Google will automatically delete new users’ location history and search data after 18 months as the US tech giant looks to tighten its privacy policy, the company’s chief executive said.
“We believe that products should keep your information for only as long as it's useful and helpful to you … whether that’s being able to find your favourite destinations or getting recommendations for what to watch,” said Sundar Pichai. The new privacy policy improvements will help the company to “keep less data by default”.
The latest default privacy features is for “new” Google users, the company said.
Existing users can opt to auto-delete their data every three or 18 months. This old setting has not been updated, however, existing users can also chose the new privacy feature if they wish, according to the company.
"We don't want to force a setting change to existing users and without their permission," Google told The National in an emailed statement.
“However, we will be actively reminding everyone with a Google account about the [new] auto-delete options through in-product notifications and emails, so they can make the choice that’s right for them.”
Here is how the new privacy feature works:
When new users turn on the location history – which is not activated by default - their auto-delete option will be set to 18 months. The web and app research auto-delete will also be set to 18 months for new accounts, meaning their activity data will be automatically deleted after that period. Google users can also turn off these settings if they wish.
The move is the latest effort by Google to boost users’ confidence after it faced hefty fines for violating privacy regulations in the past.
Last September, it agreed to pay a $170 million (Dh624m) fine to settle charges that it illegally collected and shared data from children on its YouTube video service without the consent of parents.
The company was also fined nearly $57m, in January last year, by French regulators for violating Europe’s data-privacy rules.
“Privacy is at the heart of everything we do … we don’t sell your information to anyone and we don’t use information in apps where you primarily store personal content,” said Mr Pichai.
“As we design our products, we focus on three important principles - keeping your information safe, treating it responsibly and putting you in control.”
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY
Starting at 10am:
Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang
Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)
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Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
