Android
India has ordered VPN providers to collect and hand over user data
Under a new national directive from the country’s Computer Emergency Response Team, known as CERT-in, virtual private network companies in India will be required to collect extensive customer data and keep it for at least five years. It’s a policy that will almost certainly make life more difficult for both VPN providers and VPN users in the country.
The body, which is part of the country’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, announced Thursday that VPNs in the country will be required to keep customer names, validated physical and IP addresses, usage patterns, and other forms of personally identifiable information. According to the governing law cited in the new directive, those who do not comply could face up to a year in prison, as first reported by Entrackr.
The directive does not apply only to VPN providers. Both data centres and cloud service providers are covered by the same provision. Companies will be required to retain customer information even after the customer cancels their subscription or account. In all cases, CERT-in will require companies to report “unauthorised access to social media accounts” by their users.
Most VPNs have a no-logging policy, which is a public promise not to log, collect, or share customer usage and browsing data. Leading VPN services, such as ExpressVPN and Surfshark, only use RAM-disk servers and other log-free technology, which means the VPNs are theoretically incapable of monitoring for URLs listed in the directive. If VPNs in India are required to keep customer registration data or to monitor and report social media usage under the new directive, many could potentially violate the law simply by continuing to operate.
India has a history of policing online activity harshly.
India banned 22 YouTube channels in April. Facebook, Google, and Twitter ended a tense standoff with the Indian government in 2021 when they largely agreed to the government’s expanded control over social media content in the country. In 2020, the country outlawed over 200 Chinese apps, including TikTok, and eventually outlawed 9,849 social media URLs.
According to the digital rights advocacy group Access Now, government-imposed internet shutdowns and disruptions in India accounted for 106 of a total of 182 such government actions, or nearly 60% of the total. The directive also coincides with significant increases in VPN demand in India, where independent research firm Top10VPN estimates that the shutdowns will affect 59.1 million users in 2021.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Ministry of Electronics and IT stated that the new directive is intended to assist it in dealing with “certain gaps” that prevent it from responding to unspecified “cyber incidents and interactions with the constituency.”
Under the ministry’s full directive, VPN companies will be required to collect and report the following information:
- Validated customer names, physical address, email address and phone numbers.
- The reason each customer is using the service, the dates they use it and their “ownership pattern.”
- The IP address and email address used by a customer to register for the service, along with a registration time-stamp.
- All IP addresses issued to a customer by the VPN, and a list of IP address being used by its customer base generally.
credit – Cnet
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OPPO Find X9 Ultra has impressed me after almost two months of real-world use, but surprisingly, the biggest highlight has not been its camera or battery. Instead, ColorOS has become one of the main reasons I enjoy using this flagship smartphone every day.
ColorOS Makes a Strong Impression
Coming from OxygenOS, switching to ColorOS was an interesting experience. After using the OPPO Find X9 Ultra as a primary phone, ColorOS now feels like one of the most polished Android interfaces available.
The animations are extremely smooth, particularly when opening and closing apps, switching between applications, and interacting with widgets. The lock screen also offers Live Capsule support, including live activities on the always-on display.
OPPO has packed the software with useful AI features as well. Mind Pilot brings multiple AI services together, while Mindspace can capture information from the screen and organize useful details. The gallery also includes tools such as AI Recompose, AI Eraser, Portrait Glow, Unblur and Remove Reflections.
Premium Design and Excellent Display
After two months without using a case or screen protector, the review unit remained in excellent condition. The flat design, textured rear panel and centrally positioned camera module give the phone a premium appearance while also making it comfortable to hold.
The 6.82-inch Quad HD+ LTPO AMOLED display is another major strength. With a 144Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, deep blacks and high brightness, scrolling, gaming and watching videos feel highly immersive.
The Camera Is the Biggest Highlight
The OPPO Find X9 Ultra camera system is arguably its strongest feature. The setup includes a 200MP primary camera, 200MP 3x telephoto camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP 10x optical zoom camera, along with a dedicated spectral sensor.
In real-world photography, the cameras consistently delivered sharp details, natural colors and strong dynamic range. The 10x optical zoom was particularly impressive, producing detailed images while also performing well for portraits.
Video recording is equally capable, with support for 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps. However, prolonged outdoor camera usage did result in noticeable heating, which could potentially be improved through future software updates.
Battery and Performance
Battery life is another standout feature. The large 7,500mAh battery easily lasted through heavy daily usage, with the review achieving close to two days of use in lighter scenarios. Charging from empty to full took around 50–55 minutes.
Performance was equally reliable. Whether multitasking, gaming or using demanding applications such as BGMI and Genshin Impact, the phone handled everyday workloads smoothly.
Final Verdict
After almost two months, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra has proven to be more than just a camera-focused flagship. Its excellent ColorOS experience, impressive cameras, long battery life, premium design and strong performance make it a highly capable all-round smartphone.
For me, the biggest surprise has been ColorOS. After years of preferring OxygenOS, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra has completely changed my opinion of the software experience.
OnePlus
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features You Must Try in 2026: AI Call Summary, Live Translation, Call Recording and More
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Hidden AI Tools Every OnePlus User Should Know
Many OnePlus users focus on camera improvements, gaming performance, or OxygenOS updates, but one of the most underrated apps on the device is the OnePlus Stock Dialer. Over the past few updates, OnePlus has quietly introduced several AI-powered features that can significantly improve your calling experience. From automatic call summaries to live call translation, these tools can save time and make everyday communication much easier.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: AI Call Assistant Makes Calls Smarter
One of the biggest additions inside the OnePlus Stock Dialer is AI Call Assistant. During supported calls, users can generate an AI-powered summary that highlights the important points discussed instead of listening to the complete recording again.
The AI can also organize conversations into different formats such as:
- General call summary
- Key points
- To-do list
- Meeting agenda
- Action items
- Interview format
- Mind map
Users can even let AI intelligently rename call recordings, making it much easier to locate important conversations later.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Live Call Translation is Surprisingly Useful
Another standout feature is AI Call Translation. It can translate conversations between supported languages while you’re on a call. Users have the option to enable translation only or translation with voice playback.
Although the feature still has room for improvement, especially with regional Indian languages, it performs well for supported languages and demonstrates how AI is becoming an integral part of smartphone communication.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Call Recording Without Announcement
Unlike many third-party dialer applications, the OnePlus Stock Dialer offers built-in call recording without the standard recording announcement in supported regions. Once a call ends, users can access:
- Complete call recording
- AI-generated transcription
- AI summary
- Noise reduction for clearer playback
This makes reviewing important discussions much faster.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Useful Calling Features You Should Enable
Apart from AI features, the dialer includes several practical options that many users never notice.
Some of the most useful settings include:
- Clear Voice for reducing background noise
- Quality Boost for improving voice quality
- Unknown caller identification
- Lift phone to answer calls
- Automatic switch from speaker to receiver
- Incoming call banner or full-screen display
- Reverse swipe direction for answering calls
These small additions can noticeably improve the overall calling experience.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Contact Posters Add Personalization
OnePlus has also introduced Contact Posters, allowing users to create customized caller screens with depth effects. You can resize images, enable portrait depth, and create a more personalized incoming call interface similar to modern smartphone ecosystems.
OnePlus Stock Dialer Features: Final Thoughts
The OnePlus Stock Dialer has evolved into much more than a basic calling application. With AI-powered summaries, live translation, intelligent recording management, and numerous customization options, it offers several productivity-focused features that many users overlook. If your OnePlus smartphone includes the stock dialer, it’s worth exploring these settings to get the most out of your device.
Also Read: OxygenOS 16.1 July Update: Every New Feature, Eligible Devices, and Missing Features Explained
OxygenOS
OxygenOS 16.1 July Update: Every New Feature, Eligible Devices, and Missing Features Explained
The OxygenOS 16.1 July Update has started rolling out to several flagship OnePlus smartphones, introducing a range of new AI features, UI refinements, camera improvements, and gaming enhancements. While the update delivers noticeable improvements across supported devices, not every OnePlus smartphone receives the same set of features.
OxygenOS 16.1 July Update Brings Several New Features
OnePlus has introduced a refreshed experience with the July update. One of the most noticeable additions is the Contact Poster feature, allowing users with the OnePlus Dialer to create customized caller images with depth effects and adjustable positioning. Devices using Google’s Phone app will not receive this functionality.
Notification management has also improved. Users can now simply swipe down on supported notifications to expand them instantly without opening the application. In addition, Quick Settings tiles now automatically switch to a darker appearance whenever Dark Mode is enabled, creating a more consistent user interface.
AI Features Expand Inside the Photos App
The Photos application now includes a dedicated Create section that houses several AI-powered tools. These include AI Portrait Glow, AI Eraser, AI Detail Boost, AI-powered collage recommendations, video editing tools, and slow-motion playback suggestions.
Another useful addition is App Call Identification, which can identify unknown callers from supported third-party applications. However, this feature is only available on devices using the OnePlus stock dialer.
Camera and Gaming Receive Meaningful Upgrades
The Camera app now introduces two new filters—Prime Rose and Bold B&W. However, these filters are limited to select devices including the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13S, and OnePlus 15, while the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 15R miss out on them.
Gaming enthusiasts also receive improvements. Depending on the device, users can access Gaming Filters for enhanced visuals, Sound Boost for better footstep detection, and Equalizer controls for supported games such as BGMI. Feature availability varies between different OnePlus models.
Device-Specific Limitations
While OnePlus has added customizable fingerprint icons, fingerprint animations, PC Unlock support, and Backup Face recognition to several devices, not every smartphone receives the complete package.
The OnePlus 12, for example, does not receive the Backup Face feature or the latest gaming enhancements. Meanwhile, older devices including the OnePlus 11 series and Nord lineup continue receiving July security updates but do not receive the OxygenOS 16.1 feature set.
Final Thoughts
The OxygenOS 16.1 July Update is one of the most feature-rich monthly updates from OnePlus in recent months. Although feature availability differs depending on the device, supported smartphones gain several quality-of-life improvements, smarter AI tools, camera enhancements, and better gaming capabilities. Users should verify their device eligibility before expecting every feature included in the latest rollout.
Also Read: OnePlus ColorOS Update: Everything OnePlus Users Will Gain and Lose After OxygenOS