Iamai

Nasscom writes to Karnataka CM, raises concerns over draft gig workers bill

It says the Bill lays down onerous and prescriptive obligations on aggregators like the minimum notice period for termination, algorithmic disclosures, monitoring and tracking mechanisms

IAMAI, INS, ISA write to I&B ministry over self-declaration for ads

Seeks more time and request to postpone the implementation

Divergent views emerge within IAMAI on proposed digital competition bill

The IAMAI has argued against the need for ex-ante regulations for digital markets in their submission on the draft Digital Competition Bill

More apps back on Play Store after complying with Google's billing norms

A few more apps came back on Play Store on Sunday after they complied with Google's billing policy, even as the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) expressed concerns as the majority of apps removed remained delisted. Murugavel J, founder and CEO of matrimony.com, said that only eight of the company's apps, including Bengali Matrimony, Marathi Matrimony, Tamil Matrimony, Jodii and Bharat Matrimony were reinstated on Sunday, but only after they accepted Google's terms. A vast majority of its 100-plus apps are still not restored on Play Store, he said. "In spite of the government's clear message on the issue, Google has not taken steps to reinstate all the apps that had been delisted by it over billing policies," Murugavel told PTI. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday made it clear that the removal of apps by Google was unacceptable and that "startups will get the protection they need". Tension between Google and some Indian apps flared on Friday after the tech gia

IAMAI bats for dynamic pricing, opposes Karnataka govt's flat cab rates

In IAMAI's view, the notification overlooks the demarcation between city taxis used for street ride-hailing and app-based operators

Startups form 40-member task force to take on Google Play Billing System

Google will soon make a presentation before the task force and it will then decide the further course of action

Revenue share demands by internet-telcos like rent-seeking: IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has said demands made by telcos for revenue sharing mechanisms between internet companies and telecom service providers (TSPs) "smack of rent-seeking", and would disincentivise growth for OTT-based businesses. According to IAMAI, by requiring largest OTT service providers to pay TSPs for data used by consumers, the telecom players would effectively be charging twice for the same service, since they already charge consumers for data. "In any case, 'surging data traffic' is merely data consumed by consumers that they have already purchased from telecom companies. Therefore, the 'strain' on infrastructure of TSPs occurs when they sell data to consumers beyond their infrastructural capacity a fact that has been conveniently ignored," IAMAI said in a statement. The association said that demands for imposing revenue-sharing mechanisms between internet companies and TSPs "smack of rent-seeking". IAMAI called out demands made by the ...

IAMAI seeks to secure its chairman, 50% governing council for Indian firm

By advocating for a 50 per cent reservation for Indian firms on the governing council, IAMAI aims to achieve a balanced representation

No plan to share revenue of OTT platforms with telcos, says govt: Report

Telecom firms have been asking OTT platforms to share their revenues with the telecom service providers as some apps have begun to provide bandwidth-heavy offerings

Revenue sharing between apps, telcos will violate net neutrality: IAMAI

Any framework that may lead to revenue sharing between over-the-top players and telecom operators will violate net neutrality norms, industry body IAMAI said on Thursday. In its submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) said revenue-sharing mechanisms would essentially mean charging twice for the same service as consumers already pay telecom service providers (TSPs) for the data they consume. "Any 'collaborative framework' which may result in establishing a revenue-sharing mechanism between OTTs and telecom service providers (TSPs) will violate the net neutrality framework notified by the Ministry of Communications in 2018," IAMAI said. The pending Telecom Bill also floats the idea of bringing OTT services under the ambit of telecom licenses, as per the draft that was put for public consultation. "Such demands are based on the erroneous notion that OTT service providers consume bandwidth, and disregard the f

Revenue sharing between OTTs and TSPs will be against Net Neutrality: IAMAI

OTT communication apps and telecom operators have long been in a tussle over sharing of the revenue generated from communication through platforms

IAMAI urges GST Council to tax gaming platform fee, not full face value

The Internet and Mobile Association of India claimed that the new GST rules are not aligned with best global practices and may place Indian gaming companies at a disadvantage

PM Modi's US visit will create 'unmatched opportunities' for India: IAMAI

PM Modi's US state visit led to the two countries signing various deals on topics ranging from semiconductors to drones

Delhi govt's EV transition targets may cause significant disruptions: IAMAI

Earlier this week over 1,500 cab drivers conveyed their concerns about the financial implications of the scheme in a letter to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot

Delhi Motor Aggregator Scheme could adversely impact gig workers: IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) on Wednesday said the implementation of the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme by the city government could adversely impact the livelihoods of countless gig workers across the national capital. The scheme was approved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last month. Mandatory panic buttons in taxis, integration with emergency response number '112', and phase-wise transition to electric vehicles (EV) are some of the highlights of the scheme to regulate cab aggregators and delivery service providers in the national capital. The IAMAI, a not-for-profit industry body representing the digital services industry with over 500 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, said it supports the development of the country's electric vehicle (EV) industry and recognises the importance of pragmatic policies that systematically target environmental issues. "However, it is crucial to acknowledge the presen

IAMAI flags concerns on new norms for anti-tobacco warning on OTT platforms

The Union health ministry's latest move mandating anti-tobacco warnings for OTT platforms did not involve any consultative process with the industry prior to notification, IAMAI has said flagging "fundamental concerns" and "practical difficulties" in implementation of the new norms. The industry body has highlighted the practical impossibility associated with including such warnings across content. The amount of content being commissioned in India and licensed from within India and around the world is very high, IAMAI said, adding, "to create and incorporate multiple health spots, audio-visual disclaimers and warnings in multiple languages for the same piece of content poses significant logistical issues". The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has cautioned that the rules will significantly impact consumer viewing experience, and "throttle creativity and artistic expression". The newly-notified rules make it mandatory for OTT platforms to display anti-tobacco warnings

Entrepreneurs take reins of IAMAI, big tech sidelined for the first time

Harsh Jain's appointment as chairperson of IAMAI has signalled a shift in the association's leadership and organisation's priorities after IAMAI was criticised for aligning with Big Tech's interest

Harsh Jain, founder of start-up Dream11, elected IAMAI chairperson

Organisation representing technology companies also names new vice chairman and treasurer

Dream Sports CEO Harsh Jain elected as new chairman of IAMAI till 2025

Jain replaces Sanjay Gupta, vice-president, and country manager at Google India

Existing rules enough to address digital competition concerns: IAMAI

Several Indian startup founders have recently criticized IAMAI for allegedly promoting "pro-foreign" big tech views on government regulations and other contentious matters