Google has announced a new "Timelapse" feature for Google Earth in which people can see four decades of planetary change.&nbsp;

For doing this, Google has used 24 million satellite photos from the last 37 years.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/instagram-launches-experiment-to-hide-likes-377629">Instagram launches experiment to hide 'likes'</a>

"Our planet has seen rapid environmental change in the past half-century -- more than any other point in human history. The new Timelapse feature in Google Earth compiles 24 million satellite photos from the past 37 years into an interactive 4D experience," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Thursday as quoted by news agency PTI.&nbsp;

"For the first time, we'll put a vivid depiction of our rapidly changing planet into the hands of everyone, everywhere," Rebecca Moore director of Google Earth, Earth Engine, and outreach said in a news conference.

She called this the biggest update to Google Earth since 2017 and with this people can see the Earth in a completely new dimension.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-ai-chief-samy-bengio-resigns-over-colleagues-firing-and-racial-discrimination-375828">Google AI chief Samy Bengio resigns over colleagues' firing and racial discrimination</a>

Timelapse, she said, was made possible due to the US government and European Union commitments to open and accessible data.&nbsp;

NASA, US Geological Survey, European Commission, and the European Space Agency, provided Google Earth with the images.&nbsp;

"We like to say if Google maps is about finding your way, Google Earth has been about getting lost and we've focused on creating the most realistic digital representation of the planet that's ever been put into the hands of the public with features that entertain people and enlighten people," the Google Earth director said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Google has announced a new "Timelapse" feature for Google Earth in which people can see four decades of planetary change. For doing this, Google has used 24 million satellite photos from the last 37 years.

Google has announced a new "Timelapse" feature for Google Earth in which people can see four decades of planetary change. For doing this, Google has used 24 million satellite photos from the last 37 years. Also read | Instagram launches experiment to hide 'likes' "Our planet has seen rapid environmental change in the past half-century -- more than any other point in human history. The new Timelapse feature in Google Earth compiles 24 million satellite photos from the past 37 years into an interactive 4D experience," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Thursday as quoted by news agency PTI. "For the first time, we'll put a vivid depiction of our rapidly changing planet into the hands of everyone, everywhere," Rebecca Moore director of Google Earth, Earth Engine, and outreach said in a news conference. She called this the biggest update to Google Earth since 2017 and with this people can see the Earth in a completely new dimension. Also read | Google AI chief Samy Bengio resigns over colleagues' firing and racial discrimination Timelapse, she said, was made possible due to the US government and European Union commitments to open and accessible data. NASA, US Geological Survey, European Commission, and the European Space Agency, provided Google Earth with the images. "We like to say if Google maps is about finding your way, Google Earth has been about getting lost and we've focused on creating the most realistic digital representation of the planet that's ever been put into the hands of the public with features that entertain people and enlighten people," the Google Earth director said. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, experience 4 decades of planetary changes as Google Earth unveils 'Timelapse' feature

Lawmakers grilled the leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Thursday about the connection between online disinformation and the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, causing Twitter’s CEO to publicly admit for the first time that his product had played a role in the events that left five people dead.

When a Democratic lawmaker asked the executives to answer with a “yes” or a “no” whether the platforms bore some responsibility for the misinformation that had contributed to the riot, Jack Dorsey of Twitter said “yes.” Neither Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook nor Sundar Pichai of Google would answer the question directly.

The roughly five-hour hearing before a House committee marked the first time lawmakers directly questioned the CEOs regarding social media’s role in the January riot. The tech bosses were also peppered with questions about how their companies helped spread falsehoods around COVID-19 vaccines, enable racism and hurt children’s mental health.

It was also the first time the executives had testified since President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Tough questioning from lawmakers signaled that scrutiny of Silicon Valley’s business practices would not let up, and could even intensify, with Democrats in the White House and leading both chambers of Congress.

The CEOs have become Capitol Hill regulars in recent years. Zuckerberg has testified seven times since 2018. Dorsey has appeared five times and Pichai has testified four times since then. But these hearings, regarding disinformation, antitrust and data privacy, have not led to regulations. Though there is bipartisan animus toward the companies, there is still little agreement on how specifically to hold the internet giants to account. Dozens of privacy, speech and antitrust bills have gone nowhere in the past few years.

“It will be very challenging to translate these concerns into legislation,” said Alexandra Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a tech think tank.

At the heart of the hearing were questions about whether the companies had a financial incentive to keep users engaged — and clicking on ads — by feeding them divisive, extreme and hateful content. Lawmakers from both parties said Congress should reconsider a law that shields the platforms from lawsuits over content posted by their users.

“You’re not passive bystanders,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “You’re making money.”

Lawmakers, who compared the business practices of social media companies to tobacco and alcohol companies, grew frustrated at times with what they said was the executives’ evasiveness.

Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., asked the tech CEOs to answer yes or no: Did their platforms contribute to the spread of misinformation before the riot?

Zuckerberg and Pichai dodged the question. Dorsey was more direct.

“Yes,” he said. “But you also have to take into consideration the broader ecosystem. It’s not just about the technology platforms we use.”

Doyle pressed the other executives.

“How is it possible for you not to at least admit that Facebook played a leading role in facilitating the recruitment, planning and execution of the attack on the Capitol?” he asked Zuckerberg.

“I think that the responsibility here lies with the people who took the actions to break the law and do the insurrection,” Zuckerberg said. He added that people who spread the misinformation bore responsibility as well.

“But your platforms supercharged that,” Doyle said.

Later, while still participating in the videoconference hearing, Dorsey tweeted a single question mark with a poll that had two options: “Yes” or “No.” When asked about his tweet by a lawmaker, he said “yes” was winning.

The January riot at the Capitol has made the issue of disinformation deeply personal for lawmakers. The riot was fueled by false claims from President Donald Trump and others that the election had been stolen, which were rampant on social media.

Some of the participants had connections to QAnon and other online conspiracy theories. And prosecutors have said that groups involved in the riot, including the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, coordinated some of their actions on social media.

Lawmakers also criticized the platforms for the way they have enabled the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccines for COVID-19. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who represents part of Silicon Valley, told Dorsey that Twitter should “eliminate all COVID misinformation — and not label or reduce its spread, but remove it.”

Republicans criticized the companies for the amplification of toxic content that particularly harmed children. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said social media was her “greatest fear” as a parent. “I’ve monitored where your algorithms lead them. It’s frightening. I know I’m not alone,” Rodgers said.

The Republican members also focused on decisions by the social media platforms to ban Trump and his associates after the Jan. 6 riots. The bans hardened views by conservatives that the companies are left-leaning and are inclined to squelch conservative voices.

“We’re all aware of Big Tech’s ever-increasing censorship of conservative voices and their commitment to serve the radical progressive agenda,” said Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio, the ranking Republican on the panel’s technology subcommittee.

The company leaders defended their businesses, saying they had invested heavily in hiring content moderators and in technology like artificial intelligence, used to identify and fight disinformation.

Zuckerberg argued against the notion that his company had a financial incentive to juice its users’ attention by driving them toward more extreme content. He said Facebook didn’t design “algorithms in order to just kind of try to tweak and optimize and get people to spend every last minute on our service.”

He added later in the hearing that elections disinformation was spread in messaging apps, where amplification and algorithms don’t aid in spread of false content. He also blamed television and other traditional media for spreading election lies.

The companies showed fissures in their view on regulations. Facebook has vocally supported internet regulations in a major advertising blitz on television and in newspapers. In the hearing, Zuckerberg suggested specific regulatory reforms to a key legal shield, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, that has helped Facebook and other Silicon Valley internet giants thrive.

The legal shield protects companies that host and moderate third-party content, and says companies like Google and Twitter are simply intermediaries of their user-generated content. Democrats have argued that with that protection, companies aren’t motivated to remove disinformation. Republicans accuse the companies of using the shield to moderate too much and to take down content that doesn’t represent their political viewpoints.

“I believe that Section 230 would benefit from thoughtful changes to make it work better for people,” Zuckerberg said in the statement.

He proposed that liability protection for companies be conditional on their ability to fight the spread of certain types of unlawful content. He said platforms should be required to demonstrate that they have systems in place for identifying unlawful content and removing it. Reforms, he said, should be different for smaller social networks, which wouldn’t have the same resources like Facebook to meet new requirements.

Pichai and Dorsey said they supported requirements of transparency in content moderation but fell short of agreeing with Zuckerberg’s other ideas. Dorsey said that it would be very difficult to distinguish a large platform from a smaller one.

Lawmakers did not appear to be won over.

“There’s a lot of smugness among you,” said Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. “There’s this air of untouchable-ness in your responses to many of the tough questions that you’re being asked.” 
&nbsp;

Lawmakers grilled the leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Thursday about the connection between online disinformation and the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, causing Twitter’s CEO to publicly admit for the first time that his product had played a role in the events that left five people dead.

Lawmakers grilled the leaders of Facebook, Google and Twitter on Thursday about the connection between online disinformation and the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, causing Twitter’s CEO to publicly admit for the first time that his product had played a role in the events that left five people dead. When a Democratic lawmaker asked the executives to answer with a “yes” or a “no” whether the platforms bore some responsibility for the misinformation that had contributed to the riot, Jack Dorsey of Twitter said “yes.” Neither Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook nor Sundar Pichai of Google would answer the question directly. The roughly five-hour hearing before a House committee marked the first time lawmakers directly questioned the CEOs regarding social media’s role in the January riot. The tech bosses were also peppered with questions about how their companies helped spread falsehoods around COVID-19 vaccines, enable racism and hurt children’s mental health. It was also the first time the executives had testified since President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Tough questioning from lawmakers signaled that scrutiny of Silicon Valley’s business practices would not let up, and could even intensify, with Democrats in the White House and leading both chambers of Congress. The CEOs have become Capitol Hill regulars in recent years. Zuckerberg has testified seven times since 2018. Dorsey has appeared five times and Pichai has testified four times since then. But these hearings, regarding disinformation, antitrust and data privacy, have not led to regulations. Though there is bipartisan animus toward the companies, there is still little agreement on how specifically to hold the internet giants to account. Dozens of privacy, speech and antitrust bills have gone nowhere in the past few years. “It will be very challenging to translate these concerns into legislation,” said Alexandra Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, a tech think tank. At the heart of the hearing were questions about whether the companies had a financial incentive to keep users engaged — and clicking on ads — by feeding them divisive, extreme and hateful content. Lawmakers from both parties said Congress should reconsider a law that shields the platforms from lawsuits over content posted by their users. “You’re not passive bystanders,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “You’re making money.” Lawmakers, who compared the business practices of social media companies to tobacco and alcohol companies, grew frustrated at times with what they said was the executives’ evasiveness. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., asked the tech CEOs to answer yes or no: Did their platforms contribute to the spread of misinformation before the riot? Zuckerberg and Pichai dodged the question. Dorsey was more direct. “Yes,” he said. “But you also have to take into consideration the broader ecosystem. It’s not just about the technology platforms we use.” Doyle pressed the other executives. “How is it possible for you not to at least admit that Facebook played a leading role in facilitating the recruitment, planning and execution of the attack on the Capitol?” he asked Zuckerberg. “I think that the responsibility here lies with the people who took the actions to break the law and do the insurrection,” Zuckerberg said. He added that people who spread the misinformation bore responsibility as well. “But your platforms supercharged that,” Doyle said. Later, while still participating in the videoconference hearing, Dorsey tweeted a single question mark with a poll that had two options: “Yes” or “No.” When asked about his tweet by a lawmaker, he said “yes” was winning. The January riot at the Capitol has made the issue of disinformation deeply personal for lawmakers. The riot was fueled by false claims from President Donald Trump and others that the election had been stolen, which were rampant on social media. Some of the participants had connections to QAnon and other online conspiracy theories. And prosecutors have said that groups involved in the riot, including the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, coordinated some of their actions on social media. Lawmakers also criticized the platforms for the way they have enabled the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccines for COVID-19. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who represents part of Silicon Valley, told Dorsey that Twitter should “eliminate all COVID misinformation — and not label or reduce its spread, but remove it.” Republicans criticized the companies for the amplification of toxic content that particularly harmed children. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said social media was her “greatest fear” as a parent. “I’ve monitored where your algorithms lead them. It’s frightening. I know I’m not alone,” Rodgers said. The Republican members also focused on decisions by the social media platforms to ban Trump and his associates after the Jan. 6 riots. The bans hardened views by conservatives that the companies are left-leaning and are inclined to squelch conservative voices. “We’re all aware of Big Tech’s ever-increasing censorship of conservative voices and their commitment to serve the radical progressive agenda,” said Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio, the ranking Republican on the panel’s technology subcommittee. The company leaders defended their businesses, saying they had invested heavily in hiring content moderators and in technology like artificial intelligence, used to identify and fight disinformation. Zuckerberg argued against the notion that his company had a financial incentive to juice its users’ attention by driving them toward more extreme content. He said Facebook didn’t design “algorithms in order to just kind of try to tweak and optimize and get people to spend every last minute on our service.” He added later in the hearing that elections disinformation was spread in messaging apps, where amplification and algorithms don’t aid in spread of false content. He also blamed television and other traditional media for spreading election lies. The companies showed fissures in their view on regulations. Facebook has vocally supported internet regulations in a major advertising blitz on television and in newspapers. In the hearing, Zuckerberg suggested specific regulatory reforms to a key legal shield, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, that has helped Facebook and other Silicon Valley internet giants thrive. The legal shield protects companies that host and moderate third-party content, and says companies like Google and Twitter are simply intermediaries of their user-generated content. Democrats have argued that with that protection, companies aren’t motivated to remove disinformation. Republicans accuse the companies of using the shield to moderate too much and to take down content that doesn’t represent their political viewpoints. “I believe that Section 230 would benefit from thoughtful changes to make it work better for people,” Zuckerberg said in the statement. He proposed that liability protection for companies be conditional on their ability to fight the spread of certain types of unlawful content. He said platforms should be required to demonstrate that they have systems in place for identifying unlawful content and removing it. Reforms, he said, should be different for smaller social networks, which wouldn’t have the same resources like Facebook to meet new requirements. Pichai and Dorsey said they supported requirements of transparency in content moderation but fell short of agreeing with Zuckerberg’s other ideas. Dorsey said that it would be very difficult to distinguish a large platform from a smaller one. Lawmakers did not appear to be won over. “There’s a lot of smugness among you,” said Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. “There’s this air of untouchable-ness in your responses to many of the tough questions that you’re being asked.”

US lawmakers grill tech CEOs on Capitol riot, getting few direct answers

Alphabet Inc's&nbsp;Google has unveiled a&nbsp;$25 million global grant to non-profits and social enterprises globally, including in India, that are working on empowering girls and women.

The company, which has committed support of one million rural women entrepreneurs in India, also stated that its Internet Saathi digital literacy training programme has benefitted over 30 million women across the country.

Google's&nbsp;new Impact Challenge, a philanthropic initiative was unveiled on International Women`s Day by the company's CEO&nbsp;Sundar Pichai.

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the technology giant, is aimed at addressing systemic barriers and inequities so that women have access to economic equality, the opportunity to build financial independence, and pursue entrepreneurism, said Google chief executive Sundar Pichai at a virtual event.

"We are announcing a new commitment to allow 1 million women in the rural villages to become entrepreneurs, through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship," he added.

"In India, in the past few years, we have invested more than USD 40 million alongside the entrepreneurs, the innovators, the non-profits who are doing amazing work. We announced another million-dollar initiative building on that work, in particular, to help to acquire&nbsp;digital skills to those who are most vulnerable, including women," Jacquelline Fuller, Vice President at Google and President of Google.Org, said in a virtual briefing.

She added that one of the first initiatives under that effort is led by the NASSCOM Foundation, wherein the organisation is getting a $500,000 grant from Google.Org to support one lakh women agricultural workers.

"Whatever these teams need, we are going to be alongside them and help carry out their vision," said Jacquelline Fuller, President of Google.org, at the event.

The company said it will accept applications from teams worldwide until April 9.

Fuller also announced that Google.org is going to invest an additional $1 million to help underserved women in India. Even as India is the world`s second-largest internet market, women make up a small percentage of online users in the country.

Five years ago, Google launched a program called `Internet Saathi` to bring internet literacy to women in rural parts of India. The company said the program, for which it collaborated with Indian conglomerate Tata, significantly helped improve women`s participation on the Indian internet.

Four of 10 internet users in rural India are now women, said Google, up from one in 10 in 2015. The company, citing its own research, said the Internet Saathi program benefited more than 30 million women in India and that it`s now concluding the program to focus on other efforts to continue this mission.

Sapna Chadha, Senior Country Marketing Director at Google India and Southeast Asia, said based on learnings from the Internet Saathi program, the company has launched the Women Will web platform that will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programmes for rural women entrepreneurs.

Alphabet Inc's Google has unveiled a $25 million global grant to non-profits and social enterprises globally, including in India, that are working on empowering girls and women.

Alphabet Inc's Google has unveiled a $25 million global grant to non-profits and social enterprises globally, including in India, that are working on empowering girls and women. The company, which has committed support of one million rural women entrepreneurs in India, also stated that its Internet Saathi digital literacy training programme has benefitted over 30 million women across the country. Google's new Impact Challenge, a philanthropic initiative was unveiled on International Women`s Day by the company's CEO Sundar Pichai. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the technology giant, is aimed at addressing systemic barriers and inequities so that women have access to economic equality, the opportunity to build financial independence, and pursue entrepreneurism, said Google chief executive Sundar Pichai at a virtual event. "We are announcing a new commitment to allow 1 million women in the rural villages to become entrepreneurs, through business tutorials, tools, and mentorship," he added. "In India, in the past few years, we have invested more than USD 40 million alongside the entrepreneurs, the innovators, the non-profits who are doing amazing work. We announced another million-dollar initiative building on that work, in particular, to help to acquire digital skills to those who are most vulnerable, including women," Jacquelline Fuller, Vice President at Google and President of Google.Org, said in a virtual briefing. She added that one of the first initiatives under that effort is led by the NASSCOM Foundation, wherein the organisation is getting a $500,000 grant from Google.Org to support one lakh women agricultural workers. "Whatever these teams need, we are going to be alongside them and help carry out their vision," said Jacquelline Fuller, President of Google.org, at the event. The company said it will accept applications from teams worldwide until April 9. Fuller also announced that Google.org is going to invest an additional $1 million to help underserved women in India. Even as India is the world`s second-largest internet market, women make up a small percentage of online users in the country. Five years ago, Google launched a program called `Internet Saathi` to bring internet literacy to women in rural parts of India. The company said the program, for which it collaborated with Indian conglomerate Tata, significantly helped improve women`s participation on the Indian internet. Four of 10 internet users in rural India are now women, said Google, up from one in 10 in 2015. The company, citing its own research, said the Internet Saathi program benefited more than 30 million women in India and that it`s now concluding the program to focus on other efforts to continue this mission. Sapna Chadha, Senior Country Marketing Director at Google India and Southeast Asia, said based on learnings from the Internet Saathi program, the company has launched the Women Will web platform that will be complemented by community support, mentorship and accelerator programmes for rural women entrepreneurs.

Google to provide $25 million to social enterprises working on women empowerment

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/australia-and-new-zealand">Australian</a> media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation.

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai had made "great progress" in resolving a standoff being closely watched around the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/microsoft-says-it-supports-australias-plans-to-make-google-pay-for-news-361044">Microsoft says it supports Australia's plans to make Google pay for news</a>

Australia is poised to adopt legislation that would force digital companies to pay for news content, something that would create a global precedent and, according to Facebook and Google, wreck the way the internet works.

The companies have threatened to partially withdraw services from the country if the rules become law, sparking a war of words with Canberra.

But that disagreement appeared to ease Monday, with Frydenberg telling public broadcaster ABC talks with the companies "made great progress over the course of the weekend".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-to-launch-smartwatch-with-messaging-fitness-features-363611">Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features</a>

"I think we're very close to some very significant commercial deals," he said, "and in doing so that will transform the domestic media landscape."

The agreements could be enough to see Facebook and Google avoid the most severe parts of the legislation -- including binding arbitration to ensure they are not using their online advertising duopoly to dictate terms in deals with media companies.

Following Frydenberg's remarks, SevenWest Media, owner of broadcaster 7NEWS and The West Australian newspaper, announced Monday a new agreement for its content to be hosted on Google's News Showcase product.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the first major deal with a large Australian news organisation was worth more than Aus$30 million (US$23 million) a year.

SevenWest chairman Kerry Stokes said it was a "great outcome" and hailed the government's work on its news media bargaining code as "instrumental in the outcome of this ground-breaking agreement".

The firm will join several smaller local publishers on News Showcase, which Google said had received more than one million views since launching in Australia eight days ago.

Frydenberg's comments suggest major Australian media organisations, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Nine Entertainment, could be close to reaching similar deals.

A Google spokesman said the company was in discussions with publishers both "large and small" while a Facebook spokesperson said the firm had been negotiating to "land commercial deals that reflect the commercial value of news content on our platform".

News groups worldwide have seen their businesses ravaged by the loss of advertising dollars that once flowed to their newspapers but are now overwhelmingly captured by the big digital platforms.

Thousands of journalists' jobs have been lost and numerous outlets forced to close in Australia alone over the past decade.

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major Australian media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation.

Google and Facebook are "very close" to deals with major Australian media to pay for news, a top government official said Monday, as the tech giants scramble to avoid landmark regulation. Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said talks with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai had made "great progress" in resolving a standoff being closely watched around the world. Also read| Microsoft says it supports Australia's plans to make Google pay for news Australia is poised to adopt legislation that would force digital companies to pay for news content, something that would create a global precedent and, according to Facebook and Google, wreck the way the internet works. The companies have threatened to partially withdraw services from the country if the rules become law, sparking a war of words with Canberra. But that disagreement appeared to ease Monday, with Frydenberg telling public broadcaster ABC talks with the companies "made great progress over the course of the weekend". Also read| Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features "I think we're very close to some very significant commercial deals," he said, "and in doing so that will transform the domestic media landscape." The agreements could be enough to see Facebook and Google avoid the most severe parts of the legislation -- including binding arbitration to ensure they are not using their online advertising duopoly to dictate terms in deals with media companies. Following Frydenberg's remarks, SevenWest Media, owner of broadcaster 7NEWS and The West Australian newspaper, announced Monday a new agreement for its content to be hosted on Google's News Showcase product. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the first major deal with a large Australian news organisation was worth more than Aus$30 million (US$23 million) a year. SevenWest chairman Kerry Stokes said it was a "great outcome" and hailed the government's work on its news media bargaining code as "instrumental in the outcome of this ground-breaking agreement". The firm will join several smaller local publishers on News Showcase, which Google said had received more than one million views since launching in Australia eight days ago. Frydenberg's comments suggest major Australian media organisations, such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Nine Entertainment, could be close to reaching similar deals. A Google spokesman said the company was in discussions with publishers both "large and small" while a Facebook spokesperson said the firm had been negotiating to "land commercial deals that reflect the commercial value of news content on our platform". News groups worldwide have seen their businesses ravaged by the loss of advertising dollars that once flowed to their newspapers but are now overwhelmingly captured by the big digital platforms. Thousands of journalists' jobs have been lost and numerous outlets forced to close in Australia alone over the past decade.

Google and Facebook 'close' to deals with Australian media

Several top executives and prominent figures around the world have been sending congratulatory messages to Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy via Twitter after the former announced he will stand aside as chief executive. Bezos will take up the role of executive chair in the third quarter and hand over the CEO role to Jassy, who currently heads Amazon Web Services.&nbsp;

Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and others have congratulated Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his successor Andy Jassy on their new roles on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-ceo-jeff-bezos-to-step-down-360973">Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to step down</a>

In a communique to Amazon employees, Bezos said, he would 'stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives' but would pivot towards philanthropic initiatives, including the Day One Fund and Bezos Earth Fund, and other ventures in space exploration and journalism.&nbsp;

Pichai sent his best wishes for the two passion projects of the outgoing Amazon CEO, namely the Day One Fund and the Bezos Earth Fund.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meet-andy-jassy-next-amazon-ceo-after-jeff-bezos-361003" hreflang="en">Meet Andy Jassy, next Amazon CEO after Jeff Bezos</a>

Noting Jassy's accomplishments, Nadella said, "a well-deserved recognition of what you have accomplished." Benioff also took to Twitter to say, Amazon 'could not be in better hands’.&nbsp;

Bezos, 57, founded Amazon in his garage in 1994. He went on to grow it into a colossus, which dominates online retail, with operations in streaming music and television, robotics, artificial intelligence, groceries, cloud computing, and more.&nbsp;

In 1997, Jassy joined Amazon as a marketing manager and in 2003, he founded AWS, the cloud services division of the tech giant, which has been one of the most profitable, yet least-known units of the company.&nbsp;

Several top executives and prominent figures around the world have been sending congratulatory messages to Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy via Twitter after the former announced he will stand aside as chief executive.

Several top executives and prominent figures around the world have been sending congratulatory messages to Jeff Bezos and Andy Jassy via Twitter after the former announced he will stand aside as chief executive. Bezos will take up the role of executive chair in the third quarter and hand over the CEO role to Jassy, who currently heads Amazon Web Services. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and others have congratulated Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his successor Andy Jassy on their new roles on Wednesday. Also read: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to step down In a communique to Amazon employees, Bezos said, he would 'stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives' but would pivot towards philanthropic initiatives, including the Day One Fund and Bezos Earth Fund, and other ventures in space exploration and journalism. Pichai sent his best wishes for the two passion projects of the outgoing Amazon CEO, namely the Day One Fund and the Bezos Earth Fund. Also read: Meet Andy Jassy, next Amazon CEO after Jeff Bezos Noting Jassy's accomplishments, Nadella said, "a well-deserved recognition of what you have accomplished." Benioff also took to Twitter to say, Amazon 'could not be in better hands’. Bezos, 57, founded Amazon in his garage in 1994. He went on to grow it into a colossus, which dominates online retail, with operations in streaming music and television, robotics, artificial intelligence, groceries, cloud computing, and more. In 1997, Jassy joined Amazon as a marketing manager and in 2003, he founded AWS, the cloud services division of the tech giant, which has been one of the most profitable, yet least-known units of the company.

Pichai, Nadella join bigwigs in congratulating Bezos, Jassy

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday stressed that growing up in India amid poor access to a computer or a phone set him on a course to build a more inclusive global digital economy and empower the next billion people. 
 
Speaking at the Singapore FinTech Festival, Pichai said that the question of inclusion and opportunity is deeply personal to him. 
 
"Growing up in India, I didn`t have much access to a computer, or a phone. To make a call, I had to wait in long lines to use a shared phone with everyone else. 
 
"So when our family finally got our first rotary phone, it changed our lives for the better, and it set me on a course to help bring technology to more people around the world," he emphasised. 
 
He said the digital inclusion can be achieved first by accelerating progress in closing the digital divide, which means expanding connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital skills. 
 
"Second, by deepening partnerships between governments and business, which means building on the new collaborations we`ve seen during Covid," he said. 
 
Pichai mentioned how Google Pay is helping India bridge the digital divide. 
 
The company launched Google Tez, now Google Pay in India in 2017. 
 
"At the time, my home country was still largely a cash-based society. Since then, digital payments services have helped reshape how transactions are made. They`ve increased financial inclusion by making payments simple and seamless for over a hundred million Indians," Pichai informed. 
 
"People are using Google Pay to do everything from send money home to their families and split the check for dinner. Kirana store owners are using it to pay their business expenses, as well as receive payments from their loyal customers". 
 
People in India complete more than three billion digital transactions a month, two thirds of which are taking place outside India`s biggest cities. 
 
Digital payment transactions across Southeast Asia are set to almost double to $1.2 trillion by 2025. 
 
"Now, we`re using the same technology to improve Google Pay globally, starting in Singapore and the US, with more to come," Pichai said.

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday stressed that growing up in India amid poor access to a computer or a phone set him on a course to build a more inclusive global digital economy and empower the next billion people.

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday stressed that growing up in India amid poor access to a computer or a phone set him on a course to build a more inclusive global digital economy and empower the next billion people. Speaking at the Singapore FinTech Festival, Pichai said that the question of inclusion and opportunity is deeply personal to him. "Growing up in India, I didn`t have much access to a computer, or a phone. To make a call, I had to wait in long lines to use a shared phone with everyone else. "So when our family finally got our first rotary phone, it changed our lives for the better, and it set me on a course to help bring technology to more people around the world," he emphasised. He said the digital inclusion can be achieved first by accelerating progress in closing the digital divide, which means expanding connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital skills. "Second, by deepening partnerships between governments and business, which means building on the new collaborations we`ve seen during Covid," he said. Pichai mentioned how Google Pay is helping India bridge the digital divide. The company launched Google Tez, now Google Pay in India in 2017. "At the time, my home country was still largely a cash-based society. Since then, digital payments services have helped reshape how transactions are made. They`ve increased financial inclusion by making payments simple and seamless for over a hundred million Indians," Pichai informed. "People are using Google Pay to do everything from send money home to their families and split the check for dinner. Kirana store owners are using it to pay their business expenses, as well as receive payments from their loyal customers". People in India complete more than three billion digital transactions a month, two thirds of which are taking place outside India`s biggest cities. Digital payment transactions across Southeast Asia are set to almost double to $1.2 trillion by 2025. "Now, we`re using the same technology to improve Google Pay globally, starting in Singapore and the US, with more to come," Pichai said.

Growing up in India made me build inclusive digital economy: Google's Pichai

As tech giants faced an intense hearing on Senate on Wednesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was in the centre to face the ire of conservative lawmakers.&nbsp;

"My concern is that these platforms have become powerful arbiters of what is true and what content users can access," said Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee, as quoted by the news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pick-eye-pish-eye-senators-struggle-to-pronounce-google-ceo-sundar-pichais-name-338710">'Pick Eye', 'Pish Eye': Senators struggle to pronounce Google CEO Sundar Pichai's name</a>

He said the panel had "dozens of examples of conservative content being censored," asking Dorsey on how Twitter decides to label or remove any post.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-hit-by-bad-connection-causes-delay-in-us-senate-hearing-338615">Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hit by 'bad connection', causes delay in US Senate hearing</a>

"Your platform allows foreign dictators to post propaganda without restriction yet your routinely restrict the president of the United States," the Republican senator said, referring to one post from China accusing the US military of bringing the coronavirus.

Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, came down heavily on Dorsey, even shouting at him at times and accusing Twitter of "silencing people" on speeches which it disagreed with.&nbsp;

He also rebuked Dorsey on Twitter's decision to restrict access to a New York Post story of questionable provenance that made corruption allegations against Joe Biden's son.

"Mr Dorsey who the hell elected you and put you in charge of what the media are allowed to report and what the American people are allowed to hear?" Cruz said.&nbsp;

Trump also endorsed in a tweet Republicans criticism during Senate as he faces a tough battle in the upcoming presidential election and accused social media giants to cover up "corruption" of Biden.&nbsp;

He also demanded "Repeal Section 230!", a section that protects social media organisations from content posted by the users.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As tech giants faced an intense hearing on Senate on Wednesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was in the centre to face the ire of conservative lawmakers. "My concern is that these platforms have become powerful arbiters of what is true and what content users can access," said Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee, as quoted by the news agency AFP.

As tech giants faced an intense hearing on Senate on Wednesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was in the centre to face the ire of conservative lawmakers. "My concern is that these platforms have become powerful arbiters of what is true and what content users can access," said Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee, as quoted by the news agency AFP. Also read | 'Pick Eye', 'Pish Eye': Senators struggle to pronounce Google CEO Sundar Pichai's name He said the panel had "dozens of examples of conservative content being censored," asking Dorsey on how Twitter decides to label or remove any post. Also read | Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hit by 'bad connection', causes delay in US Senate hearing "Your platform allows foreign dictators to post propaganda without restriction yet your routinely restrict the president of the United States," the Republican senator said, referring to one post from China accusing the US military of bringing the coronavirus. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, came down heavily on Dorsey, even shouting at him at times and accusing Twitter of "silencing people" on speeches which it disagreed with. He also rebuked Dorsey on Twitter's decision to restrict access to a New York Post story of questionable provenance that made corruption allegations against Joe Biden's son. "Mr Dorsey who the hell elected you and put you in charge of what the media are allowed to report and what the American people are allowed to hear?" Cruz said. Trump also endorsed in a tweet Republicans criticism during Senate as he faces a tough battle in the upcoming presidential election and accused social media giants to cover up "corruption" of Biden. He also demanded "Repeal Section 230!", a section that protects social media organisations from content posted by the users.

'Who the hell put you in charge?' Republicans lash out at tech giants during Senate debate

Despite testifying to the Capitol Hill three times, US senators still struggle to pronounce the name of Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet.&nbsp;

The Indian American CEO was a part of questioning on Wednesday along with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey, but senators found it hard to speak his name properly, including Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/facebook-google-and-microsoft-avoiding-3bn-in-tax-in-poorer-nations-338007#:~:text=Big%20US%20technology%20companies%20like,or%20instruction%20to%20their%20residents.">Facebook, Google and Microsoft avoiding $3bn in tax in poorer nations</a>

Lawmakers pronounced his name as "Mr Pick Eye," "Mr Pish Eye" among other incorrect usages, drawing flak from several social media users.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-hit-by-bad-connection-causes-delay-in-us-senate-hearing-338615">Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hit by 'bad connection', causes delay in US Senate hearing</a>

Pichai, who was born in Chennai, is head of the trillion-dollar company that is known as one of the most powerful in the field of tech.&nbsp;

Lexi Reese, chief operating officer of tech company Gusto, took to Twitter to ask lawmakers to pronounce his name correctly and even suggested a video on YouTube, owned by Google, to learn the correct way of speaking his name.&nbsp;

Though senators had no trouble in pronouncing Zuckerberg or Dorsey, Ron Johnson, a Republican senator, pronounced Zuckerberg once as "Mr, Zuckerman".

Meanwhile, Capitol Hill clashed with tech giants on Wednesday over legal protections and censorship on social media during a fiery hearing days before Election Day.

Dorsey, Zuckerberg and Pichai had been summoned to the Senate to testify to debate a law known as Section 230 that guards their platforms against liability over what their users share.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Despite testifying to the Capitol Hill three times, US senators still struggle to pronounce the name of Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet. The Indian American CEO was a part of questioning on Wednesday along with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey, but senators found it hard to speak his name properly, including Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Despite testifying to the Capitol Hill three times, US senators still struggle to pronounce the name of Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet. The Indian American CEO was a part of questioning on Wednesday along with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey, but senators found it hard to speak his name properly, including Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Also read | Facebook, Google and Microsoft avoiding $3bn in tax in poorer nations Lawmakers pronounced his name as "Mr Pick Eye," "Mr Pish Eye" among other incorrect usages, drawing flak from several social media users. Also read | Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hit by 'bad connection', causes delay in US Senate hearing Pichai, who was born in Chennai, is head of the trillion-dollar company that is known as one of the most powerful in the field of tech. Lexi Reese, chief operating officer of tech company Gusto, took to Twitter to ask lawmakers to pronounce his name correctly and even suggested a video on YouTube, owned by Google, to learn the correct way of speaking his name. Though senators had no trouble in pronouncing Zuckerberg or Dorsey, Ron Johnson, a Republican senator, pronounced Zuckerberg once as "Mr, Zuckerman". Meanwhile, Capitol Hill clashed with tech giants on Wednesday over legal protections and censorship on social media during a fiery hearing days before Election Day. Dorsey, Zuckerberg and Pichai had been summoned to the Senate to testify to debate a law known as Section 230 that guards their platforms against liability over what their users share.

'Pick Eye', 'Pish Eye': Senators struggle to pronounce Google CEO Sundar Pichai's name

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley.

As the two men sipped red wine at a window table inside the restaurant in Palo Alto, their companies were in tense negotiations to renew one of the most lucrative business deals in history: an agreement to feature Google’s search engine as the preselected choice on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. The updated deal was worth billions of dollars to both companies and cemented their status at the top of the tech industry’s pecking order.

Now the partnership is in jeopardy. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit against Google — the U.S. government’s biggest antitrust case in two decades — and homed in on the alliance as a prime example of what prosecutors say are the company’s illegal tactics to protect its monopoly and choke off competition in web search.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-zuckerberg-twitters-dorsey-to-testify-before-us-senate-panel-after-us-election-337677">Also read|&nbsp;Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election</a>

The scrutiny of the pact, which was first inked 15 years ago and has rarely been discussed by either company, has highlighted the special relationship between Silicon Valley’s two most valuable companies — an unlikely union of rivals that regulators say is unfairly preventing smaller companies from flourishing.

“We have this sort of strange term in Silicon Valley: co-optation,” said Bruce Sewell, Apple’s general counsel from 2009 to 2017. “You have brutal competition, but at the same time, you have necessary cooperation.”

Apple and Google are joined at the hip, even though Cook has said internet advertising, Google’s bread and butter, engages in “surveillance” of consumers and even though Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, once promised “thermonuclear war” on his Silicon Valley neighbor when he learned it was working on a rival to the iPhone.

Apple and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, worth more than $3 trillion combined, do compete on plenty of fronts, like smartphones, digital maps and laptops. But they also know how to make nice when it suits their interests. And few deals have been nicer to both sides of the table than the iPhone search deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-loss-joe-biden-breaks-television-spending-record-week-before-us-election-2020-337663">Also read|&nbsp;Trump's loss: Joe Biden breaks television spending record week before US Election 2020</a>

Nearly half of Google’s search traffic now comes from Apple devices, according to the Justice Department, and the prospect of losing the Apple deal has been described as a “code red” scenario inside the company. When iPhone users search on Google, they see the search ads that drive Google’s business. They can also find their way to other Google products, like YouTube.

A former Google executive, who asked not to be identified because he was not permitted to talk about the deal, said the prospect of losing Apple’s traffic was “terrifying” to the company.

The Justice Department, which is asking for a court injunction preventing Google from entering into deals like the one it made with Apple, argues that the arrangement has unfairly helped make Google, which handles 92% of the world’s internet searches, the center of consumers’ online lives.

Online businesses like Yelp and Expedia as well as companies ranging from noodle shops to news organizations often complain that Google’s search domination enables it to charge advertising fees when people simply look up their names, as well as to steer consumers toward its own products, like Google Maps. Microsoft, which had its own antitrust battle two decades ago, has told British regulators that if it were the default option on iPhones and iPads, it would make more advertising money for every search on its rival search engine, Bing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-calls-out-mark-zuckerberg-asks-to-stop-spreading-misinformation-328628">Also read|&nbsp;Selena Gomez calls out Mark Zuckerberg, asks to stop spreading misinformation</a>

What’s more, competitors like DuckDuckGo, a small search engine that sells itself as a privacy-focused alternative to Google, could never match Google’s tab with Apple.

Apple now receives an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion in annual payments — up from $1 billion a year in 2014 — in exchange for building Google’s search engine into its products. It is probably the single biggest payment that Google makes to anyone and accounts for 14% to 21% of Apple’s annual profits. That’s not money Apple would be eager to walk away from.

In fact, Cook and Pichai met again in 2018 to discuss how they could increase revenue from search. After the meeting, a senior Apple employee wrote to a Google counterpart that “our vision is that we work as if we are one company,” according to the Justice Department’s complaint.

A forced breakup could mean the loss of easy money to Apple. But it would be a more significant threat to Google, which would have no obvious way to replace the lost traffic. It could also push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine. Within Google, people believe that Apple is one of the few companies in the world that could offer a formidable alternative, according to one former executive. Google has also worried that without the agreement, Apple could make it more difficult for iPhone users to get to the Google search engine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/streaming-service-quibi-to-wind-down-operations-six-months-after-launch-337040">Also read|&nbsp;Streaming service Quibi to wind down operations six months after launch</a>

A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the partnership, while a Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post in which the company defended the relationship.

Even though its bill with Apple keeps going up, Google has said again and again that it dominates internet search because consumers prefer it, not because it is buying customers. The company argues that the Justice Department is painting an incomplete picture; its partnership with Apple, it says, is no different than Coca-Cola paying a supermarket for prominent shelf space.

Other search engines like Microsoft’s Bing also have revenue-sharing agreements with Apple to appear as secondary search options on iPhones, Google says in its defense. It adds that Apple allows people to change their default search engine from Google — though few probably do because people typically don’t tinker with such settings and many prefer Google anyway.

Apple has rarely, if ever, publicly acknowledged its deal with Google and, according to Bernstein Research, has mentioned its so-called licensing revenue in an earnings call for the first time this year.

According to a former senior executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality contracts, Apple’s leaders have made the same calculation about Google as much of the general public: The utility of its search engine is worth the cost of its invasive practices.

“Their search engine is the best,” Cook said when asked by Axios in late 2018 why he partnered with a company he also implicitly criticized. He added that Apple had also created ways to blunt Google’s collection of data, such as a private-browsing mode on Apple’s internet browser.

The deal is not limited to searches in Apple’s Safari browser; it extends to virtually all searches done on Apple devices, including with Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and on Google’s iPhone app and Chrome browser.

The relationship between the companies has swung from friendly to contentious to today’s “co-optation.” In the early years of Google, the company’s co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, saw Jobs as a mentor, and they would take long walks with him to discuss the future of technology.

In 2005, Apple and Google inked what at the time seemed like a modest deal: Google would be the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser on Mac computers.

Quickly, Cook, then still a deputy to Jobs, saw the arrangement’s lucrative potential, according to another former senior Apple executive who asked not to be named. Google’s payments were pure profit, and all Apple had to do was feature a search engine its users already wanted.

Apple expanded the deal for its big upcoming product: the iPhone. When Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he invited Eric Schmidt, Google’s then chief executive, to join him onstage for the first of Apple’s many famous iPhone events.

“If we just sort of merged the two companies, we could just call them AppleGoo,” joked Schmidt, who was also on Apple’s board of directors. With Google search on the iPhone, he added, “you can actually merge without merging.”

Then the relationship soured. Google had quietly been developing a competitor to the iPhone: smartphone software called Android that any phone-maker could use. Jobs was furious. In 2010, Apple sued a phone-maker that used Android. “I’m going to destroy Android,” Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to.”

A year later, Apple introduced Siri. Instead of Google underpinning the virtual assistant, it was Microsoft’s Bing.

Yet the companies’ partnership on iPhones continued — too lucrative for either side to blow it up. Apple had arranged the deal to require periodic renegotiations, according to a former senior executive, and each time, it extracted more money from Google.

“You have to be able to maintain those relationships and not burn a bridge,” said Sewell, Apple’s former general counsel, who declined to discuss specifics of the deal. “At the same time, when you’re negotiating on behalf of your company and you’re trying to get the best deal, then, you know, the gloves come off.”

Around 2017, the deal was up for renewal. Google was facing a squeeze, with clicks on its mobile ads not growing fast enough. Apple was not satisfied with Bing’s performance for Siri. And Cook had just announced that Apple aimed to double its services revenue to $50 billion by 2020, an ambitious goal that would be possible only with Google’s payments.

By the fall of 2017, Apple announced that Google was now helping Siri answer questions, and Google disclosed that its payments for search traffic had jumped. The company offered an anodyne explanation to part of the reason it was suddenly paying some unnamed company hundreds of millions of dollars more: “changes in partner agreements.”

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley.

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley. As the two men sipped red wine at a window table inside the restaurant in Palo Alto, their companies were in tense negotiations to renew one of the most lucrative business deals in history: an agreement to feature Google’s search engine as the preselected choice on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. The updated deal was worth billions of dollars to both companies and cemented their status at the top of the tech industry’s pecking order. Now the partnership is in jeopardy. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit against Google — the U.S. government’s biggest antitrust case in two decades — and homed in on the alliance as a prime example of what prosecutors say are the company’s illegal tactics to protect its monopoly and choke off competition in web search. Also read| Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election The scrutiny of the pact, which was first inked 15 years ago and has rarely been discussed by either company, has highlighted the special relationship between Silicon Valley’s two most valuable companies — an unlikely union of rivals that regulators say is unfairly preventing smaller companies from flourishing. “We have this sort of strange term in Silicon Valley: co-optation,” said Bruce Sewell, Apple’s general counsel from 2009 to 2017. “You have brutal competition, but at the same time, you have necessary cooperation.” Apple and Google are joined at the hip, even though Cook has said internet advertising, Google’s bread and butter, engages in “surveillance” of consumers and even though Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, once promised “thermonuclear war” on his Silicon Valley neighbor when he learned it was working on a rival to the iPhone. Apple and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, worth more than $3 trillion combined, do compete on plenty of fronts, like smartphones, digital maps and laptops. But they also know how to make nice when it suits their interests. And few deals have been nicer to both sides of the table than the iPhone search deal. Also read| Trump's loss: Joe Biden breaks television spending record week before US Election 2020 Nearly half of Google’s search traffic now comes from Apple devices, according to the Justice Department, and the prospect of losing the Apple deal has been described as a “code red” scenario inside the company. When iPhone users search on Google, they see the search ads that drive Google’s business. They can also find their way to other Google products, like YouTube. A former Google executive, who asked not to be identified because he was not permitted to talk about the deal, said the prospect of losing Apple’s traffic was “terrifying” to the company. The Justice Department, which is asking for a court injunction preventing Google from entering into deals like the one it made with Apple, argues that the arrangement has unfairly helped make Google, which handles 92% of the world’s internet searches, the center of consumers’ online lives. Online businesses like Yelp and Expedia as well as companies ranging from noodle shops to news organizations often complain that Google’s search domination enables it to charge advertising fees when people simply look up their names, as well as to steer consumers toward its own products, like Google Maps. Microsoft, which had its own antitrust battle two decades ago, has told British regulators that if it were the default option on iPhones and iPads, it would make more advertising money for every search on its rival search engine, Bing. Also read| Selena Gomez calls out Mark Zuckerberg, asks to stop spreading misinformation What’s more, competitors like DuckDuckGo, a small search engine that sells itself as a privacy-focused alternative to Google, could never match Google’s tab with Apple. Apple now receives an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion in annual payments — up from $1 billion a year in 2014 — in exchange for building Google’s search engine into its products. It is probably the single biggest payment that Google makes to anyone and accounts for 14% to 21% of Apple’s annual profits. That’s not money Apple would be eager to walk away from. In fact, Cook and Pichai met again in 2018 to discuss how they could increase revenue from search. After the meeting, a senior Apple employee wrote to a Google counterpart that “our vision is that we work as if we are one company,” according to the Justice Department’s complaint. A forced breakup could mean the loss of easy money to Apple. But it would be a more significant threat to Google, which would have no obvious way to replace the lost traffic. It could also push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine. Within Google, people believe that Apple is one of the few companies in the world that could offer a formidable alternative, according to one former executive. Google has also worried that without the agreement, Apple could make it more difficult for iPhone users to get to the Google search engine. Also read| Streaming service Quibi to wind down operations six months after launch A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the partnership, while a Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post in which the company defended the relationship. Even though its bill with Apple keeps going up, Google has said again and again that it dominates internet search because consumers prefer it, not because it is buying customers. The company argues that the Justice Department is painting an incomplete picture; its partnership with Apple, it says, is no different than Coca-Cola paying a supermarket for prominent shelf space. Other search engines like Microsoft’s Bing also have revenue-sharing agreements with Apple to appear as secondary search options on iPhones, Google says in its defense. It adds that Apple allows people to change their default search engine from Google — though few probably do because people typically don’t tinker with such settings and many prefer Google anyway. Apple has rarely, if ever, publicly acknowledged its deal with Google and, according to Bernstein Research, has mentioned its so-called licensing revenue in an earnings call for the first time this year. According to a former senior executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality contracts, Apple’s leaders have made the same calculation about Google as much of the general public: The utility of its search engine is worth the cost of its invasive practices. “Their search engine is the best,” Cook said when asked by Axios in late 2018 why he partnered with a company he also implicitly criticized. He added that Apple had also created ways to blunt Google’s collection of data, such as a private-browsing mode on Apple’s internet browser. The deal is not limited to searches in Apple’s Safari browser; it extends to virtually all searches done on Apple devices, including with Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and on Google’s iPhone app and Chrome browser. The relationship between the companies has swung from friendly to contentious to today’s “co-optation.” In the early years of Google, the company’s co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, saw Jobs as a mentor, and they would take long walks with him to discuss the future of technology. In 2005, Apple and Google inked what at the time seemed like a modest deal: Google would be the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser on Mac computers. Quickly, Cook, then still a deputy to Jobs, saw the arrangement’s lucrative potential, according to another former senior Apple executive who asked not to be named. Google’s payments were pure profit, and all Apple had to do was feature a search engine its users already wanted. Apple expanded the deal for its big upcoming product: the iPhone. When Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he invited Eric Schmidt, Google’s then chief executive, to join him onstage for the first of Apple’s many famous iPhone events. “If we just sort of merged the two companies, we could just call them AppleGoo,” joked Schmidt, who was also on Apple’s board of directors. With Google search on the iPhone, he added, “you can actually merge without merging.” Then the relationship soured. Google had quietly been developing a competitor to the iPhone: smartphone software called Android that any phone-maker could use. Jobs was furious. In 2010, Apple sued a phone-maker that used Android. “I’m going to destroy Android,” Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to.” A year later, Apple introduced Siri. Instead of Google underpinning the virtual assistant, it was Microsoft’s Bing. Yet the companies’ partnership on iPhones continued — too lucrative for either side to blow it up. Apple had arranged the deal to require periodic renegotiations, according to a former senior executive, and each time, it extracted more money from Google. “You have to be able to maintain those relationships and not burn a bridge,” said Sewell, Apple’s former general counsel, who declined to discuss specifics of the deal. “At the same time, when you’re negotiating on behalf of your company and you’re trying to get the best deal, then, you know, the gloves come off.” Around 2017, the deal was up for renewal. Google was facing a squeeze, with clicks on its mobile ads not growing fast enough. Apple was not satisfied with Bing’s performance for Siri. And Cook had just announced that Apple aimed to double its services revenue to $50 billion by 2020, an ambitious goal that would be possible only with Google’s payments. By the fall of 2017, Apple announced that Google was now helping Siri answer questions, and Google disclosed that its payments for search traffic had jumped. The company offered an anodyne explanation to part of the reason it was suddenly paying some unnamed company hundreds of millions of dollars more: “changes in partner agreements.”

Apple, Google and a deal that controls the internet

Bosses of tech giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google have declined to appear before a panel of US Senate, said a Republican Senator. The panel had unanimously voted on Thursday to summon Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Google's Sundar Pichai. They were to be questioned by the Commerce Committee of the US Senate on disinformation, online scams and a range of social ills.

"After extending an invitation to these executives, I regret that they have again declined to participate and answer questions on the record about issues that are so visible and urgent to the American people," said Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the panel.

Big tech platforms face heightened scrutiny on monopoly concerns. They are also on line for failing to stop the spread of hateful content.

"We have questioned how they are protecting and securing the data of millions of Americans, we've explored how they're combating disinformation fraud and other online scams, we've examined whether they are providing a safe and secure internet experience for children and teens," said Wicker.

Big Tech firms, including Amazon, Apple and Microsoft, have seen their economic power grow in recent years and accelerate during the coronavirus pandemic, dominating a range of economic sectors.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fumes-as-facebook-twitter-limit-reach-of-smoking-gun-article-on-biden-and-his-son-335344">Trump fumes as Facebook, Twitter limit reach of 'smoking gun' article on Biden and his son</a>

President Donald Trump and his allies have claimed tech platforms are biased against conservatives, despite his own vast social media following.

Democrats meanwhile have expressed concerns over monopoly abuses and the failure of social media to stem misinformation from Trump himself.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for changes to the legal liability shield of online services under a law known as Section 230, claiming the provision enables toxic and harmful content to proliferate.

Google and Facebook are also under scrutiny by federal and state antitrust regulators.

(With inputs from AFP)

Bosses of tech giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google have declined to appear before a panel of US Senate, said a Republican Senator. The panel had unanimously voted on Thursday to summon Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Google's Sundar Pichai.

Bosses of tech giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google have declined to appear before a panel of US Senate, said a Republican Senator. The panel had unanimously voted on Thursday to summon Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Google's Sundar Pichai. They were to be questioned by the Commerce Committee of the US Senate on disinformation, online scams and a range of social ills. "After extending an invitation to these executives, I regret that they have again declined to participate and answer questions on the record about issues that are so visible and urgent to the American people," said Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the panel. Big tech platforms face heightened scrutiny on monopoly concerns. They are also on line for failing to stop the spread of hateful content. "We have questioned how they are protecting and securing the data of millions of Americans, we've explored how they're combating disinformation fraud and other online scams, we've examined whether they are providing a safe and secure internet experience for children and teens," said Wicker. Big Tech firms, including Amazon, Apple and Microsoft, have seen their economic power grow in recent years and accelerate during the coronavirus pandemic, dominating a range of economic sectors. Also Read | Trump fumes as Facebook, Twitter limit reach of 'smoking gun' article on Biden and his son President Donald Trump and his allies have claimed tech platforms are biased against conservatives, despite his own vast social media following. Democrats meanwhile have expressed concerns over monopoly abuses and the failure of social media to stem misinformation from Trump himself. Lawmakers from both parties have called for changes to the legal liability shield of online services under a law known as Section 230, claiming the provision enables toxic and harmful content to proliferate. Google and Facebook are also under scrutiny by federal and state antitrust regulators. (With inputs from AFP)

Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai decline to appear before US Senate

Facebook's executives are fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission on an antitrust fact-finding mission. CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days this week, news website Politico reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the case.

"We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have," a Facebook spokesperson said, declining to confirm whether Zuckerberg gave testimony, on Thursday.

FTC investigations do no always lead to lawsuits.

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Last month Zuckerberg plus CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google were grilled for more than five hours in an unprecedented joint appearance -- by video -- before a House of Representatives panel investigating market dominance.

The head of a US congressional antitrust committee contended that the companies are too powerful and will likely emerge from the coronavirus pandemic even stronger.

Whether it's through self-preferencing, predatory pricing, or requiring users to buy additional products, the dominant platforms have wielded their power in destructive, harmful ways in order to expand, he said.

Facebook's executives are fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission on an antitrust fact-finding mission. CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days this week, news website Politico reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the case.

Facebook's executives are fielding questions from the US Federal Trade Commission on an antitrust fact-finding mission. CEO Mark Zuckerberg answered FTC queries under oath remotely over the course of two days this week, news website Politico reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the case. "We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have," a Facebook spokesperson said, declining to confirm whether Zuckerberg gave testimony, on Thursday. FTC investigations do no always lead to lawsuits. × Last month Zuckerberg plus CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google were grilled for more than five hours in an unprecedented joint appearance -- by video -- before a House of Representatives panel investigating market dominance. The head of a US congressional antitrust committee contended that the companies are too powerful and will likely emerge from the coronavirus pandemic even stronger. Whether it's through self-preferencing, predatory pricing, or requiring users to buy additional products, the dominant platforms have wielded their power in destructive, harmful ways in order to expand, he said.

Facebook says it's fielding questions by US regulators

58 Indian-origin CEOs account for $1 trillion in revenue, employ over 3.6 million globally

Four of the most powerful men in the tech world faced some major heat in an unprecedented anti-trust hearing. When US lawmakers brought up China - Bezos, Pichai, and Cook stayed quiet. But, Zuckerberg talked. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the highlights of the hearing.

Gravitas: Big tech CEOs evade questions on China

Four most powerful men in the tech world will answer pointed questions from the US lawmakers in a crucial anti-trust hearing. Watch report.

Big Tech CEO's divided on China technology heft | US Congress | World News

Key moments of antitrust hearing: Bezos' snack, 'Put your mask on'

WION Fineprint: US tech giants gird for tough hearing, Antitrust hearing in US

Recognising Google's efforts in various sectors, including Digital India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the details of his video interaction with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai.&nbsp;

PM Modi tweeted that he had an "extremely fruitful interaction" with Pichai, where they talked on a wide range of subjects, "particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs".

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This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundarpichai</a>. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs. <a href="https://t.co/IS9W24zZxs">pic.twitter.com/IS9W24zZxs</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1282582190061047808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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During our interaction, <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundarpichai</a> and I spoke about the new work culture that is emerging in the times of COVID-19. We discussed the challenges the global pandemic has brought to areas such as sports. We also talked about the importance of data security and cyber safety.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1282582191910744065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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I was delighted to know more about the efforts of <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a> in several sectors, be it in education, learning, <a href="https://twitter.com/_DigitalIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_DigitalIndia</a>, furthering digital payments and more. <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundarpichai</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1282582193496186880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He also said they also spoke on the change in the work culture "emerging in the times of COVID-19".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-to-invest-rs75000-crore-in-india-sets-up-india-digitisation-fund-312981">Google to invest ₹75,000 crore in India, sets up India Digitisation Fund</a>

"We discussed the challenges the global pandemic has brought to areas such as sports. We also talked about the importance of data security and cyber safety."

The Indian prime minister recognised Google's efforts in various sectors, be it education, learning, Digital India, Digital Payments, among others.&nbsp;

Earlier Pichai announced that the tech giant would be investing nearly $10 billion in India for developing infrastructure and funding digital innovation in the next five to seven years.&nbsp;

The announcements came at the sixth edition of Google for India event, which was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

In the event, Google also said it would expand the scope of digital payments using Google Pay and develop affordable smartphones to encourage feature phone users to make a transition of using smartphones.&nbsp;

Recognising Google's efforts in various sectors, including Digital India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the details of his video interaction with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai.

Recognising Google's efforts in various sectors, including Digital India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the details of his video interaction with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. PM Modi tweeted that he had an "extremely fruitful interaction" with Pichai, where they talked on a wide range of subjects, "particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs". This morning, had an extremely fruitful interaction with @sundarpichai. We spoke on a wide range of subjects, particularly leveraging the power of technology to transform the lives of India’s farmers, youngsters and entrepreneurs. pic.twitter.com/IS9W24zZxs — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2020 × During our interaction, @sundarpichai and I spoke about the new work culture that is emerging in the times of COVID-19. We discussed the challenges the global pandemic has brought to areas such as sports. We also talked about the importance of data security and cyber safety. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2020 × I was delighted to know more about the efforts of @Google in several sectors, be it in education, learning, @_DigitalIndia, furthering digital payments and more. @sundarpichai — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2020 × He also said they also spoke on the change in the work culture "emerging in the times of COVID-19". Also read | Google to invest ₹75,000 crore in India, sets up India Digitisation Fund "We discussed the challenges the global pandemic has brought to areas such as sports. We also talked about the importance of data security and cyber safety." The Indian prime minister recognised Google's efforts in various sectors, be it education, learning, Digital India, Digital Payments, among others. Earlier Pichai announced that the tech giant would be investing nearly $10 billion in India for developing infrastructure and funding digital innovation in the next five to seven years. The announcements came at the sixth edition of Google for India event, which was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. In the event, Google also said it would expand the scope of digital payments using Google Pay and develop affordable smartphones to encourage feature phone users to make a transition of using smartphones.

PM Narendra Modi shares details of conversation with Sundar Pichai

Apple Inc said it will now switch to its own chips for Mac computers. The move will end the company's reliance on Intel Corp to supply processors for its flagship laptops and desktop.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said it marked the beginning of a major new era for a product line that powered the company’s rise in the 1980s and its resurgence in the late 1990s.

Cook said the first of the new Mac computers will be shipping by the end of the year and that the change would help lead to "a common architecture for all of our products."

Apple Inc further said it would let software developers “challenge” the guidelines that govern its app review process and will end its practice of blocking routine bug fixes over minor violations. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-unveils-ios-14-with-redesigned-home-screen-and-host-of-features-307862">Also Read:&nbsp;Apple unveils iOS 14 with redesigned home screen and host of features</a>

Apple’s App Store is the only way for developers to distribute their software to consumers’ iPhones and iPads. Apple keeps between 15 per cent and 30 per cent of revenues generated by developers in the store, making it a key part of its growth strategy as the pace of iPhone upgrades has slowed.

At the event, Apple also previewed iOS 14 which will work on the iPhone 6S and up just like iOS 13.. According to Apple, iOS 14 will be available for everyone this fall with a public beta for users in July.&nbsp;

iOS 14, Apple claimed, the biggest update ever to Home Screen pages with redesigned widgets and the App Library. 
 
(With inputs from Reuters)

Apple Inc said it will now switch to its own chips for Mac computers. The move will end the company's reliance on Intel Corp to supply processors for its flagship laptops and desktop.

Apple Inc said it will now switch to its own chips for Mac computers. The move will end the company's reliance on Intel Corp to supply processors for its flagship laptops and desktop. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said it marked the beginning of a major new era for a product line that powered the company’s rise in the 1980s and its resurgence in the late 1990s. Cook said the first of the new Mac computers will be shipping by the end of the year and that the change would help lead to "a common architecture for all of our products." Apple Inc further said it would let software developers “challenge” the guidelines that govern its app review process and will end its practice of blocking routine bug fixes over minor violations. Also Read: Apple unveils iOS 14 with redesigned home screen and host of features Apple’s App Store is the only way for developers to distribute their software to consumers’ iPhones and iPads. Apple keeps between 15 per cent and 30 per cent of revenues generated by developers in the store, making it a key part of its growth strategy as the pace of iPhone upgrades has slowed. At the event, Apple also previewed iOS 14 which will work on the iPhone 6S and up just like iOS 13.. According to Apple, iOS 14 will be available for everyone this fall with a public beta for users in July. iOS 14, Apple claimed, the biggest update ever to Home Screen pages with redesigned widgets and the App Library. (With inputs from Reuters)

Apple breaks up with Intel, switches to its own chips for Mac computers

Tech giant Google has announced over $175 million to support black business owners, startup founders, job seekers and developers.

Earlier, Google-owned YouTube launched a $100 million fund to "amplify and develop" voices of black creators.&nbsp;

"Concrete commitments are being made by Google to promote racial equity in the company, its products and its programs," said Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a statement. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/do-black-lives-matter-yes-say-siri-alexa-and-google-assistant-305068">Also Read:&nbsp;Do black lives matter? Yes, say Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant</a>

Pichai outlined that racial equity is inextricably linked to economic opportunity.&nbsp;

"Google is working to improve Black+ representation at senior levels and committing to a goal to improve leadership representation of underrepresented groups by 30 per cent by 2025," he informed.

The internet giant is creating&nbsp;new "talent liaison" positions to advocate when it comes to keeping and promoting employees from underrepresented groups. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-to-ban-discriminatory-advertisements-targeting-housing-job-and-credit-card-305388">Also Read:&nbsp;Google to ban discriminatory advertisements targeting housing, job and credit card</a>

Last week, Google announced that it is updating its advertising policies to prevent housing, employment, and credit card advertisers from targeting users based on gender, age, parental status, marital status, and ZIP Code.&nbsp;

Google had previously barred advertisers from choosing ad targets based on users' race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Tech giant Google has announced over $175 million to support black business owners, startup founders, job seekers and developers. Earlier, Google-owned YouTube launched a $100 million fund to "amplify and develop" voices of black creators.

Tech giant Google has announced over $175 million to support black business owners, startup founders, job seekers and developers. Earlier, Google-owned YouTube launched a $100 million fund to "amplify and develop" voices of black creators. "Concrete commitments are being made by Google to promote racial equity in the company, its products and its programs," said Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a statement. Also Read: Do black lives matter? Yes, say Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant Pichai outlined that racial equity is inextricably linked to economic opportunity. "Google is working to improve Black+ representation at senior levels and committing to a goal to improve leadership representation of underrepresented groups by 30 per cent by 2025," he informed. The internet giant is creating new "talent liaison" positions to advocate when it comes to keeping and promoting employees from underrepresented groups. Also Read: Google to ban discriminatory advertisements targeting housing, job and credit card Last week, Google announced that it is updating its advertising policies to prevent housing, employment, and credit card advertisers from targeting users based on gender, age, parental status, marital status, and ZIP Code. Google had previously barred advertisers from choosing ad targets based on users' race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. (With inputs from agencies)

To boost racial equity, Google pledges $175 million to support black-owned businesses

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Google CEO&nbsp;Sundar Pichai in a message to graduates said "in bleak moments like these, it can be difficult to find hope. So let me skip right to the end and tell you what happens: You will prevail."

The event streamed live was attended by former US president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, including singer Lady Ganga, Beyonce, and South Korean band BTS.

Pichai who studied in India's IIT used earlier cataclysmic events to explain to graduates that they could surmount the hurdles asserting that&nbsp;the "class of 1920 also graduated during a deadly pandemic, the class of 1970 graduated in the midst of the Vietnam War, and the class of 2001 graduated months before 9/11."

"The long arc of history tells us we have every reason to be hopeful," the Google CEO told graduates while advising students not to lose patience.

Recounting his own difficulties, Pichai told graduates: "My father spent the equivalent of a year's salary on my plane ticket to the US so I could attend Stanford. It was my first time ever on a plane...America was expensive. A phone call back home was more than $2 a minute, and a backpack cost the same as my dad's monthly salary in India."

"I grew up without much access to technology. We didn't get our first telephone till I was ten. I didn't have regular access to a computer until I came to America for graduate school. And, our television, when we finally got one, only had one channel."

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a message to graduates said "in bleak moments like these, it can be difficult to find hope. So let me skip right to the end and tell you what happens: You will prevail.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a message to graduates said "in bleak moments like these, it can be difficult to find hope. So let me skip right to the end and tell you what happens: You will prevail." The event streamed live was attended by former US president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, including singer Lady Ganga, Beyonce, and South Korean band BTS. Pichai who studied in India's IIT used earlier cataclysmic events to explain to graduates that they could surmount the hurdles asserting that the "class of 1920 also graduated during a deadly pandemic, the class of 1970 graduated in the midst of the Vietnam War, and the class of 2001 graduated months before 9/11." "The long arc of history tells us we have every reason to be hopeful," the Google CEO told graduates while advising students not to lose patience. Recounting his own difficulties, Pichai told graduates: "My father spent the equivalent of a year's salary on my plane ticket to the US so I could attend Stanford. It was my first time ever on a plane...America was expensive. A phone call back home was more than $2 a minute, and a backpack cost the same as my dad's monthly salary in India." "I grew up without much access to technology. We didn't get our first telephone till I was ten. I didn't have regular access to a computer until I came to America for graduate school. And, our television, when we finally got one, only had one channel."

My father spent equivalent of a year's salary on my plane ticket to US: Google CEO Sundar Pichai

American tech giant Google has appointed Prabhakar Raghavan as the head of Search and Assistant. Raghavan will be succeeding Ben Gome, who will be given a new role and will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/creativity-cant-be-transferred-through-online-classes-kasturirangan-304212" hreflang="en">Creativity can't be transferred through online classes: Kasturirangan</a>

Prabhakar completed his Bachelor of Technology from IIT Madras and holds a PhD from U.C. Berkeley in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.&nbsp;

According to reports by Search Engine Land, Raghavan joined Google in 2012. He was made the head for Google’s an advertising and commerce business in 2018. This department included supervision of search display and video advertising analytics, shopping, payments etc.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ins-shardul-to-bring-back-over-200-indians-from-iran-304154" hreflang="en">INS Shardul to bring back over 200 Indians from Iran</a>

Prabhakar was made the Vice President of Google Apps as well as Google Cloud services, overseeing the development and user experience. He earned this position before he became the head of advertising and commerce business.&nbsp;

He has even worked in IBM and Yahoo on multiple roles. Raghavan is the reason behind the growth of Gmail and Google Drive past 1 billion monthly active users. He introduced features in the G Suite such as Smart Reply, Smart Compose, Drive Quick Access.

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced this move to his employees by saying: "For Prabhakar, this new role brings his experience with search full circle. He's spent more than two decades obsessing over algorithms and ranking, and his association with Google Search predates Google."

He added, "A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Prabhakar is one of the most respected engineering minds in our field. His experience working across so many of our product areas gives him the perfect lens to spot the seams between them."

American tech giant Google has appointed Prabhakar Raghavan as the head of Search and Assistant. Raghavan will be succeeding Ben Gome, who will be given a new role and will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai.

American tech giant Google has appointed Prabhakar Raghavan as the head of Search and Assistant. Raghavan will be succeeding Ben Gome, who will be given a new role and will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai. Also read: Creativity can't be transferred through online classes: Kasturirangan Prabhakar completed his Bachelor of Technology from IIT Madras and holds a PhD from U.C. Berkeley in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. According to reports by Search Engine Land, Raghavan joined Google in 2012. He was made the head for Google’s an advertising and commerce business in 2018. This department included supervision of search display and video advertising analytics, shopping, payments etc. Also read: INS Shardul to bring back over 200 Indians from Iran Prabhakar was made the Vice President of Google Apps as well as Google Cloud services, overseeing the development and user experience. He earned this position before he became the head of advertising and commerce business. He has even worked in IBM and Yahoo on multiple roles. Raghavan is the reason behind the growth of Gmail and Google Drive past 1 billion monthly active users. He introduced features in the G Suite such as Smart Reply, Smart Compose, Drive Quick Access. Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced this move to his employees by saying: "For Prabhakar, this new role brings his experience with search full circle. He's spent more than two decades obsessing over algorithms and ranking, and his association with Google Search predates Google." He added, "A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Prabhakar is one of the most respected engineering minds in our field. His experience working across so many of our product areas gives him the perfect lens to spot the seams between them."

Indian-origin's Prabhakar Raghavan appointed as head of Google Search

Apple and Google have released a software tool that will make it possible for nations to release coronavirus contact-tracing apps.

Together, the tech giants rolled out a&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;exposure notification system, essentially a unified programming interface that will allow public&nbsp;health&nbsp;departments to create their own contact tracing applications.

Contact-tracing apps are designed to automatically log when two people come into proximity to each other for a significant amount of time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/scientists-release-app-to-track-covid-19-symptoms-inform-users-about-hot-spots-296975" hreflang="en">Scientists release app to track COVID-19 symptoms, inform users about hot spots</a>

If one is later diagnosed with the coronavirus, the other can be given an alert, which might suggest they self-isolate and/or request a medical test of their own.

The software relies on Bluetooth wireless technology to detect when someone who downloaded the app has spent time near another app user who later tests positive for the virus.

It is much safer in comparison to other applications&nbsp;as it does not use&nbsp;Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.

"Starting today, our Exposure Notifications technology is available to public health agencies on both iOS and Android," Apple and Google said in a statement.

"Today, this technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts."

The companies had&nbsp;announced the unprecedented collaboration&nbsp;to leverage their technology to help trace and contain the spread of coronavirus last month, and say 22 countries and several US states are already planning to build voluntary phone apps using their software.

Apple and Google have released a software tool that will make it possible for nations to release coronavirus contact-tracing apps. Together, the tech giants rolled out a COVID-19 exposure notification system, essentially a unified programming interface that will allow public health departments to create their own contact tracing applications.

Apple and Google have released a software tool that will make it possible for nations to release coronavirus contact-tracing apps. Together, the tech giants rolled out a COVID-19 exposure notification system, essentially a unified programming interface that will allow public health departments to create their own contact tracing applications. Contact-tracing apps are designed to automatically log when two people come into proximity to each other for a significant amount of time. Also read: Scientists release app to track COVID-19 symptoms, inform users about hot spots If one is later diagnosed with the coronavirus, the other can be given an alert, which might suggest they self-isolate and/or request a medical test of their own. The software relies on Bluetooth wireless technology to detect when someone who downloaded the app has spent time near another app user who later tests positive for the virus. It is much safer in comparison to other applications as it does not use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. "Starting today, our Exposure Notifications technology is available to public health agencies on both iOS and Android," Apple and Google said in a statement. "Today, this technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts." The companies had announced the unprecedented collaboration to leverage their technology to help trace and contain the spread of coronavirus last month, and say 22 countries and several US states are already planning to build voluntary phone apps using their software.

Apple and Google launch digital COVID-19 contact tracing system

Apple and Google are two of the world's most powerful tech companies. Both giants have decided to ban location tracking in their contact tracing apps. They made this announcement together and this is a major decision.

Apple and Google are two of the world's most powerful tech companies. Both giants have decided to ban location tracking in their contact tracing apps. They made this announcement together and this is a major decision. One that affects almost 99 per cent of smartphone users in the world. Also read: Tweet once again gets Elon Musk into trouble as Tesla loses $14 billion Apple and Google say they are protecting user privacy. This grandstanding is a little hard to digest. Considering the fact that major tech companies are responsible for some of the biggest privacy debacles? Also read: Twitter swings to loss as pandemic hits advertising Google says it cares about user privacy. But, it runs is business on an advertising model that depends on the collection of personal information. It was around 20 years ago that Google introduced a privacy statement. But, the company hardly stays on the right side of it. Several privacy controversies have plagued the country in the past. Personal information has been leaked. Google themselves has been caught storing user location data. The search engine giant has been unable to shake off the privacy concerns. What about Apple? A couple of years back, Apple CEO Tim Cook had defined privacy as a fundamental right. Apple wants the user to believe that it is the only tech company it can trust. The company has positioned itself as a protector of users. To give credit where its due, Apple's own platform has not been caught in any major privacy scandal. But, it can't say the same about apple's business partners. This is where the app store comes it. Apple has one of the biggest app directories. It is highly profitable too. But, Apple has allowed privacy violators to freely operate on it. Even the kids were not spared. A journalist from the Wall Street Journal put out a story. She wrote about curious George. Sounds like a harmless game. But, it was collecting her son's age, name -- and data of whatever he tapped. The journalist ended up testing 80 apps. Most of them were promoted in the app stores "apps we love" section. She found that 79 apps used third party trackers for marketing, ads or analytics. On average --- there were at least four trackers in every app. So, its a bit rich when apple and google ban GPS tracking on contract tracing apps in the name of privacy. Contact tracing is common now. Experts consider it a crucial tool in the fight against the coronavirus. Yes, there are legitimate concerns over how certain contract tracing apps operate and collect data. But --- when tech companies try to draw the line between right and wrong.

Apple and Google decide to ban location tracking in their contact tracing apps

Google and Apple have come together to help authorities track the coronavirus pandemic by using Bluetooth technology.

The two Silicon Valley giants will work on a platform to enable&nbsp;contact tracing, a measure that identifies people who have been exposed to the virus and who they have been in contact with.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-5g-waves-do-not-transmit-coronavirus-290786" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/no-5g-waves-do-not-transmit-coronavirus-290786&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs6-a-leroAhXnwTgGHUW3AoYQFjAFegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BzEvUzb7iVByk_scusGwk" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-5g-waves-do-not-transmit-coronavirus-290786" target="_blank">No,&nbsp;5G&nbsp;waves do not transmit coronavirus!</a>

Initially, interfaces built on existing public health apps that can work on iOS or Android systems will be released by the companies&nbsp;in May.

This will be followed by a more comprehensive platform in the coming months to which users will be able to opt in.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/2021-no-new-emojis-to-be-launched-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-292197" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/2021-no-new-emojis-to-be-launched-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-292197&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs6-a-leroAhXnwTgGHUW3AoYQFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0TdYx5x2DYcIZAfiTSBntV" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2021-no-new-emojis-to-be-launched-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-292197" target="_blank">2021: No new emojis to be launched due to coronavirus pandemic</a>

According to press statement released by Google, smartphone user that tests positive for the coronavirus can input their result into an app from a public health authority, which will feed into an anonymous "identifier beacon".

This identifier will then be anonymously exchanged with anyone the user comes into contact with who also has the service enabled.

Users then upload their identifier records to the cloud, following which they will receive a notification if they have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for the virus.

Authorities around the world are&nbsp;using technology to&nbsp;track exposure and enforce quarantines.

Last month, Facebook&nbsp;and&nbsp;Google had&nbsp;confirmed that&nbsp;they were looking into the use of&nbsp;cellphone location data&nbsp;to help track the spread of the virus.

Google and Apple have come together to help authorities track the coronavirus pandemic by using Bluetooth technology. The two Silicon Valley giants will work on a platform to enable contact tracing, a measure that identifies people who have been exposed to the virus and who they have been in contact with.

Google and Apple have come together to help authorities track the coronavirus pandemic by using Bluetooth technology. The two Silicon Valley giants will work on a platform to enable contact tracing, a measure that identifies people who have been exposed to the virus and who they have been in contact with. Also read: No, 5G waves do not transmit coronavirus! Initially, interfaces built on existing public health apps that can work on iOS or Android systems will be released by the companies in May. This will be followed by a more comprehensive platform in the coming months to which users will be able to opt in. Also read: 2021: No new emojis to be launched due to coronavirus pandemic According to press statement released by Google, smartphone user that tests positive for the coronavirus can input their result into an app from a public health authority, which will feed into an anonymous "identifier beacon". This identifier will then be anonymously exchanged with anyone the user comes into contact with who also has the service enabled. Users then upload their identifier records to the cloud, following which they will receive a notification if they have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for the virus. Authorities around the world are using technology to track exposure and enforce quarantines. Last month, Facebook and Google had confirmed that they were looking into the use of cellphone location data to help track the spread of the virus.

Google and Apple collaborate to track coronavirus pandemic

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-a-man-hacked-google-maps-to-show-virtual-traffic-jams-with-99-mobile-phones-and-a-red-cart-278498">Google&nbsp;</a>on Tuesday said that a software&nbsp;glitch&nbsp;resulted in some <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/google-photoscan-a-new-app-that-converts-your-printed-photos-into-high-quality-digital-images-8886/amp">Photo app</a> smartphone&nbsp;videos&nbsp;being given to the wrong&nbsp;people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/google-photoscan-a-new-app-that-converts-your-printed-photos-into-high-quality-digital-images-8886/amp">Google&nbsp;</a>was notifying those who may have been affected.

"We are very sorry this happened,"&nbsp;Google&nbsp;said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-a-man-hacked-google-maps-to-show-virtual-traffic-jams-with-99-mobile-phones-and-a-red-cart-278498">How a man 'hacked' Google maps to show 'virtual traffic jams' with 99 mobile phones and a red cart</a>

"We fixed the underlying issue and have conducted an in-depth analysis to help prevent this from ever happening again."

It was estimated that a small fraction of a per cent of those who used a&nbsp;"Takeout" tool may have encountered the&nbsp;glitch, which affected&nbsp;people&nbsp;who used the app to export stored&nbsp;videos&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/google-photoscan-a-new-app-that-converts-your-printed-photos-into-high-quality-digital-images-8886/amp">Google&nbsp;Photos</a> between November 21 and November 25 of last year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alphabet-googles-parent-company-now-a-1-trillion-enterprise-fourth-us-company-to-achieve-this-feat-274982">Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise; fourth US company to achieve the feat</a>

"These users may have received either an incomplete archive or&nbsp;videos,&nbsp;not photos that were not theirs,"&nbsp;Google&nbsp;said.

Google&nbsp;Takeout is a tool intended to make it simple for&nbsp;people&nbsp;to download copies of their data from cloud-hosted services such as email or storage of photos and&nbsp;videos.

Takeout was intended to provide&nbsp;people&nbsp;with an easy way to liberate their personal data from online services. In this case, however, the bug delivered&nbsp;videos&nbsp;to the wrong&nbsp;people.

Google on Tuesday said that a software glitch resulted in some Photo app smartphone videos being given to the wrong people. Google was notifying those who may have been affected.

Google on Tuesday said that a software glitch resulted in some Photo app smartphone videos being given to the wrong people. Google was notifying those who may have been affected. "We are very sorry this happened," Google said. Also read: How a man 'hacked' Google maps to show 'virtual traffic jams' with 99 mobile phones and a red cart "We fixed the underlying issue and have conducted an in-depth analysis to help prevent this from ever happening again." It was estimated that a small fraction of a per cent of those who used a "Takeout" tool may have encountered the glitch, which affected people who used the app to export stored videos from Google Photos between November 21 and November 25 of last year. Also read: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise; fourth US company to achieve the feat "These users may have received either an incomplete archive or videos, not photos that were not theirs," Google said. Google Takeout is a tool intended to make it simple for people to download copies of their data from cloud-hosted services such as email or storage of photos and videos. Takeout was intended to provide people with an easy way to liberate their personal data from online services. In this case, however, the bug delivered videos to the wrong people.

Google says glitch sent people's videos to strangers

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../google-sparks-criticism-as-it-redesigns-it-search -page-makes-ads-look-like-organic-results-276570">Google</a> parent Alphabet missed revenue expectations in the fourth quarter despite stellar growth at YouTube and in the cloud, earnings figures released Monday showed.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-google-joins-hands-with-who-to-provide-sos-alert-trusted-info-and-safety-tips-278181">Coronavirus outbreak: Google joins hands with WHO to provide SOS alert, trusted info and safety tips</a>

Detailing its cloud computing and YouTube revenues for the first time, Alphabet reported that profits rose 19 per cent from a year ago in the quarter to nearly $10.7 billion as revenues increased 17 per cent to $46 billion.

Alphabet and Google chief executive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../google-ceo-calls-for-artificial-intelligence- regulation-275642">Sundar Pichai</a> touted YouTube as a revenue star at the company, with ad revenue reaching $15 billion last year in an increase of about 36 per cent from 2018.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../latest-world-news-social-media-applications- tackling-false-claims-against-coronavirus-278258">YouTube</a> music and television premium services now have more than 20 million paid subscribers, according to Pichai.

Despite assurances by executives that Alphabet sees plenty of money-making potential ahead and is investing to capitalize on long-term trends, Alphabet shares slipped more than four per cent in after-market trades that followed release of the earnings figures.

The California tech giant, which dominates online search and makes the Android mobile operating system, has been working to reduce its dependence on digital advertising which delivers most of its cash.

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"Our investments in deep computer science, including artificial intelligence, ambient computing and cloud computing, provide a strong base for continued growth and new opportunities across Alphabet," said Pichai.

The company said its cloud computing services took in $2.6 billion in revenue during the last three-month period -- up more than 50 per cent -- and nearly $9 billion for the year.

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Chief financial officer Ruth Porat said Alphabet will ramp-up hiring this year. Much of that will be engineering talent for its cloud division which competes with cloud market-leaders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../amazons-slow-climate-action-defying-company -policy-over-300-employees-speak-out-277288">Amazon</a> and Microsoft.

"We are leaning into investing for longterm growth," Porat said.

"That has been a key principle here and continues to be."

Google advertising took in the majority of revenue at $38 billion in the quarter and more than 80 per cent of its annual revenues of $162 billion.

Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Baird, said the earnings report showed "a deceleration" in growth for Google, which may have been due to the impact of fewer holiday shopping days.

Despite that, Sebastian said he sees "no change to our positive long-term thesis" for Alphabet.

Analyst Nicole Perrin at eMarketer said the results highlight the significance of YouTube, the popular video service for which Alphabet had not up to now disclosed financial data.

"This is something investors have been looking for, but the information should also give advertisers valuable information about the importance of YouTube as a digital ad vehicle," Perrin said.

"YouTube is growing strongly according to this report, and revenues are above where eMarketer had thought they were."&nbsp;

Alphabet's "other bets" which include Waymo autonomous vehicles, life sciences and drone delivery, took in $172 million in revenue in the final three months of the year, ending the 12 months with a big operating loss.

The results come with the company facing intense pressure around the globe over its dominance of the online ecosystem.

It also has been at the centre of a dispute over tax policy for multinational firms. Global negotiators are seeking a new treaty on how to tax digital operations spanning the globe.

"It is something we always need to take a look at," Pichai said on an earnings call with investors and others when asked how regulatory or taxation moves could affect Alphabet's bottom line.

"We are engaged in these issues and we anticipate and structurally work on them early on."

Indian-born Pichai, who had been CEO of Google, was promoted last year to the same role at Alphabet.

Google parent Alphabet missed revenue expectations in the fourth quarter despite stellar growth at YouTube and in the cloud, earnings figures released Monday showed.

Google parent Alphabet missed revenue expectations in the fourth quarter despite stellar growth at YouTube and in the cloud, earnings figures released Monday showed. Also read- Coronavirus outbreak: Google joins hands with WHO to provide SOS alert, trusted info and safety tips Detailing its cloud computing and YouTube revenues for the first time, Alphabet reported that profits rose 19 per cent from a year ago in the quarter to nearly $10.7 billion as revenues increased 17 per cent to $46 billion. Alphabet and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai touted YouTube as a revenue star at the company, with ad revenue reaching $15 billion last year in an increase of about 36 per cent from 2018. YouTube music and television premium services now have more than 20 million paid subscribers, according to Pichai. Despite assurances by executives that Alphabet sees plenty of money-making potential ahead and is investing to capitalize on long-term trends, Alphabet shares slipped more than four per cent in after-market trades that followed release of the earnings figures. The California tech giant, which dominates online search and makes the Android mobile operating system, has been working to reduce its dependence on digital advertising which delivers most of its cash. × "Our investments in deep computer science, including artificial intelligence, ambient computing and cloud computing, provide a strong base for continued growth and new opportunities across Alphabet," said Pichai. The company said its cloud computing services took in $2.6 billion in revenue during the last three-month period -- up more than 50 per cent -- and nearly $9 billion for the year. × Chief financial officer Ruth Porat said Alphabet will ramp-up hiring this year. Much of that will be engineering talent for its cloud division which competes with cloud market-leaders Amazon and Microsoft. "We are leaning into investing for longterm growth," Porat said. "That has been a key principle here and continues to be." Google advertising took in the majority of revenue at $38 billion in the quarter and more than 80 per cent of its annual revenues of $162 billion. Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Baird, said the earnings report showed "a deceleration" in growth for Google, which may have been due to the impact of fewer holiday shopping days. Despite that, Sebastian said he sees "no change to our positive long-term thesis" for Alphabet. Analyst Nicole Perrin at eMarketer said the results highlight the significance of YouTube, the popular video service for which Alphabet had not up to now disclosed financial data. "This is something investors have been looking for, but the information should also give advertisers valuable information about the importance of YouTube as a digital ad vehicle," Perrin said. "YouTube is growing strongly according to this report, and revenues are above where eMarketer had thought they were." Alphabet's "other bets" which include Waymo autonomous vehicles, life sciences and drone delivery, took in $172 million in revenue in the final three months of the year, ending the 12 months with a big operating loss. The results come with the company facing intense pressure around the globe over its dominance of the online ecosystem. It also has been at the centre of a dispute over tax policy for multinational firms. Global negotiators are seeking a new treaty on how to tax digital operations spanning the globe. "It is something we always need to take a look at," Pichai said on an earnings call with investors and others when asked how regulatory or taxation moves could affect Alphabet's bottom line. "We are engaged in these issues and we anticipate and structurally work on them early on." Indian-born Pichai, who had been CEO of Google, was promoted last year to the same role at Alphabet.

Disappointing growth hits Google parent Alphabet shares

Google CEO Sundar Pichai spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos about the impacts of technology and how artificial intelligence and quantum computers can change human lives. Pichai said that even though there were risks with artificial technology, the biggest risk was to not work on it and make AI better.

Google CEO speaks on artificial intelligence at WEF in Davos

Speaking at an event at the World Economic Forum, Pichai said it was important to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong with AI, and while it promised huge benefits there were real concerns about potential negative consequences.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at 50th WEF

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on January 20 called for a balanced approach to regulating artificial intelligence, telling a European audience that the technology brings benefits but also "negative consequences." Sundar Pichai's comments come as lawmakers and governments seriously consider putting limits on how artificial intelligence is used.

Google CEO calls for artificial intelligence regulation

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alphabet-googles-parent-company-now-a-1-trillion-enterprise-fourth-us-company-to-achieve-this-feat-274982">Also Read: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise</a>

"I think it is important that governments and regulations tackle it sooner rather than later and gives a framework for it," Sundar Pichai told a conference in Brussels organised by think tank Bruegel.

The European Commission, which acts as the EU executive, is taking a tougher line on artificial intelligence (AI) than the United States that would strengthen existing regulations on privacy and data rights, according to an 18-page proposal paper seen by Reuters.

Part of this includes a moratorium of up to five years on using facial recognition technology in public areas, to give the EU time to work out how to prevent abuses, the paper said.

"It can be immediate but maybe there's a waiting period before we really think about how it's being used," Pichai said. "It's up to governments to charter the course" for the use of such technology.

Pichai urged regulators to take a "proportionate approach" when drafting rules, days before the Commission is due to publish proposals on the issue.

Regulators are grappling with ways to govern AI, encouraging innovation while trying to curb potential misuse, as companies and law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt the technology.

There was no question AI needs to be regulated, Pichai said, but rulemakers should tread carefully.

"Sensible regulation must also take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with social opportunities. This is especially true in areas that are high risk and high value," he said.

Regulators should tailor rules according to different sectors, Pichai said, citing medical devices and self-driving cars as examples that require different rules.

He urged governments to align their rules and agree on core values.

Earlier this month, the US&nbsp;government published regulatory guidelines on AI aimed at limiting authorities' overreach, and urged Europe to avoid an aggressive approach.

Pichai said it was important to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong with AI, and that while it promised huge benefits there were real concerns about potential negative consequences.

One area of concern is so-called "deepfakes" - video or audio clips that have been manipulated using AI and which potentially could be created of any individual, saying anything in any setting.

Pichai said Google had released open datasets to help the research community build better tools to detect such fakes.

The world's most popular internet search engine said last month that Google Cloud was not offering general-purpose facial-recognition application programming interfaces (APIs) while it establishes policy and technical safeguards.

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes.

The chief executive of Google parent company Alphabet on Monday backed an EU proposal to temporarily ban facial-recognition technology because of the possibility that it could be used for nefarious purposes. Also Read: Google's parent company now a $1 trillion enterprise "I think it is important that governments and regulations tackle it sooner rather than later and gives a framework for it," Sundar Pichai told a conference in Brussels organised by think tank Bruegel. The European Commission, which acts as the EU executive, is taking a tougher line on artificial intelligence (AI) than the United States that would strengthen existing regulations on privacy and data rights, according to an 18-page proposal paper seen by Reuters. Part of this includes a moratorium of up to five years on using facial recognition technology in public areas, to give the EU time to work out how to prevent abuses, the paper said. "It can be immediate but maybe there's a waiting period before we really think about how it's being used," Pichai said. "It's up to governments to charter the course" for the use of such technology. Pichai urged regulators to take a "proportionate approach" when drafting rules, days before the Commission is due to publish proposals on the issue. Regulators are grappling with ways to govern AI, encouraging innovation while trying to curb potential misuse, as companies and law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt the technology. There was no question AI needs to be regulated, Pichai said, but rulemakers should tread carefully. "Sensible regulation must also take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harms with social opportunities. This is especially true in areas that are high risk and high value," he said. Regulators should tailor rules according to different sectors, Pichai said, citing medical devices and self-driving cars as examples that require different rules. He urged governments to align their rules and agree on core values. Earlier this month, the US government published regulatory guidelines on AI aimed at limiting authorities' overreach, and urged Europe to avoid an aggressive approach. Pichai said it was important to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong with AI, and that while it promised huge benefits there were real concerns about potential negative consequences. One area of concern is so-called "deepfakes" - video or audio clips that have been manipulated using AI and which potentially could be created of any individual, saying anything in any setting. Pichai said Google had released open datasets to help the research community build better tools to detect such fakes. The world's most popular internet search engine said last month that Google Cloud was not offering general-purpose facial-recognition application programming interfaces (APIs) while it establishes policy and technical safeguards.

No question artificial intelligence needs to be regulated: Sundar Pichai

Now, Sundar Pichai-led Alphabet joins trillion dollar club

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