The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Greater Kashmir newspaper on Wednesday reported that its official X, formerly Twitter, account was hacked by unknown hackers, raising concerns about potential data breaches and illegal activity. After being hacked for hours, the newspaper said, it was finally recovered.

Earlier today, the news outlet reported that their Twitter account was hacked by anonymous hackers. The case was swiftly reported to the management team at Twitter, and a case was also filed with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The hack was detected earlier this afternoon when unauthorized tweets appeared on the organization's Twitter account. Immediate action was taken to safeguard the account, including contacting Twitter's support staff for aid in regaining access.

In addition, ‘an official complaint was made with the local police authorities, who had examined the hacking event’ as per a media report. Law enforcement authorities collaborated with the organization's IT security team to identify the criminals and bring them to justice.

The organization assured its subscribers and stakeholders that all essential actions are being taken to correct the problem and resume regular digital activities.

Pertinently, a report from Greater Kashmir said the newspaper has now gained admin access as the account has been recovered.

SRINAGAR — After alleged abusive comments by some X (formerly Twitter) users to Kashmir Power DISCOM’s post amidst the unprecedented electricity scenario in Kashmir, the Cyber Police Kashmir has taken cognizance of the issue on the latter’s request.

As per the news agency CNS, the Kashmir Power DISCOM, which is an official account of the Managing Director KPDCL, posted on X, “URGENT! @CyberPoliceKMR @KashmirPolice Pl takes note of these abusive X handles using vituperative language against #KPDCL. Trace their ISPs/IDs and initiate action. @diprjk @OfficeOfLGJandK @Raj576113 @mussarat_zia @Muzamil_hassan_ @__Whoaasif @313_badr_1 @Jkpddparody.”

The request of the Kashmir Power DISCOM was responded to by the Cyber Police Kashmir with a reply on X as “@Cyberpolicekmr has taken cognizance of the matter. Action under the law is being initiated. @KashmirPolice @DIGCKRSGR @SrinagarPolice @IftkharTalib.”

SRINAGAR — The engagement of Aptech by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for conducting computer-based job tests in Jammu & Kashmir has come under severe criticism.

Claiming that the firm has been blacklisted in several States, the job aspirants, civil society actors and politicians are up in arms over the JKSSB’s move to hire Aptech firm for conducting computer-based job tests in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the news agency KNO, social media platforms were flooded with angry reactions over the engagement of the Aptech by the JKSSB for conducting computer-based job tests in Jammu & Kashmir.

The hashtag #AptechBlacklisted is trending on Twitter, with netizens appealing J&K administration to scrap the contract with the firm to save the future of the youth of J&K.

“Students of J&K are crying due to the mess created by JKSSB. What hardworking students will get when a blacklisted company will conduct exams. Aptech is a scam and JKSSB is destroying the careers of youth. This company should be banned forever,” social media influencer and aspiring politician Guftar Choudhary tweeted.

Lawyer and former Congress spokesman Deepika Pushkar Nath said that hiring of Aptech firm is a sheer fraud with job aspirants.

“Hiring dubious Aptech exam conducting agency for the state level recruitment is a sheer fraud with the aspirants. #AptechBlacklisted tampered with Central level exams and one can imagine the susceptibility of JKSSB exams. Restore Merit system, save meritorious youth of J&K,” she wrote on Twitter.

Political leaders also assailed the move of hiring Aptech. “I have received a lot of emails and messages about Aptech which has been blacklisted in other states. Given the shoddy track record of the past, SSRB better tread with caution. Students need to be heard. You can’t trust a blacklisted company on our future,” PC chief Sajad Gani Lone tweeted.

National Conference chief spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also lambasted the administration over awarding the contract to the blacklisted firm, saying it is a move to “destroy” the careers of local youth.

“JKSSB is the enfant terrible of the incumbent J&K administration. The Board in spite of addressing the genuine concerns and fear of the educated, skilled local youth seems hell-bent to destroy their future by continuously persisting with a blacklisted company,” Dar said.

The J&K Congress unit on its official Twitter handle said that it stands with aspirants who are suffering due to the illegitimate alliance of Aptech + JKSSB + corrupt officials + BJP leaders.

Chief Spokesperson of Democratic Azad Party (DAP) Salman Nizami termed the awarding of the contract to Aptech Limited a “deep-rooted conspiracy”.

“Awarding a contract to blacklisted Aptech by JKSSB seems a deep-rooted conspiracy to spoil the future of J&K's youth. The contract should be withdrawn immediately and in the future, never to engage with such companies,” Nizami said.

NEW DELHI: Twitter’s new owner Elon Musk has started paid verification service for verified 'Blue Tick' users of the micro-blogging platform, which will cost around Rs 719 per month in India, said reports. Several Twitter users in India reported having received messages urging them to sign up for Twitter Blue. However, only iPhones presently support the upgrade. In the upcoming days, everyone is anticipated to have access to the service.

Users who sign up for Twitter Blue will receive a "blue tick" without having to be verified. Elon Musk, the new owner of the microblogging site, has also stated that priority will be given to subscribers in terms of reach and display. Twitter's strategy to introduce a monthly charge for the verified badge has polarised users globally.

Since completing the Twitter deal, the wealthiest man on the planet has made a flurry of decisions impacting the working of the social media giant that has millions of daily active users. Talking about these decisions on Wednesday, Musk announced in a tweet that the social media giant will do a lot of dumb things in the coming months on a trial-and-error basis.

"Please note that Twitter will do lots of dumb things in the coming months. We will keep what works and change what doesnt," he tweeted. Among the biggest change that Twitter is seeing is the inclusion of the new USD 7.99 per month Blue subscription. However, Musks decision to implement the blue tick fee did not go well with many.

Even some advertiser pulled back their leg from the site. Further, a second verification label has been rolled out to limit confusion between legitimate accounts and those that pay for their blue ticks.

Verified accounts will now come with an "Official" label beneath their username, complete with a grey verification checkmark in India, ahead of the roll-out of blue tick subscriptions, the "official" label was noticed on the Twitter handles of various Indian government organizations.

However, the newly launched feature was stopped soon after it was launched and appeared on various user profiles. In response to a tweet from tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee about the Official badge, Musk said, "I just killed it."

Apart from the "blue tick fee", Musk has also been receiving a lot of hate on Twitter for laying off employees. Defending his decision to fire employees, Musk said in a tweet that it was needed as Twitter was losing more than "USD 4 million per day". Also, celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg and Gigi Hadid quit Twitter in the days following its acquisition.

Meanwhile, Musks net worth has dropped below USD 200 billion as investors dumped Teslas shares on fears that the top executive and largest shareholder of the world`s most valuable electric-vehicle maker is more preoccupied with Twitter, reported Reuters on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: Twitter’s new owner Elon Musk has started paid verification service for verified 'Blue Tick' users of the micro-blogging platform, which will cost around Rs 719 per month in India, said reports. Several Twitter users in India reported having received messages urging them to sign up for Twitter Blue. However, only iPhones presently support the upgrade. In the upcoming days, everyone is anticipated to have access to the service.

Users who sign up for Twitter Blue will receive a "blue tick" without having to be verified. Elon Musk, the new owner of the microblogging site, has also stated that priority will be given to subscribers in terms of reach and display. Twitter's strategy to introduce a monthly charge for the verified badge has polarised users globally.

Since completing the Twitter deal, the wealthiest man on the planet has made a flurry of decisions impacting the working of the social media giant that has millions of daily active users. Talking about these decisions on Wednesday, Musk announced in a tweet that the social media giant will do a lot of dumb things in the coming months on a trial-and-error basis.

"Please note that Twitter will do lots of dumb things in the coming months. We will keep what works and change what doesnt," he tweeted. Among the biggest change that Twitter is seeing is the inclusion of the new USD 7.99 per month Blue subscription. However, Musks decision to implement the blue tick fee did not go well with many.

Even some advertiser pulled back their leg from the site. Further, a second verification label has been rolled out to limit confusion between legitimate accounts and those that pay for their blue ticks.

Verified accounts will now come with an "Official" label beneath their username, complete with a grey verification checkmark in India, ahead of the roll-out of blue tick subscriptions, the "official" label was noticed on the Twitter handles of various Indian government organizations.

However, the newly launched feature was stopped soon after it was launched and appeared on various user profiles. In response to a tweet from tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee about the Official badge, Musk said, "I just killed it."

Apart from the "blue tick fee", Musk has also been receiving a lot of hate on Twitter for laying off employees. Defending his decision to fire employees, Musk said in a tweet that it was needed as Twitter was losing more than "USD 4 million per day". Also, celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg and Gigi Hadid quit Twitter in the days following its acquisition.

Meanwhile, Musks net worth has dropped below USD 200 billion as investors dumped Teslas shares on fears that the top executive and largest shareholder of the world`s most valuable electric-vehicle maker is more preoccupied with Twitter, reported Reuters on Wednesday.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said that a notorious criminal was arrested with the assistance of UP Police from Uttar Pradesh, who was operating a fake Twitter account in the name of IPS officer Tanushree Datta.

Tanushree is serving as senior superintendent of police (SSP) in south Kashmir's Shopian district.

"Notorious criminal involved in operating fake Twitter handle in the name of Tanu Shree IPS SSP Shopian and demanding money and sharing objectionable updates on Twitter has been arrested from District Pratapgarh UP with the assistance of UP Police," a spokesperson of Shopian Police said in a tweet.

NEW DELHI — Twitter has been finally acquired by Elon Musk. The social media confirmed the news by sharing that an entity owned by Elon Musk offered $54.20 per share in cash to acquire Twitter.

Musk has bought Twitter for around $44 billion. With this, Twitter will now be a a privately held company.

“The Twitter Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive process to assess Elon’s proposal with a deliberate focus on value, certainty, and financing. The proposed transaction will deliver a substantial cash premium, and we believe it is the best path forward for Twitter’s stockholders," said Bret Taylor, Twitter’s Independent Board Chair.

Talking the price per share, the stockholders will get $54.20 in cash for each of the share which is a 38% premium to Twitter’s closing stock price on April 1, 2022.

“Twitter has a purpose and relevance that impacts the entire world. Deeply proud of our teams and inspired by the work that has never been more important. Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," said Mr. Musk.

“I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it," said Parag Agrawal, CEO, Twitter.

Musk has secured $25.5 billion of fully committed debt and margin loan financing and is providing an approximately $21.0 billion equity commitment.

Meanwhile, Twitter plans to release its first quarter fiscal year 2022 results before the market open on April 28, 2022.