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Uber Breach Cover Up Leads To Global Probes

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Uber Breach Cover Up Leads To Global Probes,Startp Stories,2017 Business Updates,Government Probes Around Globe,Uber Data Breach,Uber Massive Data Breach,Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi,Uber Data Security Breach,Uber Latest News

Uber Technologies Inc., the global taxi hailing startup, is facing fresh troubles as fallout from the massive data breach. The year long cover up led to multiple lawsuits and government probes into the company across the globe.

Australia, Britain, United States and Philippines have already authorized an investigation into the workings of the company and its response to the breach. Some US lawmakers also called for Congressional Hearings into the matter and implored the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into the breach. US Senator Richard Blumenthal also took to Twitter calling the FTC to investigate Uber’s behavior.

Uber states the company has already begun discussions with the FTC regarding the exposed data. An FTC spokesman said, “We are aware of press reports describing a breach in late 2016 at Uber and Uber officials’ actions after that breach. We are closely evaluating the serious issues raised.

After Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi disclosed the hack on Tuesday, the company also began notifying the 57 million affected drivers and passengers and provided free identity theft monitoring for drivers. However, the actions taken by the company seem to be too little too late.

Majority of the states in the USA have data breach notification statutes that require a company subject to such a data theft to notify their customers and other parties about the hack. In this regard, the attorneys general of New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri and Connecticut have initiated an investigation regarding Uber’s possible violation of these laws.

The Deputy Commissioner of the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, James Dipple-Johnstone, said “If UK citizens were affected, then we should have been notified so that we could assess and verify the impact on people whose data was exposed.” Failing to notify users and regulators when data breaches occur, according to British law, carries a maximum penalty of £ 500,000. “Deliberately concealing breaches from regulators and citizens could attract higher fines for companies,” Dipple-Johnstone further added.

Currently, Uber is in talks with Japan based venture capital firm SoftBank for a $ 10 billion investment. VCCircle reported SoftBank is planning to stick to its agreement to invest in Uber but may seek better terms. However, Uber and SoftBank have started advertising to find investors willing to sell their stock.

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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Regional OTT Platform STAGE Raises $12.5 Million to Expand Bhojpuri and Cultural Offerings

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Regional OTT Platform STAGE Raises $12.5 Million to Expand Bhojpuri and Cultural Offerings,Startup News,Startup Stories,Startup Stories 2025,Startup Stories India,Tech News,Latest News,OTT,Bhojpuri,Cultural,STAGE,Regional OTT Platform STAGE,Indian OTT Platform STAGE Nets $12.5M Series B,STAGE News,CEO Vinay Singhal,OTT News,OTT Platform STAGE Secures $12.5 Million,STAGE Secures $12.5M Series B,STAGE Bags $12.5 Mn In Funding,Regional OTT Platform STAGE App,STAGE OTT,STAGE App,Series B,STAGE Latest News

Regional OTT platform STAGE has successfully raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round, a move that highlights the increasing demand for regional content in India. The round was co-led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures, with participation from Physis Capital and several angel investors.

The funding includes $10 million in primary capital and $2.5 million from secondary share sales, allowing early investors to partially exit. This capital will enable STAGE to enhance its content offerings, particularly in underserved languages like Bhojpuri, while strengthening its technological capabilities.

 

Since its launch in 2019, STAGE has quickly established itself as a leader in the regional OTT market, reporting an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹180 crore (approximately $21.7 million) and over 4.4 million paying subscribers. The platform has achieved over 20 million app installs and experienced significant growth, with a 289% increase in revenue and a 286% rise in subscribers over the past year, driven by original series such as Videshi Bahu, Kaand 2010, and Bhawani.

 

CEO Vinay Singhal emphasized that this funding is not just financial support but a validation of India’s diverse regional cultures. He noted that dialects like Haryanvi and Bhojpuri should be celebrated rather than viewed as liabilities. With this new funding, STAGE plans to further invest in content creation and technology development to enrich its storytelling experience.

 

As the demand for regional language content continues to grow, STAGE’s strategic investments position it well to expand into more languages and cultural narratives, solidifying its place in the competitive OTT landscape alongside platforms like aha video and Chaupal.

 

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams’ Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams' Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration,Startup Stories,Startup Stories India,Inspirational Stories 2025,Latest Technology News and Updates,2025 Technology News,Tech News,startup news,Sunita Williams,Sunita Williams space journey,Sunita Williams homecoming,NASA astronaut Sunita Williams,Sunita Williams space achievements,Sunita Williams return to Earth,Sunita Williams Highlights,Sunita Williams Inspiring Journey

Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.

On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast. 

 

Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.

Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.

 

While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.

Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.

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