With the integration, Shopify merchants can accept widely used Indian payment options, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and NetBanking, through a single connection to Payfuture’s payment app.

The goal is to make it easier for international merchants to serve Indian customers without having to build separate payment systems for the market.

India is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets globally. Its online retail sector is projected to reach between $150 billion and $170 billion by 2027, driven by increasing smartphone use and strong consumer preference for local digital payment platforms.

Commenting on the integration Shopify, Manpreet Haer, Payfuture CEO and co-founder, said it would remove limitations for merchants looking to enter the Indian market.

“This integration makes digital commerce more accessible, scalable, and locally optimised for global merchants in fast-growth markets. India is a vital market for ecommerce growth, and our infrastructure makes it easier for merchants to reach local buyers while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.”

The company’s Shopify integration aligns with its vision to strengthen local payment access through major ecommerce platforms, as it focuses on investing in payment infrastructure and regional capabilities to support merchants expanding into India and other fast-growing markets.

Haer said the company’s goal is to help businesses operate more effectively in markets that are often difficult to enter.

“Our role is to help global merchants operate like locals in markets that are often difficult to access. The Shopify integration allows us to bring that vision to life in one of the most important commerce ecosystems in the world.”

The post Payfuture Integrates With Shopify to Enable Local Payments for Merchants in India appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The leaked files, which were posted on the dark web by the ransomware group World Leaks, include supplier lists, component details and photographs of internal drop tests for unreleased iPhone 18 Pro models, according to documents reviewed and a source familiar with the matter.

The breach has exposed information that Apple closely guards, including records linking hundreds of iPhone 18 Pro components to the companies that supply them. The documents cover parts such as chips on the main circuit board, battery components and camera modules.

According to the source, Apple considers the information highly sensitive because it identifies which suppliers make specific parts for unreleased devices. The company does not publicly disclose those supplier-to-component links.

Several of the leaked documents reportedly carry Apple’s “Confidential” watermark and internal code names linked to the iPhone 18 Pro generation.

The leaked files also contain photographs taken at one of Tata’s facilities in early 2026. The images appear to show grey, slab-shaped iPhones with three rear cameras and the Apple logo undergoing drop tests.

The models shown in the photographs could not be independently confirmed, although the source said they were iPhone 18 Pro devices.

The latest disclosure follows an earlier report that more than 200,000 files stolen from Tata Electronics had been published online.

Those files reportedly included design papers for older iPhone components, Tesla-related documents and records involving Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Qualcomm, both of which supply parts used in iPhones.

Apple has already been investigating the incident and is working with Tata on long-term security measures.

Meanwhile, Tata has also restricted internal access to sensitive systems while it investigates the breach. The company has hired a global consultant to carry out a forensic audit.

Neither Apple nor Tata responded to requests for comment on the latest findings.

The breach comes as Apple prepares for the expected launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September. It also follows the company’s recent decision to increase prices for some iPad and MacBook models after memory and storage chip costs rose. Analysts expect iPhone prices could also increase in the coming months.

Tata has become highly important to Apple’s manufacturing strategy outside China. The company not only supplies components but also assembles iPhones in India as Apple continues to expand production beyond China.

Research firm Counterpoint estimates that India will produce about 26% of the world’s iPhones in 2026, compared with 6% four years ago, showing the country’s thriving function in Apple’s global supply chain.

World Leaks, the ransomware group behind the attack, has previously claimed responsibility for cyberattacks involving Nike.

The post Apple iPhone 18 Pro Supplier List, Internal Test Images Leak After Tata Cyberattack appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

In a submission dated June 25, the iPhone maker told the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that the investigation into its App Store operations was extremely flawed. 

Apple argued that officials copied claims from complainants almost word for word and failed to properly examine the evidence before concluding that the company had broken competition laws.

The filing is Apple’s strongest response yet in a case that has been running since 2021. The complaint was brought by companies and industry groups, including Match Group, Paytm, PhonePe and the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), which accused Apple of forcing app developers to use its own in-app payment system instead of allowing alternative payment options.

Last year, investigators working for the CCI concluded that Apple had engaged in “abusive conduct” within the iOS app ecosystem by making developers use its payment system for digital purchases. Apple has consistently denied the allegation.

In its latest submission, Apple argued that investigators relied heavily on arguments made by rival companies instead of carrying out their own analysis.

“The DG (Director General) made no effort whatsoever to independently verify or critically assess these statements, often parroting them verbatim,” Apple said.

The company also claimed parts of the investigation report mirrored material used in a European Union ruling against Apple, despite what it described as very different market conditions in India. 

Apple said investigators had “blindly replicated” a graphic showing global spending on mobile apps and games.

Apple insisted its position in India’s smartphone market does not justify the allegations. It described itself as a “minuscule player” and said it held less than six per cent of the market during the period covered by the investigation. 

Estimates now place Apple’s market share at about 9%, while devices running Google’s Android operating system account for more than 90% of smartphones in the country.

The company also warned against regulatory measures that could force changes to the App Store.

“Any forced alterations to Apple’s carefully designed App Store could disrupt its integrated business model,” the company said.

It added: “The imposition of remedies would create regulatory uncertainty and could deter investments in India’s digital economy.”

Apple also complained about the way the investigation was handled, saying officials never gave the company an opportunity to present oral evidence or explain its business model during the probe. 

According to the filing, Google was allowed to defend its Android business through several hearings during a separate competition case.

The CCI has not publicly responded to Apple’s latest submission, while Apple declined to comment outside the filing. Match Group, Paytm and PhonePe also did not respond to requests for comment.

The regulator has accused Apple of delaying the case for more than two years by failing to respond promptly to the investigation findings and by separately challenging India’s antitrust penalty framework.

Senior CCI officials are expected to hear arguments from all parties during a closed-door hearing on 21 July before deciding the next steps.

If the regulator eventually rules against Apple, it could impose financial penalties under India’s competition law. The law allows fines of up to 10% of a company’s turnover, although Apple has already submitted its India-specific financial information for the 2022 to 2024 financial years for any potential calculation.

Apple argued that, if penalties are considered, regulators should also take into account what it described as its “unblemished record” and its contribution to the Indian economy. The company said it has exported iPhones worth $51 billion from India over the past five years.

The case comes at an important time for Apple as it expands manufacturing outside China. India has become one of the company’s biggest production centres, with suppliers such as Tata and Foxconn increasing their operations. 

Counterpoint Research estimates that India will produce about 26% of the world’s iPhones this year, up from 6% four years ago.

The post Apple Challenges India Antitrust Probe, Says Investigators Copied Rivals’ Claims appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The change, which restricts how many messages can be sent without receiving a reply, will enable Meta to protect user experience while expanding WhatsApp’s business ecosystem.

Over the years, WhatsApp has evolved from a personal messaging app into a complex communication platform connecting friends, families, communities, and businesses. But with that growth has come an influx of spam, from unsolicited marketing blasts to cold outreach messages. 

The company is now testing new policies that will count every message sent to non-responsive contacts against a monthly quota.

This means that if a user or business sends multiple messages to someone who doesn’t reply, for instance, after meeting at a conference, those messages will count toward their limit. 

Once that threshold is close to being reached, WhatsApp will warn the sender with a pop-up notification showing how many messages they have left before hitting the cap.

Although WhatsApp has not revealed the exact number of messages permitted, it confirmed to TechCrunch that the test is being rolled out across multiple countries in the coming weeks. 

According to the company, average users are unlikely to hit this limit. The measure is aimed primarily at those who “blast messages and spam people,” disrupting the experience of regular users.

Personally, I understand why this change is necessary. My WhatsApp inbox usually seems like an endless wall of unread messages, many from unknown contacts or business accounts I never interacted with. This is a common experience in countries like India, where WhatsApp doubles as both a personal and business communication tool.

The new “Messaging Limit Framework,” which officially took effect on October 7, 2025, will apply limits per phone number, WhatsApp now enforces a single cap across entire business accounts. This closes the loophole where companies could bypass restrictions by using multiple numbers. The rule applies to all outreach, from broadcasts to follow-ups, targeting users who haven’t responded.

At the same time, WhatsApp is testing a monthly cap on broadcast messages, accompanied by a new “Broadcast Management” dashboard. This tool allows businesses to track how many messages they have sent and how many remain for the month, designed to promote more targeted, consent-based communication rather than mass marketing.

Behind these changes is Meta’s focus on monetising WhatsApp through its business messaging services, projected to generate $10 billion in annual revenue by 2026. The WhatsApp Business API is at the heart of this strategy, giving enterprises tools to engage customers while still maintaining trust and user satisfaction.

To complement the limits, WhatsApp has expanded user management, giving people more say over who can message them. These include:

• “Unsubscribe” buttons within business chats
• Easy-access “Report” and “Block” shortcuts
• Labels identifying verified business accounts

These updates are especially important in markets like India, Brazil, and Nigeria, where WhatsApp is usually the main channel for both personal and business communication.

With billions of users and increasing business activity on the platform, WhatsApp’s new approach comes as a balancing act, protecting people from spam while ensuring companies can still reach customers who genuinely want to hear from them.

The post WhatsApp to Limit Messages Sent to Users Who Don’t Reply appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Until now, Google relied on authorised dealers and the Flipkart platform, but it has now opened the official Google Store for Indian consumers. 

This is a step towards boosting the presence of Pixel phones, smartwatches, and earbuds in the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market.

India’s smartphone market is broad, currently with around 712 million users, and highly competitive. Apple leads the premium segment with about 55% market share, topping devices priced above $520. Google’s Pixel brand, by contrast, holds only 2%. 

Despite the gap, Google is trying hard to increase its footprint. The company has started manufacturing Pixel phones locally, which should reduce costs and improve supply reliability.

Google’s decision to open physical stores in India, reportedly close to finalising locations, mirrors Apple’s approach. Apple operates flagship stores in Mumbai and New Delhi and plans to expand further. 

These brick-and-mortar outlets have helped Apple showcase its products directly to customers and build a strong retail brand. Google appears intent on replicating this model to better connect with Indian consumers.

The Google Store in India now offers attractive purchase options, including no-cost EMIs, instant cashback, trade-in bonuses, and UPI payment support. These features make Pixel devices more accessible, especially for buyers mindful of cost and flexibility.

The price range for Pixel phones in India spans roughly from $360 to $1,900 for premium models, while iPhones range between $520 and $2,100. The difference in market share underlines the challenge Google faces in changing consumer preferences in favour of its products.

This development means Google is now more aggressive in India, aiming to break the meet up with competition, expanding its influence in one of the world’s most important smartphone markets.

The post Google Begins Direct Pixel Sales, Eyes Physical Stores in India appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

With fresh rounds of tariffs hitting Chinese exports and current friction between Washington and Beijing, the tech giant is accelerating its pivot away from China.

This is not some slow, phased transition. According to sources cited by the Financial Times, Apple plans to more than double its iPhone production in India within a year—an aggressive timeline given it took nearly twenty years to mature its operations in China. The goal is to relocate the full assembly line for over 60 million U.S.-bound iPhones annually.

India is quickly becoming central to Apple’s global strategy. The company assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in the country in the financial year ending March 2025, a 60% surge from the previous year.

This rapid growth is supported by Indian manufacturing giants like Tata Electronics and Foxconn, with both firms playing top roles in expanding production capacity.

Trade issues are at the heart of this development. President Trump’s administration has increased tariffs on Chinese goods to as high as 145%. China fired back with a 125% levy.

While electronic imports were temporarily spared, Trump noted: “This is not a permanent exemption. Tariffs will be applied to electronics separately.” The challenge is pushing companies like Apple to take pre-emptive action.

The financial impact has been tough. Apple lost as much as $700 billion in market value due to its dependence on Chinese factories and the instability that comes with it. Meanwhile, India is dangling massive incentives—up to $2.7 billion—to attract electronics manufacturers. It’s a win-win for Apple: cost savings, reduced geopolitical risk, and government backing.

Major multinationals are rethinking their manufacturing footprints, no longer comfortable with putting all their eggs in the China basket. Diversification is no longer a buzzword. It’s a necessity.

Apple, despite years of investment in China, is feeling the heat. Political monitoring from Beijing is increasing, and recent disruptions—from civil unrest to COVID-19 lockdowns—have exposed the fragility of its once-reliable Chinese supply chain.

So now, Apple doesn’t want to depend on a single manufacturing hub anymore, it’s a risk it can no longer afford.

The post Apple Plans to Start Assembling All U.S.-Sold iPhones in India by 2026 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The meeting, which was part of the Federal Government ‘s participation at the G20 Summit in India, was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the Indian digital economy and explore avenues for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

The discussions covered topics ranging from digital skills development to cybersecurity and innovation.

Inuwa expressed his optimism about the prospects of mutual growth, while underscoring the importance of leveraging India’s vast expertise in digital technologies  to bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.

Leaders from both Nigeria and India emphasised that this partnership is not only about bilateral cooperation but also about contributing to the broader global digital ecosystem.

They believed that by joining forces, they can accelerate their respective digital transformations while also playing a more influential role in shaping the global tech space.

In a related development,  the Nigerian delegation also paid a working visit to the headquarters of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).

Mr. Shivendra Singh, Vice President, Global Trade Development, welcomed the Nigerian team and engaged them in fruitful discussions regarding potential areas of collaboration in the tech ecosystem.

Mr. Singh highlighted India’s thriving software and service industry, which has earned a global reputation for excellence.

He expressed his enthusiasm for working with Nigeria to identify trade partners and explore synergies that could benefit both nations.

The DG NITDA emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to building a robust digital economy. He spoke about the government’s initiatives to support tech innovation and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem in Nigeria and the need for international partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s progress in the digital space.

On his part, Mr. Shivendra Singh acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa’s tech ecosystem and expressed a willingness to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between Nigerian and Indian tech companies.

Following the positive meetings, the Nigerian and Indian teams agreed to build an execution plan on the identified  areas of cooperation, which include skills development, technology transfer, and business partnerships. The aim is to strengthen bilateral relations and promote sustainable digital economy development.

The post Nigeria, India Join Forces to Accelerate Innovation, Digital Economy Growth appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This follows Moove’s recent fund raise of $20 million received from Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), boosting its total funding raised since inception in 2020, to over $200 million.

Providing revenue-based financing to mobility entrepreneurs and offering accessible vehicle financing exclusively to drivers on Uber’s platform, Moove has expanded beyond the African continent to Asia, starting with Indian cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. 

In what is envisaged to be one of Uber’s mega fleet partnerships in India, Moove aims to launch 5,000 CNG and electric vehicles within the first year. The company plans to scale to 30,000 vehicles over the next five years, creating sustainable work opportunities in a rapidly developing economy.

Founded in 2020, Moove was launched to democratise access to vehicle ownership. The company embeds its alternative credit scoring technology onto ride-hailing platforms and leverages proprietary performance and revenue analytics to underwrite loans to drivers who have previously been excluded from financial services. Moove provides vehicle financing to mobility entrepreneurs to purchase brand new vehicles using a percentage of their weekly revenue.

Over the past two years, Moove has enabled sustainable job creation and a path to asset ownership with its customers having completed over 5 million trips in Moove-financed vehicles across four countries. With over 600,000 drivers on Uber in India, the launch will unlock the perfect opportunity for Moove to provide accessible financing to thousands of drivers to help them become more productive and grow their businesses.

Ladi Delano, co-Founder and co-CEO at Moove, said, “As our first global expansion outside of Africa, launching in India is a very special moment for the whole Moove team.

We’re excited to be expanding our revenue-based vehicle financing model to enable the sustainable creation of jobs across the country, where there are some of the lowest vehicle ownership rates in the world, in part because of the lack of access to credit. We are delighted to be expanding our Uber partnership to solve this problem for our new customers in India.”

Binod Mishra, Regional GM for South Asia at Moove, said, “We’re looking forward to working closely with the Uber India team to roll out Moove’s innovative platform, starting in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, and scaling up to many more cities over the next five years.”

Abhilekh Kumar, Director, Business Development, Uber India South Asia, also stated that Moove has created an innovative “rent to own” model that provides a flexible option for drivers who want to get into the business of ride-hailing without having to borrow from car owners or take bank loans to finance cars brought from dealerships. 

“We are excited to partner with Moove and work together to unlock growth as we witness a resurgent post-pandemic demand in India. The addition of new cars will help provide superior customer experience to riders while creating sustainable earning opportunities for drivers on the Uber platform,” he noted.

Moove is now bringing its impact-led model to India, its first expansion outside of Africa, as part of its mission to close the finance gap for mobility entrepreneurs globally. 

Moove aims to be a global leader in the electrification of ride-hailing and mobility with a commitment to ensuring that 60% of the vehicles it finances globally are hybrid or electric. India has recently set targets for improving renewable energy uptake and reducing harmful emissions by 2030, creating the perfect market opportunity for Moove to provide accessible financing for fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.

The post Mobility Fintech, Moove, Expands Ride-Hailing Solution to India appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.