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Facebook To Be Fined A Fortune Over Cambridge Analytica Scandal!

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Facebook Fined Over Cambridge Analytica Scandal,Startup Stories,Startup News India,Facebook Cambridge Analytica,Cambridge Analytica India,Cambridge Analytica Latest News,New Data Protection Act,Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg,Facebook Chief Privacy Officer,Facebook Fined for Data Breach

In 2017, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) launched an inquiry into voters’ data being obtained and used by political campaigns. This was following the Observer’s early investigative reports, into Cambridge Analytica, the political research firm. Facebook and Cambridge Analytica have been under scrutiny, for harvesting the data of millions of Facebook users around the globe, with the total number of people affected now at 87 million. The social media giant Facebook will be fined $ 664,000 for failing to protect users’ information by the UK’s privacy watchdog. While a fine of $ 664,000 is the biggest possible punishment available to the ICO, it is the same amount of money Facebook makes in just a few minutes. At the time of the infraction, the law on processing data was set out under the Data Protection Act of 1998, which imposed a maximum penalty of £ 500,00. However, Under the new Data Protection Act 2018, companies can be fined up to 4 % of global turnover, a substantially more serious penalty. In Facebook’s case, a fine could be as high as $ 1.9 bn, based on its revenue.

Elizabeth Denham, the Information Commissioner said she would penalize the social network platform as her office investigates how the data of millions of users was improperly accessed. Earlier, the CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg was questioned by the U.S., and the EU lawmakers over how Cambridge Analytica accessed the personal data of such a huge number of Facebook users. During the EU referendum, Facebook was found to be at fault for failing to be clear about how the information had been harvested by others. According to reports, Denham said Facebook has failed to provide the kinds of protections they’re required to do under data protection laws.

However, the penalty could change as the agency would discuss the matter further with Facebook. Generally, the ICO does not reveal its initial investigations but this time, it shared the details of the amount of the penalty because of the hyped public interest toward the scandal. Also, the agency would next give an update in October, this year.

Erin Egan, Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer, acknowledged in a statement Facebook should have done more to investigate claims about Cambridge Analytica and take action in 2015. Apart from this, the UK privacy watchdogs said the fallout from Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal is only the beginning. The UK’s early efforts could inform ongoing investigations elsewhere in Europe as well as the United States, where a probe by the Federal Trade Commission could result in a penalty well into the hundreds of billions of dollars. The FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission are also looking into Facebook’s ties to Cambridge Analytica.

 

 

 

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MPL to Lay Off 60% of India Workforce Following Online Gaming Ban

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MPL

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.

India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.

This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.

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NCLT Approves Amalgamaxtion of Info Edge Subsidiary Makesense with PB Fintech

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Info Edge - PB

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has granted approval for the amalgamation of Info Edge’s subsidiary, Makesense Technologies, with PB Fintech as of August 29, 2025, in a significant move for India’s fintech sector. This strategic merger aligns with Info Edge’s ongoing focus on streamlining its corporate structure and supports PB Fintech’s growth trajectory as the operator of leading platforms such as Policybazaar and Paisabazaar. The amalgamation, cleared by NCLT’s Chandigarh bench, took place without winding up either company, enabling a seamless blending of assets and expertise for greater operational efficiency.

In the specifics of this deal, Makesense Technologies—holding a 13.04% stake in PB Fintech as of June 2025—will see its shareholders allotted 59,750 equity shares and 60,030 compulsorily convertible preference shares from PB Fintech, with no change to Info Edge’s underlying economic interest. The consolidation is expected to cut compliance and administrative costs, simplify the equity structure, and enable both companies to focus on core business strengths without duplication of resources. This move is designed to strengthen PB Fintech’s position in India’s fast-evolving fintech and insurance market, while keeping Info Edge’s investment objectives intact.

The NCLT-approved merger highlights a broader trend of consolidation within India’s tech-driven industries, as major players seek to boost competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth through mergers and amalgamations. Stakeholders—including shareholders and employees—are set to benefit from the new, streamlined structure, increased transparency, and the promise of enhanced value creation going forward. The unification of Makesense Technologies and PB Fintech is expected to make a positive impact on the broader fintech ecosystem, reinforcing both companies’ leadership and innovation agendas.

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ShareChat Appoints Neha Markanda as CBO

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ShareChat, one of India’s premier social media platforms, has strengthened its leadership by appointing Neha Markanda as Chief Business Officer for both its flagship ShareChat platform and the popular short video app Moj. Markanda, previously Head of Industry, E-commerce at Google India, brings over 22 years of expertise across renowned companies like Meta, GSK Consumer Healthcare, PepsiCo, and ITC. At Google India, she led transformative strategies in e-commerce and health tech, ensuring market growth and technological innovation for global brands. Her proven track record uniquely positions her to drive ShareChat’s revenue strategy, business expansion, and partnerships with advertisers and regional stakeholders.

Markanda’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ShareChat, which recently achieved profitability and has projected a robust ₹1,200 crore revenue run rate for the year. The platforms boast a combined monthly active user base of more than 325 million, making ShareChat and Moj essential tools for marketers seeking to increase engagement across India’s diverse regions. Markanda’s expertise is expected to further accelerate ShareChat’s business growth, opening doors for brand collaborations and hyper-targeted influencer campaigns, which can connect marketers to local audiences in a culturally relevant manner.

With advanced degrees from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Lady Shri Ram College, Markanda’s leadership is set to reinforce ShareChat’s momentum as India’s go-to platform for marketers and creators looking for trusted, brand-safe environments. Her focus on vernacular content and building robust partnerships will complement ShareChat and Moj’s mission to empower regional creators and deliver authentic engagement. Industry experts have lauded this strategic move, anticipating that Markanda’s vision will help ShareChat and Moj maintain their edge in India’s social media landscape.

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