#CMA Data

[steadfastconsultant]

Why Choose Company Formation Services in Hitech City: A Smart Move for Your Business

When it comes to starting a new business in Hyderabad, choosing the right location and getting the right support is essential to ensuring smooth operations and long-term success. One of the most dynamic areas in Hyderabad is Hitech City, known for its thriving tech ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. If you’re planning to set up your business, opting for company formation services in Hitech City can be a game-changer for your entrepreneurial journey.

At Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC), we specialize in providing expert company formation services in Hitech City to help entrepreneurs establish their businesses with ease and confidence. Let’s explore why choosing Hitech City is a smart move and how SBC can help you navigate the process of starting your business.

1. Strategic Location with Access to a Thriving Ecosystem

Hitech City is the heart of Hyderabad’s IT and business hub. With access to global companies, tech startups, and business infrastructure, it’s the ideal location for companies looking to expand and grow. Being a part of this vibrant ecosystem means your business is connected to a vast network of professionals, investors, and clients. This network can help you tap into new opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, boosting your company’s potential for growth.

By choosing company formation services in Hitech City, you position your business in a strategic location, increasing its visibility and credibility in the market. Whether you’re in the tech industry or looking to branch out into other sectors, Hitech City offers unmatched business prospects.

2. Business-Friendly Infrastructure and Connectivity

Hitech City is renowned for its top-notch infrastructure, making it a sought-after destination for businesses. The area offers state-of-the-art office spaces, co-working environments, and excellent connectivity to key parts of Hyderabad. Whether you’re setting up a small startup or a large corporation, you’ll find a variety of options that fit your needs. The availability of high-speed internet, seamless transportation links, and well-planned commercial spaces makes it easier to operate efficiently and scale quickly.

By opting for company formation services in Hitech City, you gain access to this modern infrastructure, setting your business up for success right from the start. You won’t have to worry about logistical challenges as the area offers everything from tech parks to business centers, helping you focus on growing your business.

3. Access to Talent and Skilled Workforce

One of the main advantages of setting up in Hitech City is the access to a large pool of skilled professionals. With numerous IT firms, multinational companies, and educational institutions in the vicinity, the area attracts top talent from across the country and beyond. As an entrepreneur, you’ll have access to a qualified and diverse workforce, which is crucial for the success of any business.

Company formation services in Hitech City allow you to tap into this talent pool with ease, making it easier to hire the right employees, build your team, and manage your business’s operations effectively. Having a team of skilled professionals on board ensures that your business runs smoothly and grows rapidly.

4. Supportive Business Environment and Government Policies

Hitech City is supported by the Telangana government’s pro-business policies, which offer incentives for new businesses. Whether it’s tax benefits, subsidies, or assistance with regulatory requirements, the government has introduced various initiatives to make it easier to do business in the region. This supportive environment is an essential factor for startups and small businesses looking to gain a foothold in the market.

By choosing company formation services in Hitech City, you can benefit from SBC’s expertise in navigating government regulations, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring that your business complies with local laws. SBC’s services can help you stay on track with all the legalities, minimizing the risk of delays or compliance issues.

5. Expert Assistance from Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC)

Starting a business can be complicated, and the process of company formation involves several legal, financial, and administrative steps. That’s why working with experts who understand the intricacies of business formation is crucial. Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC) specializes in providing comprehensive company formation services in Hitech City, helping you navigate every aspect of setting up your business.

From choosing the right business structure (Private Limited, LLP, OPC, etc.) to handling documentation, tax registrations, and compliance requirements, SBC provides end-to-end solutions that make the process smooth and efficient. Our expert team is dedicated to ensuring that your business is set up correctly, complies with all legal requirements, and is ready to grow in a thriving business environment like Hitech City.

Contact SBC Today to Get Started!

Setting up a company in Hitech City is a smart decision for entrepreneurs looking to tap into Hyderabad’s vibrant business ecosystem. With the right support, you can establish your business on a solid foundation and position it for long-term success.

At Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC), we offer personalized company formation services in Hitech City that ensure a seamless and efficient setup process. Whether you’re starting a new venture or expanding an existing business, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to get started on your business journey!

Phone: 040-48555182 Location: Madhapur, Hyderabad

Conclusion

Choosing company formation services in Hitech City is a smart move for any entrepreneur looking to establish their business in a growing, vibrant, and supportive environment. With Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC), you get expert guidance, professional support, and the assurance that your company will be set up correctly and ready to thrive. Let us help you turn your business idea into a successful venture in one of Hyderabad’s most promising locations. Reach out to SBC today to begin your entrepreneurial journey!

[setupfiling]

Project Report For Bank Loan

This report typically includes information on the project's objective, scope, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes. Banks use this report to evaluate the likelihood of repayment and determine the terms of the loan.

[techminsolutions]

Micro-Business Empowerment: Unveiling 5 Key Insights into CGTMSE Loan Schemes for Sustainable Growth

Micro-Business Empowerment: Unveiling the Pros and Cons of CGTMSE Loan Schemes for Sustainable Growth: Key Insights into CGTMSE Loan Schemes for Sustainable Growth India’s vast network of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) forms the backbone of the nation’s economy. However, securing funding for these small businesses often proves challenging due to their perceived higher risk profile.…

[michellesanches]

“Reject All” cookie consent update

On 9 August 2023, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) jointly published a position paper on harmful design practices in digital markets, particularly focusing on cookie consent banners. The paper clarifies the ICO’s stance on the “Reject All” button in these banners. Key points from the paper include: Equal Ease for Consent Choices:…

[electrocomservicesin]

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[mostlysignssomeportents]

Keir Starmer appoints Jeff Bezos as his “first buddy”

Picks and Shovels is a new, standalone technothriller starring Marty Hench, my two-fisted, hard-fighting, tech-scam-busting forensic accountant. You can pre-order it on my latest Kickstarter, which features a brilliant audiobook read by Wil Wheaton.

Turns out Donald Trump isn't the only world leader with a tech billionaire "first buddy" who gets to serve as an unaccountable, self-interested de facto business regulator. UK PM Keir Starmer has just handed the keys to the British economy over to Jeff Bezos.

Oh, not literally. But here's what's happened: the UK's Competitions and Markets Authority, an organisation charged with investigating and punishing tech monopolists (like Amazon) has just been turned over to Doug Gurr, the guy who used to run Amazon UK.

This is – incredibly – even worse than it sounds. Marcus Bokkerink, the outgoing head of the CMA, was amazing, and he had charge over the CMA's Digital Markets Unit, the largest, best-staffed technical body of any competition regulator, anywhere in the world. The DMU uses its investigatory powers to dig deep into complex monopolistic businesses like Amazon, and just last year, the DMU was given new enforcement powers that would let it custom-craft regulations to address tech monopolization (again, like Amazon's).

But it's even worse. The CMA and DMU are the headwaters of a global system of super-effective Big Tech regulation. The CMA's deeply investigated reports on tech monopolists are used as the basis for EU regulations and enforcement actions, and these actions are then re-run by other world governments, like South Korea and Japan:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/10/an-injury-to-one/#is-an-injury-to-all

The CMA is the global convener and ringleader in tech antitrust, in other words. Smaller and/or poorer countries that lack the resources to investigate and build a case against US Big Tech companies have been able to copy-paste the work of the CMA and hold these companies to account. The CMA invites (or used to invite) all of these competition regulators to its HQ in Canary Wharf for conferences where they plan global strategy against these monopolists:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cma-data-technology-and-analytics-conference-2022-registration-308678625077

Firing the guy who is making all this happening and replacing him with Amazon's UK boss is a breathtaking display of regulatory capture by Starmer, his business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, and his exchequer, Rachel Reeves.

But it gets even worse, because Amazon isn't just any tech monopolist. Amazon is a many-tentacled kraken built around an e-commerce empire. Antitrust regulators elsewhere have laid bare how Amazon uses that retail monopoly to take control over whole economies, while raising prices and crushing small businesses.

To understand Amazon's market power, first you have to understand "monopsonies" – markets dominated by buyers (monopolies are markets dominated by sellers – Amazon is both a monopolist and a monopsonist). Monopsonies are far more dangerous than monopolies, because they are easier to establish and easier to defend against competitors. Say a single retailer accounts for 30% of your sales: there isn't a business in the world that can survive an overnight 30% drop in sales, so that 30% market share might as well be 100%. Once your order is big enough that canceling it would bankrupt your supplier, you have near-total control over that supplier.

Amazon boasts about this. They call it "the flywheel": Amazon locks in shoppers (by getting them to prepay for a year's worth of shipping in advance, via Prime). The fact that a business can't sell to a large proportion of households if it's not on Amazon gives Amazon near-total power over that business. Amazon uses that power to demand discounts and charge junk fees to the businesses that rely on it. This allows it to lower prices, which brings in more customers, which means that even more businesses have to do business with Amazon to stay afloat:

https://vimeo.com/739486256/00a0a7379a

That's Amazon's version, anyway. In reality, it's a lot scuzzier. Amazon doesn't just demand deep discounts from its suppliers – it demand unsustainable discounts from them. For example, Amazon targeted small publishers with a program called the "Gazelle Project." Jeff Bezos told his negotiators to bring down these publishers "the way a cheetah would pursue a sickly gazelle":

https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/a-new-book-portrays-amazon-as-bully/

The idea was to get a bunch of cheap books for the Kindle to help it achieve critical mass, at the expense of driving these publishers out of business. They were a kind of disposable rocket stage for Amazon.

Deep discounts aren't the only way that Amazon feeds off its suppliers: it also lards junk-fee atop junk-fee. For every pound Amazon makes from its customers, it rakes in 45-51p in fees:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/29/aethelred-the-unready/#not-one-penny-for-tribute

Now, just like there's no business that can survive losing 30% of its sales overnight, there's also no business that can afford to hand 45-51% of its gross margin to a retailer. For businesses to survive at all on Amazon, they have to jack their prices up – way up. However, Amazon has an anticompetitive deal called "most favoured nation status" that forces suppliers to sell their goods on Amazon at the same price as they sell them elsewhere (even from their own stores). So when companies raise their prices in order to pay ransom to Amazon, they have to raise their prices everywhere. Far from being a force for low prices, Amazon makes prices go up everywhere, from the big Tesco's to the corner shop:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/#commissar-bezos

Amazon makes so much money off of this scam that it doesn't have to pay anything to ship its own goods – the profits from overcharging merchants for "fulfillment by Amazon" pay for all the shipping, on everything Amazon sells:

https://cdn.ilsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AmazonMonopolyTollbooth-2023.pdf

Amazon competes with its own sellers, but unlike those sellers, it doesn't have to pay a 45-51% rake – and it can make its competitor-customers cover the full cost of its own shipping! On top of that, Amazon maintains the pretense that its headquarters are in Luxembourg, the tax- and crime-haven, and pays a fraction of the taxes that British businesses pay to HMRC (and that's not counting the 45-51% tax they pay to Jeff Bezos's monoposony).

That's not the only way that Amazon unfairly competes with British businesses, though: Amazon uses its position as a middleman between buyers and sellers to identify the most successful products sold by its own customers. Then it copies those products and sells them below the original inventor's costs (because it gets free shipping, pays no tax, and doesn't have to pay its own junk fees), and drives those businesses into the ground. Even Jeff "Project Gazelle" Bezos seems to understand that this is a bad look, which is why he perjured himself to the American Congress when he was questioned under oath about it:

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58961836

Amazon then places its knockoff products above the original goods on its search results page. Amazon makes $38b selling off placement on these search pages, and the top results for an Amazon search aren't the best matches for your query – they're the ones that pay the most. On average, Amazon's top result for a search is 29% more expensive than the best match on the site. On average, the top row of results is 25% more expensive than the best match on the site. On average, Amazon buries the best result for your search 17 places down the results page:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/03/subprime-attention-rent-crisis/#euthanize-rentiers

Amazon, in other words, acts like the business regulator for the economies it dominates. It decides what can be sold, and at what prices. It decides whose products come up when you search, and thus which businesses deserve to live and which ones deserve to die. An economy dominated by Amazon isn't a market economy – it's a planned economy, run by Party Secretary Bezos for the benefit of Amazon's shareholders.

Now, there is a role for a business regulator, because some businesses really don't deserve to live (because they sell harmful products, engage in deceptive practices, etc). The UK has a regulator that's in charge of this stuff: the Competition and Markets Authority, which is now going to be run by Jeff Bezos's hand-picked UK Amazon boss. That means that Amazon is now both the official and the unofficial central planner of the UK economy, with a free hand to raise prices, lower quality, and destroy British businesses, while hiding its profits in Luxemourg and starving the exchequer of taxes.

The "first buddy" role that Keir Starmer just handed over to Jeff Bezos is, in every way, more generous than the first buddy deal Trump gave Elon Musk.

Starmer's government claims they're doing this for "growth" but Amazon isn't a force for growth, it's force for extraction. It is a notorious underpayer of its labour force, a notorious tax-cheat, and a world-beating destroyer of local economies, local jobs, and local tax bases. Contrary to Amazon's own self-mythologizing, it doesn't deliver lower prices – it raises prices throughout the economy. It doesn't improve quality – this is a company whose algorithmic recommendation system failed to recognize that an "energy drink" was actually its own drivers' bottled piss, which it then promoted until it was the best-selling energy drink on the platform:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/20/release-energy/#the-bitterest-lemon

There's a reason that the UK, the EU, Japan and South Korea found it so easy to collaborate on antitrust cases against American companies: these are all countries whose competition law was rewritten by American technocrats during the Marshall Plan, modeled on the US's own laws. The bedrock of US competition law is 1890's Sherman Act, whose author, Senator John Sherman, declared that:

If we will not endure a King as a political power we should not endure a King over the production, transportation, and sale of the necessaries of life. If we would not submit to an emperor we should not submit to an autocrat of trade with power to prevent competition and to fix the price of any commodity.

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/20/we-should-not-endure-a-king/

Jeff Bezos is the autocrat of trade that John Sherman warned us about, 135 years ago. And Keir Starmer just abdicated in his favour.

Check out my Kickstarter to pre-order copies of my next novel, Picks and Shovels!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/22/autocrats-of-trade/#dingo-babysitter

Image: UK Parliament/Maria Unger (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keir_Starmer_2024.jpg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

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Steve Jurvetson (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jeff_Bezos%27_iconic_laugh.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[wilted]

canadians specifically are so goddamn annoying when it comes to this shit i saw another one say “children don’t die in schools here” yeah they just find 200+ of their bodies buried under the schools up there! and people still smuggle guns in canada! you still have gun violence! stop using dead children to pretend like you’re a superior country when you have just as much violence, racism, and hate as the united states. instead of constantly comparing and gloating, try donating to the organizations made to try and stop future school shootings and violence against children from happening. and btw

In Toronto, Canada’s largest census metropolitan area (CMA), the proportion of violent crimes that were firearm-related (4.7%) was the second-highest among CMAs. Its rate of firearm-related violent crime (43.2 incidents per 100,000 population) rose 36% from 2021 and 93% since a low in 2013.

In 2022, the rate of firearm-related violent crime was 36.7 incidents per 100,000 population, an 8.9% increase from 2021 (33.7 incidents per 100,000 population). This is the highest rate recorded since comparable data were first collected in 2009.

All provinces and territories have seen the rate of firearm-related violent crime increase since the low in 2013. The largest increases were recorded in the Northwest Territories (+303%), Saskatchewan (+165%), Yukon (+149%) and New Brunswick (+126%).

[lansaraghajiandco]

OVERESTIMATION OR UNDERESTIMATION OF PROPERTY VALUE

Valuation of property is somewhat an elaborate process, as one would note, wherein every decision carries a lot of weight. Getting the value of a property right can make all the difference in financial outcomes-be it buying, selling, or leveraging for loans. Valuations carry a lot of importance, and with so much at stake, it becomes important to learn those factors that contribute to overestimation or underestimation of property value.

THE DELICATE BALANCE: WHY VALUATION MATTERS

A correct property valuation creates the proper avenue for fair transactions. Overvaluation will create financial burdens, while undervaluation could result in the loss of potential income. Knowing how to hit that sweet spot in valuation not only avoids costly mistakes but also enriches investment opportunities.

THE DANGERS OF INCORRECT ASSESSMENT: LEGAL AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Incorrect property assessment may have serious consequences, both legally and financially, and includes:

Financial Impairment

Overpayment for a building is a waste of resources.

Legal Consequences

Fraudulent representation of property value may result in claims and subsequent lawsuits.

Market Standing

An inappropriate valuation might amount to loss of credibility and thus have an effect on all future transactions.

FACTORS THAT CAUSES OVERESTIMATION OF PROPERTY VALUE

Market Trends and Investors' Sentiment: A Case of Bubble Effect?

Speculation on existing trends can also overstate the price of a property. In a hot market, with investors hyping it up, prices will continue to soar and create a bubble that may not actually be real in the market. This may result in bad decisions regarding investments that could have otherwise been rectified after the bubble has burst.

Emotional Attachments and Personal Biases: The Owner's Perspective

Property owners often view their home from a value perception and cannot always think clearly. The sentimental attitude may make homeowners believe their property is worth more than what the market truly reflects. This again is where the need for objective analysis comes into play.

Lack of Comparative Market Analysis: Inadequate Information

Comparitive Market Analysis, or CMA, is an indispensable part of the valuation process. If this is not performed, there is a chance of overvaluation based on incomplete or selective information. Any realistic valuation requires similarity in the market.

FACTORS CAUSING PROPERTY UNDER-VALUATION

Disregarding Recent Renovations and Improvements

Renovations can work wonders in adding value to property, but owners hardly consider that. Not considering upgrades means gaining less than what is expected in a financial perspective. It is very important to keep an eye on what has been improved to do a property's valuation in a fair way.

Lack of Considering Advantages of Location: Neighborhood Dynamics

Location can dramatically affect the value of a property. Factors to consider include proximity to schools, parks, and public transport that can increase value. Benefits that are often overlooked could lead to undervaluation and consequently detract from potential selling.

Lack of Research into Comparable Properties: Data Gaps

Not researching similar properties can create data gaps that lead to understatement. Not considering other properties around it, which are recently sold, makes it difficult to determine the exact market value.

COMMON MISTAKES IN PROPERTY VALUATION

Relying on Online Estimators: Limitations of Automated Systems

Online estimators can at best give a ballpark figure. Very often, critical subtleties are missed by these online calculators. Hence, relying only on such tools invites major mistakes and masks the real worth of properties.

Neglecting Professional Appraisal: How It Pays to Seek Expert Opinion

Another mistake commonly made is neglecting the value of a professional appraisal. Experienced appraisers possess certain insights that no online system can offer, and they ensure far more accurate valuations.

Judging Erroneous Market Information: Statistical Misconceptions

Statistics sometimes portray an incorrect picture. Biased data or incomplete information may infer incorrect inferences about the property's value. A balanced approach is called for to bring clarity to such data.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF CORRECT PROPERTY VALUATION

Data Accumulation

Accumulate necessary data regarding neighborhood trends and property specific data.

Properties similar to each other and recent sales would be compared.

Keep in mind things like renovations or changes in the market to give a far more realistic estimate.

Engaging Qualified Professionals: Estate Surveyors, and Valuers

Bringing professionals into this will serve to heighten the accuracy. They have experience and knowledge which becomes quite necessary for any valid valuation. This experience allows them to handle the intricacies of the market.

Cross-Referencing Multiple Methods for Better Valuation Accuracy

Using multiple valuation approaches triangulates property value with a wider scope for reliability.

Mitigating Risks of Overvaluation and Undervaluation

Due Diligence:

Thorough Research and Data Collection, Thorough research has to be done; indeed, it is the collection of different data that may protect against certain valuation mishaps.

Seeking Multiple Opinions

Gather diverse opinions about the value of the property. This would help to avoid the confirmation bias that is usually associated with opinions of the worth of something.

CONCLUSION

Property value is essential for making informed investment choices. Misjudging this value can result in major financial losses. The analysis underscores the necessity of precise property evaluations to attain optimal results. For clients looking for straightforward advice, contacting Lansar Aghaji & co. can offer the professional insights needed to manage property assessments successfully. Move forward in your property endeavors and engage wi

[nandanasm]

Top Career Opportunities after CMA in India

One of the CMA professional courses in India is relatively well-known and offers the learner deep insights into costing, financial planning, strategy, and management. CMAs have always been integral to organizations, and with the increased reliance on data-centric decision-making, the requirement for skilled CMAs is skyrocketing.

Top Job Roles for CMAs:

Cost Accountant

Assist businesses in optimizing costs with appropriate cost auditing and control strategies.

2. Financial Analyst

Evaluate the financial data of an investment banking firm, corporate organization, or even a bank to aid in forming key strategic decisions.

3. Internal Auditor

Conduct internal systems and processes audits to ascertain operational efficiency and compliance with relevant regulations.

4. Management Accountant

Assist in preparing budgets, evaluating organizational performance, and developing risk management strategies.

5. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) (After Experience)

Oversee the company's financial activities and take responsibility for strategic financial decisions at the highest level.

Industries Hiring CMAs Include:

Manufacturing & FMCGs

Banking and Financial Services

Information Technology and Consulting Organizations

Government and Public Sectors Undertakings

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Corporations

The CMA credential provides an abundance of rewarding and innovative career options. From aspiring to work in global corporations to spearheading one’s own advisory firm, CMA empowers one to drive change. Cost management alongside strategic business financial foresight will be pivotal as industries shift, leaving CMA specialists crucial to organizational growth.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil’s M&A activity signals rebound in the short term, advisors say

Brazil’s M&A market is expected to rebound in the short term, according to lawyers and financial advisors.

Sao Paulo-based law firm TozziniFreire Advogados has seen a promising interest in acquisitions and partnerships start to return in 2H24, said partner Carla do Couto. “Uncertainty has lowered a bit,” added partner Marcela Ejnisman in the same interview.

According to Mergermarket data, Brazil’s M&A for 3Q24 totalled USD 13.3bn across 158 deals, a 34% increase by deal volume and a 6% decline by count compared with 3Q23.

The country recorded the highest quarterly M&A volume in 3Q24 since 2023, led by the USD 2.79bn acquisition of Santos Brasil Participacoesby Merit Corp Sal and CMA CGM.

Continue reading.

[steadfastconsultant]

Top Company Formation Services: Simplifying the Process for Entrepreneurs

Starting a new business is a thrilling endeavor, but it can also be complex and overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the legalities and paperwork involved. One of the first steps in your entrepreneurial journey is company formation, and navigating this process efficiently can make a significant difference in the success of your business. This is where company formation services come into play, simplifying the legal and administrative procedures so that you can focus on building your business. For entrepreneurs in Madhapur, Hyderabad, Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC) offers top-notch company formation services, helping you take the first step towards success.

Why You Need Company Formation Services

Forming a company in India involves several important steps, from selecting the right structure to obtaining necessary approvals and registrations. While the process may seem straightforward at first glance, there are many legal, financial, and regulatory requirements that need to be addressed. Trying to manage all of this on your own can be time-consuming and stressful.

By availing company formation services, entrepreneurs can save time, avoid errors, and ensure compliance with local laws. These services typically include professional guidance on choosing the right company structure, preparing the necessary documentation, handling government filings, and managing tax registrations. A reliable service provider will streamline the process and handle all aspects of your company’s formation.

Key Benefits of Company Formation Services

Expert Guidance in Choosing the Right Business Structure

The first step in company formation is choosing the right structure for your business. Whether you're setting up a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or a One Person Company (OPC), each structure has its own benefits and drawbacks. Company formation services help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each structure and guide you in making the right decision based on your business model, growth plans, and ownership preferences.

Seamless Registration Process

The company registration process in India requires you to submit various forms and documents to government authorities like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Registrar of Companies (RoC). Company formation services assist you in completing and submitting the necessary documentation, such as the Memorandum of Association (MoA), Articles of Association (AoA), and other required forms. This ensures that your application is submitted correctly and quickly, minimizing the risk of delays or rejections.

Time and Cost Savings

For entrepreneurs, time is money. Managing company formation on your own can be time-consuming and may delay the start of your business operations. Professional company formation services save you valuable time by handling all the paperwork, legalities, and filings for you. Furthermore, they help you avoid costly mistakes that could arise from non-compliance or incomplete documentation.

Legal and Tax Compliance

Ensuring that your business complies with local regulations is essential for its long-term success. Company formation services not only help with company registration but also ensure that your business meets all necessary tax obligations. This includes obtaining Permanent Account Number (PAN), Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN), and Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration. Professional services ensure your business adheres to legal requirements, avoiding potential penalties.

Post-Formation Support

Once your company is formed, there are still several ongoing compliance requirements, such as annual filings, tax returns, and changes in company structure. Reliable company formation services offer continued support to ensure your company remains compliant with regulatory requirements. This support can be crucial in keeping your business running smoothly and ensuring you meet deadlines.

Why Choose Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC)?

For entrepreneurs in Madhapur, Hyderabad, Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC) is a trusted partner in simplifying the process of company formation. Our experienced team offers expert guidance and professional services to help you navigate the complexities of business formation with ease. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, SBC tailors its services to meet your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

We offer comprehensive services, including:

Choosing the right business structure

Preparing and filing incorporation documents

Obtaining PAN, TAN, and GST registration

Ongoing compliance support

Legal and tax consultation

At SBC, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs start their journey on the right foot. With our company formation services, you can focus on what matters most—building and growing your business—while we handle the rest.

Get Started Today!

Starting a company is one of the most exciting things you’ll do in your business journey, and with the right support, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC) is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re ready to start your business in India and need reliable company formation services, contact us today!

Phone: 040-48555182 Location: Madhapur, Hyderabad

Conclusion

The process of company formation in India can be intricate, but with the right company formation services, it becomes a manageable and stress-free experience. With Steadfast Business Consultants LLP (SBC), you can ensure that your business is built on a solid foundation. From choosing the right structure to ensuring legal compliance, SBC is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs in Madhapur, Hyderabad, with the expert guidance they need to succeed. Reach out to us today and take the first step towards building your dream business!

[setupfiling]

Project Report For PMEGP Loan

Creating a detailed and well-structured project report is crucial for securing a PMEGP loan for your project. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and presenting a compelling case for the viability and sustainability of your project, you can increase your chances of getting approved for the loan. Remember, a well-prepared project report not only helps you secure the funding you need but also showcases your commitment and expertise as a project owner.

[midnightactual]

Verse: SHADOW GUARD (Halo)

Yoruichi is a SPARTAN-IV. Yoruichi was an ODST. Yoruichi was a Phase 2 SPARTAN-I. Yoruichi was an ONI operative. Yoruichi was a Phase 1 SPARTAN-I. Yoruichi was on the Odyssey when it arrived at Reach. Yoruichi was born before the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine was invented.

Yoruichi is the closest thing to biologically immortal that humanity has yet created.

Yoruichi is an ONI Rear Admiral.

Timeline

"That's all well and good, Doctor, but I'm almost as old as the M319, and just like with it, you still haven't come up with something more experienced than me." —Yoruichi Shihōin to Dr. Catherine Halsey

C indicates chronological age, A indicates apparent age, but note that neither is perceptual age from Yoruichi's point of view. (She's spent a lot of time in cryosleep in addition to having a dramatically reduced aging factor.)

2271 - (C-000, A-000): Yoruichi is born to the Shihōin family, which is highly influential within the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), particularly Section Three

2286 - (C-015, A-015): Yoruichi is accepted to the Academy at Mare Nubium (Luna OCS Academy), becoming the youngest person to have ever attended the school (followed by Miranda Keyes at 16 in 2541)

2290 - (C-019, A-019): Yoruichi graduates from the Luna OCS Academy and joins ONI Section One

2291 - (C-020, A-020): Yoruichi receives her first illicit prototype longevity enhancement prior to first assignments in outer Solar System requiring cryosleep

2321 - (C-050, A-023): Yoruichi enrolls in Project KYKLOS given family connections in Section Three; the only successful test subject and survivor of the program, she is extensively studied as the basis for future research; it's established that her genetic makeup (due in part to Shihōin illicit modifications both past and present) have made her uniquely predisposed to accepting augmentation; this research is hidden from official records by the family to cover up their complicity, directly causing the long interval until the ORION Project is undertaken

2330 - (C-059, A-023): Yoruichi is released from the continuing study program for use as a "novel" ONI asset under the auspices of Section One sub-unit Chi-9 Division, which essentially consists of her and token support staff

2361 - (C-090, A-024): Yoruichi is planted within the Colonial Military Authority (CMA) to monitor the colonization efforts of the Colonial Administration Authority (CAA); she is aboard the CAA Odyssey during its maiden voyage to Reach

2437 - (C-166, A-025): Yoruichi is first contacted by The Assembly, which is aware of her existence and recognizes her as "unique" among humans; she is not aware of their true nature for some time

2490 - (C-219, A-026): Yoruichi serves as the prototype for the ORION Project of modifications as colonial rebellions spiral beyond the CMA's ability to control; this data is subsequently passed to the CMA by ONI

2497 - (C-226, A-026): Yoruichi is attached to the rising Orbital Drop Shock Troopers to provide her actions with greater cover and opacity

2548 - (C-277, A-027): Yoruichi is brought in for research related to the genesis of the SPARTAN-IV Program, Project ORCHID

2553 - (C-282, A-027): Yoruichi is fully enhanced to SPARTAN-IV specifications and is thereby inserted into Spartan Operations

Details

Name: Yoruichi Shihōin (Yoruichi Shihouin) Allegiance: United Earth Government, United Nations Space Command, UNSC Naval Command (NAVCOM), Office of Naval Intelligence, Section One, Chi-9 Division Rank: Rear Admiral (O-7) Service Branch: Spartan Operations Role: Fireteam Leader (Fireteam Tiger) Nicknames: [CLASSIFIED] Armor: Upgraded (GEN3) Mark V [B]

Helmet: ODST - HUL[3]/BNR/COURIER PEARL - CNM/BNR/TYPHON - UA/Type C1

Visor: Helljumper

Armor Coating: Cinder Ring

Chest: UA/ODST

Shoulders: SAP/CQC

Gloves: Challenger

Wrist: TAC/MC5 TACPAD

Utility: M10 Tactical Soft Case

Knees: UA/Type GND

Yoruichi has served through half a dozen total personnel rotations at ONI and assumed hundreds of identities over her nigh three centuries of existence. Even her own staff don't know who Chi-9 Actual really is, as her record isn't just dipped in ink, but has been refabricated a dozen times over. The only consistent thing for the last good long while has been her rank. Ironically, she serves in Spartan Operations under her birth name—if anyone happens to know some trivia about Luna OCS Academy, she claims with a smile to have been named in honor of an ancestor.

[trushamehtablog]

"Forging Success Through Strategic Networking: Unveiling the Secrets from My Marketing Seminar Journey"

As the semester draws to a close, it's time to reflect on the enlightening journey I've embarked on through the Marketing Seminar series, guided by the insightful teachings of our esteemed professor, Adam Drutz. This blog encapsulates my experiences, shedding light on the art of networking, the impactful resources I've uncovered, and the inspiring individuals who have shaped my perspective on building a successful career in the dynamic world of marketing.

Unforgettable Lessons from the Seminar Series :

Throughout the seminar series, one speaker's words resonated deeply with me – Zane Mistry. His wisdom, gleaned from industry knowledge and experience, illuminated key concepts that have since become integral to my approach towards networking and career development. Zane emphasized the art of networking, stressing its pivotal role in opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships.

His insights into the significance of data analytics struck a chord with my evolving aspirations, as I realized that mastering this skill could enable me to make informed decisions that drive marketing strategies to success. Zane's emphasis on adaptation and innovation in the face of rapidly changing technology landscapes reaffirmed the importance of staying agile and open to new challenges, a lesson I believe is critical for anyone aiming to excel in today's competitive job market.

Nurturing Connections and Unlocking Resources :

The journey of networking has been both enriching and enlightening. Here's a glimpse into my networking achievements and the valuable resources I've uncovered:

Building Relationships: I've cultivated meaningful connections with industry professionals, fellow students, and speakers like Zane Mistry. These relationships are a testament to the power of networking as a cornerstone of career development.

Attending Events and Activities: My participation in industry events and workshops, particularly the Marketing Seminar series, expanded my horizons. The knowledge gained and the connections established have been instrumental in shaping my career path.

Engagement in Online Groups: The vibrant community of marketing enthusiasts on platforms like LinkedIn and the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) has allowed me to exchange ideas, learn from experts, and develop valuable connections that transcend physical boundaries.

Volunteering: Volunteering for marketing-related events has enabled me to interact with seasoned professionals and peers, enriching my perspective and expanding my network in unexpected ways.

Exploring Job Finding Resources: The combination of the George Brown College (GBC) Careers platform and the extensive LinkedIn network has proved invaluable in my job search, offering tailored job suggestions and insights that align with my aspirations.

Sustaining the Network: To ensure the longevity of my network, I consistently engage with connections through virtual interactions, sharing insights, articles, and updates. This sustained engagement nurtures relationships and positions them as potential avenues for securing a permanent job in marketing.

Co-op Pursuit: While my co-op journey is still ongoing, the connections forged through networking have paved the way for interviews and opportunities that would have otherwise been inaccessible. Networking's influence on my co-op pursuit has been palpable and promising.

Nurturing Networking: Tips and Best Practices: As I reflect on my networking journey, I've distilled some insights that I believe will resonate with fellow learners:

Authenticity is Key: Approach networking with authenticity and genuine interest in others. People appreciate sincerity, and connections formed on mutual respect hold lasting value.

Quality Over Quantity: Focus on building deep, meaningful connections rather than amassing a large number of contacts. Quality relationships yield more profound benefits.

Listening and Learning: When engaging in conversations, practice active listening. You'll be surprised by the insights you can glean when you genuinely absorb others' experiences and perspectives.

Give and Receive: Networking is a two-way street. Offer assistance, insights, or support to your connections when the opportunity arises. Reciprocity enhances the relationship and its potential benefits.

Stay Curious: The marketing landscape is ever-evolving. Embrace a curious mindset, be open to learning, and stay adaptable to changes in technology and industry trends.

As I bid adieu to this transformative semester, I'm armed with newfound wisdom, valuable connections, and a roadmap for navigating the realm of marketing. The Marketing Seminar series, guided by Professor Adam Drutz and enriched by speakers like Zane Mistry, has truly been a catalyst for my professional growth. Through the lens of networking, I've discovered a world of possibilities that await, and I'm excited to embark on the journey ahead, ready to leverage my connections, insights, and skills to carve a successful path in the dynamic marketing landscape.

Join me in embracing the art of networking as a powerful tool for success, and let's navigate the future of our careers together.

[vncglobal]

Bookkeeping vs. Accounting: What is the Difference?

Bookkeeping and accounting are two essential functions that come into play when it comes to the management of financial records and the guaranteeing of a business's ability to operate without hiccups. There are substantial distinctions between the two, despite the fact that they are frequently used interchangeably with one another. In this blog post, we will discuss the fundamental distinctions between bookkeeping and accounting, as well as the contributions that each makes to the overall success of organisations operating in a variety of fields. VNC Global, a prominent bookkeeping services provider in Australia with more than a decade of expertise, is familiar with the complexities of these functions and is here to throw light on the distinctions.

The Essence of Bookkeeping:

The practice of maintaining accurate books and records is essential to any viable accounting system. It entails recording and organising in a methodical manner all of the financial transactions that have taken place. Bookkeepers are accountable for keeping records of a company's income and spending, accounts payable and receivable, along with other types of financial transactions, in a manner that is accurate and up to date. Their primary concern is making certain that all of the financial information is correctly recorded, categorised, and archived so that it can be accessed and analysed at a later time.

Key responsibilities of bookkeepers include:

Recording daily financial transactions

Maintaining general ledgers

Handling payroll processing

Managing bank reconciliations

Issuing and recording invoices

Monitoring accounts payable and receivable

Generating financial reports for management review

The Scope of Accounting:

On the other hand, accounting comprises a wider variety of operations related to financial management. It entails analysing, interpreting, and summarising the financial data that bookkeepers have recorded in the books. Accountants make use of this information in order to offer business owners and those in charge of decision-making important insights and strategic recommendations. Their knowledge is vital for ensuring that one may make well-informed judgements regarding one's finances and remain in accordance with applicable tax legislation.

Key responsibilities of accountants include:

Preparing financial statements like income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, etc.

Identify patterns and trends by analyzing the financial data

Providing financial advice and strategic planning

Conducting financial audits and ensuring compliance

Assisting in budgeting and forecasting

Tax planning and preparation

Skills and Qualifications:

Bookkeeping and accounting are two separate but related disciplines that demand distinct skill sets and qualifications. Bookkeepers often have extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of data input, and record keeping, and are conversant with accounting software. Although bookkeepers are not often required to have a formal degree, many do have certifications in their field, such as Xero or QuickBooks, to demonstrate their level of expertise.

On the other hand, it is common for employers to need accountants to have a higher degree of education in addition to certain professional certifications. The majority of accountants have degrees in accounting, finance, or other subjects linked to accounting, in addition to certificates like CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant). Because of their in-depth understanding of fundamental financial concepts and their extensive experience in this area, they are able to deliver useful financial insights and make strategic recommendations for the company.

Timeframe and Frequency:

In most cases, the responsibilities associated with bookkeeping are completed once per day or once per week. It is essential to keep financial records up to date in order to maintain accuracy and ensure that accounting processes proceed without a hitch. In contrast, accounting duties are more periodic in nature and are typically carried out on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the demands of the company and the regulations imposed by the regulatory authorities.

Focus on Compliance and Strategy:

The primary goals of bookkeeping are to keep accurate records and to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the industry. It lays the framework for proper financial reporting by ensuring that the financial transactions of the company are correctly recorded and organised. On the other side, accounting places a strong emphasis on decision-making, in addition to strategic planning and financial analysis. Bookkeepers generate financial data, which accountants then analyse in order to assist firms in understanding their current financial health, locating areas in which they may improve, and making long-term growth plans.

Final Thoughts:

Even though bookkeeping and accounting are very closely tied to one another, they are used for very different things when it comes to the management of a company's finances. VNC Global, which is regarded among the best bookkeepers services provider in Australia, is aware of the significance of both roles in ensuring the continued prosperity and financial well-being of a wide range of business sectors. Bookkeepers play a crucial role in the recording and organisation of financial data, while accountants offer useful insights and strategic counsel based on the information provided by bookkeepers. Bookkeepers play a fundamental role in documenting and organising financial data.

It is essential for companies that want to optimise their financial operations and make educated decisions to have a solid understanding of the differences between bookkeeping and accounting. VNC Global is your reliable partner, providing outsourced bookkeeping services in Australia. Whether you require accurate record-keeping or extensive financial analysis, VNC Global can provide both. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to take the financial management of your company to new heights.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Tech monopolists use their market power to invade your privacy

On SEPTEMBER 24th, I'll be speaking IN PERSON at the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY!

It's easy to greet the FTC's new report on social media privacy, which concludes that tech giants have terrible privacy practices with a resounding "duh," but that would be a grave mistake.

Much to the disappointment of autocrats and would-be autocrats, administrative agencies like the FTC can't just make rules up. In order to enact policies, regulators have to do their homework: for example, they can do "market studies," which go beyond anything you'd get out of an MBA or Master of Public Policy program, thanks to the agency's legal authority to force companies to reveal their confidential business information.

Market studies are fabulous in their own right. The UK Competition and Markets Authority has a fantastic research group called the Digital Markets Unit that has published some of the most fascinating deep dives into how parts of the tech industry actually function, 400+ page bangers that pierce the Shield of Boringness that tech firms use to hide their operations. I recommend their ad-tech study:

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/online-platforms-and-digital-advertising-market-study

In and of themselves, good market studies are powerful things. They expose workings. They inform debate. When they're undertaken by wealthy, powerful countries, they provide enforcement roadmaps for smaller, poorer nations who are being tormented in the same way, by the same companies, that the regulator studied.

But market studies are really just curtain-raisers. After a regulator establishes the facts about a market, they can intervene. They can propose new regulations, and they can impose "conduct remedies" (punishments that restrict corporate behavior) on companies that are cheating.

Now, the stolen, corrupt, illegitimate, extremist, bullshit Supreme Court just made regulation a lot harder. In a case called Loper Bright, SCOTUS killed the longstanding principle of "Chevron deference," which basically meant that when an agency said it had built a factual case to support a regulation, courts should assume they're not lying:

https://jacobin.com/2024/07/scotus-decisions-chevron-immunity-loper

The death of Chevron Deference means that many important regulations – past, present and future – are going to get dragged in front of a judge, most likely one of those Texas MAGA mouth-breathers in the Fifth Circuit, to be neutered or killed. But even so, regulators still have options – they can still impose conduct remedies, which are unaffected by the sabotage of Chevron Deference.

Pre-Loper, post-Loper, and today, the careful, thorough investigation of the facts of how markets operate is the prelude to doing things about how those markets operate. Facts matter. They matter even if there's a change in government, because once the facts are in the public domain, other governments can use them as the basis for action.

Which is why, when the FTC uses its powers to compel disclosures from the largest tech companies in the world, and then assesses those disclosures and concludes that these companies engage in "vast surveillance," in ways that the users don't realize and that these companies "fail to adequately protect users, that matters.

What's more, the Commission concludes that "data abuses can fuel market dominance, and market dominance can, in turn, further enable data abuses and practices that harm consumers." In other words: tech monopolists spy on us in order to achieve and maintain their monopolies, and then they spy on us some more, and that hurts us.

So if you're wondering what kind of action this report is teeing up, I think we can safely say that the FTC believes that there's evidence that the unregulated, rampant practices of the commercial surveillance industry are illegal. First, because commercial surveillance harms us as "consumers." "Consumer welfare" is the one rubric for enforcement that the right-wing economists who hijacked antitrust law in the Reagan era left intact, and here we have the Commission giving us evidence that surveillance hurts us, and that it comes about as a result of monopoly, and that the more companies spy, the stronger their monopolies become.

But the Commission also tees up another kind of enforcement: Section 5, the long (long!) neglected power of the agency to punish companies for "unfair and deceptive methods of competition," a very broad power indeed:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/10/the-courage-to-govern/#whos-in-charge

In the study, the Commission shows – pretty convincingly! – that the commercial surveillance sector routinely tricks people who have no idea how their data is being used. Most people don't understand, for example, that the platforms use all kinds of inducements to get web publishers to embed tracking pixels, fonts, analytics beacons, etc that send user-data back to the Big Tech databases, where it's merged with data from your direct interactions with the company. Likewise, most people don't understand the shadowy data-broker industry, which sells Big Tech gigantic amounts of data harvested by your credit card company, by Bluetooth and wifi monitoring devices on streets and in stores, and by your car. Data-brokers buy this data from anyone who claims to have it, including people who are probably lying, like Nissan, who claims that it has records of the smells inside drivers' cars, as well as those drivers' sex-lives:

https://nypost.com/2023/09/06/nissan-kia-collect-data-about-drivers-sexual-activity/

Or Cox Communications, which claims that it is secretly recording and transcribing the conversations we have in range of the mics on our speakers, phones, and other IoT devices:

https://www.404media.co/heres-the-pitch-deck-for-active-listening-ad-targeting/

(If there's a kernel of truth to Cox's bullshit, my guess it's that they've convinced some of the sleazier "smart TV" companies to secretly turn on their mics, then inflated this into a marketdroid's wet-dream of "we have logged every word uttered by Americans and can use it to target ads.)

Notwithstanding the rampant fraud inside the data brokerage industry, there's no question that some of the data they offer for sale is real, that it's intimate and sensitive, and that the people it's harvested from never consented to its collection. How do you opt out of public facial recognition cameras? "Just don't have a face" isn't a realistic opt-out policy.

And if the public is being deceived about the collection of this data, they're even more in the dark about the way it's used – merged with on-platform usage data and data from apps and the web, then analyzed for the purposes of drawing "inferences" about you and your traits.

What's more, the companies have chaotic, bullshit internal processes for handling your data, which also rise to the level of "deceptive and unfair" conduct. For example, if you send these companies a deletion request for your data, they'll tell you they deleted the data, but actually, they keep it, after "de-identifying" it.

De-identification is a highly theoretical way of sanitizing data by removing the "personally identifiers" from it. In practice, most de-identified data can be quickly re-identified, and nearly all de-identified data can eventually be re-identified:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/08/the-fire-of-orodruin/#are-we-the-baddies

Breaches, re-identification, and weaponization are extraordinarily hard to prevent. In general, we should operate on the assumption that any data that's collected will probably leak, and any data that's retained will almost certainly leak someday. To have even a hope of preventing this, companies have to treat data with enormous care, maintaining detailed logs and conducting regular audits. But the Commission found that the biggest tech companies are extraordinarily sloppy, to the point where "they often could not even identify all the data points they collected or all of the third parties they shared that data with."

This has serious implications for consumer privacy, obviously, but there's also a big national security dimension. Given the recent panic at the prospect that the Chinese government is using Tiktok to spy on Americans, it's pretty amazing that American commercial surveillance has escaped serious Congressional scrutiny.

After all, it would be a simple matter to use the tech platforms targeting systems to identify and push ads (including ads linking to malicious sites) to Congressional staffers ("under-40s with Political Science college degrees within one mile of Congress") or, say, NORAD personnel ("Air Force enlistees within one mile of Cheyenne Mountain").

Those targeting parameters should be enough to worry Congress, but there's a whole universe of potential characteristics that can be selected, hence the Commission's conclusion that "profound threats to users can occur when targeting occurs based on sensitive categories."

The FTC's findings about the dangers of all this data are timely, given the current wrangle over another antitrust case. In August, a federal court found that Google is a monopolist in search, and that the company used its data lakes to secure and maintain its monopoly.

This kicked off widespread demands for the court to order Google to share its data with competitors in order to erase that competitive advantage. Holy moly is this a bad idea – as the FTC study shows, the data that Google stole from us all is incredibly toxic. Arguing that we can fix the Google problem by sharing that data far and wide is like proposing that we can "solve" the fact that only some countries have nuclear warheads by "democratizing" access to planet-busting bombs:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/07/revealed-preferences/#extinguish-v-improve

To address the competitive advantage Google achieved by engaging in the reckless, harmful conduct detailed in this FTC report, we should delete all that data. Sure, that may seem inconceivable, but come on, surely the right amount of toxic, nonconsensually harvested data on the public that should be retained by corporations is zero:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/19/just-stop-putting-that-up-your-ass/#harm-reduction

Some people argue that we don't need to share out the data that Google never should have been allowed to collect – it's enough to share out the "inferences" that Google drew from that data, and from other data its other tentacles (Youtube, Android, etc) shoved into its gaping maw, as well as the oceans of data-broker slurry it stirred into the mix.

But as the report finds, the most unethical, least consensual data was "personal information that these systems infer, that was purchased from third parties, or that was derived from users’ and non-users’ activities off of the platform." We gotta delete that, too. Especially that.

A major focus of the report is the way that the platforms handled children's data. Platforms have special obligations when it comes to kids' data, because while Congress has failed to act on consumer privacy, they did bestir themselves to enact a children's privacy law. In 2000, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which puts strict limits on the collection, retention and processing of data on kids under 13.

Now, there are two ways to think about COPPA. One view is, "if you're not certain that everyone in your data-set is over 13, you shouldn't be collecting or processing their data at all." Another is, "In order to ensure that everyone whose data you're collecting and processing is over 13, you should collect a gigantic amount of data on all of them, including the under-13s, in order to be sure that not collecting under-13s' data." That second approach would be ironically self-defeating, obviously, though it's one that's gaining traction around the world and in state legislatures, as "age verification" laws find legislative support.

The platforms, meanwhile, found a third, even stupider approach: rather than collecting nothing because they can't verify ages, or collecting everything to verify ages, they collect everything, but make you click a box that says, "I'm over 13":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/09/how-to-make-a-child-safe-tiktok/

It will not surprise you to learn that many children under 13 have figured out that they can click the "I'm over 13" box and go on their merry way. It won't surprise you, but apparently, it will surprise the hell out of the platforms, who claimed that they had zero underage users on the basis that everyone has to click the "I'm over 13" box to get an account on the service.

By failing to pass comprehensive privacy legislation for 36 years (and counting), Congress delegated privacy protection to self-regulation by the companies themselves. They've been marking their own homework, and now, thanks to the FTC's power to compel disclosures, we can say for certain that the platforms cheat.

No surprise that the FTC's top recommendation is for Congress to pass a new privacy law. But they've got other, eminently sensible recommendations, like requiring the companies to do a better job of protecting their users' data: collect less, store less, delete it after use, stop combining data from their various lines of business, and stop sharing data with third parties.

Remember, the FTC has broad powers to order "conduct remedies" like this, and these are largely unaffected by the Supreme Court's "Chevron deference" decision in Loper-Bright.

The FTC says that privacy policies should be "clear, simple, and easily understood," and says that ad-targeting should be severely restricted. They want clearer consent for data inferences (including AI), and that companies should monitor their own processes with regular, stringent audits.

They also have recommendations for competition regulators – remember, the Biden administration has a "whole of government" antitrust approach that asks every agency to use its power to break up corporate concentration:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/party-its-1979-og-antitrust-back-baby

They say that competition enforcers factor in the privacy implications of proposed mergers, and think about how promoting privacy could also promote competition (in other words, if Google's stolen data helped it secure a monopoly, then making them delete that data will weaken their market power).

I understand the reflex to greet a report like this with cheap cynicism, but that's a mistake. There's a difference between "everybody knows" that tech is screwing us on privacy, and "a federal agency has concluded" that this is true. These market studies make a difference – if you doubt it, consider for a moment that Cigna is suing the FTC for releasing a landmark market study showing how its Express Scripts division has used its monopoly power to jack up the price of prescription drugs:

https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/express-scripts-files-suit-against-ftc-demands-retraction-report-pbm-industry

Big business is shit-scared of this kind of research by federal agencies – if they think this threatens their power, why shouldn't we take them at their word?

This report is a milestone, and – as with the UK Competition and Markets Authority reports – it's a banger. Even after Loper-Bright, this report can form the factual foundation for muscular conduct remedies that will limit what the largest tech companies can do.

But without privacy law, the data brokerages that feed the tech giants will be largely unaffected. True, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau is doing some good work at the margins here:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

But we need to do more than curb the worst excesses of the largest data-brokers. We need to kill this sector, and to do that, Congress has to act:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/06/privacy-first/#but-not-just-privacy

The paperback edition of The Lost Cause, my nationally bestselling, hopeful solarpunk novel is out this month!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/20/water-also-wet/#marking-their-own-homework

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en