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New Delhi, Dec 25 () The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is expected to soon issue a clarification on the issues raised by certain stakeholders over the government's decision to permit 26 per cent FDI in digital media sector, according to sources.
Certain industry players and experts have stated that the move to cap foreign direct investment (FDI) in digital media sector to 26 per cent throws up questions that need clarifications as some of those who were looking to raise funds could be restricted.
There are mainly two issues -- how the FDI policy of the sector would treat news aggregators and what would happen to those digital media companies where overseas investment is over 26 per cent -- that need clarification.
On these matters, the department is expected to issue clarification soon, a source said.
The DPIIT has already taken views of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the issue.
Deloitte India Partner Jehil Thakkar had said that clarity was needed on how to treat cases of television broadcasters that stream news online, but are allowed 49 per cent FDI.
"What happens to those, whether they qualify under 26 per cent or 49 per cent (FDI)? What happens to news websites which are 100 per cent foreign entity?" he said.
Internet and Mobile Association of India too had sought clarification on the issue.
In a representation to the DPIIT, it stated that the decision will have impact on startup ecosystem as continued FDI is critical to enable Indian digital media startups to achieve global scale.
"Several foreign strategic intermediaries have set up their operations in India, as digital media was categorized as 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route. A clarification on the non-applicability of the new FDI measure would be critical for them to continue making massive investments in India," it added. RR BAL

DPIIT to soon issue clarification on 26 pc FDI in digital media sector

<ul><li>Regulation of OTT platforms and digital news providers will now fall under the gambit of the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry instead of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY).</li><li>With the winter session of parliament right around the corner, many are nervous that this could indicate more than just the changing of the guard. </li><li>Here are the burning unanswered questions that the online community is wondering about.</li></ul>The regulation of OTT platforms like <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword>, HotstarDisney+, Amazon Prime Video and others has been pulled from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) and handed off to the Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Ministry. Aside from the changing of the guard, the government is yet to shed light on what it actually means for the OTT channel and news content curators themselves. One can only assume that a new regulatory framework will be put in place to address the challenges that have cropped in recent years. The winter session of Parliament is also right around the corner. “Although there is little to no clarity about what this entails for different types of intermediaries, platform and content creators, it portends a regime with more interference from the Ministry of I&amp;B and less reliance on self-regulation by the OTT platforms extending the censorship heavy legacy to the Internet,” technology lawyer and founder of the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) told Business Insider. Despite the ambiguity, Internet Freedom Foundation chair and founder of SaveTheInternet Raman Chima, also believes that this is more than just a reorganisation of departments. “It does indicate government intent. That is definitely worrying. This change was made without any proper public consultation,” he explained on <a href="https://twitter.com/tame_wildcard/status/1326553154893217795">Twitter</a>. Here are some of the unanswered questions around what the change in regulations could mean for OTT platforms and news content providers: <ul><li>Will the government be holding a discussion with stakeholders before implementing new regulations?</li></ul>Some experts believe that there is a trend in the making. First, the government added a regulatory structure around foreign direct investment (FDI) and now, it’s looking to regulate content. <ul><li>Will the new regulations be on par with current regulations currently in place?</li></ul>The key obstacle they will face is that, at a technical level, broadcast, print and digital aren’t the same. This will make treating them as the same increasingly difficult. <ul><li>How will user-generated content be regulated on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and others?</li></ul>While OTT platforms curate content and are responsible for what goes up on the platform, YouTube and Facebook are ‘intermediaries’. This means that they do take any responsibility for the content that is posted on their site, and instead pass the buck onto individual users. <ul><li>How will digital news media be defined? Will personal channels like Dhruv Rathi and Akash Banerjee come under digital news media?</li></ul>The mediums used to dispense the news in the digital era expands well beyond the written word or even structured news publications. There are influencers like Dhruv Rathi analysing the news, personalised newsletters that people can subscribe to, instagram alerts and so much more. The new regulations will have to define what amounts to news, and what does not. <ul><li>Will every news organisation on the internet will have to register itself?</li></ul>Not every news publication exists in the brick-and-mortar world, some are only digital. In fact, the freedom to register a website and dispense content at a minimal cost is of the primary pros of being on the internet. But non-digital news organisations have to register and get government approval before they can take off. If the same applies to the online world, it should lead to a drastic cut in the number of publications able to report the news. <ul><li>Will this mean nobody can post on YouTube or Facebook if they’re not registered?</li></ul>In addition to channels and influencers, day-to-day users also express their opinion and share the news online. Like FM channels, will this mean that those who are not registered will no longer be allowed to post about the news on social networking hubs like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube? Will generic vlogs be flagged or taken down should they make mention of any current events? <ul><li>Will there be a cap on subscriptions and memberships, or a minimum rate that can be charged?</li></ul>News publications and individuals are also offering newsletters and subscriptions. The new slew of regulations hold the potential to cap the number of people who can sign up. They could also dictate a ceiling price that would limit how much can be charged for such services. <ul><li>Is the government going to block any news outfit or OTT that’s not registered in India?</li></ul>In addition to the publications in India, it’s uncertain what the regulations will mean for foreign entities. While they do report on India, without registering with the government on par with print regulations the government may block access. <ul><li>Will content rules for OTT platforms now be the same as the ones for television channels?</li></ul>Television channels have to adhere to strict rules about what can and cannot be said while OTT platforms do not. This has been one of the critical reasons behind the success of shows like Sacred Games, or Mirzapur. <ul><li>Will movies that release exclusively on the internet now require a certification from the licensing board?</li></ul>Movies that get released online don’t need to be licensed by Central Board of Film Certification. But with the I&amp;B Ministry at the helm, they may have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the board, which many fear will restrict creative expression. The way news is disseminated is also diversifying. Publications have alerts on WhatsApp and Telegram, others have personalised newsletters, and most are spread across difficult mediums — from text to video to podcasts. Individual states already have anti fake-news task forces within their ranks that have thus far proven ineffective, other than in cases on anti-government news deemed to be misleading. Given the wide array of complications in implementing blanket regulations, the task will be nearly impossible to execute. So, what remains to be seen, is what the government’s intent is behind bringing a new regulatory authority for OTT platforms and news content providers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-photos-will-no-longer-offer-free-and-unlimited-photo-uploads-starting-june-next-year/articleshow/79184955.cms">Google Photos' most endearing feature is going out the window starting June next year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/psu-bank-employees-wage-revision-finalised-after-three-years-of-waiting-only-a-1500-increase-in-salary-for-officers/articleshow/79166497.cms">PSU bank employees wage revision finalised after three years of waiting — only a ₹1,500 increase in salary for officers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-down-users-complain-of-frozen-timelines-and-likes/articleshow/79146012.cms">Instagram down for a second consecutive day — Facebook is working on a fix but has not disclosed what's wrong</a>

Unanswered questions as regulation of OTT platforms and digital news providers moves from one government department to another

The third budget of the Finance Minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> was a very pragmatic one. A nation needs a strong foundation to build on- this budget is incisive and has surprisingly, dug deep into the country's problems in great detail. It has given priority to the fiscal discipline and highlighted the growth pillars of the <keyword id="6356076" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="indian-economy">Indian economy</keyword> in Agriculture, Rural, Social sector, Skills, Ease of Doing Business and Tax and Compliance reforms. 

	Unemployed youth, and disparity in income and opportunities, between rural and urban India, are twin ticking time bombs, and need to be addressed on priority. The budget has definitely shown the intent to do that.We have to skill rural India, offer 100% electricity and make India digitally literate. There were also welcome announcements like household gas for women who are inhaling 'chula smoke.
 

	The higher education financing initiative should be able to deal with the capitation fee issue, which plagues the ambitions of the middle class students.
 
 While Indian retail has been waiting for the <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword> announcements for a very long time, there was some good news in this budget for the development of the back-end infrastructure. 

	1 A common E-market platform under the Unified Agricultural Market Scheme to be developed in 585 regulated wholesale markets, should provide a level playing field for farmers.

	2 The decision by the government to allow up to 100% foreign direct investment (<keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword>) through FIPB in marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India may actually bring in stronger procedures that focus on reducing wastage and encouraging industry to ‘make in India.’ 3 Im happy that infrastructure has got a major emphasis in Budget 2016, with a total outlay of Rs 2,18,00 crore being earmarked for roads and railways together in FY17. This is the backbone of any logistical operation.
 
 

	I believe that industry looks forward to the creation of opportunity uniformly across the country. So, being pro-rural is not anti-industry. Initiatives like setting up ATMs in post offices are the obvious, but never been done. Thats a big thumbs up for financial inclusion. Right now, most business are aiming for the 30-40% of India pie, thats either urban or semi-urban. The need to develop rural markets, both in terms of growth as well as opportunity is a long term necessity. 
	 
	(The article is authored by Dheeraj Gupta, MD Jumboking)

	 
	(Image credits: indiatimes)

Being pro-rural is not anti-industry: Dheeraj Gupta MD, Jumboking

India’s <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> doesn’t look rosy at the moment, but the new avenues opening up are making the overall situation more promising than before. For instance, Internet penetration is on the rise across the country and that must be good news for e-commerce investors. 
 As the world’s second largest populated country, India is on its way to get past the US in terms of Internet penetration, claims a study. Now, this could be an interesting opportunity for <keyword id="44749" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Foreign-Direct-Investment">foreign direct investment</keyword> (<keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword>) in e-commerce. 
 Although Internet penetration in India has not reached even 16% of its total population, the number of people with access to the Internet is nearly 10 times of the total population of <keyword id="6355478" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Australia">Australia</keyword>. India crossed the 200 million Internet user mark by October 2013 and the number is projected to reach 243 million users by mid-2014, turning all of them into potential e-commerce customers. The US currently has 207 million Internet users, with China boasting a good 300 million Internet users to date. 
 Consulting firm <keyword id="574638" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="McKinsey-Company">McKinsey &amp; Company</keyword> estimates there will be 500 million Internet users in India by the year 2015. In whatever way one may like to interpret it, this data would spell OPPORTUNITY for e-commerce, its innovators and investors. 
 
Just like other countries, e-commerce in India has been through ups and downs. In the early 21st century, the country had reached the pinnacle of the dotcom boom and then fell prey to the bubble burst. The rise and fall of dotcoms also saw the sector moving towards stabilisation, treading slowly and steadily but with definite steps. 
 The country has been a hotbed of IT innovations while some of the super young brains with bright entrepreneurial streak are steering the course of e-commerce in India. According to CRISIL Research, a unit of the Mumbai-based ratings firm, <keyword id="234798" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="CRISIL-Ltd">CRISIL Ltd</keyword>, the number of e-commerce companies in India will increase with their revenues tripling over the next three years. 
 
The prediction is based on the fact that revenues of e-commerce firms grew 56% annually between FY2008 and FY2013. However, India’s appetite for digital business is growing consistently and the testimony lies in the fact that the country embracing Internet-based commerce is estimated to have gone up by a good 30% in 2014, from the $12.6 billion market in the previous year. 
 These projections have attracted a lot of attention from e-commerce investors, especially from those outside India. All over the world, countries are looking at opportunities to bring in some bright spots through market-based economies. While the socio-political situation in <keyword id="1009187" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="the-middle">the Middle</keyword> East looks volatile, India makes for a very feasible investment destination with its majority being young population who have access to high levels of disposable income. 
 With more investors calling for FDI relaxation in the e-commerce sector, Indian authorities had recently initiated a discussion to understand the impact of foreign participation in this space. FDI in e-commerce was broached by big players such as <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and Wal-Mart. 
 
When the discussion is brought to the table, the authorities will consider stakeholders’ views regarding the advantages and the disadvantages of having FDI in e-com space. Currently, India has not created any avenue for foreign e-commerce companies to do business in the country. The only form of FDI allowed is in the physical retail space. When India brought in sweeping changes in the retail space and allowed FDI investors in supermarkets, online retailers were left out. 
 
Having said that, foreign companies can engage in business-to-business (B2B) or wholesale e-commerce in India. That is an area where foreign players can enter with ease. 
 Younger consumers make for a large chunk of e-commerce drivers in a country, set to become world’s No 1 in terms of population. Liberal economic reforms and consistent growth in <keyword id="35050" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="gdp">GDP</keyword> (although not that impressive in terms of numbers), along with its ‘IT Superpower’ status, have enabled India’s youth to gain access to large disposable incomes. 
 
It is one prime factor that has helped e-commerce start-ups (with solid business plans and growth propositions) turn into big success stories. The likes of Flipkart and Snapdeal have become synonymous with India’s growing penchant for digital business models. 
 This apart, mobiles happen to be another propeller of the Indian success <keyword id="45535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Saga">saga</keyword> in this sector. A large urban population and a sizeable chunk of the rural populace have access to mobiles across the price range and don’t mind spending a good part of their income on buying these devices. As a result, almost every e-commerce company in India runs a mobile platform now and has created specific mobile apps to ensure user-friendly interface and hassle-free transactions. 
 If FDI in e-commerce is authorised in India, it can help maximise the potential of the sector and thus drive economic growth. What will help the sector reach its full potential is still a matter of debate. But when foreign direct <keyword id="6362476" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="investments">investments</keyword> are allowed, this business sector will certainly throw up more opportunities for newer ideas, which can blossom into better deals for end-users.

E-commerce In India Looks Inviting Now For FDI

<ul><li>Deferring the payment of regulatory dues may come with interest and penalties too, warned a lawyer.</li><li>The CEO of Airtel said that mobile operators need sustainable tariffs to make a reasonable profit. </li><li>While these reforms help Vodafone Idea with regulatory dues, the company still has to stop the exodus of users and remain competitive.</li><li>Check out the latest news and updates on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Business Insider</a>. </li></ul>All the three telcos – Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio – have welcomed the <keyword id="6307125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="telecom-relief-package" source="Orion">telecom relief package</keyword>, stating that it will help the telecom sector de-stress and unshackle. But analysts are divided on how effective these reforms will be, especially for Vodafone Idea. At the outset, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/telecom-relief-package-airtel-vodafone-idea-get-four-year-moratorium-on-agr-dues/articleshow/86227218.cms">telecom relief package</a> benefits Airtel and Vodafone Idea the most. It’s especially critical for the latter which is fighting for its survival and running on fumes, with a cash balance of just ₹920 crore at the end of the June quarter and debt worth ₹1.9 lakh crore. Vodafone Idea’s shares surged by nearly 15% as of 9:30 a.m., while Airtel was marginally down by 0.2%. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vodafone Idea and Airtel welcome the package, but say more needs to be done" comment="subhead" text="Vodafone Idea and Airtel welcome the package, but say more needs to be done">Vodafone Idea and Airtel welcome the package, but say more needs to be done</cmsannotation> Vodafone Idea’s promoter, Kumar Mangalam Birla, has been vocal in highlighting the stress that the company is going through, and even offered his 27% stake in the company to the government. “The pathbreaking reforms announced by the government today will go a long way in unshackling the telecom sector,” Birla said after the Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the cabinet decisions on September 15. Nick Read, the chief executive officer of the Vodafone Group, the largest promoter of Vodafone Idea, said this could be the “beginning of a new era” for India’s digital ambitions. He did mention that the company will need “continued strong support” from the telecom and finance ministries. Reading between the lines, it does seem that he acknowledges Vodafone Idea needs more than what has been offered in the package. “The latest reforms ensure that the industry is able to invest fearlessly and support India’s digital ambitions,” said Sunil Mittal, chairman, Bharti Airtel. However, the company’s chief executive officer and managing director, Gopal Vittal, was forthcoming in his remarks. “More needs to be done, however, towards a sustainable tariff regime to ensure the industry gets a fair return,” he said. Not much changes for Reliance Jio, on the other hand, which leads the Indian telecom sector, and has negligible exposure to the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and spectrum dues. “Telecom sector is one of the prime movers of the economy and the key enabler for making India a Digital Society, I welcome the Government of India’s announcement of reforms and relief measures that will enable the industry to achieve the goals of Digital India,” said Mukesh Ambani, chairman, Reliance Industries. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Analysts divided on whether the reforms are adequate" comment="subhead" text="Analysts divided on whether the reforms are adequate">Analysts divided on whether the reforms are adequate</cmsannotation> While Airtel and Vodafone Idea will get a breather from the telecom relief package, analysts are divided on the adequacy of the announcements. The highlight of the package is the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/telecom-relief-package-airtel-vodafone-idea-get-four-year-moratorium-on-agr-dues/articleshow/86227218.cms">AGR moratorium</a> of four years, but it is worth noting that this is merely a deferment and not a reduction in AGR liability. Both Airtel and Vodafone Idea will have to repay <keyword id="8275485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agr-dues" source="Orion">AGR dues</keyword> worth ₹25,976 crore and ₹50,339 crore, respectively. “The deferment for AGR dues cannot be construed as waiver since the package only envisages a moratorium of four years on such AGR dues from 1st October 2021 (appointed date) with the interest and penalties accruing for such deferral,” said Akshat Jain, partner at J Sagar Associates. “While this will temporarily provide some relief, it does not essentially alleviate the already bleeding balance sheets of the telecom operators since the dues will ultimately have to be paid with interest,” he added. Nitin Soni, senior director at Fitch Ratings, said that the relief package will provide cash flow relief to the telecom sector thanks to the moratorium, but he was not optimistic about Vodafone Idea’s prospects. “Specifically on Vodafone idea, it is unlikely to salvage the company’s competitive position given its subscriber losses, declining average revenue per user (ARPU) and insufficient cash generation to fund interest cost,” he told Business Insider. Others had a slightly different viewpoint, stating that these measures are more long-term in nature and the certainty about specific aspects like spectrum roadmap is a positive. “I particularly like the step that a spectrum roadmap will be announced by the government in advance, which will infuse the much-needed certainty for the operators,” Jaideep Ghosh, chief operating officer, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co., told Business Insider. Peeyush Vaish, partner at Deloitte India, said, “Rationalizing the definition of AGR by excluding the non-telecom revenues and 100% FDI, gives a clear signal to the foreign investors that India is committed to bring in reforms”. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/telecom-auto-tata-group-and-other-top-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-september-16/articleshow/86250470.cms">Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Tata group and other top stocks to watch out for on September 16</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/telecom-relief-package-airtel-vodafone-idea-get-four-year-moratorium-on-agr-dues/articleshow/86227218.cms">Indian government dials M for moratorium – Airtel, Vodafone Idea get a four-year relief on AGR dues</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/government-picking-up-a-stake-in-vodafone-idea-might-be-a-remedy-worse-than-the-disease-say-experts/articleshow/86221662.cms">Government picking up a stake in Vodafone Idea ‘might be a remedy worse than the disease’, say experts</a>

Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Jio welcome telecom relief package, but analysts are divided on whether it is enough

The <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to the CBSE and the Delhi government to waive examination fees for students of classes 10 and 12 in the current academic year in view of COVID-19 and financial problems being faced by some parents. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah dismissed the petition filed by NGO 'Social Jurist' against the September 28 order of the Delhi High Court. "How can the court direct the government to do this? You should give a representation to the government...Dismissed," the bench said. The high court had asked the AAP government and <keyword id="3372335" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Central-Board-of-Secondary-Education">the Central Board of Secondary Education</keyword> (CBSE) to treat the PIL as a representation and take a decision "in accordance with law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case" within three weeks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/ahead-of-modi-and-xi-virtual-meet-at-brics-summit-india-foreign-minister-warns-of-rcep-damaging-consequences/articleshow/79257760.cms">India's Foreign Minister warns of RCEP's 'damaging consequences' ahead of Modi and Xi's virtual meet at BRICS summit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/indian-government-lays-down-deadline-for-digital-news-companies-to-share-fdi-details-with-the-ib-ministry/articleshow/79256146.cms">Digital news publications in India have one month to share FDI details with the government — and till October next year to comply</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-buys-ar-firm-scapic-to-boost-its-user-experience/articleshow/79256274.cms">Flipkart makes yet another acquisition – buys 100% stake in Augmented Reality startup Scapic</a>

Plea to waive CBSE exam fees for Class 10 and 12 students dismissed by Supreme Court

<ul><li>Facebook updates its policy for creators.</li><li>The platform now allows creators to control when, how and where they share content across Facebook and Instagram.</li></ul>Facebook has announced to expand access to Rights Manager to help more creators -- who have a large or growing catalog of content --better control when, how and where they share content across Facebook and Instagram. It means that Page admins can now submit images and videos for rights protection, expanding the reach of the feature and more creators can issue takedown requests over re-uploaded videos and images on Facebook and Instagram which are owned by them. "Page admins can submit an application for content they've created and want to protect," said Jeniece Primus, Product Manager at Facebook. The company also announced to give more creators the ability to collect ad earnings from matched Rights Manager content and offering in-stream ads in more countries. "Within Rights Manager, we've improved our Collect Ad Earnings tool and are expanding availability, which means that more creators will be able to collect ad earnings from matching videos that include in-stream ads," Facebook said in a statement on Monday. The company has added a new filter view for spotting monetizable matches, better guidance for how to capture monetization opportunities, exportable revenue reports, and the ability to collect ad earnings while placing an ownership link on the matched video. "Additionally, the new in-stream ads toggle in the Creator Studio app enables easy management from mobile devices," Facebook informed. The social network also launched new video insights to help rights holders quantify and optimize their protection activities, and leverage fan-driven distribution as a key part of their business intelligence. "We've expanded In-stream ads to Egypt, Iraq, Morocco and Turkey, adding to the 45 countries where the in-steam program is already available". SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/ahead-of-modi-and-xi-virtual-meet-at-brics-summit-india-foreign-minister-warns-of-rcep-damaging-consequences/articleshow/79257760.cms">India's Foreign Minister warns of RCEP's 'damaging consequences' ahead of Modi and Xi's virtual meet at BRICS summit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/indian-government-lays-down-deadline-for-digital-news-companies-to-share-fdi-details-with-the-ib-ministry/articleshow/79256146.cms">Digital news publications in India have one month to share FDI details with the government — and till October next year to comply</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-buys-ar-firm-scapic-to-boost-its-user-experience/articleshow/79256274.cms">Flipkart makes yet another acquisition – buys 100% stake in Augmented Reality startup Scapic</a>

New feature on Facebook and Instagram allows creators to protect their images and videos

Here’s how the advertising and marketing industry reacted to Union Budget 2021

<ul><li>Europe’s <keyword id="3158761" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vega-rocket">Vega rocket</keyword> suffered an ‘anomaly’ after launching today causing the loss of Spain’s SEOSat-Ingenio, and the French TARANIS satellites.</li><li>The SEOSat-Ingenio is Spain's first Earth observation satellite for an ESA program to study our planet. The project was initiated in 2008 and cost the government around €200 million.</li><li>This is the second major malfunction that the Vega rocket has been witness to in two years. </li></ul> Today was supposed to be a momentous day for Spain, with the European country launching its first optical imaging satellite into orbit. Instead, the milestone was left unfulfilled, with <keyword id="516790" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arianespace">Arianespace</keyword>’s Vega rocket failing within minutes of taking off from French Guiana. The launch occurred at around 7:30 am (IST) with Spain’s SEOSat-Ingenio, and the French TARANIS satellites settled in to be deployed 700 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Roughly eight minutes later, Arianespace — the European Space Agency’s (ESA) commercial arm — encountered an ‘anomaly.’ Within minutes, CEO Stephane Israel announced, “We can now confirm the mission is lost,” to some perplexed viewers watching the live stream. Vega’s second malfunction This is the second major malfunction that the Vega rocket has been witness to in two years. Last year in June, the rocket failed during the launch of a satellite for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A faulty motor on the booster was later revealed to be the cause. Vega made a triumphant return this year on September 2, launching 53 small satellites in one go for 21 different customers. The rocket can carry up to 1,5000 kilograms to polar orbits just over 700 kilometers in orbit. However, on its second go today, the 30-meter tall launch vehicle has proven to be less than reliable. That said — since its inception in 2012 — Vega has seen 15 successful launches before last year’s disaster. "Eight minutes after the liftoff, and immediately after the ignition of the engine of the fourth stage of Vega, the Avum stage, we observed the degradation of the trajectory. It means that the speed was not nominal anymore,” he explained. The company is yet to disclose the exact cause for failure during the launch but is currently investigating the issue. Spain’s lost satellite The SEOSat-Ingenio is Spain's first Earth observation satellite for an ESA program to study our planet. The project was initiated in 2008 and cost the government around €200 million. The satellite is equipped with a high-resolution dual camera that can take pictures of the planet with a resolution of 2.5 meters with a field of view that can look not only sideways but also downwards. The capability allows it to observe any point on Earth over three days. According to the Head of Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) Jorge Lomba, the SEOSat-Ingenio is the first satellite that Spain has indigenously designed, developed, and operated. Its applications, however, were intended to go beyond just Spain or even Europe. It will also survey North Africa and Latin America. The expectation was the satellite’s cameras would have covered 2,500,000 square kilometers per day — more than five times the area of Spain — and take up to 600 images per day. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/ahead-of-modi-and-xi-virtual-meet-at-brics-summit-india-foreign-minister-warns-of-rcep-damaging-consequences/articleshow/79257760.cms">India's Foreign Minister warns of RCEP's 'damaging consequences' ahead of Modi and Xi's virtual meet at BRICS summit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/indian-government-lays-down-deadline-for-digital-news-companies-to-share-fdi-details-with-the-ib-ministry/articleshow/79256146.cms">Digital news publications in India have one month to share FDI details with the government — and till October next year to comply</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-buys-ar-firm-scapic-to-boost-its-user-experience/articleshow/79256274.cms">Flipkart makes yet another acquisition – buys 100% stake in Augmented Reality startup Scapic</a>

Spain’s first optical imaging satellite fails to reach orbit as the European rocket breaks down

<ul><li>India’s new e-commerce rules may be a setback for global players like Amazon and Flipkart. </li><li>The biggest beneficiary will be large Indian retailers and the largest of them all is Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail. </li><li>While his physical stores benefit from less pricing pressure, his e-tail venture will get a level playground to fight established giants, at no extra cost. </li></ul>E-commerce in India is gearing up for some <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-new-e-commerce-policy-has-rivals-flipkart-and-amazon-teaming-up-to-counter-the-new-directive-and-the-republic-day-sale-will-probably-be-their-last/articleshow/67366996.cms">massive changes</a> from February 1. Foreign e-commerce players — like Amazon and Flipkart — will no longer be able to offer consumers ‘deep discounts’ or sell their own brands through their respective platforms. It’s a big blow to Jeff Bezos’ and Walmart, and not the best news for consumers in India. Local vendors are voicing their support for the new policy, hoping they can regain some market share, without having to lose more money by offering discounts. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="1kunalbahl" handlename="Kunal Bahl" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/785022133860638720/pBp2lRBx_normal.jpg" favoritecount="99" retweetcount="31" status=".@Snapdeal welcomes updates to FDI policy on e-commerce. Marketplaces are meant for genuine, independent sellers, m… https://t.co/aQ8H4LDw13" createdat="1545832500000" id="1077925752090300416"></div>













 However, the biggest beneficiary of the new policy may not be a broke Snapdeal or the now-jaded Shopclues. It is likely to be India’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/e-commerce-wars-amazons-jeff-bezos-vs-mukesh-ambani-in-india/articleshow/67620116.cms">largest retail chain operator</a> Reliance Retail, owned by Mukesh Ambani — the richest man, not only in India, but in Asia. The facts Physical retailers — with the brick-and-mortar stores— are the immediate benefactors. The new rules are expected to boost sales for offline vendors by taking away the discounts available to consumers online. CRISIL estimates that it could increase revenue for offline retailers by ₹100 billion to ₹120 billion by 2020. Just as the loss of business for e-commerce is the gain for retail chains, the advantage is usually with the larger players in the space — because of the sheer scale, reach and resources at their disposal. And the largest of them all is Reliance Retail. “The impact on e-tailers would be largely in the electronics and apparel segments, which account for a bulk of their revenues,” says Anuj Sethi, the senior director at CRISIL Ratings. Coincidentally, 34% of Reliance Retail’s revenue comes from its electronics arm — Reliance Digital. It’s also the largest holder of foreign brand licences for apparel in India. Some of its top brands include Diesel, Hamleys, Kenneth and Steve Madden. Reliance Retail’s offline avatar served 3.5 million customers a week through 9,146 stores across 5,800 cities as of September 2018. Brokerage house CLSA further estimates that the company’s revenue may grow nearly 12-fold to $138 billion in the next 10 years. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 If CLSA’s estimate were to come true, Reliance Retail alone will be making over a quarter of all revenue from retail — both online and offline — in India, expected at about $550 billion, in the next decade. The timing There is no doubt that online retail still has a lot of potential in India. Nasscom and PricewaterCoopers (PwC) estimate that the market will balloon to $150 billion by 2022. Online players still make for <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Industry/9iUxlQZ4iHwPiXRKscx3LK/Indias-ecommerce-market-to-grow-30-to-200-billion-by-202.html">only</a> 3% of the total retail market in India, and the prospects are still huge. So for Mukesh Ambani, as the chairman of Reliance Industries, it’s an unavoidable opportunity. One part of Reliance Retail— the apparel brand Ajio — is already online. Now, he is looking to expand the offerings beyond apparel, with a pilot programme in the state of Gujarat. Before Ambani’s entry, Amazon had <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-takes-the-fight-to-walmart-by-investing-another-27-billion-in-india/articleshow/65404423.cms">invested over $4.7 billion</a> in India over the last six years, primarily because it identified the potential of a market with a population of nearly a billion and half people. For the same reason, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-unicorn-flipkarts-board-approves-15-billion-deal-with-walmart/articleshow/64027810.cms">Walmart bought Flipkart</a> in 2018 for a whopping sum of $15 billion, paying a heavy premium for joining the game late. Over the years, Amazon, Flipkart and other early birds have burnt billions of dollars giving discounts, getting people used to shopping online and creating a market. Then, the government revised its policy on foreign direct investment (FDI) in e-commerce on December 26, 2018, changing the rules of the game, which would bring the likes of Amazon and Walmart on a level playing field with new entrants. Less than a month later, Mukesh Ambani took the stage at the investor summit Vibrant Gujarat and unveiled his plan to expand his online retail business. The government’s new e-commerce rules are essentially trying to protect India’s retailers — including Reliance Retail — from the deep discounts offered by e-commerce giants. That is how Ambani’s physical stores gain. What’s more, as a new entrant to e-commerce, going against established players with equally deep pockets, Ambani will not have to burn money through discounts. In fact, he is not allowed to. He gets a level-playing field to fight established giants like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart, at no extra cost. The spin Ambani had his own spin on why the change in rules was justified. "In this new world, data is the new oil. And data is the new wealth. India's data must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, especially global corporations,” Ambani said at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2018. He was alluding to the fact that two biggest e-commerce companies in India are owned by foreigners, and they have access to priceless data on Indian consumer behaviour. Even people from the government echoed the ‘nationalistic’ spin to the story that Ambani offered. “We don’t want to build walls, but at the same time, we explicitly recognize and appreciate that data is a strategic asset,” Aruna Sundararajan, the nation’s secretary of telecommunications said last year at a press conference. The other view can be equally convincing to Ambani’s critics. John Elliott, the author of “Implosion: India’s tryst with reality” begs to differ. “The idea that Reliance is any safer at protecting Indian people’s data than Amazon or Walmart is ludicrous,” Elliott told Business Insider. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-new-e-commerce-policy-has-rivals-flipkart-and-amazon-teaming-up-to-counter-the-new-directive-and-the-republic-day-sale-will-probably-be-their-last/articleshow/67366996.cms">India’s new e-commerce policy has rivals Flipkart and Amazon teaming up to counter the new directive — and the ‘Republic Day’ sale will probably be their last</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-indian-government-just-dealt-a-serious-surprise-to-amazon-and-flipkart-heres-what-that-means-for-online-shoppers/articleshow/67272151.cms">The Indian government just dealt a serious surprise to Amazon and Flipkart — Here’s what that means for online shoppers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/e-commerce-wars-amazons-jeff-bezos-vs-mukesh-ambani-in-india/articleshow/67620116.cms">Amazon's newest challenger may be the richest man in Asia</a>

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