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Unexpected ways AI is revolutionizing your daily tasksA pair of Seattle, Washington-area teens accused of tying a younger boy to a tree and “disemboweling” him in a possible gang-related attack earlier this month have been charged as adults. Everett Police responded to the area of Olympic Drive and Rainier Drive in the early morning hours of December 17 after a 911 caller said that a teenager covered in blood was at their home, FOX13 reported. Upon arrival, officers observed a 14-year-old victim with “obvious stab wounds,” the department said in a news release . No suspects were present at the scene, believed to have “fled on foot,” police said. By December 18, two 17-year-olds who were “known” to the victim were arrested in their respective homes, the release stated. According to FOX13, all three teens are students at Lakewood High School in Arlington. Court documents obtained by the outlet revealed more gruesome details of the incident, including that it may have been a gang-related setup involving a girl. Security footage from the 911 caller’s front door shows a “disemboweled” and naked teen ringing the doorbell while “struggling to breathe,” the outlet reported of probable cause documents. The boy’s injuries were described as “traumatic,” including a letter “N” that had been carved into his chest. The young teen told police that he had been stabbed in the nearby Lions Park, and that one of the suspects was a member of the “Norteños” — which the City of Everett describes as “a group of Latino street gangs with origins in northern California.” The 14-year-old told police that he had been in communication with a girl over social media, and agreed to meet her on the evening of December 16, court documents stated. “After picking him up, the victim suggested they go to Lions Park to hang out and smoke,” FOX13 noted. The victim told police that while the girl was driving them to the park, he believes that she was messaging someone to let them know their location. He knew the girl had previously “set up one of his friends and attacked her,” documents stated. After arriving at the park, the victim got out of the car and went to open the driver’s side door for the girl when two people grabbed him and took him into a “wooded area,” according to the outlet. “The girl then drove away,” the article reported of allegations in the court documents. While the perpetrators were wearing ski masks over their faces, the victim told police that he quickly recognized them before they forced him to strip off his clothes and tied him to a tree at gunpoint. After allegedly stabbing him, court documents said the suspects fled the scene and the victim was able to free himself and get to the nearest home for help. He was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive, Fox News reported. The two 17-year-olds, identified by the outlet as Milo Canales and Hayden Lusebrink, have since been charged as adults with first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and first-degree kidnapping. Canales, who was allegedly found with the victim’s bloody clothing, had his bail set at $1 million. He was already facing felony charges in juvenile court for a November 2023 robbery in Seattle, but had been released from custody on December 2, according to KOMO News. Lusebrink, who had his bail set at $300,000, bonded out and was released.NoneJimmy Carter was a president whose reputation in foreign policy only grew after he left office

Apiaries abuzz over ruling against widening cross-border trade in live honeybeesORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s plenty of concern and second-guessing to unpack from how the Bills unraveled on defense, special teams and clock management in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams to wonder whether it was premature labeling Buffalo as Super Bowl contenders only a week earlier. But first, the good news. There’s very little wrong with Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense after the quarterback strengthened his NFL MVP case. A week after a four-TD performance that included the statistical anomaly of him scoring two touchdowns on the same play in a 35-10 win over San Francisco, Allen became the NFL’s first player to throw and rush for three scores apiece in 44-42 loss to Los Angeles on Sunday . That Allen's latest superhuman-like effort ended in defeat is what’s troubling for the five-time defending AFC East champions (10-3) in their bid to dispel questions of finding ways to fall short in the playoffs in each of the past five years. Buffalo’s defense had few answers in stopping the Rams’ dynamic attack while allowing a season-high 457 yards. Worse still, the Bills allowed Los Angeles to go 11 of 15 on third down for a 73.3 conversion percentage — the third highest allowed by Buffalo and worst since allowing Miami's 75% conversion rate in 1986. If that’s not bad enough, the Bills lost for the first time in 39 games in which they scored at least 42 points, while becoming the NFL’s second team to lose when scoring 42 or more and not committing a turnover. Special teams didn’t help. Aside from allowing a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Bills couldn’t muster an attempt to block the Rams’ final punt from midfield with 7 seconds left because they only had nine players on the field. As coach Sean McDermott concluded after finally addressing reporters more than an hour after the game ended: “I thought we lost two of the three phases today.” He failed to mention yet another clock management misstep. Rather than have Allen spike the ball to stop the clock after a failed quarterback keeper from the Rams 1 with 62 seconds remaining, McDermott called timeout. That left Buffalo with two timeouts and essentially relying on the slim chances of recovering an onside kick after Allen scored on his next attempt. McDermott defended his decision by saying he feared too much time would elapse before the Bills aligned for another snap. And yet, it would not have matched the 45 seconds the Rams ran off on their final possession after Buffalo used its final two timeouts. Together, these are the types of miscues that have haunted the Bills in their recent playoff losses. The bright side is the loss to the Rams didn’t end the Bills’ season, though they fell two games behind Kansas City (12-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed . And perhaps, the loss can be chalked up to a team riding a little too high off a playoff-clinching win and having to travel across the country to face a Rams team in the thick of its divisional race. If that’s so, the Bills have a chance to address their flaws — and doubters — by how they respond in what still stands as a juicy showdown at the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) on Sunday. “They’re the top dog in football right now,” Allen said, looking ahead to Detroit. “We have to have a good week, learn from this one, and put it behind us.” Scoring. The Bills topped 30 points for a team-record seventh consecutive game and ninth time this season. Buffalo entered the day ranked second in the NFL averaging 30.5 points per outing, behind Detroit (32.1). Run defense. Though the Rams averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, they stuck with it in finishing with 137 yards, helping them enjoy a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Allen. If not for him, the Bills wouldn't have been in position to nearly overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit. His 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) accounted for all but 21 yards of Buffalo's total offense. With so many options, perhaps the focus falls on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This is the second time in 13 months special teams personnel management became an issue. Buffalo was flagged for having too many men as time expired, providing Wil Lutz a second chance to hit a decisive field goal in sealing Denver's 24-22 win last season . Starting CB Rasul Douglas was sidelined by a knee injury. ... DE Casey Toohill injured his ribs. 80-1-1 — The Bills' record when scoring 38 or more points, including a 38-38 tie with Denver in 1960. Facing Detroit represents Buffalo's final major test before closing the season with two games against New England and hosting the New York Jets. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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An environmental group wants to ban the use of dogs for certain kinds of hunting, calling it a threat to federally protected wildlife. The way dogs are legally used in Arizona to pursue bears, mountain lions and other smaller animals, often in packs, can result in harms to ocelots and jaguars, the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity said in a new petition Monday. Even if animals can escape injury by climbing trees, their lung capacity is outmatched by the dogs, the petition says. And Mexican gray wolves can't escape up trees, it adds. Even if animals can escape injury by climbing trees, their lung capacity is outmatched by that of hunting dogs, says a new petition to the Arizona Game and Fish Department seeking a change in hunting rules. (This file photo shows a mountain lion in a tree before it was rescued by California game officials.) The request to the Arizona Department of Game and Fish also says dogs can put hikers and others at risk. If none of that convinces the commissioners to alter the rules, the petitioners have something that might get their attention, given the agency's history. The center says the way hunters use technology to let dogs loose and then track them by satellite signals — versus staying within earshot of their dogs — is "unsporting and unethical.'' Monitoring the position of a hunting dog using a GPS receiver. The Tucson-bawed Center for Biological Diversity says the way hunters use technology to let dogs loose and then track them by satellite signals — versus staying within earshot of their dogs — is "unsporting and unethical.'' That violates the commission's own "fair chase doctrine,'' described by the commission as "the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit of taking free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage," the petition says. The doctrine previously resulted in the commission banning the use of drones to locate wildlife for hunting. Also banned in Arizona are trail cameras that can send images to assist hunters to find wildlife. The rules also prohibit what are known as "smart rifles'' that do not fire when the trigger is pulled but wait until a laser-supported sighting system decides the target is in its sites. The new petition submitted by Russ McSpadden and Colette Adkins of the Center for Biological Diversity say the same concerns about "fair chase'' that led to those restrictions are present here. In traditional hunting for animals such as bears and mountain lions, hunters find and identify tracks and send hounds to follow, a process that could take days of pursuit off of trails. Hunters would keep the dogs within earshot so they knew the progress. What is happening now, the environmentalists say, is the use of radio telemetry and GPS collars that allow the dogs to roam free, tracked by hunters at a distance on phones or other hand-held devices. Then, when there are indications an animal has been spotted or cornered, the hunters can use their all-terrain vehicles to find the prey. "Several states already prohibit the use of dogs while hunting bears and mountain lions as contrary to principles of 'fair chase,' '' they wrote. "Indeed, trophy hunters' use of packs of dogs — often in conjunction with technology like GPS trackers and a network of satellites orbiting the Earth — to kill wildlife for little more than bragging rights is unsportsmanlike.'' Arizona already precludes the use of dogs to pursue certain other species that are legal to hunt, including deer, elk, bighorn sheep and javelina. McSpadden and Adkins hope to force the commission to at least take a look at the issue — and soon. They cite a state law that says any state agency, within 60 days of a petition to enact or amend a rule, must either reject the petition and state its reasons in writing or begin the process of making the rules. The agency's website says new or improved technologies and practices "can provide benefits to hunters and anglers by improving competency or increasing participation.'' But certain things, it says, cross the line. One, for example, is allowing a hunter to take wildlife without acquiring the necessary skills or competency. Also over the line is any technology or practice "that makes harvesting wildlife almost certain'' or prevents the wildlife from eluding the hunter. Another is technology or practice that allows a hunter to take wildlife "without being physically present and pursing wildlife in the field.'' None of this would apply to the use of dogs while hunting ducks and other birds. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Comrade Olusoji Oluwole, National President of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), in this interview with SYLVESTER ENOGHASE, on the sideline of a capacity building organised by ASSBIFI for business editors in Lagos, speaks on the emergence of Artificial Intelligence in financial service sector and reporting, and the need to curb its excesses. He also advocated fair compensation package for the sector’s workforce. Excerpts: Looking at the intersection between finance, technology and innovation, how do you think this is going to impact the performance of financial journalists? The whole idea is to bring everything together, because there will be an intersection at some point in time. We are coming from a period where things were done manually, to when they became automated, and now, to an era where Artificial Inelligence does everything. So, what AI has come to do, is to do in minutes what several people would have done probably in weeks or days.. However, the challenge that we see is that, artificial intelligence is prone to manipulation. Hence, whatever results an artificial intelligence system brings out, with this kind of training, you will be able to dissect it, and pick out any issues that you may find, and bring them to question. Since AI is developed by human beings too, so, whatever its result on a task, it’s still human beings that will be able to decode and dissect it. So, the whole purpose of this training is to put journalists in a position to receive reports, and be able to analyse, and ask questions where questions need to be asked. So, by the time these things are being put into public space, you would have been the first point of contact to raise any questions. Just as AI currently influences journalistic work, so also in the banking sector where it could be deployed for both negative and positive tasks. So, as an association, how do you ensure that some of these banking staffs are well trained, just like you are training us here, to understand how to effectively deploy AI in customer service delivery? Well, artificial intelligence will always be used positively and negatively, but one thing I can tell you is that, banks generally have a huge focus on risk and IT security, so, when we’re talking about security, we’re talking about IT security, and other securities all around their systems. It is interesting to let you know that, banks upskill and update their staff regularly. So whatever it is that is being developed, the first thing that is at the back of the mind of anybody is the security of it, and that is why if we look at it on the surface, for example, you will hear of two-factor authentication. The two-factor authentication is to further enhance securitisation of your account. In this regards, unless, you provided fraudsters some of your secret information, they will not be able to hack into your account and system. So, most time they hack customer’s account, we find out that there is usually a compromise on the part of the victim, but then, we will not blame the victim because there are times when things look normal, but are not actually what they seem to be. For example, some people who receive emails, or receive text messages purportedly from their financial institutions to click on something, and the moment they do that, their money is gone. Another scenario is, those who are asked to give their personal details, which they are not supposed to do; so, all those things combine to lead to loss of funds many times, because of that, banks have also gone on to do campaigns to their customers, telling them what is the things that they are not supposed to give to third parties, the things that are personal to them. There are occasions where systems may have been hacked, and where those happen, I know a lot of financial institutions will move swiftly, because there are regulations that guide all these things, so they move swiftly. There are people who check these things daily, they have teams that work 24 hours a day, they are sitting down looking at it. They are intelligent enough to tell you there is something amiss, so, all those things are in place in financial institutions. Financial fraud through artificial intelligence is not a Nigerian problem, it’s a global problem, and I recall a couple of weeks ago, I was in an engagement where we looked at a system that tracks cyber-attacks from various places. Cyber-attacks were more coming in from other countries into Nigeria than from Nigeria out. So, you find them from Europe, Asia, America, Latin America, South America, all coming in from different locations and there are millions. So, it is a global problem that needs to be addressed. As an institution that deals with workers’ welfare in the banking and financial industries sector, how have you been able to address casualisation of workers in the banking sector? For us, like we presented about two years ago, the then Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, released a document on casualisation, a guideline on how casualisation should be dealt with, the period of time that people can be in casual employment before they move into full employment, and we are aware that this was something that was given like a directive to financial institutions, and to the people who are providing those services. This is because casual workers are not actually staff of the banks, they are staff of outsourcing companies, so, we know that quite a number of organisations have complied, there are those who have still not done the same, so it’s become a case of not just us, but the government being able to monitor, regulate and ensure that the needful is done, because it’s almost like a law that has been passed and needs to be implemented. But, generally amongst our own institutions, it’s minimal, it’s quite minimal. Is there any advice for banks, especially, in terms of taking most of the responsibilities in what they do in this era of AI? Like we have always said, people should ensure that they increase their knowledge and skill in technology, it’s a dynamic environment, nothing remains the same, and everything keeps changing. AI is still going to be managed by humans, and the opportunities are very wide for people to exploit. So, our advice always is that, they should continue to improve on their skills, to continue to upskill and develop themselves very well. And while we are advising employees, we also advise employers, not to be too quick to discard people who, for some reason, have been unable to upskill, because one thing that you cannot just go out into the world to pick up is experience. This is because, there are times when artificial intelligence can malfunction, because it’s technology. If it decides to have a mind of its own, who is going to resolve it? It is the people with experience, because today, we are breeding a lot of people who are very versatile and conversant in technology, so, they can think it and they can write it, but they do not have that experience to be able to deal with it. Just like driving, today, everybody is driving an auto vehicle, put that same person who is fantastic in an auto vehicle, in a manual car, he’s going to have a problem, because he doesn’t understand the technology of clutch, changing up, changing down and all those things. It’s the same thing with technology, that, no matter how artificial intelligence malfunction , we must have that reserve in place in case, to deal with it. In this area of ongoing recapitalisation in the banking sector, are you putting measures in place to ensure that workers are not majorly affected? Yes, I’ve said this in different forums and interviews, that where we talk about it affecting our members, it’s situations where we have acquisitions and mergers happening. But again, when you look at the amount of money that is being required to raise, I do not expect any institution to remain the same size. So, it means that we expect business to grow, which means that we expect that there will be demand for staff in some of those areas. Nevertheless, we have simplified our interest in institutions that are likely to merge or are likely to be acquired. We’ve simplified our interest to them, to all parties involved and to the regulators as well, especially situations where one party is unionised and the other is not unionised. We let them know all that is happening. Of course we cannot discount the fact that there may be adjustments of some sort. So, what is important at the end of the day, is to find how some of these amendments can be appropriately placed, because there have been duplication of roles, whether we like it or not. If two organizations are coming together, let’s start from the top, we are going to have two chairmen, two folks, two MTs, two escorts, all down to the very last position. So, we understand that those things will happen. And where it happens, we are also campaigning to ensure that people are adequately compensated for the work that they have done, based on the kind of capitalisation that has been raised and based on the laws that govern such situations. As the anchor of this capacity building for Business Editors, what do you suggest as a take-home for business sectors? For me, my own desire, and a take-home for all of you, is that, at the end of this training, you will be able to give unbiased and objective reports without having to run to experts in the field, so to speak, because it’s not all the time that you are going to find professionals sitting in your position. There are times where they may just be people who studied journalism, not professionals who came into journalism, but you will be able to speak with authority. And where that comes to play is that, for professionals, there are times where they will have their own biases as well, because it’s difficult to have 100% objectivity. So, for people in your own field, in your own profession, you have the opportunity to be able to come out and say it the way it is, and be able to ask the right questions. So for us, the take-home that I want you to go with is that when you are reporting, you will be able to give to the public things that they will understand, they will be able to digest, and they will be able to use.

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The global fashion industry is undergoing a profound transformation, as African designers, fueled by a blend of cultural pride and modern innovation, reshape the Western fashion landscape. From bold prints and intricate patterns to sustainable practices rooted in heritage, African fashion is no longer confined to its traditional contexts; it has become a vibrant force on the global stage. For decades, African textiles and designs were often celebrated within ceremonial or local settings. However, the narrative began to shift in the late 20th century when designers like Alphadi, the “Magician of the Desert” from Niger, and Nigerian-British icon Duro Olowu introduced African aesthetics to the global runway. These pioneers paved the way for a new generation of creatives who are transforming perceptions of African fashion in the West. Modern-Day Innovators Today, designers from across Africa are pushing boundaries. In Nigeria, Kenneth Ize’s reimagining of traditional aso-oke fabric has gained acclaim on global runways, with pieces worn by celebrities like Naomi Campbell. South Africa’s Thebe Magugu, the first African designer to win the prestigious LVMH Prize, incorporates themes of politics, identity, and heritage into his collections, blending traditional silhouettes with modern tailoring. Meanwhile, Ghanaian brand Christie Brown uses local craftsmanship to create elegant, ready-to-wear pieces that appeal to both African and international audiences. From North Africa, Selma Benomar of Morocco has reinvigorated the kaftan, a garment with centuries of history, by merging its classic aesthetic with contemporary luxury. In East Africa, Ethiopian designer Lemlem, founded by supermodel Liya Kebede, has popularized handwoven cotton garments, combining sustainability with effortless style. Evolution of African Fashion in the West African fashion’s journey to prominence in Western markets can be traced to cultural movements, migration, and increased global exposure. During the 1960s and 70s, Pan-Africanism inspired a wave of interest in African aesthetics, with styles like dashikis gaining popularity in the U.S. and Europe. In recent decades, social media, globalization, and initiatives like Lagos Fashion Week and Dakar Fashion Week have amplified the voices of African designers, allowing their work to transcend geographical boundaries. Future of African Fashion in the West As African designers continue to make their mark, their work not only enriches the global fashion scene but also redefines what luxury and innovation mean. By blending tradition with modernity, they challenge stereotypes and offer a fresh perspective on African creativity. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the ateliers of Paris, African fashion is a testament to the power of cultural exchange. As Blessing Ukpe of Adjoavi Style aptly puts it, “African fashion is not just about clothes—it’s about identity, heritage, and a future that’s full of possibilities.” With a rich history and a dynamic present, African fashion is not merely influencing Western markets; it is transforming them. Ukpe’s approach with Adjoavi Style exemplifies a shift in African fashion, carving out a unique identity in Western markets. At a recent fashion meet-and-greet in London, she showcased how aso-oke, historically worn during Yoruba ceremonies, can be transformed into contemporary blazers and dresses that resonate with modern consumers. This duality of tradition and innovation lies at the heart of African fashion’s appeal. Blessing Ukpe believes sustainability is a key driver of African fashion’s appeal. “We’re creating garments that are not just beautiful but meaningful,” she said. “Our designs reflect a commitment to preserving our culture and supporting our communities.” One of the defining characteristics of African fashion is its ability to merge cultural heritage with contemporary design. Fabrics like Ghana’s kente, South Africa’s shweshwe, and Mali’s bogolanfini (mud cloth) are being reimagined for modern audiences. Designers like Adjoavi Style are part of this evolution, using aso-oke’s intricate textures to create garments that feel luxurious yet accessible. These designs are also influencing broader trends. Western fashion houses are increasingly incorporating African-inspired patterns and techniques into their collections, acknowledging the continent’s creative contributions. From bold color palettes to geometric patterns, African aesthetics are shaping the global fashion landscape. African designers are also shaping the direction of the global fashion industry, particularly in sustainability. This commitment to sustainability resonates with Western consumers, who are increasingly drawn to environmentally conscious brands.: All records related to interception, including the orders and the intercepted messages, must be securely and “with extreme secrecy” destroyed by the government’s review committee, as well as the authorising entities — Union or state home secretary — and law enforcement agencies, every six months, according to the new interception rules notified by the Centre, with experts raising questions about accountability and transparency. The Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024 — which replace Rule 419 and 419A of the Telegraph Rules, 1951 — were brought into effect by the department of telecommunications (DoT) on Friday. The draft rules were released for public consultation on August 29. They have been issued under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which allows the Centre to specify one or more agencies to intercept messages for five reasons — in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence and security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence. “While under the earlier rule, one could still hope to get some information about the interception orders by filing RTIs related to the Review Committee, that is also now gone. It will be as if the interception never existed. Where is then the scope for oversight and accountability?” Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel and encryption policy lead at Access Now, said. Under the new rules, even findings of the review committee, which is responsible for assessing the legality of the interception orders, will need to be destroyed. This review committeeis empowered to set aside non-compliant interception orders. Interception records that law enforcement agencies are required to maintain include details of the intercepted messages, person whose messages have been intercepted, officer or agency to whom the message has been disclosed, number of copies of message made, date of destruction of copies, and duration for which the interception order was in force. The composition of the review committees that must confirm the interception orders at central and state level also remains the same. For Maheshwari, this is a problem as this means the review committee is not independent from the executive. “Independent judicial oversight or parliamentary oversight over surveillance orders, as in many other regions, should be the norm,” she added. DoT and the telecommunication entity must also destroy records within two months of discontinuation of interception, as is the case now and was reiterated in the draft rules. According to the rules, the interception order must specify: the authorised agency that will intercept; and one or more of the five reasons for which interception can be ordered and will limit use of intercepted messages to these reasons only. Unless revoked earlier, the order will remain in force for a maximum of 60 days but can be renewed. No order can remain in force for more than 180 days. Interception orders cannot be passed if the information can be acquired through “other reasonable means”, the rules say. An interception order can be issued by the Union or state home secretary. In “unavoidable circumstances”, a duly authorised joint secretary-level officer may issue the order. Lower threshold for orders The notified rules lower the threshold for circumstances where officers other than the Union or state home secretary, or the joint secretary-level officer, can issue interception orders. Earlier, in “emergent cases in remote areas” or “for operational reasons” when it was not feasible for the home secretaries to issue the order, the head or second senior-most officer of an authorised law enforcement or security agency, not below the rank of inspector general of police, could issue the order. Now, an officer not below the rank of an IGP at state level, or the head or second senior-most officer of an authorised agency at the Central level, in “remote areas or for operational reasons” can issue an interception order. By removing the requirement for “emergent cases”, the threshold is lowered. What constitutes an “emergent case” depends on the interpretation of the executive, Nikhil Narendran, partner at Trilegal, said, adding: “Public emergency could be one standard.” These orders will need to be confirmed by the home secretary (union or state) within seven working days from the date of issue. If not confirmed, the interception must immediately stop, the intercepted messages cannot be used for any purpose, including as evidence in court, and copies must be destroyed within two days. “There is no judicial remedy spelt out for persons affected by the orders that were not confirmed by the home secretary,” Maheshwari said. “So it is possible that an interception takes place, is then halted, and the persons affected never find out. Notice and intimation, as feasible under different circumstances, and judicial remedy are key to any surveillance framework in a democracy.” All interception orders must be sent to the relevant review committee within seven working days of being issued or confirmed. The notified rules exclude demonstration and testing of lawful interception systems and monitoring facilities that telecom entities might be required to put in place by the government, a departure from Rule 419A. The provision to fine or suspend/revoke the licence of service providers for not maintaining secrecy and confidentiality of such orders or for unauthorised interception has been removed in the notified rules. Telecom entities will now be responsible for the actions of both their employees and their vendors that result in any unauthorised interceptions. Ambiguity over entities covered As is the case with the parent act, it is not clear whether telecommunication services, and thus telecom entities, include online communication services such as WhatsApp, Signal, FaceTime, and potentially even email services such as Gmail and Outlook. While the then communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, after the bill was passed in Parliament in December 2023, had said that online communication services are not included within the ambit of the Act, he did not make this statement on the floor of either house, and the definitions within the act remain ambiguous enough to allow for the regulation of such services. In case of end-to-end encrypted services such as WhatsApp and Signal, the act and the interception rules thus have significant implications. “While the minister had publicly stated that OTT services would not fall within the purview of the Act, this statement is not legally binding, and the definition of telecom services in the Act is broad enough to facilitate a range of interpretations,” Maheshwari said. This ambiguity has been a significant point of confusion, so much so that in the TRAI open house discussion on how authorisations (the regime that replaces the extant system of granting licenses to telecom entities) should work, telcos like Jio and Airtel repeatedly disagreed with associations like Broadband India Forum that represent the technology companies on whether or not services such as WhatsApp need specific authorisations from the government to operate in India. The notified rules also empower the government to exempt certain telecom entities from needing to comply with obligations related to interception. “The scope of this remains unclear. How will the government exercise this exemption? Will it be determined by size of the entity? Their technical ability? This needs to be clearly defined for predictability which is expected from every policy,” Maheshwari said. How will an interception ordered Once the home secretary (or other authorised officers) issues an interception order, it will be sent to the authorised agency (the law enforcement agency doing the interception). The authorised agency will send the order either “in writing or using other secure mode of communication” determined by the central government to the DoT or the telecom entity. Orders can be physically delivered only by officers who are at least sub-inspectors. The DoT or the telecom entity must acknowledge receipt of an interception order within 2 hours. The rules require confidentiality, “extreme secrecy”, and “utmost care and precaution” to be maintained by the law enforcement agency, the DoT, and the telecom entity while dealing with interception orders. Only authorised nodal officers in each of these entities are allowed to handle any matters related to interception. The authorised agency must appoint two nodal officers, at least at the rank of superintendent of police, to send the order to the nodal officer of the DoT (two such officers in every service area) or the telecom entity (like an Airtel or a Jio). Each telecom entity is required to notify the central government of the details of two senior employees in every service area of its operation who will act as nodal officers to implement the interception orders, a requirement that Maheshwari says might prove to be too onerous for smaller entities. The notified rules require the nodal officers in DoT and the telecom entity to submit fortnightly reports on the first and sixteenth of each month. These reports must have a list of interception orders received, reference number, date of issuance or confirmation, date and time or receipt of orders, and date and time of implementation of orders.