An Indian-made messaging app, Arattai, developed by Zoho, has seen a sudden surge in popularity, challenging WhatsApp's dominance in India. This rise is linked to the Indian government's push for self-reliance and "Make in India" initiatives.

• Arattai reported seven million downloads in "seven days last week" following government endorsement.
• CEO Mani Vembu stated that daily sign-ups increased from 3,000 to 350,000, with a 100X jump in active users.
• The app, which boasts features similar to WhatsApp, is working to implement end-to-end encryption for text messages, a feature currently absent but planned for a future update.
• Concerns have been raised regarding data privacy and Arattai's potential compliance with government requests for user data, unlike international apps like WhatsApp that have legally challenged such demands.

Foreign firms are using AI-generated images and fabricated backstories to impersonate legitimate UK businesses, scamming shoppers into buying cheap goods while believing they are supporting independent boutiques. Customers have reported feeling "completely ripped off" after receiving low-quality items from East Asian warehouses instead of the promised artisanal products.

• Over 500 one-star reviews on Trustpilot detail complaints of high prices for cheaply made goods and exorbitant return fees.
• Websites like C'est La Vie, claiming to be a 29-year-old family business in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, have China as their returns address.
• A professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Birmingham noted the AI-generated images are "a little bit too perfect and staged to be real."

Google is offering Kenyan university students one year of free access to its premium AI tools, including Gemini 2.5 Pro and 2 terabytes of cloud storage. This initiative is part of a broader educational program across six African countries, aiming to empower students with advanced technology for academic and creative work.

• Access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google's most advanced AI model, and 2 TB of cloud storage.
• Eligible students aged 18 and above at accredited Kenyan universities can activate the plan via Google's student portal by December 9, 2025.
• Managing Director for Google in Sub-Saharan Africa, Alex Okosi, stated the offer aims to "democratize access to technology and give African students the skills to compete and lead on a global stage."