Last week we talked about one guy being defrauded by a fake website. This week, we start with news about fake apps. Next thing you know, there’ll be fake news.

But news below is 100% real, non-AI generated news and insights. Promise!

Google to Help SEBI “Tackle” Fake Apps

The Securities and Exchanges Board of India (SEBI) announced that it partners with Google to introduce a ‘verified’ label for stock trading apps on the Google Play Store. Allegedly because there are several apps deemed as “unregulated finfluencer activity” and even more apps that are fraudulent trading apps.

I have two immediate questions:

• Doesn’t Google have a process of vetting apps before they are listed on the Play Store, so shouldn’t this be Google’s job?
• Actually, it’s just one immediate question.

Per Google’s own guideline an app takes 2 – 5 days to be reviewed before it is live on the Play Store. So why doesn’t SEBI just hold Google to account for allowing these fraudulent apps to pass the review process and be on the app store? Shouldn’t they be held to account?

Seriously, the presence of fraudulent trading apps – and these are apps that easily copy genuine apps and convince people to route funds outside the regulated system – can’t be solved with a verified badge. Just like how these companies made Google believe they are genuine apps, they will easily find a way to make SEBI believe the same.

And this measure does almost nothing to address the finfluencer problem – the problem of misleading hyped up claims from finfluencers that convinces people to divert savings into shoddy apps and questionable instruments. What has been more useful is Government clampdown on finfluencers like Avadhut Sathe and others who ran academies and made crazy claims of XX returns on investments. Such action should be taken against these so-called influences in all fields, like China is doing. China now requires influences to be certified or have a degree – basically be educated and experienced enough to actually offer advice on a particular topic or niche.

Like me – I’m a tech blogger but I have 15 years of privacy / information security / tech related assurance and consulting services. Ask me any question if you want me to prove it. 🙂

PB Fintech’s Paisabazaar receives Benami Act Order

PB Fintech, the parent entity of fintech major Policybazaar, on Friday told exchanges that its wholly owned subsidiary, Paisabazaar Marketing and Consulting Private Limited, has received an adverse order from the Office of the Adjudicating Authority under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988. The order, dated March 24, 2026, was received by the company on March 26.

For those who don’t know – benami menas an asset that is under the possession of an individual for a purpose not disclosed, or an asset itself not disclosed. In this case, the asset in question is transaction-related assets, and the order states that the asset is held by one person but paid for by another person for their own benefit. Not sure this holds entirely true, and PB Fintech is going to appeal this order.

Certain Chinese-made CCTV Cameras Banned in India

Not all Chinese-made CCTV, but major ones including from the likes of Hikvision and Dahua will not be allowed to be sold in India starting April. And this ban applies to the sale of non-certified internet-connected CCTV cameras. And April marks the end of a two-year transition period for the surveillance industry.

So it was a well thought-out strategy. Quite unlike in the US, where FCC Chairman Brendan Carr decided that all Chinese made routers are effectively banned in the US. Now THAT is crazy.

Blinkit Launches Post-security Delivery in Mumbai Airport

Blinkit has launched services inside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, allowing travellers to order essentials post-security with delivery within minutes through its app.

I’ll admit, at first this sounded like a genius idea. Forgot to buy a packet of chiwda to take for Masi in Toronto? Order via Blinkit. If you’re flying from BOM and if it’s available on the app. And if it’s cheaper than duty free. Okay, this is not really a genius idea.

Some things so far that are listed might be useful – e.g. phone chargers and books. Which are also available in a number of stores post-security (airside) where Blinkit is saying they are operating now.

Meghalaya Government Signs MoU with Starlink

Starlink, which Space X has been saying they will launch “soon” in India for more than a year now, looks like they finally made it. The Government of Meghalaya signed an MoU with Starlink to improve internet connectivity across the State, particularly remote areas.

Not to brag, but I wrote in May 2025 that Starlink may only ever find success in India if it serves the Government. Hehe.

Sponsor

This episode of TWITI is sponsored by PureVPN. Use this link to get upto 85% off the best VPN provider out there – as evidenced by over 3 million satisfied users.

Five Finds of the Week

This week’s theme is phone accessories – because new phones are becoming expensive, so make your existing phone last longer. Using the following accessories will make it last longer, or will atleast make you less bored of your old phone.

• A no-nonsense power bank like this one. Because battery life.
• This suction phone case that costs less than 100 bucks. It’s a lot of fun, trust me.
• Bring back the phone lanyard! Also a lot of fun, not just for old people.
• This cheap macro lens kit. Not for quality, but for fun.
• This sleek wireless charging pad. Remember the longer you keep your phone on charge, the longer the battery lasts overall.

isclosure: the sponsor and product links above are affiliate links and if you use them to make a purchase, I may be supported with some affiliate income. This does not in any way impact my independence and integrity. Read my code of ethics for more details and reach out to me if you have a concern.

That’s it for now! Don’t forget you can see the weekly TWITI video on by YouTube channel, or listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you’d like to receive the weekly news roundup directly to your inbox, subscribe to me on Substack. This is all free so share with a friend. See you next week!