Making privacy controls more easily accessible: Google CEO

by IANS |

San Francisco, July 26 (IANS) Google is working towards making privacy controls more easily accessible, expanding its incognito mode to maps and adding new auto delete controls, the company's CEO Sundar Pichai has said.

"And we continue to challenge the notion that products need more data to be more helpful," Pichai said on Thursday during an earnings call with analysts after Google's parent company Alphabet reported a revenue of $38.9 billion for the second quarter (Q2) of 2019.

"For example, we invented a new technique called federated learning that allows us to train AI models and make products smarter without raw data leaving your device," he said.

Pichai's comment came at a time when technology companies are facing challenges of protecting user privacy amid increased scrutiny by regulators.

Google last week faced criticism for letting third-party organisations get access to users' viewing habits even while browsing in 'incognito' mode.

The company had said that Chrome will fix a loophole that allowed sites to detect people who are browsing the web privately.

"As we continue to invest in the platform, responsibility remains our top priority," Pichai said during the earnings call with analysts, while adding that over the years Google has evolved from a company that helps people find answers to a company that helps users get things done.

"We are also developing technology for the next billion users coming online in places like India, Brazil, and Indonesia," Pichai said.

"Thanks to advancements in AI (Artificial Intelligence), we are making significant improvements to the Google Assistant. 

"The next-generation Assistant can process requests up to 10 times faster, making it easier to multi-task, compose e-mails, and even work offline. With features like Duplex on the web, that system will soon be able to help users book rental cars and buy movie tickets," Pichai said.

Latest News
IPL 2024: Looking to see more attacking fast bowling from Siraj and Yash, says RCB head coach Flower Sat, May 04, 2024, 04:26 PM
Inspiring voices of India's women panchayat leaders resonate at UN meet Sat, May 04, 2024, 04:24 PM
CM, Dy CM obsessed with 'pen drive', forgotten about guarantees: KarnatakaBJP chief Sat, May 04, 2024, 04:21 PM
President Murmu reaches Shimla for five-day visit Sat, May 04, 2024, 04:13 PM
Cracks in the armour: Cong faces serious challenge from NC rebel candidate in Ladakh constituency Sat, May 04, 2024, 04:06 PM
Chinese embassy in Canada refutes foreign interference accusations Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:47 PM
Karnataka CM chairs SIT meeting, orders immediate arrest of Prajwal Revanna Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:42 PM
Study calls for making cardiorespiratory fitness a part of annual check-up Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:35 PM
'Refusing an ICC event can backfire', cautions Rashid Latif amid uncertainty over India's participation in Champions Trophy Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:24 PM
Meta gets 27K reports via Indian grievance mechanism in March, fake FB, Insta profiles key concern Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:23 PM
Government lifts ban on onion exports with price rider Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:22 PM
Multiple fires erupt in Ukraine's Kharkiv after overnight Russian attacks Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:19 PM
UNGA president invokes Mahatma Gandhi to call for protecting journalists Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:18 PM
Rahul's Raebareli move will be 'suicidal', says ex-Congman Pramod Krishnam Sat, May 04, 2024, 03:17 PM
'Shahenshah lives in castle': Priyanka Gandhi's retort on Rahul being dubbed 'Shehzada' Sat, May 04, 2024, 02:55 PM