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Is Airtel spying on you for Israel? Bengaluru techie exposes secret 'code'

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Thejesh GN

Bengaluru: Bharti Airtel has been now accused of spying on its 3G mobile Internet subscribers in India by using programming from an Israel-based firm that offers monetisation solutions to telecom operators round the world!

The snooping came to light on June 3, when Bengaluru-based programmer Thejesh GN tweeted that Airtel was injecting lines of code into users’ browsing sessions over its 3G network without their knowledge.

The development has angered consumers, coming in the wake of widespread criticism for the Airtel Zero scheme that users and activists said violated net neutrality.

Using a web-based IP tracker, Thejesh was able to confirm that the code was originating from an IP address that belonged to Bharti Airtel.

Thejesh dug further and revealed that Airtel had partnered with Ericsson, which in turn was using the services of Israel-based Flash Networks to inject the code into web pages that users were browsing.

There’s more cooking in here. Thejesh also received a legal notice (Cease & Desist) from an Israeli company named Flash Networks Limited for exposing proprietary code.

The firm contended that his action was a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Thejesh’s files on GitHub too were taken down under the US Digital Millenium Copyright Act.

Experts contend that Airtel is using the Israeli firm’s code to make money by using the consumer’s browsing history.

Flash Networks describes itself on its website as the “global leader of mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions, enables operators to boost network speed, optimize video and web traffic, and generate over-the-top revenues from the mobile Internet”.

In reaction, Airtel issued a statement saying that the code is part of a tool it is working on to help users keep track of their data consumption but has now stopped using it.

According to Rohin Dharmakumar, a Bengaluru-based startup founder, Flash Networks enables mobile operaters to intercept their subscriber’s browsing and insert their own content or advertisements.

Experts said if this is true, Airtel is guilty of violating the privacy of its users by spying on their online behaviour. When questioned about this, an Airtel spokesperson said: “This is a standard solution deployed by telcos globally to help their customers keep track of their data usage in terms of mega bytes used. It is therefore meant to improve customer experience and empower them to manage their usage.

“One of our network vendor partners has piloted this solution through a third party to help customers understand their data consumption in terms of volume of data used. As a responsible corporate, we have the highest regard for customer privacy and we follow a policy of zero tolerance with regard to the confidentiality of customer data.”

(Agencies)

Six dead, 100 injured in ammonia gas tanker leak in Punjab

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punjab-ammonia-gas-leak

Ludhiana: At least six persons were killed and around 100 others were injured when an ammonia gas tanker leaked early today in the district, police said.

The leak occurred when the tanker got stuck under a flyover on the Doraha Bypass Road along a canal, about 25 kms from here, they said.

Six persons died due to inhaling of the gas, Doraha Police Station’s SHO Rajnish Kumar Sood said, adding, the bodies have been shifted to a hospital in Ludhiana.

He said that around 100 other persons complained of breathing problem due to inhaling of the gas.

The residents came out of their houses when the gas from the leaking tanker spread in and around Doraha, police said.

The affected people have been admitted to different hospitals in Doraha, Khanna and Ludhiana, the SHO said.

The tanker, bearing registration number of Gujarat was going from Ludhiana side, the police said.

Details were still awaited and identities of the victims yet to be ascertained, police said, adding, senior civil and police officers have rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

(PTI)

India end at 462/6 in rain-marred day

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BANGLADESH CRICKET

Fatullah: Following an uninterrupted morning session, heavy showers first stopped play twice in the post-lunch session and then completely washed out the final session of play as India ended the third day at 462/6 in their first innings of the lone cricket Test against Bangladesh here on Friday.

Just after lunch, heavy showers delayed play for about an hour after which India came out to bat. The visitors had only scored 25 runs when the skies opened up again. When play resumed, only 6.2 overs could be bowled further when rain struck the Dhaka suburb again, forcing the players back to the pavilion and umpires to call tea.

The players remained in the pavilion as rain did not stop, forcing the third session to be called off at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. Overall, India scored 223 runs with the Bangladeshi spinners taking full advantage of the conditions to claim six scalps after having gone wicket-less on Day 1.

Keeping in mind the rain, the Indian batsmen went all out to score at more than a run-a-ball in the second session at the same time losing three wickets.

Opening batsman Murali Vijay perished immediately after getting to his 150 when he was adjudged leg-before off ace spinner Shakib Al Hasan (4/105). Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha (6) also did not last long as he was bowled by 19-year-old leg-spinner Jubair Hossain (2/113).

Ajinkya Rahane (98) continued his charge and went for his shots, scoring boundaries around the ground, totalling 14 fours. However, Shakib struck again, bowling out the right-hander two runs short of what would have been his fourth Test century.

Ravichandran Ashwin (2 not out) and Harbhajan Singh (7 not out) were at the crease when the skies opened up again.

Earlier in the morning, the rain gods finally allowed play after heavy showers curtailed the match on the first day and completely washed out the second.

The first session of play was shared by the hosts and the visitors as Bangladesh finally managed to break the opening wicket partnership between Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan (173) and also bag two more vital wickets — that of ace batsman Rohit Sharma (6) and captain Virat Kohli (14).

At lunch time, Vijay and Rahane looked solid at the crease with India batting at 398/3.

India resumed the day at 239 for no loss and Dhawan, who had scored his third Test century on Wednesday, went about his business in usual fashion. The left-hander was aggressive from the start and attacked the Bangladeshi bowlers — spinners and pacers alike. Vijay also looked good as he brought up his sixth Test hundred.

While trying to accelerate, Dhawan went down the track but ace spinner Shakib read him and pitched to his foot. Dhawan top-edged and offered a catch to the bowler. The caught-and-bowled finally broke the first wicket partnership of 283 runs with Dhawan going back to the pavilion after scoring a brilliant 173 which included 23 boundaries.

Shakib was at it again as he clean bowled Rohit in his next over. The Indian batsman, who replaced regular No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara, totally wasted his opportunity by completely misjudging the delivery which pitched on off and straightened to rattle the off-stump.

Five overs later, skipper Kohli was also walking back to the pavilion as he played on a Hossain ball which rolled on to hit his stumps. Suddenly from 283 for no loss, India were 310/3. But, thereafter, Rahane and Vijay consolidated the innings, taking India close to 400.

(IANS)

Australia pays off smugglers to return migrants to Indonesia

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The country’s navy paid about US$30,000 in cash to people-smugglers to turn their boat packed with 65 migrants back to where they came from.

Australia has adopted one of the toughest stands against asylum seekers trying to reach its shores by boat. | Photo: Reuters

Australia has adopted one of the toughest stands against asylum seekers trying to reach its shores by boat. | Photo: Reuters

The Australian navy has paid a group of people smugglers thousands of dollars to turn around their boat carrying 65 migrants and head back to Indonesia, and while the controversy heats up surrounding this case, Prime Minister Tony Abbot Friday refused to deny this was true.

“We don’t go into the details of operational measures to fight crime, we don’t go into the details of operational measures on national security, and I’m certainly not going to go into the details of operational matters on the water now,” Abbott told reporters.

The fact is Australia has vowed to stop the flow of asylum seekers reaching its shores when possible, adopting one of the harshest stances against migration. But critics and activists have criticized the method of paying off smugglers, a case that is now being investigated by Indonesia. The Australian government is sending those asylum seekers who do arrive in the country to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru for long-term detention. Australian and Indonesian news reports revealed earlier this week that the people-smugglers were paid about US$6,000 each to abandon their journey to Australia and return to Indonesia after being intercepted at sea. The Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton have denied the reports, but Abbott has declined to do so, citing operational security, according to Reuters.

In Indonesia, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Armanatha Nasir said the captain of the asylum-seeker vessel that was paid to return was being detained on charges related to people-smuggling.

Nasir said the captain and his five-member crew told him that they were each paid about US$6,000 to turn back the ship.

Pakistan orders international charity to leave

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Government accuses Save the Children aid group of working against national interest and seals its offices in Islamabad.

A spokesperson for Save the Children confirmed that its office in Islamabad had been sealed off without warning [AFP]

A spokesperson for Save the Children confirmed that its office in Islamabad had been sealed off without warning [AFP]

by Al Jazeera

Pakistani authorities have sealed off the offices of the international aid group Save the Children, saying the charity was “working against the country”, police and government officials say.

Government officials accompanied by police arrived at the charity’s office in the heart of the capital Islamabad on Thursday after working hours and placed a lock on the compound gate.

“We have sealed the office of Save the Children on government instructions,” Kamran Cheema, a senior government official, told the AFP news agency.

“We don’t know the reasons behind this order. We were sent a three-line notification by the interior ministry saying that this office should be sealed and all the expatriate staff be sent back to their countries within 15 days.”

The government did not make any formal announcement but an official from the interior ministry told AFP that the agency was involved in “anti-Pakistan activities”.

“Their activities were being monitored since a long time. They were doing something which was against Pakistan’s interest,” said the official without giving his name because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Strong objection

A spokesperson for Save the Children confirmed in a statement that its office had been sealed off without warning.

“Save the Children was not served any notice to this effect. We strongly object to this action and are raising our serious concerns at the highest levels,” the spokesperson said.

“Save the Children has worked in Pakistan for more than 35 years and we currently have 1,200 [Pakistani] staff members working across the nation.

“All our work is designed and delivered in close collaboration with the government ministries across the country, and aims to strengthen public service delivery systems in health, nutrition, education and child welfare.”

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Haripur in Pakistan, said on Friday that the suspicion against Save the Children started after the successful US mission to find al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

In 2012 a Pakistan intelligence report linked the aid group to Pakistani doctor Shakeel Afridi who was allegedly used by the CIA to carry out a fake vaccination programme as they searched for bin Laden.

The charity’s expatriate staff were forced to leave Pakistan after the accusations emerged.

Save the Children has always denied it had any links with Afridi or the CIA.

Our correspondent said the crackdown on the charity have come amid government efforts to introduce stricter controls on nongovernmental organisations and charities through the legislature.

“There has been deep suspicion with the government that [these groups] have colluded with foreign powers,” he said.

Lottery scam-tainted IPS officer Alok Kumar's posted to Internal Security Division

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alok_kumar

Bengaluru: The state government on Friday placed Alok Kumar, the Additional Commissioner of Bengalru West in a IGP level post in the Internal Security Division (ISD).  Alok Kumar, an IGP rank officer, WAS suspended for his alleged link with the main accused in the single number lottery scam.

At the same time, the government transferred Pratap Reddy, IGP of CID (Administration) as Additional Commissioner of Bengaluru West in the existing vacancy due to suspension of Alok Kumur.

Alok Kumar was suspended on May 24 by the Chief Minister SIddaramaiah after his call details proved his link with the single number lottery scam accused Pari Raran. However, Alok Kumar had said that he has friendship with Pari Rajan and does not have any connection with the single number lottery scam. Later the investigation was handed over to CBI by the Siddaramaiah government following the demand from the opposition parties and public.

KV Sharath Chandra,Inspeclor Generat of Police, Administration (Chief Office) Bengaluru is transferred as Inspector General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Bengaluru.

S Rangaswamy Naik, Superintendent of Police, Chamaraianugar District, Chamarajanagar has been transferred as Deputy Commandant General, Home Guards & Ex-officio Deputy Director of Civil Defence, Bengaluru. Kuldeep Kumar R.Jain, Commandant, First Battalion, Karnataka State Reserve Police, Bengaluru is transferred as Superintendent of Police, Chamarajanagar District.

(Agencies)

Zimbabwe offers new exchange rate: $1 for 35,000,000,000,000,000 old dollars

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Central bank discards local currency after years of hyperinflation which at one point reached 500,000,000,000%

An old Z$100tn note, pictured in 2010. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

An old Z$100tn note, pictured in 2010. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

by The Guardian

Zimbabweans will start exchanging “quadrillions” of local dollars for a few US dollars next week as President Robert Mugabe’s government discards its virtually worthless national currency.

The southern African country started using foreign currencies including the US dollar and South African rand in 2009 after the Zimbabwean dollar was ruined by hyperinflation, which hit 500 billion per cent in 2008.

At the height of the country’s economic crisis, Zimbabweans had to carry plastic bags bulging with banknotes to buy basic goods. Prices were rising at least twice a day.

From Monday, customers who held Zimbabwean dollar accounts before March 2009 can approach their banks to convert their balance into US dollars, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, John Mangudya, said in a statement.

Zimbabweans have until September to turn in their old banknotes, which some people sell as souvenirs to tourists.

Bank accounts with balances of up to 175 quadrillion Zimbabwean dollars will be paid $5. Those with balances above 175 quadrillion dollars will be paid at an exchange rate of $1 for 35 quadrillion Zimbabwean dollars.

The highest – and last – banknote to be printed by the bank in 2008 was 100tn Zimbabwean dollars. It was not enough to ride a public bus to work for a week.

The bank said customers who still had stashes of old Zimbabwean notes could walk into any bank and get $1 for every 250tn they hold. That means a holder of a 100tn banknote will get 40 cents.

The bank has set aside $20m to pay Zimbabwean dollar currency holders.

25 electrocuted after live wire falls on bus in Rajasthan

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Rajasthan

Jaipur: At least 25 persons were electrocuted Friday when a bus in which they were travelling came in contact with a live wire in Pachewar area of Tonk district of Rajasthan, officials said.

15 deaths are confirmed and several others also received burn injuries, district collector Rekha Gupta said.

Police and district administration officials have reached the spot, the DC said.

The death toll is likely to increase, the SP Deepak Kumar said.

(PTI)

US opens probe against TCS, Infosys for H1-B visa violations

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TCS-Infosys

New York: The US government has opened an investigation against two of the biggest Indian outsourcing companies for possible violations of H1-B visa rules, according to a media report.

The Department of Labour has opened the investigation against Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys for “possible violations of rules for visas for foreign technology workers under contracts they held with an electric utility Southern California Edison,” the New York Times said.

The power company had recently laid off more than 500 technology workers amid claims that many of those laid off were made to train their replacements who were immigrants on the temporary work visas brought in by the Indian firms Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Jeff Sessions of Alabama announced the investigation after they were notified by the department, the report said.

The move by the Labour Department comes days after the NYT had reported that hundreds of employees at entertainment giant Walt Disney were laid off and replaced with Indians holding H1-B visas.

About 250 Disney employees were told in late October last year that they would be laid off and many of their jobs were transferred to immigrants on H1-B visas brought in by an outsourcing firm based in India, the report had said.

It had also cited the layoffs at the Southern California Edison power utility, saying that the layoffs are “raising new questions about how businesses and outsourcing companies are using the temporary visas, known as H-1B, to place immigrants in technology jobs in the United States.”

(PTI)

Alok Kumar pressured me to become an ‘approver’ in alleged terror conspiracy: Syed Sadiq Sameer

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Syed Sadiq Sameer

Bengaluru: Syed Sadiq Sameer, a businessman from Bengaluru, who was acquitted in the Hubballi terror conspiracy case, has revealed that IPS officer Alok Kumar had pressured him to become an approver.

Sadiq, along with 15 others, was acquitted in the case recently, as police failed to create evidence.

“I was scared when the police arrested me in the case. Even before the police took me to the magistrate, Alok Kumar called me and asked me to become an approver. I refused, and I was also charge-sheeted for the conspiracy. This offer was given to me repeatedly at the CID office, as well. I was not told what I should do after becoming approver,” he said.

Syed Akmal Hassan Rizvi, a High Court advocate and member of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, said: “The CID police had framed charges and the court termed the investigation shoddy and casual.

“Many witnesses in the case were from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, who had protested against one of the accused, Dr Asif, for making arrangements in his hostel room for prayers,” he revealed.

“The judge had also noted in the order that 14 cases were registered against the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. The judge further doubted the seizure of the explosives stating that they could have been planted, as suggested by the defence,” he added.

It could be worth mentioning here that IPS officer Alok Kumar was recently suspended from the post of Additional Commissioner of Police for his connections with illegal lotteries and the cricket betting mafia.

(Agencies)

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