Update on 23/12/2022: Byju's released a statement on December 21 denying allegations levelled by the NCPCR chief that the company purchased student databases. The company stated that the allegations were "baseless" and "unsubstantiated". Adding that Byju's does not need to buy databases, the statement noted, "We emphasize that our lead pipeline comprises exclusively of our app users, walk-ins and incoming requests for consultation." Update on 21/12/2022: The NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo on December 20 told news agency ANI, that it has come to the notice of the body that Byju's is "Byju's buying phone numbers of children & their parents, rigorously following them & threatening them that their future will be ruined and targeting first-generation learners". "We'll initiate action & if need be will make report & write to govt," he added. Original story published on 17/12/2022: Taking note of reports of alleged malpractices at Byju’s, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued a summon to the company’s CEO Byju Raveendran, MoneyControl reported on December 17. The issues flagged against the ed-tech company involve exploitation of students and their parents by deploying hard-selling techniques and misselling courses. The apex child rights body has stated that it has taken cognisance of news articles highlighting the complaints against the manner in which Byju’s operates. Raveendran has to appear before NCPCR on December 23 to explain his stance on the matter. The NCPCR also warned that if BYJU’s CEO fails to comply with the order, he will face consequences of…
