google Google Sets April 2 Shutdown Date for Consumer Google+ Accounts Google announces it will completely shut down the consumer version of Google+ and begin deleting all user content on April 2. Enterprise users will retain access to the platform, while the associated APIs go offline on March 7.
google Google Follows Facebook in Misusing Apple Enterprise Certificates for Data Collection Google operates an app called Screenwise Meter that uses Apple's enterprise program to bypass the App Store and collect user data, mirroring Facebook's recently banned practices. Following scrutiny, Google disables the iOS app and admits the distribution method violates Apple's policies.
gmail Google Brings Material Design Refresh to Mobile Gmail Apps Google updates its mobile Gmail apps for iOS and Android with a fresh Material Design look and new display features. The redesign brings the mobile experience closer to the web version with customizable density settings.
jigsaw Google's Jigsaw Offers Free DDoS Shields to European Political Groups Jigsaw, a cybersecurity division of Alphabet, expands its free Project Shield anti-DDoS service to European political organizations ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. The technology protects websites from disruptive junk traffic that malicious actors use to undermine democratic processes.
google Google Adtech Broadcasts Highly Sensitive User Data, GDPR Complaint Claims A legal complaint alleges that Google and the IAB systematically broadcast highly intimate user inferences, such as medical conditions and political views, to thousands of companies through real-time ad auctions. Privacy advocates argue this pervasive data sharing violates GDPR rules.
privacy Privacy Experts Debate Whether Tech Data Practices Shift in 2019 TechCrunch surveys eight leading privacy experts to determine if the tech industry's approach to user data fundamentally changes in 2019. The discussion follows a record GDPR fine against Google and ongoing tension between data-driven profits and user protection.
deepmind DeepMind AlphaStar AI Defeats Top StarCraft II Pros in Landmark Display Google's DeepMind reveals its AlphaStar AI, which dominates professional StarCraft II players TLO and MaNa by winning ten consecutive matches. The achievement marks a major milestone in artificial intelligence after the company's previous successes in the game of Go.
go-jek Go-Jek Secures $920 Million at $9.5 Billion Valuation Amid Rivalry with Grab Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Go-Jek raises an initial $920 million from existing backers like Google and Tencent. The new round values the company at $9.5 billion as it seeks to expand its services and compete with Grab.
go-jek Go-Jek Raises $920 Million at $9.5 Billion Valuation to Rival Grab Southeast Asian ridesharing giant Go-Jek secures $920 million from existing backers like Google and Tencent, pushing its valuation to $9.5 billion. The company continues to seek additional investors to reach its $2 billion fundraising target.
gmail Gmail Adds Strikethrough, Undo, and Redo Buttons to Formatting Bar Google introduces a strikethrough button, undo/redo options, and .EML file downloads to Gmail's formatting bar. The update rolls out to G Suite users immediately and reaches standard users shortly.
google Google Plans Purge of Play Store Apps Without Privacy Policies Google plans to penalize or remove Play Store apps that lack valid privacy policies.
fda FDA Clears Verily's Prescription-Only ECG Smartwatch The FDA clears Verily's Study Watch for on-demand ECG recording as a prescription-only medical device.
verily Alphabet's Verily Gains FDA Approval for Study Watch ECG Feature Verily, Alphabet's life sciences arm, receives FDA clearance for an on-demand ECG feature on its clinical Study Watch. This milestone hints at potential health-tracking capabilities for future Google consumer wearables.
lyft Veteran Googler Heads to Lyft to Lead 1,000-Plus Engineering Team Google veteran Eisar Lipkovitz joins Lyft as EVP of engineering to lead a team of over 1,000.
google Google Dominates Cloud Native Open Source Contributions, Data Shows New data from Stackalytics reveals that Google accounts for over half of all code commits to CNCF projects, maintaining its lead even without Kubernetes.