Centre tells e-commerce firms to hold on annual audit of ‘dark patterns’

NEW DELHI : The government has told e-commerce firms to hold annual internal audits to detect and remove deceptive online practices known as dark patterns, as part of a “joint strategy” to protect consumer rights in the digital economy, consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. A joint committee of government officials, industry leaders,…

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Uber, Rapido eye Goa entry as draft guidelines set the stage for ride-hailing platforms

The draft guidelines, published last week by the Goa government, lay out a formal regulatory framework for app-based taxi and bike taxi operators. It includes licensing conditions, fare regulations, timelines for driver payments, and crucially, mandates that the entire fare be paid directly to drivers, effectively banning platform commissions.  The move marks a decisive shift…

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Govt removes key leather export hurdles; port restrictions, CLRI testing scrapped

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has removed key restrictions on leather exports to make the process easier and faster. Finished leather, wet blue leather, and El tanned leather can be exported from any port or Inland Container Depot (ICD), as per a government notification. Also, the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has eliminated…

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Over half of Indian influencers are losing brand deals because of fake managers

India’s over four million influencers lost about ₹350 crore worth of brand deals in 2024 because unauthorised managers tried negotiating deals for them but failed, according to a report by Hashfame, a networking platform for creators and marketers, exclusively shared with Mint. “More than 55% of Indian content creators are losing brand deals not because…

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Twenty years of SpiceJet: The no-frills airline’s journey through many highs and lows

SpiceJet marks its 20th anniversary on May 24, 2025. From its modest beginnings in 2005 to becoming a household name in Indian aviation, the airline’s journey has been nothing short of turbulent — filled with rapid growth, intense competition, financial turbulence, and resilience. However, the fact that SpiceJet started earlier than IndiGo, and IndiGo is…

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Surge in Cannabis Smuggling Prompts Thailand to Tighten Rules

Thailand aims to clamp down on easy access to cannabis by mandating medical prescriptions amid rising instances of tourists attempting to smuggle out large quantities of weed.  Dispensaries will be allowed to sell cannabis only to those with licenses or with prescriptions from medical professionals, including traditional medicine practitioners, when proposed changes to existing rules…

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