India proposes legal amendments to define punishments for deepfakes and digital impersonation scams, aiming to curb misinformation and financial fraud amid geopolitical tensions.
Malaysia's Cybercrimes Bill 2026 passed both houses of Parliament, replacing the 1997 Computer Crimes Act. The bill addresses a surge in online fraud, with 8,014 charges recorded between January and May this year, surpassing 2025 figures.
L'introduzione degli username su WhatsApp solleva preoccupazioni per la sicurezza e il rischio di impersonificazione, con nomi di personaggi pubblici ancora disponibili per la prenotazione.
India's government has asked Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout, citing concerns over impersonation, fraud, and cybercrime. Meta argues usernames enhance privacy by hiding phone numbers, but the government seeks further clarification on safeguards before the feature becomes available.
WhatsApp issued clarifications on its upcoming 'Username' feature, addressing privacy, safety, and impersonation concerns. The feature, designed to allow connections without sharing phone numbers, will be optional. The Indian government has directed Meta not to roll out the feature until consultations are complete, citing potential for fraud and impersonation.
WhatsApp's new username feature, allowing users to be found by handle instead of phone number, is raising impersonation concerns in India, its largest market. Regulators have warned of increased fraud and phishing, while digital rights groups question the legal basis for intervention.
WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, designed to enhance privacy by hiding phone numbers, is facing criticism in India. Concerns are raised that it could facilitate online impersonation and scams, particularly targeting public figures and influencers.
India's government has issued a notice to Meta-owned WhatsApp, demanding a halt to its proposed username feature until consultations are complete. Concerns over impersonation, phishing, and financial fraud are cited, with WhatsApp asked to provide a detailed explanation within three days.
The Indian government has cautioned WhatsApp that its upcoming 'username' feature could enable cyber fraud and impersonation, holding the platform legally responsible for any loopholes. MeitY prioritizes cybersecurity, stating platforms must ensure their architecture prevents misuse, while WhatsApp defends the feature, citing built-in safeguards for user privacy and abuse detection.
WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, raises privacy, impersonation, and data sharing concerns, despite potential benefits like reduced SIM-swapping risks. Experts and users worry about fraud, identity theft, and deeper integration with Meta's ad ecosystem.
Noman Saleem of New York was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a wire-fraud scheme. He impersonated crypto influencers on Telegram, charging victims for VIP access and promising fake staking rewards, ultimately defrauding them of at least $1.4 million in crypto and cash.
Aryan Verma, a 21-year-old man, was arrested in Shahjahanpur for impersonating an Army Brigadier. He was found with fake military insignia, commandos, and an SUV bearing military plates, leading to his apprehension after a two-month surveillance operation.
A 35-year-old Filipino national, De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, is on trial in Singapore for allegedly belonging to a criminal group involved in impersonation scams that defrauded victims of over S$40 million. She faces charges related to organized crime and conspiracy to cheat.
Google's Phone app will soon flag calls where scammers use AI to impersonate contacts, a growing threat that cost Americans $893 million in 2025. The feature, built on RCS, requires both parties to use Phone by Google.
Japanese voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda has sued TikTok's operator, alleging unauthorized use of AI to mimic his voice in over 180 videos. TikTok argues the voice is a 'common male voice.' Japan's Ministry of Justice is discussing AI misuse and civil liability.
A wedding in Shahabad turned chaotic when the bride claimed the groom was not the person she befriended on Instagram, leading to arrests and an investigation into cheating and criminal conspiracy.
U.K. police charged British sprinter CJ Ujah in an alleged crypto fraud scheme involving wallet seed phrase theft and impersonation calls.
Due truffatori di Reggio-Emilia e Novellara hanno scammato 10.000 euro da una fan, fingendosi il cantante Achille Lauro e il suo manager. La vittima è stata contattata su TikTok e spostata su WhatsApp, dove ha versato su un IBAN lituano. Solo quando le sono stati chiesti altri 45.000 dollari ha capito di essere stata ingannata.
Due truffatori di Reggio-Emilia e Novellara hanno orchestrato una truffa "celebrity impersonation" fingendosi il cantante Achille Lauro su TikTok, estorcendo 10.000 euro a una fan reggiana. Dopo aver spostato la conversazione su WhatsApp con prefisso estero, un sedicente manager ha convinto la donna a pagare per un incontro personale. Il denaro è stato trasferito su un IBAN lituano. Quando le è stato chiesto altri 45.000 dollari, la vittima ha capito e ha denunciato ai carabinieri.
Taylor Swift has filed three US trademark applications to protect her voice and image from AI impersonations, becoming the latest celebrity to use trademark law against deepfakes. The applications include a photo from her Eras Tour and audio clips of her introducing herself for album promotions. The move follows Matthew McConaughey's similar attempt earlier this year, as celebrities increasingly seek legal tools to combat AI-generated replicas.
At least nine overseas students studying in the UK, Australia and other countries have been scammed out of up to HK$1.5 million each by fraudsters posing as Shanghai public security bureau and Hong Kong ICAC officers. Victims were accused of money laundering and lured to Hong Kong to purchase gold pellets for bogus investigations.
