predictions or decisions on new data. It’s essentially the "thinking" phase of AI—where it takes what it learned during training and uses it in real-world applications.

By integrating Cerebras’ speed into the Llama API, Meta is making high-performance AI more accessible to developers worldwide. This could accelerate innovation across industries, from quick commerce automation to climate modeling—areas you’ve explored extensively.

Andrew Feldman, CEO and co-founder of Cerebras, said, “Cerebras is proud to make Llama API the fastest inference API in the world. Developers building agentic and real-time apps need speed. With Cerebras on Llama API, they can build AI systems that are fundamentally out of reach for leading GPU-based inference clouds.”

Cerebras is the fastest AI inference solution as measured by third party benchmarking site Artificial Analysis, reaching over 2,600 token/s for Llama 4 Scout compared to ChatGPT at ~130 tokens/sec and DeepSeek at ~25 tokens/sec.

OpenAI, Meta Reportedly in Discussions With Reliance to Expand AI Presence in India

OpenAI and Meta are reportedly in discussions with Reliance Industries to expand their AI presence in India. These talks include potential collaborations with Reliance Jio to distribute AI services like ChatGPT, aiming to make them more accessible and affordable for Indian users. OpenAI is also considering reducing its ChatGPT subscription fee significantly, potentially to just a few dollars per month.

OpenAI is internally discussing reducing the ChatGPT subscription fee from $20 per month to just a few dollars, though it's unclear if this has been finalized with Reliance.

Reliance has proposed hosting and running OpenAI and Meta's AI models locally in India, ensuring data localization and compliance with privacy regulations. This could involve utilizing a massive data center Reliance plans to build in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which would be one of the largest in the world.

These partnerships could leverage Reliance's extensive distribution network, enabling AI services to reach a broader audience in India. It's an exciting development for the AI landscape in the region.

Reliance plans to build a three-gigawatt data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which could host these AI models. If completed, it would be one of the largest data centers globally.

Meta (Facebook) too is reportedly in discussions with Reliance Industries to explore AI partnerships. This could involve leveraging Reliance's infrastructure to host and distribute Meta's AI models, ensuring data localization and compliance with Indian regulations

Reliance is also engaging with government officials to address data localization and privacy concerns, which are critical for foreign AI firms operating in India.

Potential Impact

This potential partnership between OpenAI, Meta, and Reliance could have far-reaching implications for the AI landscape in India.

Reliance Jio's extensive network could bring AI tools like ChatGPT to a larger population, including rural and underserved areas. Lowering subscription costs may democratize access to AI-powered solutions, potentially fostering a digitally inclusive society.

Hosting AI models within India addresses regulatory concerns around data privacy and security. It strengthens India’s stance on data sovereignty and could set a precedent for other technology companies operating in the region.

Reliance’s investment in massive data center infrastructure may attract global AI companies to innovate locally, encouraging collaborative research and development. This could lead to the development of AI solutions tailored specifically for Indian contexts, such as languages, education, agriculture, and healthcare.

AI-driven innovations and infrastructure projects, such as Reliance’s data center in Jamnagar, could create jobs and stimulate economic activity. It could position India as a global AI hub, attracting further investments and partnerships.

Notably, with this collaboration Mukesh Ambani promoted Reliance will definitely have competitive advantage as Reliance's partnerships might enable it to compete with international tech giants like Google and Microsoft in the AI services space, strengthening India’s role in the global AI ecosystem.

As far as Ethical and Regulatory Framework is concerned, with AI models being hosted locally, it becomes easier to enforce compliance with India’s evolving AI and data protection laws. This move might inspire other nations to demand similar localization commitments, influencing global regulatory trends.

Increased access to AI services may drive up demand for AI education and skills development in India. This could lead to the creation of a more AI-literate workforce, supporting long-term economic and social transformation.

The collaboration could act as a catalyst for India to take a more prominent role in shaping the global AI narrative. By integrating world-class AI technology with local insights and infrastructure, India might emerge as a key player in advancing AI for social good and economic development.

Meta Planning New $200 Bn+ Data Center Campus for Its AI

Meta Platforms is reportedly in discussions to construct a new data center campus for its artificial intelligence projects, with potential costs exceeding $200 billion. The company is considering locations in Louisiana, Wyoming, or Texas, and senior leaders have already visited potential sites.

However, a Meta spokesperson has denied the report, stating that the company's data center plans and capital expenditures have already been disclosed and that anything beyond that is "pure speculation".

Last month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to spend up to $65 billion this year to expand the company's AI infrastructure. In comparison, Microsoft plans to invest about $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to develop data centers, while Amazon's 2025 spending is expected to be higher than the $75 billion estimated for 2024.

This potential investment by Meta is part of a larger trend where tech giants are making significant investments in data centers to meet future AI demands.

Meta is involved in various AI research projects, including advancements in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Meta's Data Centre in Louisiana (Richland Parish) is of $10 billion+ investment

Meta has a global network of data centers that support its technologies and services. Meta's data centers are located in various regions, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. Some notable locations include Prineville, Oregon, USA; Forest City, North Carolina, USA; Luleå, Sweden; Clonee, Ireland, and Singapore.

Meta has been developing state-of-the-art AI models for various applications, including natural language processing, computer vision, and recommendation systems. These models enhance user experiences across their platforms, like Facebook and Instagram.

Meta's AI Research (FAIR) lab is at the forefront of AI research, working on groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of what's possible with AI. This includes advancements in machine learning algorithms, robotics, and ethical AI.

Meta's competitors including Apple and Microsoft is also planning to invest heavily in AI infrastructure. While, Microsoft is planning to invest around $80 billion in data centers for fiscal 2025, Apple announced a $500 billion investment in the United States over the next 4 years, with a primary focus on expanding its manufacturing footprint and improving research and development.

Amazon has stated that it has invested over $75 billion in 2024. It would be interesting to see if Meta will set up the AI data center in the US or these are only speculations.

Meta in Talks to Buy S.Korean AI Chip Startup FuriosaAI

Meta Platforms is reportedly in discussions to acquire FuriosaAI, a South Korean AI chip startup. The deal could potentially be finalized as early as this month.

Meta has been heavily investing in AI infrastructure, including developing its own AI chips like the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) and the latest Next Gen MTIA.

FuriosaAI specializes in developing AI inference chips for data centers and has created its own AI chip, RNGD, which offers three times the performance per watt compared to Nvidia’s advanced AI chip, the H100. The acquisition could help Meta reduce its dependence on Nvidia and enhance its custom chip development efforts.

FuriosaAI RNGD chip

This acquisition could significantly boost Meta's custom chip development efforts, especially amid the ongoing Nvidia chip shortage and increasing demand for alternative solutions.

Founded by June Paik, a former engineer at Samsung Electronics and AMD, FuriosaAI benefits from the expertise and experience of its leadership. FuriosaAI specializes in developing AI inference chips for data centers, and their chips are known for their high performance and energy efficiency.

Compared to other AI chip companies like Nvidia, Cerebras Systems, and Intel, FuriosaAI's focus on efficiency and inference, along with its strategic partnerships and strong backing, positions it as a competitive player in the AI chip market.

The South Korean startup has raised significant funding from notable investors like Naver, Korea Development Bank, and DSC Investment. This financial backing supports its research and development efforts.

FuriosaAI has also collaborated with Taiwanese custom chip maker Global Unichip Corp. and SK Hynix for high-performance memory chips.

Meta aims to develop custom AI chips, like the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA), to efficiently handle AI workloads, particularly for ranking and recommendation systems. These chips are designed to improve performance and energy efficiency. These chips are designed to improve performance and energy efficiency.

Meta's investment in AI technology is a strategic move to stay ahead of competitors, anticipate market trends, and deliver more personalized and engaging experiences to users.

Meta's investment in AI technology is a strategic move to stay ahead of competitors, anticipate market trends, and deliver more personalized and engaging experiences to users.

In the last two years, Meta Platforms has made several acquisitions to bolster its AI and virtual reality capabilities.

Within Unlimited was Acquired by Meta in February, 2023, Within Unlimited specializes in virtual reality content, including the popular fitness app Supernatural. In 2022, Meta acquired Luminous to enhance Meta's AI capabilities, particularly in computer vision and augmented reality.

Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Cisco to Challenge Modi Govt's Decision to Auction Lower 6GHz Spectrum Band in Court

Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Cisco are considering legal action against the Indian government's decision to auction the lower 6GHz spectrum band for telecom services instead of delicensing it for broader WiFi and AI applications.

Key Points:

1. Auction Decision: The Indian government recently approved the auction of the lower 6GHz spectrum band for use by telecom operators to offer wireless telephony services using technologies like 5G and 6G.
2. Tech Companies' Stance: The tech giants argue that this decision could hinder India's technological growth and economic benefits, as the global trend is to delicense these airwaves for broader applications.
3. Broadband India Forum (BIF): The BIF, representing major tech firms, has been advocating for the delicensing of the 6GHz band, highlighting its importance for data-intensive applications such as AR/VR, gaming streaming, and artificial intelligence.
4. Global Practices: In many countries, including the US, the 6GHz spectrum has been delicensed, allowing non-telecom companies to operate in this band and offer services like WiFi-6.

The tech companies believe that the combined economic benefit of delicensing the 6GHz spectrum and the innovation it would foster would be much higher than the one-off revenue from an auction.

India's CCI Slaps META with Penalty of $25.4 Mn Over WhatsApp

India's chief competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 213.14 crore (approx US$ 25.4 Mn) on Meta (formerly Facebook) for anti-competitive practices related to its 2021 privacy policy update for WhatsApp.

The CCI found that Meta holds a dominant position in both the OTT messaging apps and online display advertising markets in India.

The 2021 privacy policy update forced users to accept expanded data collection and sharing terms without an opt-out option, which the CCI deemed as imposing unfair conditions.

Meta is prohibited from sharing user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies for advertising purposes for the next five years. WhatsApp must provide users with an opt-out option for data sharing and ensure that future policy updates comply with these requirements.

Meta and WhatsApp are required to implement specific behavioral changes within a set timeframe to address the issues arising from the policy update.

Further, as regards sharing of data between Meta companies, the Commission has concluded that (a) sharing of WhatsApp users’ data between Meta companies for purposes other than providing WhatsApp Service creates an entry barrier for the rivals of Meta and thus, results in denial of market access in the display advertisement market, in contravention of the provisions of Section 4(2)(c) of the Act; and (b) Meta has engaged in leveraging its dominant position in the OTT messaging apps through smartphones to protect its position in the online display advertising market and the same is in contravention of Section 4(2)(e) of the Act.

In view of the anti-competitive harm elaborated in this order and for the purpose of addressing such harm, the OPs are further directed to implement the following directions:

• WhatsApp will not share user data collected on its platform with other Meta Companies or Meta Company Products for advertising purposes, for a period of 5 (five) years from the date of receipt of this order. After expiry of the said period, the directions at para 6.2 (except para 6.2.1) will apply mutatis mutandis in respect of such sharing of data for advertising purposes.
• With respect to sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than advertising:WhatsApp’s policy should include a detailed explanation of the user data shared with other Meta Companies or Meta Company Products. This explanation should specify the purpose of data sharing, linking each type of data to its corresponding purpose.
• Sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta Companies or Meta Company Products for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.
• In respect of sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp Services, all users in India (including users who have accepted 2021 update) will be provided with:
• the choice to manage such data sharing by way of an opt-out option prominently through an in-app notification; and
• the option to review and modify their choice with respect to such sharing of data through a prominent tab in settings of WhatsApp application.
• All future policy updates shall also comply with these requirements.

This decision underscores the importance of user consent and fair competition in the digital economy. It also aligns with global trends of increasing scrutiny over data privacy and antitrust practices.

Meta Partnered Bain & Company for India-based Report on Impact of Generative Al–powered Conversational Commerce

Meta has collaborated with Bain & Company to produce the "Win With Conversations" report, which offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital platform conversations. The report highlights the transformative impact of generative AI-powered conversational commerce in India.

Key findings from the report include:

• A significant growth in digitization in India, with over 650 million active social media users, yet only 30% shop online.
• Among small merchants, only 15% of the formalized small businesses are selling online.
• There's a strong user preference for conducting transactions via conversational journeys, especially for high-frequency interactions like accessing bank statements, booking travel, and paying utility bills.
• Over 60% of large enterprises plan to increase spending on conversational platforms in the next 3–4 years, and 80% are planning to invest in generative AI within the next 1–2 years.

According to the report, GenAI-powered conversational commerce is set to significantly boost business growth in India. The integration of generative AI with conversational platforms is transforming the way businesses interact with customers, offering a more personalized and efficient shopping experience. Here are some additional insights:

1. Increased Consumer Reach: GenAI-powered conversational messaging platforms could bring an additional 450 Million Indian consumers to e-commerce.

2. Investment Surge: A substantial 60% of large enterprises plan to increase their spending on conversational platforms over the next 3–4 years, with 80% planning to invest in generative AI within the next 1–2 years.

3. Enhanced Customer Engagement: About 70% of surveyed large enterprises are already engaging with half of their customer base using conversational platforms.

4. Business Messaging Growth: Business messaging is seen as a key growth driver, with 60% of WhatsApp users in India messaging a business every week.

The "Win With Conversations" report by Bain & Company and Meta underscores the potential for conversational commerce to redefine customer engagement and provide businesses with a competitive edge. As digital adoption grows, leveraging GenAI in conversational commerce will be crucial for businesses aiming to tap into the vast, untapped market of online shoppers in India.

The report underscores the potential for conversational commerce to engage the next wave of consumers and the importance for businesses to adapt to this trend for sustained growth and customer engagement. It's a clear indication that businesses are recognizing the need to leverage AI and conversational platforms to build stronger connections with their customer base.