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Pretty much every state in India has tested and operated drones to serve various purposes including mapping, industrial inspection, crop spraying, aerial surveying, search and rescue. But&nbsp;in the non-contact era that the pandemic has thrown the world into, drones are offering wide-ranging solutions to many challenges faced by governments.&nbsp;

Chennai-based Garuda aerospace has provided their drone services to bolster the COVID-19 fight of over 10 states across India, including Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh. On a paid basis, police departments in big cities have sought their services for implementing strict lockdowns by mounting surveillance from above, whereas health departments have used drones to disinfect vast areas in a quick span.&nbsp;

Over the next five days, their firm is also testing feasibility of drones for sanitisation and delivery in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency. Garuda’s drones have so far successfully demonstrated their capabilities and performed roles such as sanitisation, loudspeaker announcements, industrial inspection, mapping, pesticide spraying, tunnel inspection, delivery etc.&nbsp;

<img alt="drones" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="68e00b23-1468-43cc-afde-056b29270d59" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/oof%20%286%29_0.jpg" />

According to the company, they have received feedback that the technology is very promising, given its rapid and non-contact nature. However, the economic feasibility of sustained drone operations is being worked on. In the present scenario where big cities are under lockdown, drones are also able to prove their mettle in congested areas, as opposed to trials in rural and open spaces. Notably, their drones demonstrated the delivery of essentials and medicines at the staff quarters in India’s Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, where COVID-19 positive residents were home quarantined.

Speaking of their drone fleet, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder, Garuda Aerospace told Zee Media that they have 300 drones and 150 pilots stationed across 26 cities, besides 45 core technicians for undertaking repairs in majors zonal centres. “We plan to have 1200-1500 drones (almost five&nbsp;times current capacity) in operation over the next six months, because that’s how high the demand is. Garuda is presently valued at a $100 million and are raising funds from venture capitalists abroad, by the end of 2022 we hope to be a unicorn (firm with $1 billion valuation) in the drone-as-a-service sector.”

When asked abut the competition that they foresee, he says that most companies in the sector manufacture and sell drones, whereas Garuda aims to provide the service on demand, thus saving the users from licensing, maintenance related challenges. According to Agnishwar, the firm is also seeing heightened demand from the European market as the cost of operating and flying a Garuda drone is said to be about one-eighth the cost of doing the same with a foreign variant.&nbsp;

Pretty much every state in India has tested and operated drones to serve various purposes including mapping, industrial inspection, crop spraying, aerial surveying, search and rescue.

Pretty much every state in India has tested and operated drones to serve various purposes including mapping, industrial inspection, crop spraying, aerial surveying, search and rescue. But in the non-contact era that the pandemic has thrown the world into, drones are offering wide-ranging solutions to many challenges faced by governments. Chennai-based Garuda aerospace has provided their drone services to bolster the COVID-19 fight of over 10 states across India, including Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh. On a paid basis, police departments in big cities have sought their services for implementing strict lockdowns by mounting surveillance from above, whereas health departments have used drones to disinfect vast areas in a quick span. Over the next five days, their firm is also testing feasibility of drones for sanitisation and delivery in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency. Garuda’s drones have so far successfully demonstrated their capabilities and performed roles such as sanitisation, loudspeaker announcements, industrial inspection, mapping, pesticide spraying, tunnel inspection, delivery etc. According to the company, they have received feedback that the technology is very promising, given its rapid and non-contact nature. However, the economic feasibility of sustained drone operations is being worked on. In the present scenario where big cities are under lockdown, drones are also able to prove their mettle in congested areas, as opposed to trials in rural and open spaces. Notably, their drones demonstrated the delivery of essentials and medicines at the staff quarters in India’s Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, where COVID-19 positive residents were home quarantined. Speaking of their drone fleet, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder, Garuda Aerospace told Zee Media that they have 300 drones and 150 pilots stationed across 26 cities, besides 45 core technicians for undertaking repairs in majors zonal centres. “We plan to have 1200-1500 drones (almost five times current capacity) in operation over the next six months, because that’s how high the demand is. Garuda is presently valued at a $100 million and are raising funds from venture capitalists abroad, by the end of 2022 we hope to be a unicorn (firm with $1 billion valuation) in the drone-as-a-service sector.” When asked abut the competition that they foresee, he says that most companies in the sector manufacture and sell drones, whereas Garuda aims to provide the service on demand, thus saving the users from licensing, maintenance related challenges. According to Agnishwar, the firm is also seeing heightened demand from the European market as the cost of operating and flying a Garuda drone is said to be about one-eighth the cost of doing the same with a foreign variant.

Indian drone company Garuda Aerospace looking forward to $1 billion valuation by end-2022

Germany’s antitrust watchdog on Tuesday launched an investigation into Google.

As part of this probe, the watchdog will assess whether Google Germany, Google Ireland and Alphabet, its parent company, are currently exploiting their market dominance.

The watchdog office announced on Tuesday that it will observe whether the global technology giant offers enough choice to its users on how their data is used by the company.

Big Tech companies are facing increased scrutiny across the globe as questions arise over how the company uses its market position and what it means for competitors.&nbsp;

On May 13, Italy's anti-trust authority fined Google over $120 million (100 million euros) for shutting out a rival’s mobile application which offered recharging for electric vehicles.

The Italian authority said that Google had abused its market position by blocking an application by Enel X for owners of electric vehicles.&nbsp;Google’s Android operating system's Google Play marketplace dominates the Italian market.

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In addition, the regulator had said that now Google would be required to make Enel X’s application available on Android Auto, which essentially mirrors the features of an Android smartphone on a dashboard screen in cars.

The fine was imposed for violation of article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The article regulates monopolies and observes restriction of competition.

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"By refusing Enel X Italia interoperability with Android Auto, Google has unfairly limited the possibilities for end users to avail themselves of the Enel X Italia app when driving and recharging an electric vehicle," the Italian authority was cited as saying by AFP."The exclusion of the Enel X Italia app from Android Auto has been going on for more than two years, and if it were to continue, could permanently jeopardise Enel X Italia's chances of building a solid user base at a time of significant growth in sales of electric vehicles”, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Germany’s antitrust watchdog on Tuesday launched an investigation into Google. As part of this probe, the watchdog will assess whether Google Germany, Google Ireland and Alphabet, its parent company, are currently exploiting their market dominance.

Germany’s antitrust watchdog on Tuesday launched an investigation into Google. As part of this probe, the watchdog will assess whether Google Germany, Google Ireland and Alphabet, its parent company, are currently exploiting their market dominance. The watchdog office announced on Tuesday that it will observe whether the global technology giant offers enough choice to its users on how their data is used by the company. Big Tech companies are facing increased scrutiny across the globe as questions arise over how the company uses its market position and what it means for competitors. On May 13, Italy's anti-trust authority fined Google over $120 million (100 million euros) for shutting out a rival’s mobile application which offered recharging for electric vehicles. The Italian authority said that Google had abused its market position by blocking an application by Enel X for owners of electric vehicles. Google’s Android operating system's Google Play marketplace dominates the Italian market. Also read: Now password-protect Google page that reflects your searches In addition, the regulator had said that now Google would be required to make Enel X’s application available on Android Auto, which essentially mirrors the features of an Android smartphone on a dashboard screen in cars. The fine was imposed for violation of article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The article regulates monopolies and observes restriction of competition. Also read: Google to count high-quality photos, videos in free 15GB quota "By refusing Enel X Italia interoperability with Android Auto, Google has unfairly limited the possibilities for end users to avail themselves of the Enel X Italia app when driving and recharging an electric vehicle," the Italian authority was cited as saying by AFP."The exclusion of the Enel X Italia app from Android Auto has been going on for more than two years, and if it were to continue, could permanently jeopardise Enel X Italia's chances of building a solid user base at a time of significant growth in sales of electric vehicles”, it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany launches antitrust probe against Google

Temperature control and lighting are regarded the predominant energy-consuming resources in large buildings and office complexes that use conventional glass windows.

Now, researchers from IIT Guwahati claim to have developed smart window materials that can control the amount of light and heat permeating through, when a voltage is passed thought it. They say this can help develop efficient automatic climate control systems in buildings.&nbsp;

Smart window materials developed by the researchers make use of 'noble metals' and their comparatively inexpensive alternatives.

According to Ashish Kumar Chowdhary, a research scholar at IIT Guwahati, their design involved an electro-optical polymer which&nbsp;was sandwiched between ultra-thin metal layers.

The filtering of light would thus be enabled by applying a voltage and changing the refractive index (how light moves through a material) of the electro-optical polymer.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/iit-madras-alumnis-startup-3d-prints-600sqft-concrete-home-comprising-hall-kitchen-bedroom-381123" hreflang="en">IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom</a>

While performing simulations, researchers considered using gold and silver as the outer metal layers, but conducted the tests with copper and indium tin oxide.

Researchers claim that under certain conditions, the smart glass was able to selectively filter solar radiation that spans the visible, infrared and shortwave infrared wavelengths, including heat and light reflected from neighbouring buildings and structures.

The results of this study have recently been published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.

The team believes that such smart materials can be applied to obtain efficient automatic climate control in vehicles, locomotives, airplanes and greenhouses of the future.

They claim that the material proposed by their team can easily be fabricated using existing state-of-the-art nanoscale fabrication methods such as e-beam evaporation and graphoepitaxy techniques.

According to the researchers, the working of these materials is dependent on the surface smoothness and other physical properties of the layers. The team plans to conduct further studies on the same.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/iit-madras-incubated-start-up-pi-beam-launches-made-in-india-e-bike-362688" hreflang="en">IIT Madras incubated start-up ‘Pi-beam’ launches 'Made in India' e-bike&nbsp;</a>

“We believe that our smart windows can provide an alternative solution for maintaining ambient indoor temperature and lighting inside a building or a vehicle by integrating those with usual glass windows or walls, thereby reducing the need of air-conditioning systems", said Dr. Debabrata Sikdar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering.

Temperature control and lighting are regarded the predominant energy-consuming resources in large buildings and office complexes that use conventional glass windows.

Temperature control and lighting are regarded the predominant energy-consuming resources in large buildings and office complexes that use conventional glass windows. Now, researchers from IIT Guwahati claim to have developed smart window materials that can control the amount of light and heat permeating through, when a voltage is passed thought it. They say this can help develop efficient automatic climate control systems in buildings. Smart window materials developed by the researchers make use of 'noble metals' and their comparatively inexpensive alternatives. According to Ashish Kumar Chowdhary, a research scholar at IIT Guwahati, their design involved an electro-optical polymer which was sandwiched between ultra-thin metal layers. The filtering of light would thus be enabled by applying a voltage and changing the refractive index (how light moves through a material) of the electro-optical polymer. Also read: IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom While performing simulations, researchers considered using gold and silver as the outer metal layers, but conducted the tests with copper and indium tin oxide. Researchers claim that under certain conditions, the smart glass was able to selectively filter solar radiation that spans the visible, infrared and shortwave infrared wavelengths, including heat and light reflected from neighbouring buildings and structures. The results of this study have recently been published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. The team believes that such smart materials can be applied to obtain efficient automatic climate control in vehicles, locomotives, airplanes and greenhouses of the future. They claim that the material proposed by their team can easily be fabricated using existing state-of-the-art nanoscale fabrication methods such as e-beam evaporation and graphoepitaxy techniques. According to the researchers, the working of these materials is dependent on the surface smoothness and other physical properties of the layers. The team plans to conduct further studies on the same. Also read: IIT Madras incubated start-up ‘Pi-beam’ launches 'Made in India' e-bike “We believe that our smart windows can provide an alternative solution for maintaining ambient indoor temperature and lighting inside a building or a vehicle by integrating those with usual glass windows or walls, thereby reducing the need of air-conditioning systems", said Dr. Debabrata Sikdar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering.

India's IIT researchers develop smart windows that regulate light, heat to conserve power in buildings

Twitter users can once again apply to be verified after a years-long freeze on public submissions for the site's blue checkmarks, though the company said only "notable" users would be awarded the badge.

The social media company paused public submissions for these badges in 2017 amid criticism that its verification program was arbitrary and confusing. It said at the time the check mark was being confused with "an endorsement or an indicator of importance".

Under the new rules, accounts must have been active in the last six months and fit one of several criteria: government, companies, brands and organizations, news outlets and journalists, entertainment, sports and gaming, activists, organisers and other influential individuals.

It also plans categories for scientists, academics and religious leaders later this year.

The accounts must also have a record of following Twitter's rules - specifically, no violations that resulted in a 12-hour or one-week lockouts in the previous year.

Twitter also said that in the approval process it would look holistically at user behavior such as harassment or posting content that promoted the supremacy of a particular group, "both on and off Twitter."

Accounts must also be complete with features like a profile image and be able to prove their identity through government ID or email addresses.

Twitter said it was working to provide more information about a bevy of different account types: it plans to launch a new account of type of legitimate automated or "bot" accounts in July and memorial accounts, for deceased users, later this year. It said it was also exploring how to label humor and satire accounts.

Twitter is also planning to let users add more personal information to their profiles, the design of which have largely not changed since 2014. The new section will start with displaying gender pronouns and expand to items like interests.

Twitter said applications for verification will be available from Thursday and would roll out over the next few weeks. It said the decisions would be made by humans and that users would hear back within four weeks. If refused, users can re-apply every 30 days.

During the pause, Twitter has continued to verify some accounts, such as medical experts tweeting about COVID-19.

About 360,000 accounts, out of Twitter's 199 million monetisable daily active users, are verified.

Twitter users can once again apply to be verified after a years-long freeze on public submissions for the site's blue checkmarks, though the company said only "notable" users would be awarded the badge.

Twitter users can once again apply to be verified after a years-long freeze on public submissions for the site's blue checkmarks, though the company said only "notable" users would be awarded the badge. The social media company paused public submissions for these badges in 2017 amid criticism that its verification program was arbitrary and confusing. It said at the time the check mark was being confused with "an endorsement or an indicator of importance". Under the new rules, accounts must have been active in the last six months and fit one of several criteria: government, companies, brands and organizations, news outlets and journalists, entertainment, sports and gaming, activists, organisers and other influential individuals. It also plans categories for scientists, academics and religious leaders later this year. The accounts must also have a record of following Twitter's rules - specifically, no violations that resulted in a 12-hour or one-week lockouts in the previous year. Twitter also said that in the approval process it would look holistically at user behavior such as harassment or posting content that promoted the supremacy of a particular group, "both on and off Twitter." Accounts must also be complete with features like a profile image and be able to prove their identity through government ID or email addresses. Twitter said it was working to provide more information about a bevy of different account types: it plans to launch a new account of type of legitimate automated or "bot" accounts in July and memorial accounts, for deceased users, later this year. It said it was also exploring how to label humor and satire accounts. Twitter is also planning to let users add more personal information to their profiles, the design of which have largely not changed since 2014. The new section will start with displaying gender pronouns and expand to items like interests. Twitter said applications for verification will be available from Thursday and would roll out over the next few weeks. It said the decisions would be made by humans and that users would hear back within four weeks. If refused, users can re-apply every 30 days. During the pause, Twitter has continued to verify some accounts, such as medical experts tweeting about COVID-19. About 360,000 accounts, out of Twitter's 199 million monetisable daily active users, are verified.

Here's how you can get Twitter's blue check mark after verification freeze

Vaxxing, not waxing is the new must-do before a hot date, with dating apps joining the White House on Friday to promote COVID-19 shots.

Tinder, Hinge, Match, OkCupid, BLK, Chispa, Plenty of Fish, Bumble, and Badoo are all adding vaccination status to the more expected details on dating profiles as part of a rollout over the next few weeks.

Getting the shot may also do more for lovers than keep them healthy, the White House said in a statement.

"According to research from OKCupid, people who are vaccinated or plan to get vaccinated receive 14 percent more Matches than people who don't plan to get vaccinated," it revealed.

Among the extra incentives being offered by&nbsp;Tinder, for example, is access to the "Super Like" feature to "help them stand out among potential matches," the White House said.

The apps include BLK, which is targeted at African Americans, and Chispa, which is largely used by the Hispanic community.

"These companies join organizations across the country that have answered the president's call by stepping up and offering incentives and information to help Americans get vaccinated," the White House said in a statement.

More than 60 percent of US adults have received at least one vaccine shot. President Joe Biden has set a goal of July 4 for that number to reach 70 percent.

As of Thursday, the United States has administered about 279.4 million doses, with 48.2 per cent&nbsp;of its people receiving at least one shot, according to the latest data from the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tinder's parent company&nbsp;Match said its campaigns will include information about where to find vaccine sites, as well as other new app features including profile badges to indicate users' vaccination status.

&nbsp;

Vaxxing, not waxing is the new must-do before a hot date, with dating apps joining the White House on Friday to promote COVID-19 shots. Tinder, Hinge, Match, OkCupid, BLK, Chispa, Plenty of Fish, Bumble, and Badoo are all adding vaccination status to the more expected details on dating profiles as part of a rollout over the next few weeks.

Vaxxing, not waxing is the new must-do before a hot date, with dating apps joining the White House on Friday to promote COVID-19 shots. Tinder, Hinge, Match, OkCupid, BLK, Chispa, Plenty of Fish, Bumble, and Badoo are all adding vaccination status to the more expected details on dating profiles as part of a rollout over the next few weeks. Getting the shot may also do more for lovers than keep them healthy, the White House said in a statement. "According to research from OKCupid, people who are vaccinated or plan to get vaccinated receive 14 percent more Matches than people who don't plan to get vaccinated," it revealed. Among the extra incentives being offered by Tinder, for example, is access to the "Super Like" feature to "help them stand out among potential matches," the White House said. The apps include BLK, which is targeted at African Americans, and Chispa, which is largely used by the Hispanic community. "These companies join organizations across the country that have answered the president's call by stepping up and offering incentives and information to help Americans get vaccinated," the White House said in a statement. More than 60 percent of US adults have received at least one vaccine shot. President Joe Biden has set a goal of July 4 for that number to reach 70 percent. As of Thursday, the United States has administered about 279.4 million doses, with 48.2 per cent of its people receiving at least one shot, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tinder's parent company Match said its campaigns will include information about where to find vaccine sites, as well as other new app features including profile badges to indicate users' vaccination status.

Swipe right on vaccinations: White House collaborates with Tinder's parent company

Apple Inc Chief Executive&nbsp;Tim&nbsp;Cook&nbsp;on Friday will take the witness stand to defend the App Store, a booming part of the iPhone maker's business that "Fortnite" maker Epic Games says is a monopoly that Apple abuses.

Cook&nbsp;is expected to spend more than two hours making what are likely to be his most extensive public remarks on the App Store business, which anchors Apple's $53.8 billion services business.

Epic has waged a public relations and legal campaign, arguing that Apple acts anticompetitively by only allowing apps it approves on the world's 1 billion iPhones and by forcing developers to use Apple's in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30 per cent&nbsp;on sales.

The antitrust trial at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California comes as Apple faces a chorus of criticism from app makers including music service Spotify Technology and US&nbsp;politicians who say the most valuable public company in the United States tries to squash small competition.

The maker of "Fortnite," which pits players against in each other in an animated "Battle Royale" fight to the last survivor, is led by CEO&nbsp;Tim&nbsp;Sweeney, who has reveled in the public opportunity to take on Apple.

Sweeney kicked off the trial as Epic's first witness, using his&nbsp;time on the stand to argue that "Fortnite" has become a place for players to gather in a virtual world he calls the "metaverse" and that Apple is unfairly demanding an outsized cut of profits for providing simple payment processing technology.

Cook&nbsp;fielded a handful of questions about the company's App Store when he testified before US&nbsp;lawmakers last year, but he otherwise stayed mostly silent as lawmakers grilled the chiefs of Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook Inc.

Apple attorneys said they plan to ask him to testify about Apple's corporate values, how the App Store came about and Apple's competitive landscape. Throughout the trial, Apple has sought to persuade Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers that whatever rules it imposes on developers are aimed at keeping its customers' information private and safe from malware.

But Epic's legal team has put other Apple executives under pressure during the three-week trial. During a cross-examination&nbsp;Thursday, Apple's software chief Craig Federighi lashed out at one of Epic's attorneys who did not allow Federighi to explain the technical details of why Apple does not use automated tools to scan for some offensive content.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers intervened to tell Federighi he would have to wait to explain himself later, when Apple's lawyers resumed questions.

Competition authorities in multiple countries have opened probes into the business, including a case in the European Union around Apple's treatment of Spotify.

In United States, lawmakers such as Senator Amy Klobuchar who are contemplating new antitrust laws are likely to comb through the records generated in the Epic case.

"This case has always been part of a bigger narrative rather than something that's going to decide the issue on its own," said John Bergmayer, legal director at consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge.

Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook on Friday will take the witness stand to defend the App Store, a booming part of the iPhone maker's business that "Fortnite" maker Epic Games says is a monopoly that Apple abuses.

Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook on Friday will take the witness stand to defend the App Store, a booming part of the iPhone maker's business that "Fortnite" maker Epic Games says is a monopoly that Apple abuses. Cook is expected to spend more than two hours making what are likely to be his most extensive public remarks on the App Store business, which anchors Apple's $53.8 billion services business. Epic has waged a public relations and legal campaign, arguing that Apple acts anticompetitively by only allowing apps it approves on the world's 1 billion iPhones and by forcing developers to use Apple's in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30 per cent on sales. The antitrust trial at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California comes as Apple faces a chorus of criticism from app makers including music service Spotify Technology and US politicians who say the most valuable public company in the United States tries to squash small competition. The maker of "Fortnite," which pits players against in each other in an animated "Battle Royale" fight to the last survivor, is led by CEO Tim Sweeney, who has reveled in the public opportunity to take on Apple. Sweeney kicked off the trial as Epic's first witness, using his time on the stand to argue that "Fortnite" has become a place for players to gather in a virtual world he calls the "metaverse" and that Apple is unfairly demanding an outsized cut of profits for providing simple payment processing technology. Cook fielded a handful of questions about the company's App Store when he testified before US lawmakers last year, but he otherwise stayed mostly silent as lawmakers grilled the chiefs of Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook Inc. Apple attorneys said they plan to ask him to testify about Apple's corporate values, how the App Store came about and Apple's competitive landscape. Throughout the trial, Apple has sought to persuade Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers that whatever rules it imposes on developers are aimed at keeping its customers' information private and safe from malware. But Epic's legal team has put other Apple executives under pressure during the three-week trial. During a cross-examination Thursday, Apple's software chief Craig Federighi lashed out at one of Epic's attorneys who did not allow Federighi to explain the technical details of why Apple does not use automated tools to scan for some offensive content. Judge Gonzalez Rogers intervened to tell Federighi he would have to wait to explain himself later, when Apple's lawyers resumed questions. Competition authorities in multiple countries have opened probes into the business, including a case in the European Union around Apple's treatment of Spotify. In United States, lawmakers such as Senator Amy Klobuchar who are contemplating new antitrust laws are likely to comb through the records generated in the Epic case. "This case has always been part of a bigger narrative rather than something that's going to decide the issue on its own," said John Bergmayer, legal director at consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge.

Tim Cook to be Apple's star witness at Fortnite trial

Google on Thursday announced plans of opening its first-ever physical retail store. The store is set to open in New York this year. The store will open in Chelsea neighbourhood this summer. Google has a large regional office here with many of its 11,000 New York employees.

"At the Google Store, customers will be able to browse and buy an extensive selection of products made by Google, ranging from Pixel phones to Nest products, Fitbit devices to Pixelbooks and more," said Google vice president Jason Rosenthal.

"Or they can shop online at GoogleStore.com and pick up their orders in store. Throughout the store, visitors will be able to experience how our products and services work together in a variety of immersive ways, which we're excited to share more about when the doors open."

The move has come amid Google's efforts to take on Apple with hardware product ranging from smartphones to thermostats and follows its acquisition of wearables maker Fitbit.

"The new Google Store is an important next step in our hardware journey of providing the most helpful experience of Google, wherever and whenever people need it," Rosenthal said in a blog post.

While Apple has integrated its physical stores into its marketing strategy, Microsoft last year announced it was permanently closing its retail locations except for a handful that would be used as "experience centers."

(With inputs from agencies)

Google on Thursday announced plans of opening its first-ever physical retail store. The store is set to open in New York this year. The store will open in Chelsea neighbourhood this summer.

Google on Thursday announced plans of opening its first-ever physical retail store. The store is set to open in New York this year. The store will open in Chelsea neighbourhood this summer. Google has a large regional office here with many of its 11,000 New York employees. "At the Google Store, customers will be able to browse and buy an extensive selection of products made by Google, ranging from Pixel phones to Nest products, Fitbit devices to Pixelbooks and more," said Google vice president Jason Rosenthal. "Or they can shop online at GoogleStore.com and pick up their orders in store. Throughout the store, visitors will be able to experience how our products and services work together in a variety of immersive ways, which we're excited to share more about when the doors open." The move has come amid Google's efforts to take on Apple with hardware product ranging from smartphones to thermostats and follows its acquisition of wearables maker Fitbit. "The new Google Store is an important next step in our hardware journey of providing the most helpful experience of Google, wherever and whenever people need it," Rosenthal said in a blog post. While Apple has integrated its physical stores into its marketing strategy, Microsoft last year announced it was permanently closing its retail locations except for a handful that would be used as "experience centers." (With inputs from agencies)

Google set to open its first physical store in New York

Misinformation, hate speech and calls for violence about the conflict have circulated on social media platforms amid the deadly fighting.

Facebook Inc set up a 24-7 "special operations centre" last week to respond to content posted on its platform about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid violence in the region, the company said on Wednesday.

Misinformation, hate speech and calls for violence about the conflict have circulated on social media platforms amid the deadly fighting.

"This operations centre allows us to closely monitor the situation so we can remove content that violates our community standards faster, while also addressing possible errors in enforcement," Monika Bickert, Facebook's vice president of content policy, told reporters on a conference call.

Facebook has previously set up similar operations centres to focus on situations like global elections.

Facebook spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters that Facebook's head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, and other executives had on Tuesday spoken to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Facebook executives previously met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz via Zoom, Politico reported last week.

A Reuters fact-checking team has debunked images shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that falsely claim to be related to the conflict.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Jewish extremists had formed new groups on WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging service, to commit violence against Palestinians.

"As a private messaging service, we do not have access to the contents of people's chats through when information is reported to us, we take action to ban accounts we believe may be involved in causing imminent harm," a WhatsApp spokesman said. "We also quickly respond to valid legal requests from law enforcement for the limited information available to us."

Social media platforms have also faced accusations of censorship. Last week, BuzzFeed News reported that Facebook-owned Instagram had mistakenly removed content about al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem where Israeli security police clashed with worshippers.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation also reported that Instagram and Twitter Inc had blamed glitches for the deletion of posts mentioning the possible eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.

Facebook has banned Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas from its platform and removes content praising the group regarded by Israel, the United States and the European Union as a terrorist group.

Facebook's Bickert said the new operations centre was staffed by experts, including native Arabic and Hebrew speakers. California-based Facebook has been criticized in the past for lacking local language expertise and resources amid violent situations in other countries.

Misinformation, hate speech and calls for violence about the conflict have circulated on social media platforms amid the deadly fighting. Facebook Inc set up a 24-7 "special operations centre" last week to respond to content posted on its platform about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid violence in the region, the company said on Wednesday.

Misinformation, hate speech and calls for violence about the conflict have circulated on social media platforms amid the deadly fighting. Facebook Inc set up a 24-7 "special operations centre" last week to respond to content posted on its platform about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid violence in the region, the company said on Wednesday. Misinformation, hate speech and calls for violence about the conflict have circulated on social media platforms amid the deadly fighting. "This operations centre allows us to closely monitor the situation so we can remove content that violates our community standards faster, while also addressing possible errors in enforcement," Monika Bickert, Facebook's vice president of content policy, told reporters on a conference call. Facebook has previously set up similar operations centres to focus on situations like global elections. Facebook spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters that Facebook's head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, and other executives had on Tuesday spoken to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Facebook executives previously met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz via Zoom, Politico reported last week. A Reuters fact-checking team has debunked images shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that falsely claim to be related to the conflict. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Jewish extremists had formed new groups on WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging service, to commit violence against Palestinians. "As a private messaging service, we do not have access to the contents of people's chats through when information is reported to us, we take action to ban accounts we believe may be involved in causing imminent harm," a WhatsApp spokesman said. "We also quickly respond to valid legal requests from law enforcement for the limited information available to us." Social media platforms have also faced accusations of censorship. Last week, BuzzFeed News reported that Facebook-owned Instagram had mistakenly removed content about al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem where Israeli security police clashed with worshippers. The Thomson Reuters Foundation also reported that Instagram and Twitter Inc had blamed glitches for the deletion of posts mentioning the possible eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem. Facebook has banned Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas from its platform and removes content praising the group regarded by Israel, the United States and the European Union as a terrorist group. Facebook's Bickert said the new operations centre was staffed by experts, including native Arabic and Hebrew speakers. California-based Facebook has been criticized in the past for lacking local language expertise and resources amid violent situations in other countries.

Facebook deploys special team to tackle misinformation, hate speech on Israel-Gaza conflict

Tech giant Google is launching an AI-powered tool that will help users in self-diagnosing hundreds of skin conditions.

The tool will use artificial intelligence to help people identify skin, hair, or nail conditions as per a report by The Verge.

The company previewed the tool at the I/O annual developers conference, and it stated it hopes to launch a pilot later this year. People can use their phone's camera to take three pictures of the problem area, for example, a rash on their arm. They will&nbsp;then answer a series of questions about their skin type and other symptoms.

The tool then gives a list of possible conditions from a set of 288 that it`s trained to recognise. It's not intended to diagnose the problem, the company said in a blog post.

''Google decided to tackle skin conditions using artificial intelligence because of their prevalence,'' said Karen DeSalvo, the chief health officer at Google Health.

"People are coming to Google to ask questions about skin conditions. We get about 10 billion annual skin condition queries," she said in an interview with The Verge.

''Of course, experts can help people determine if it's something simple or indicative of a more serious illness, but there`s a shortage of dermatologists all over the world,'' she added.

DeSalvo hopes that this tool can help get people accurate information about potential conditions, quickly, without having to spend hours doing their own online research.

The team trained the model on millions of images of skin problems, thousands of images of healthy skin, and 65,000 images from clinical settings.

The model takes factors like age, skin type, sex, and race into account when suggesting possible conditions. When it was tested on around 1,000 images of skin problems from a diverse range of patients, Google said it identified the correct condition in the top three suggestions 84 percent of the time. It included the correct condition as one of the possible issues 97 percent of the time.

The new system builds on Google's past work using artificial intelligence tools to identify skin conditions. The company published the first iteration of its deep learning system in Nature Medicine last spring.

Google is also working with a Stanford University research team to test how well the tool works in a health care setting. The company obtained a Class I medical device mark for the tool in the European Union, designating it as a low-risk medical device. It has not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Tech giant Google is launching an AI-powered tool that will help users in self-diagnosing hundreds of skin conditions. The tool will use artificial intelligence to help people identify skin, hair, or nail conditions as per a report by The Verge.

Tech giant Google is launching an AI-powered tool that will help users in self-diagnosing hundreds of skin conditions. The tool will use artificial intelligence to help people identify skin, hair, or nail conditions as per a report by The Verge. The company previewed the tool at the I/O annual developers conference, and it stated it hopes to launch a pilot later this year. People can use their phone's camera to take three pictures of the problem area, for example, a rash on their arm. They will then answer a series of questions about their skin type and other symptoms. The tool then gives a list of possible conditions from a set of 288 that it`s trained to recognise. It's not intended to diagnose the problem, the company said in a blog post. ''Google decided to tackle skin conditions using artificial intelligence because of their prevalence,'' said Karen DeSalvo, the chief health officer at Google Health. "People are coming to Google to ask questions about skin conditions. We get about 10 billion annual skin condition queries," she said in an interview with The Verge. ''Of course, experts can help people determine if it's something simple or indicative of a more serious illness, but there`s a shortage of dermatologists all over the world,'' she added. DeSalvo hopes that this tool can help get people accurate information about potential conditions, quickly, without having to spend hours doing their own online research. The team trained the model on millions of images of skin problems, thousands of images of healthy skin, and 65,000 images from clinical settings. The model takes factors like age, skin type, sex, and race into account when suggesting possible conditions. When it was tested on around 1,000 images of skin problems from a diverse range of patients, Google said it identified the correct condition in the top three suggestions 84 percent of the time. It included the correct condition as one of the possible issues 97 percent of the time. The new system builds on Google's past work using artificial intelligence tools to identify skin conditions. The company published the first iteration of its deep learning system in Nature Medicine last spring. Google is also working with a Stanford University research team to test how well the tool works in a health care setting. The company obtained a Class I medical device mark for the tool in the European Union, designating it as a low-risk medical device. It has not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Artificial Intelligence to self-diagnose skin conditions? Google to launch tool soon

Popular search engine, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/google">Google</a>, is set to launch new features to make sure fake news is not circulated through the platform anymore.

The tech giant will be releasing an ‘About this Result’ in the search feature of the platform which will show fact-checked result cards.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/google-looks-to-share-a-glimpse-of-future-385990" hreflang="en">Google looks to share a glimpse of future</a>

This fact-checking will not be done by Google itself. Instead, it will be taking the help of third-party services such as PolitiFact and Snope.

These cards will also show information about the company, statement, and person by linking its Wikipedia page to it. As soon as the user searches for something, the search results will also include a little about how the website (showing the result) describes itself and what is the assessment of the third-party fact-checkers on it.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/groom-almost-marries-wrong-woman-after-google-maps-takes-him-to-wrong-venue-376813" hreflang="en">Groom almost marries wrong woman after Google Maps takes him to wrong venue</a>

The feature was announced in the Google I/O developer's conference&nbsp;keynote on Tuesday. Google experts are hoping this will help users make an informed decision, before sharing or believing the specific piece of news or claim.

"Even though differing conclusions may be presented, we think it’s still helpful for people to understand the degree of consensus around a particular claim and have clear information on which sources agree," Google said in a blog statement.

The feature has been announced a few weeks after Google vowed to curb spread of fake news.

Popular search engine, Google, is set to launch new features to make sure fake news is not circulated through the platform anymore. The tech giant will be releasing an ‘About this Result’ in the search feature of the platform which will show fact-checked result cards.

Popular search engine, Google, is set to launch new features to make sure fake news is not circulated through the platform anymore. The tech giant will be releasing an ‘About this Result’ in the search feature of the platform which will show fact-checked result cards. Also read | Google looks to share a glimpse of future This fact-checking will not be done by Google itself. Instead, it will be taking the help of third-party services such as PolitiFact and Snope. These cards will also show information about the company, statement, and person by linking its Wikipedia page to it. As soon as the user searches for something, the search results will also include a little about how the website (showing the result) describes itself and what is the assessment of the third-party fact-checkers on it. Also read | Groom almost marries wrong woman after Google Maps takes him to wrong venue The feature was announced in the Google I/O developer's conference keynote on Tuesday. Google experts are hoping this will help users make an informed decision, before sharing or believing the specific piece of news or claim. "Even though differing conclusions may be presented, we think it’s still helpful for people to understand the degree of consensus around a particular claim and have clear information on which sources agree," Google said in a blog statement. The feature has been announced a few weeks after Google vowed to curb spread of fake news.

About this result: Google set to roll out new feature to stop fake news

Twitter said Wednesday it was scrapping an automated image-cropping system after its review found bias in the algorithm controlling the function.

The messaging platform said it found the algorithm delivered "unequal treatment based on demographic differences" with whites and males favored over Blacks and females, and "objectification" bias that focused on a woman's chest or legs, described as "male gaze."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-deploys-special-team-as-israel-gaza-conflict-spreads-across-social-media-386163" hreflang="en">Facebook deploys special team as Israel-Gaza conflict spreads across social media</a>

The news comes a month after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter</a> said it was launching an algorithmic fairness initiative as part of an effort to reduce bias on its platform introduced by automation.

Twitter in 2018 introduced a so-called saliency algorithm to crop images, aiming to improve consistency in the size of photos in one's timeline and to focus on their most important elements.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/features-of-twitter-blue-companys-upcoming-paid-service-revealed-385364" hreflang="en">Features of 'Twitter Blue', company's upcoming paid service revealed!</a>

Rumman Chowdhury, head of Twitter's software engineering and a specialist in ethics and artificial intelligence, said the company determined after its review that it is preferable to leave the cropping decisions to users.

"We considered the tradeoffs between the speed and consistency of automated cropping with the potential risks we saw in this research," she said in a blog post.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/researchers-develop-artificial-intelligence-that-can-detect-sarcasm-in-social-media-384519" hreflang="en">Researchers develop artificial intelligence that can detect sarcasm in social media</a>

"One of our conclusions is that not everything on Twitter is a good candidate for an algorithm, and in this case, how to crop an image is a decision best made by people."

The announcement comes amid heightened concerns over advanced algorithms which can deliver biased results due to a lack of data on minorities or other factors.

This week, Amazon said it was extending a ban on law enforcement's use of its facial recognition technology amid fears that its flaws could amplify racial bias.

Twitter's initiative calls for "taking responsibility for our algorithmic decisions" with the aim of "equity and fairness of outcomes," according to the company.

Twitter said Wednesday it was scrapping an automated image-cropping system after its review found bias in the algorithm controlling the function. The messaging platform said it found the algorithm delivered "unequal treatment based on demographic differences" with whites and males favored over Blacks and females, and "objectification" bias that focused on a woman's chest or legs, described as "male gaze.

Twitter said Wednesday it was scrapping an automated image-cropping system after its review found bias in the algorithm controlling the function. The messaging platform said it found the algorithm delivered "unequal treatment based on demographic differences" with whites and males favored over Blacks and females, and "objectification" bias that focused on a woman's chest or legs, described as "male gaze." Also read | Facebook deploys special team as Israel-Gaza conflict spreads across social media The news comes a month after Twitter said it was launching an algorithmic fairness initiative as part of an effort to reduce bias on its platform introduced by automation. Twitter in 2018 introduced a so-called saliency algorithm to crop images, aiming to improve consistency in the size of photos in one's timeline and to focus on their most important elements. Also read | Features of 'Twitter Blue', company's upcoming paid service revealed! Rumman Chowdhury, head of Twitter's software engineering and a specialist in ethics and artificial intelligence, said the company determined after its review that it is preferable to leave the cropping decisions to users. "We considered the tradeoffs between the speed and consistency of automated cropping with the potential risks we saw in this research," she said in a blog post. Also read | Researchers develop artificial intelligence that can detect sarcasm in social media "One of our conclusions is that not everything on Twitter is a good candidate for an algorithm, and in this case, how to crop an image is a decision best made by people." The announcement comes amid heightened concerns over advanced algorithms which can deliver biased results due to a lack of data on minorities or other factors. This week, Amazon said it was extending a ban on law enforcement's use of its facial recognition technology amid fears that its flaws could amplify racial bias. Twitter's initiative calls for "taking responsibility for our algorithmic decisions" with the aim of "equity and fairness of outcomes," according to the company.

Twitter drops image-cropping algorithm after finding racial bias

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem&nbsp;have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet.

Now, a vigilante crime application “Citizen” has become testimony to how dangerous online false information is, and how little time it takes for the information to spread like wildfire.&nbsp;A man from California was falsely accused of starting a wildfire on the application. In addition, a $30,000 reward was advertised for whoever successfully tracks the man.

By the next day, the company has realised the gravity of error, after which it was retracted from the portal.&nbsp;

“Citizen” is a vigilante application which providers users information about local crime using police scanners and other sources. On Saturday, the app pinned the blame of a large bushfire that broke out in California over the weekend on a homeless man.

In the aftermath of the in-app alert, the suspect was momentarily detained by police officials. Eventually, they ascertained that there simply wasn’t enough evidence available linking him to the crime, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department to The Guardian.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/amazon-to-extend-ban-on-police-use-of-face-recognition-tech-386008" hreflang="en">Amazon to extend ban on police use of face recognition tech&nbsp;</a>

Turns out, they’ve now arrested another person for allegedly igniting the fire. But even then, the cost of misinformation attributed falsely to a person on social media is too high in current times. The man’s image had made rounds across several portals by the time Citizen took it down.&nbsp;Over 861,000 people had seen the alert, The Guardian claims.

In response to the erroneous reporting, the application issues a statement saying they are “actively working to improve” their processes to avoid a similar situation in the future. In addition, they said that they error is being “very seriously” by stakeholders.

The picture of the innocent man remained on the application for over 15 hours, which may have led to “potentially disastrous” consequences, as stated by Jim Braden, a sheriff.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-lo-2021-a-magic-window-for-3d-video-calls-386004" hreflang="en">Google l/O 2021: A magic window for 3D video calls</a>

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet.

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet. Now, a vigilante crime application “Citizen” has become testimony to how dangerous online false information is, and how little time it takes for the information to spread like wildfire. A man from California was falsely accused of starting a wildfire on the application. In addition, a $30,000 reward was advertised for whoever successfully tracks the man. By the next day, the company has realised the gravity of error, after which it was retracted from the portal. “Citizen” is a vigilante application which providers users information about local crime using police scanners and other sources. On Saturday, the app pinned the blame of a large bushfire that broke out in California over the weekend on a homeless man. In the aftermath of the in-app alert, the suspect was momentarily detained by police officials. Eventually, they ascertained that there simply wasn’t enough evidence available linking him to the crime, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department to The Guardian. Also read: Amazon to extend ban on police use of face recognition tech Turns out, they’ve now arrested another person for allegedly igniting the fire. But even then, the cost of misinformation attributed falsely to a person on social media is too high in current times. The man’s image had made rounds across several portals by the time Citizen took it down. Over 861,000 people had seen the alert, The Guardian claims. In response to the erroneous reporting, the application issues a statement saying they are “actively working to improve” their processes to avoid a similar situation in the future. In addition, they said that they error is being “very seriously” by stakeholders. The picture of the innocent man remained on the application for over 15 hours, which may have led to “potentially disastrous” consequences, as stated by Jim Braden, a sheriff. Also read: Google l/O 2021: A magic window for 3D video calls

Vigilantism gone wrong: Mobile app falsely accused homeless man of starting bushfire in California

Google’s annual developer conference saw the unveiling of&nbsp;Android 12, providing an in-depth look at the next generation of the Android operating system.

It has an entirely new design based on a system called “Material You,” featuring big, bubbly buttons, shifting colours, and smoother animations. It is “the biggest design change in Android’s history,” according to Sameer Samat, VP of product management, Android and Google Play.&nbsp;

"To make your phone even more helpful, we are working with car manufacturers to develop a new digital car key in Android 12. With this feature, you`ll be able to lock, unlock and even start your car from your phone," the company said.

Android 12 brings personalisable colour palettes, updated notifications and faster, battery-saving performance. Everything from the lock screen to the home screen and system settings have been revamped.

Now that Google has fully announced Android 12 and launched the public beta, it's clear that this update is anything but minor.

The &nbsp;I/O in Google I/O stands for input/output, as well as the slogan "Innovation in the Open". The event's format is similar to Google Developer Day.

(With inputs from agencies)

Google’s annual developer conference saw the unveiling of Android 12, providing an in-depth look at the next generation of the Android operating system. It has an entirely new design based on a system called “Material You,” featuring big, bubbly buttons, shifting colours, and smoother animations.

Google’s annual developer conference saw the unveiling of Android 12, providing an in-depth look at the next generation of the Android operating system. It has an entirely new design based on a system called “Material You,” featuring big, bubbly buttons, shifting colours, and smoother animations. It is “the biggest design change in Android’s history,” according to Sameer Samat, VP of product management, Android and Google Play. "To make your phone even more helpful, we are working with car manufacturers to develop a new digital car key in Android 12. With this feature, you`ll be able to lock, unlock and even start your car from your phone," the company said. Android 12 brings personalisable colour palettes, updated notifications and faster, battery-saving performance. Everything from the lock screen to the home screen and system settings have been revamped. Now that Google has fully announced Android 12 and launched the public beta, it's clear that this update is anything but minor. The I/O in Google I/O stands for input/output, as well as the slogan "Innovation in the Open". The event's format is similar to Google Developer Day. (With inputs from agencies)

Android 12: The biggest design change in Android operating system's history

The 2021 instalment of the annual Google I/O conference had the distinction of focusing on software announcements, with hardware launches being conspicuously absent.

Google and Samsung are unifying their smartwatch OS’s - Google Wear OS and Samsung Tizen OS to bring “Wear" to deliver faster and improved performance.

As Wear OS wages a longshot battle against Apple's watchOS, Google says teaming with Samsung will produce smartwatches with 'faster performance, longer battery life and more of the apps you love.'

For performance, Samsung and Google teams collaborated and made apps start up to 30 per cent faster on the latest chipsets with smooth user interface animations and motion. 
 
&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

"To achieve longer battery life, we`ve worked to optimize the lower layers of the operating system? taking advantage of low-power hardware cores to enable better battery life," said Bjorn Kilburn, Director of Product Management, Wear during the Google I/O conference on Tuesday.

This includes handy optimizations like the ability to run the heart rate sensor continuously during the day, track your sleep overnight and still have a battery for the next day.

"Finally, our unified platform will make it easier for developers to build great apps for the watch," Kilburn added.

All device makers will be able to add a customized user experience on top of the platform, and developers will be able to use the Android tools to build for one platform and ecosystem.

Now, from anywhere in the watch, you can access shortcuts to important functions, like switching to your previous app.

The smartwatch users can easily choose what information they want at a glance, and which actions they want to have just a swipe away.

"Google Maps and Google Assistant are being redesigned and improved. Google Pay will also be redesigned and add support for 26 new countries, beyond the 11 countries currently available. YouTube Music will also arrive on Wear later this year, equipped with features like smart downloads for subscribers to enjoy music while on the go," the company informed.

With the latest Wear update, Google has introduced Fitbit features like tracking health progress throughout the day and on-wrist goal celebrations.

(With inputs from agencies)

The 2021 instalment of the annual Google I/O conference had the distinction of focusing on software announcements, with hardware launches being conspicuously absent.

The 2021 instalment of the annual Google I/O conference had the distinction of focusing on software announcements, with hardware launches being conspicuously absent. Google and Samsung are unifying their smartwatch OS’s - Google Wear OS and Samsung Tizen OS to bring “Wear" to deliver faster and improved performance. As Wear OS wages a longshot battle against Apple's watchOS, Google says teaming with Samsung will produce smartwatches with 'faster performance, longer battery life and more of the apps you love.' For performance, Samsung and Google teams collaborated and made apps start up to 30 per cent faster on the latest chipsets with smooth user interface animations and motion. × "To achieve longer battery life, we`ve worked to optimize the lower layers of the operating system? taking advantage of low-power hardware cores to enable better battery life," said Bjorn Kilburn, Director of Product Management, Wear during the Google I/O conference on Tuesday. This includes handy optimizations like the ability to run the heart rate sensor continuously during the day, track your sleep overnight and still have a battery for the next day. "Finally, our unified platform will make it easier for developers to build great apps for the watch," Kilburn added. All device makers will be able to add a customized user experience on top of the platform, and developers will be able to use the Android tools to build for one platform and ecosystem. Now, from anywhere in the watch, you can access shortcuts to important functions, like switching to your previous app. The smartwatch users can easily choose what information they want at a glance, and which actions they want to have just a swipe away. "Google Maps and Google Assistant are being redesigned and improved. Google Pay will also be redesigned and add support for 26 new countries, beyond the 11 countries currently available. YouTube Music will also arrive on Wear later this year, equipped with features like smart downloads for subscribers to enjoy music while on the go," the company informed. With the latest Wear update, Google has introduced Fitbit features like tracking health progress throughout the day and on-wrist goal celebrations. (With inputs from agencies)

With a dose of Fitbit, Google and Samsung unite to reboot Android smart watches

At virtual I/O 2021, Google announced a host of new features for its various products and services, including Maps, Photos, Search, WearOS and Workspaces, among others.&nbsp;

The pseudo-video chat technology, known as Project Starline, would allow users to "see another person, life-size and in three dimensions," Google said.

In the keynote address by Alphabet Inc CEO Sundar Pichai, it was revealed that Project Starline is a technology project that combines advances in hardware and software to help people feel like they're together, even when they're apart. 
 
&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Google had been working on Project Starline in secret for several years according to CEO Sundar Pichai. Think of it as an amalgamation of VR and teleconferencing to create realistic 3D depictions of people.

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Imagine a magic window, and through that window you see another person, life-size and in three dimensions. 
 
Project Starline is a technology project that combines advances in hardware and software to help people feel like they're together, even when they're apart. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoogleIO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoogleIO</a> <a href="https://t.co/2yNJrXoQcx">pic.twitter.com/2yNJrXoQcx</a>
— Google (@Google) <a href="https://twitter.com/Google/status/1394727290551083009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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It's an experimental hardware-software system leveraging computer science wizardry alongside high-resolution cameras and depth sensors to create a real-time 3D model of people for immersive video conferencing.

Google hosts its annual I/O developer conference every spring, its most significant event of the year. This year's event takes place virtually and runs till Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies)

At virtual I/O 2021, Google announced a host of new features for its various products and services, including Maps, Photos, Search, WearOS and Workspaces, among others.

At virtual I/O 2021, Google announced a host of new features for its various products and services, including Maps, Photos, Search, WearOS and Workspaces, among others. The pseudo-video chat technology, known as Project Starline, would allow users to "see another person, life-size and in three dimensions," Google said. In the keynote address by Alphabet Inc CEO Sundar Pichai, it was revealed that Project Starline is a technology project that combines advances in hardware and software to help people feel like they're together, even when they're apart. × Google had been working on Project Starline in secret for several years according to CEO Sundar Pichai. Think of it as an amalgamation of VR and teleconferencing to create realistic 3D depictions of people. Imagine a magic window, and through that window you see another person, life-size and in three dimensions. Project Starline is a technology project that combines advances in hardware and software to help people feel like they're together, even when they're apart. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/2yNJrXoQcx — Google (@Google) May 18, 2021 × It's an experimental hardware-software system leveraging computer science wizardry alongside high-resolution cameras and depth sensors to create a real-time 3D model of people for immersive video conferencing. Google hosts its annual I/O developer conference every spring, its most significant event of the year. This year's event takes place virtually and runs till Thursday. (With inputs from agencies)

Google l/O 2021: A magic window for 3D video calls

Amazon said on Tuesday, it is extending its ban on the use of its facial recognition tools for law enforcement, amid persistent concerns of bias in the technology.&nbsp;

The tech giant in last June announced, it was implementing a one-year moratorium on police use of its technology, saying the pause could give Congress time to enact safeguards against misuse of facial recognition.&nbsp;

The company confirmed on Tuesday an extension of that ban 'until further notice' without elaborating.&nbsp;

Last year's move came amid widespread protests over police brutality and concerns that facial recognition technology is flawed, especially in analysing features of African Americans.&nbsp;

Activists also say the technology tools may use algorithms, which discriminate, intentionally or not, against Black people.&nbsp;

Activists have targeted Amazon Web Services cloud computing unit's 'Rekognition' facial recognition technology and Ring surveillance cameras used for home security. It was not clear the degree to which police have used the systems.&nbsp;

Amazon last year called for governments to put in place ‘stronger regulations to govern the ethical use of facial recognition technology’.&nbsp;

Its ban was followed by Microsoft and IBM, which made similar announcements.&nbsp;

Last week, a coalition of activist groups called for Amazon to permanently stop selling its Rekognition system and on Tuesday said, the company should commit to scrapping the system.&nbsp;

"Facial recognition technology is too dangerous for it to be implemented at the whims of corporations like Amazon," said Evan Greer of the activist group, Fight for the Future, one of the groups in the coalition.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Amazon said on Tuesday, it is extending its ban on the use of its facial recognition tools for law enforcement, amid persistent concerns of bias in the technology.

Amazon said on Tuesday, it is extending its ban on the use of its facial recognition tools for law enforcement, amid persistent concerns of bias in the technology. The tech giant in last June announced, it was implementing a one-year moratorium on police use of its technology, saying the pause could give Congress time to enact safeguards against misuse of facial recognition. The company confirmed on Tuesday an extension of that ban 'until further notice' without elaborating. Last year's move came amid widespread protests over police brutality and concerns that facial recognition technology is flawed, especially in analysing features of African Americans. Activists also say the technology tools may use algorithms, which discriminate, intentionally or not, against Black people. Activists have targeted Amazon Web Services cloud computing unit's 'Rekognition' facial recognition technology and Ring surveillance cameras used for home security. It was not clear the degree to which police have used the systems. Amazon last year called for governments to put in place ‘stronger regulations to govern the ethical use of facial recognition technology’. Its ban was followed by Microsoft and IBM, which made similar announcements. Last week, a coalition of activist groups called for Amazon to permanently stop selling its Rekognition system and on Tuesday said, the company should commit to scrapping the system. "Facial recognition technology is too dangerous for it to be implemented at the whims of corporations like Amazon," said Evan Greer of the activist group, Fight for the Future, one of the groups in the coalition. (With inputs from agencies)

Amazon to extend ban on police use of face recognition tech 

Some of France`s most sensitive state and corporate data can be safely stored using the cloud computing technology developed by Alphabet`s Google and Microsoft, if it is licensed to French companies, the government said on Monday. 
 
The comment, part of strategic plan laid out by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and two other ministers, acknowledges US&nbsp;technological superiority in the field and contrasts with previous calls from European politicians for fully homegrown alternatives. 
 
Google and Microsoft, along with market leader Amazon, dominate the realm of data storage worldwide, fuelling concerns in Europe over the risk of surveillance by the United States in the wake of the adoption of the US&nbsp;CLOUD Act of 2018. 
 
Yet a "trustworthy" cloud computing alternative can be developed within Europe, Le Maire said, by guaranteeing the location of servers on French soil as well as European ownership of the companies that store and process the data. 
 
"We therefore decided that the best companies - I`m thinking in particular of Microsoft or Google - could license all or part of their technology to French companies," Le Maire said at a news conference. He did not mention Amazon. 
 
Google said it welcomed the "clarification" provided by the French government, adding that it supported "the need for the greatest security levels". 
 
Microsoft said this was good news for France`s digital transformation "in complete independence". 
 
Amazon`s cloud unit has been collaborating via partnerships with several major French companies, including state-controlled telecoms firm Orange, its general manager in France Julien Groues told Reuters. 
 
"This is something that we`ve been doing for many years," he said. 
 
Le Maire compared the licences he mentioned with the ones seen in the 1960s in the field of the civil nuclear energy between France and the United States. 
 
A so-called "trustworthy cloud" label would be delivered to the companies that offer cloud computing services that respect the principles spoken of by Le Maire, and other conditions set by France`s cybersecurity agency ANSSI. 
 
OVHcloud and Dassault Systemes` Outscale are two French companies that already fulfil these criteria. OVHcloud said late last year it had partnered with Google to build its cloud computing capacities. 
 
"We... hope that other Franco-American alliances will emerge in this area, which will allow us to have the best technology while guaranteeing the independence of French data," said Minister for Digital Affairs Cedric O.

Some of France`s most sensitive state and corporate data can be safely stored using the cloud computing technology developed by Alphabet`s Google and Microsoft, if it is licensed to French companies, the government said on Monday.

Some of France`s most sensitive state and corporate data can be safely stored using the cloud computing technology developed by Alphabet`s Google and Microsoft, if it is licensed to French companies, the government said on Monday. The comment, part of strategic plan laid out by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and two other ministers, acknowledges US technological superiority in the field and contrasts with previous calls from European politicians for fully homegrown alternatives. Google and Microsoft, along with market leader Amazon, dominate the realm of data storage worldwide, fuelling concerns in Europe over the risk of surveillance by the United States in the wake of the adoption of the US CLOUD Act of 2018. Yet a "trustworthy" cloud computing alternative can be developed within Europe, Le Maire said, by guaranteeing the location of servers on French soil as well as European ownership of the companies that store and process the data. "We therefore decided that the best companies - I`m thinking in particular of Microsoft or Google - could license all or part of their technology to French companies," Le Maire said at a news conference. He did not mention Amazon. Google said it welcomed the "clarification" provided by the French government, adding that it supported "the need for the greatest security levels". Microsoft said this was good news for France`s digital transformation "in complete independence". Amazon`s cloud unit has been collaborating via partnerships with several major French companies, including state-controlled telecoms firm Orange, its general manager in France Julien Groues told Reuters. "This is something that we`ve been doing for many years," he said. Le Maire compared the licences he mentioned with the ones seen in the 1960s in the field of the civil nuclear energy between France and the United States. A so-called "trustworthy cloud" label would be delivered to the companies that offer cloud computing services that respect the principles spoken of by Le Maire, and other conditions set by France`s cybersecurity agency ANSSI. OVHcloud and Dassault Systemes` Outscale are two French companies that already fulfil these criteria. OVHcloud said late last year it had partnered with Google to build its cloud computing capacities. "We... hope that other Franco-American alliances will emerge in this area, which will allow us to have the best technology while guaranteeing the independence of French data," said Minister for Digital Affairs Cedric O.

France embraces Google, Microsoft in quest to safeguard sensitive data

Twitter is expected to roll out its paid subscription model widely dubbed as “Twitter Blue” in the coming months. The company has been working on the model for a year now and more details about the features will be made available with time.

Meanwhile, here’s all that we know so far.

Twitter Blue pricing

Looks like the subscription model will be priced at $2.99 per month (roughly 218 rupees).

Twitter Blue "Collections"

A user who digs through new and upcoming features also reported that it would have a “Collections” feature which would allow users to collect important tweets and store them at one place, making it easier for them to find the posts later.

Twitter Blue "Bookmarks Collections"

In addition, Twitter Blue will offer a “Bookmarks Collections” feature whereby users will be able to bookmark in different locations - a sort of folder-based storage model.

Undo Tweets

And the company is also set to offer its paying customers the chance to “undo tweets”. Essentially, this will allow users to quickly delete a tweet which may have errors or other discrepancies. This undo option will be available for a short while immediately after posting the tweet. This will be a customisable feature, and users may decide how long they want the option to be available.

In addition, users will reportedly be able to decide where all the option may be used including original tweets, user replies, quote retweets, etc.

Twitter Blue will have many subscription models

That’s not all! The Twitter subscription will be tier-based, implying features will be made available to users based on the price they pay.&nbsp;

In July 2020, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that the company would “set a really high bar” for whenever it begins rolling out its paid services.&nbsp;But it is unclear when the service begin rolling out in the world and still remains in testing phase. And we still don’t know if the paid functionality would eliminate advertisements altogether.

Would you pay for these add-on benefits, or is regular Twitter enough for your needs?&nbsp;

Twitter is expected to roll out its paid subscription model widely dubbed as “Twitter Blue” in the coming months. The company has been working on the model for a year now and more details about the features will be made available with time.

Twitter is expected to roll out its paid subscription model widely dubbed as “Twitter Blue” in the coming months. The company has been working on the model for a year now and more details about the features will be made available with time. Meanwhile, here’s all that we know so far. Twitter Blue pricing Looks like the subscription model will be priced at $2.99 per month (roughly 218 rupees). Twitter Blue "Collections" A user who digs through new and upcoming features also reported that it would have a “Collections” feature which would allow users to collect important tweets and store them at one place, making it easier for them to find the posts later. Twitter Blue "Bookmarks Collections" In addition, Twitter Blue will offer a “Bookmarks Collections” feature whereby users will be able to bookmark in different locations - a sort of folder-based storage model. Undo Tweets And the company is also set to offer its paying customers the chance to “undo tweets”. Essentially, this will allow users to quickly delete a tweet which may have errors or other discrepancies. This undo option will be available for a short while immediately after posting the tweet. This will be a customisable feature, and users may decide how long they want the option to be available. In addition, users will reportedly be able to decide where all the option may be used including original tweets, user replies, quote retweets, etc. Twitter Blue will have many subscription models That’s not all! The Twitter subscription will be tier-based, implying features will be made available to users based on the price they pay. In July 2020, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that the company would “set a really high bar” for whenever it begins rolling out its paid services. But it is unclear when the service begin rolling out in the world and still remains in testing phase. And we still don’t know if the paid functionality would eliminate advertisements altogether. Would you pay for these add-on benefits, or is regular Twitter enough for your needs?

Features of 'Twitter Blue', company's upcoming paid service revealed!

The coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for an overhaul in digital skills for older people. Being stuck at home, away from their children, grandchildren and friends, the older citizens of the world have had to gain some digital literacy. However, according to a recent study, technology might be a good thing for senior citizens.

A UK study has found that other than merely being a way to pass time, spending time online can be very beneficial too. For older people, who apart from their traditional way of social interactions, also make use of online platforms, this world of technology has an unbeatable plus point — a way to escape dementia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-lockdowns-lower-premature-births-a-new-study-adds-evidence-335567">Did lockdowns lower premature births? A new study adds evidence</a>

This study&nbsp;by the University of West London’s Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, and the University of Manchester, has found that older people who frequently make use of technology&nbsp;for communication have a better ability to recollect meaningful events, i.e., a decline is not witnessed in their episodic memory. This points to them not falling prey to dementia.

The study titled 'Social Contact and 15-year Episodic Memory Trajectories in Older Adults with and Without Hearing Loss' looked at the communication habits of around 11,000, 50 to 90 years old, men and women.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/social-inequities-explain-racial-gaps-in-pandemic-studies-find-348674">Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find</a>

Conducted over a period of fifteen years, the study, published in&nbsp;the Journals of Gerontology, found that people who only use traditional communication methods such as face-to-face meetings and telephone communications experienced a steeper decline in their memory as compared to the participants who enriched their social activity online.

According to the study findings for those with hearing loss, an even greater impact was observed, with more diverse communication methods providing a greater benefit to cognitive function over time.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-mouthwash-will-not-save-you-from-the-coronavirus-337700">No, mouthwash will not save you from the coronavirus</a>

Snorri Rafnsson, an associate professor of ageing and dementia care at the Geller Institute led the study. "This shows for the first time the impact of diverse, frequent and meaningful interactions on long-term memory, and specifically, how supplementing more traditional methods with online social activity may achieve that among older adults,"&nbsp;Rafnsson said.

"There are combined factors here, as learning to use and engage with online social technology can offer direct cognitive stimulation to keep memory function active. In addition, communicating through diverse channels can facilitate social support exchanges and interactions, which in turn benefit our brains.

He also pointed out the impact of various Zoom calls that became an important way to connect during the lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

"It is fair to say that all the Zooming that went on during lockdown might well have provided older people with a protective cushion against dementia," he explainmed. "I'm sure it did have a beneficial impact on older people."

"The more platforms they can master, the better," he said, emphasising that using a more diverse array of technologies will actually provide greater benefits.

The coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for an overhaul in digital skills for older people. Being stuck at home, away from their children, grandchildren and friends, the older citizens of the world have had to gain some digital literacy.

The coronavirus pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for an overhaul in digital skills for older people. Being stuck at home, away from their children, grandchildren and friends, the older citizens of the world have had to gain some digital literacy. However, according to a recent study, technology might be a good thing for senior citizens. A UK study has found that other than merely being a way to pass time, spending time online can be very beneficial too. For older people, who apart from their traditional way of social interactions, also make use of online platforms, this world of technology has an unbeatable plus point — a way to escape dementia. Also read | Did lockdowns lower premature births? A new study adds evidence This study by the University of West London’s Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, and the University of Manchester, has found that older people who frequently make use of technology for communication have a better ability to recollect meaningful events, i.e., a decline is not witnessed in their episodic memory. This points to them not falling prey to dementia. The study titled 'Social Contact and 15-year Episodic Memory Trajectories in Older Adults with and Without Hearing Loss' looked at the communication habits of around 11,000, 50 to 90 years old, men and women. Also read | Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find Conducted over a period of fifteen years, the study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, found that people who only use traditional communication methods such as face-to-face meetings and telephone communications experienced a steeper decline in their memory as compared to the participants who enriched their social activity online. According to the study findings for those with hearing loss, an even greater impact was observed, with more diverse communication methods providing a greater benefit to cognitive function over time. Also read | No, mouthwash will not save you from the coronavirus Snorri Rafnsson, an associate professor of ageing and dementia care at the Geller Institute led the study. "This shows for the first time the impact of diverse, frequent and meaningful interactions on long-term memory, and specifically, how supplementing more traditional methods with online social activity may achieve that among older adults," Rafnsson said. "There are combined factors here, as learning to use and engage with online social technology can offer direct cognitive stimulation to keep memory function active. In addition, communicating through diverse channels can facilitate social support exchanges and interactions, which in turn benefit our brains. He also pointed out the impact of various Zoom calls that became an important way to connect during the lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. "It is fair to say that all the Zooming that went on during lockdown might well have provided older people with a protective cushion against dementia," he explainmed. "I'm sure it did have a beneficial impact on older people." "The more platforms they can master, the better," he said, emphasising that using a more diverse array of technologies will actually provide greater benefits.

Being tech savvy has health benefits for older people: Study

The Tesla car that was involved in a fatal crash on the California freeway in the US on May 05 was set on autopilot at the time of the accident, authorities have reported.

This is the 29th Tesla accident that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating.

On May 05, a Tesla Model 3 crashed into an overturned semi-truck on a freeway around 2:30 am (local time), leading to the death of the 35-year-old man sitting in the car and a man being injured who was helping the truck driver out of his vehicle.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-tesla-halts-bitcoin-purchases-amid-concerns-of-increasing-carbon-emissions-384647">Elon Musk's Tesla halts bitcoin purchases amid concerns of increasing carbon emissions</a>

After investigating, authorities have found the electric car by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/elon-musk?page=1">Elon Musk's</a> Tesla was operating on the company’s partially automated driving system, dubbed as Autopilot.

This is the fourth accident of a Tesla car operating on the autopilot feature.

"While the CHP does not normally comment on ongoing investigations, the Department recognizes the high level of interest centered around crashes involving Tesla vehicle," the agency said. "We felt this information provides an opportunity to remind the public that driving is a complex task that requires a driver's full attention."

This incident has raised concerns about the company's features of autopilot and self-driving. However, the user manuals do caution the drivers to pay attention to the road even if the car is operating on autopilot or self-driving mode.

The Tesla car that was involved in a fatal crash on the California freeway in the US on May 05 was set on autopilot at the time of the accident, authorities have reported.

The Tesla car that was involved in a fatal crash on the California freeway in the US on May 05 was set on autopilot at the time of the accident, authorities have reported. This is the 29th Tesla accident that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating. On May 05, a Tesla Model 3 crashed into an overturned semi-truck on a freeway around 2:30 am (local time), leading to the death of the 35-year-old man sitting in the car and a man being injured who was helping the truck driver out of his vehicle. Also read | Elon Musk's Tesla halts bitcoin purchases amid concerns of increasing carbon emissions After investigating, authorities have found the electric car by Elon Musk's Tesla was operating on the company’s partially automated driving system, dubbed as Autopilot. This is the fourth accident of a Tesla car operating on the autopilot feature. "While the CHP does not normally comment on ongoing investigations, the Department recognizes the high level of interest centered around crashes involving Tesla vehicle," the agency said. "We felt this information provides an opportunity to remind the public that driving is a complex task that requires a driver's full attention." This incident has raised concerns about the company's features of autopilot and self-driving. However, the user manuals do caution the drivers to pay attention to the road even if the car is operating on autopilot or self-driving mode.

Tesla in California car crash was on Autopilot: Officials

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions. 
 
Hyundai`s announcement comes as U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration prioritized a push toward electric cars, aiming to replace the 650,000 vehicles in federal fleets with U.S.-made electric vehicles. 
 
In January, Biden also signed an executive order aimed at imposing tougher rules on government procurement practices to increase purchases of American-made products, strengthening domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies. 
 
Analysts said Hyundai`s U.S. investment was essential to take advantage of the Biden administration`s EV policies and to receive subsidies and tax incentives. 
 
"If Hyundai seeks to fully leverage U.S. EV policies, they need to pursue not only EV production but also sourcing major auto parts in the United States," said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment &amp; Securities. 
 
Lee added that it is up to how the South Korean carmaker sources U.S.-made batteries for its U.S. EV production, raising potential further investment in the United States by top battery makers. 
 
Hyundai`s announcement came before U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington next week in talks that are expected to cover North Korea, COVID-19 vaccines and other topics. 
 
Biden has called for $174 billion in new spending to boost electric vehicles and charging. 
 
The group`s Hyundai Motor Co will begin electric vehicle production at a U.S. facility in 2022, while affiliate Kia Corp also plans to build electric vehicles in the United States. Hyundai has a factory in Alabama, while Kia produces cars at a plant in Georgia. 
 
"We are reviewing options including expanding on our production facility after we’ve taken a closer look at U.S. market conditions and U.S. government’s new EV policy," Hyundai said in a statement to Reuters. 
 
The move comes as Hyundai`s major electric battery supplier, SK Innovation, proceeds with construction of new U.S. factories for Volkswagen and Ford and plans to expand capacity in the United States. 
 
SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has said SK could invest up to $5 billion for battery business in the United States, meaning it appears there is room for SK to invest further in the U.S., a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. 
 
Since 2018, SK Innovation has so far invested about 3 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to build two EV battery factories in Georgia. 
 
Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea`s No. 2 conglomerate, did not provide the investment breakdown but said the spending would be primarily for Hyundai and Kia. Analysts said that Hyundai is likely to allocate the biggest amount to its EV capex, and that spending for cooperation with other U.S. companies could be more flexible depending on how the U.S. EV market changes. 
 
Hyundai said it will work with the U.S. government and business partners to install hydrogen refuelling stations and offer its NEXO hydrogen SUVs. 
 
Hyundai is also investing in robotics, urban air mobility and autonomous driving technology, the company said.

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions.

South Korea`s Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions. Hyundai`s announcement comes as U.S. President Joe Biden`s administration prioritized a push toward electric cars, aiming to replace the 650,000 vehicles in federal fleets with U.S.-made electric vehicles. In January, Biden also signed an executive order aimed at imposing tougher rules on government procurement practices to increase purchases of American-made products, strengthening domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies. Analysts said Hyundai`s U.S. investment was essential to take advantage of the Biden administration`s EV policies and to receive subsidies and tax incentives. "If Hyundai seeks to fully leverage U.S. EV policies, they need to pursue not only EV production but also sourcing major auto parts in the United States," said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment & Securities. Lee added that it is up to how the South Korean carmaker sources U.S.-made batteries for its U.S. EV production, raising potential further investment in the United States by top battery makers. Hyundai`s announcement came before U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington next week in talks that are expected to cover North Korea, COVID-19 vaccines and other topics. Biden has called for $174 billion in new spending to boost electric vehicles and charging. The group`s Hyundai Motor Co will begin electric vehicle production at a U.S. facility in 2022, while affiliate Kia Corp also plans to build electric vehicles in the United States. Hyundai has a factory in Alabama, while Kia produces cars at a plant in Georgia. "We are reviewing options including expanding on our production facility after we’ve taken a closer look at U.S. market conditions and U.S. government’s new EV policy," Hyundai said in a statement to Reuters. The move comes as Hyundai`s major electric battery supplier, SK Innovation, proceeds with construction of new U.S. factories for Volkswagen and Ford and plans to expand capacity in the United States. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has said SK could invest up to $5 billion for battery business in the United States, meaning it appears there is room for SK to invest further in the U.S., a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. Since 2018, SK Innovation has so far invested about 3 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to build two EV battery factories in Georgia. Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea`s No. 2 conglomerate, did not provide the investment breakdown but said the spending would be primarily for Hyundai and Kia. Analysts said that Hyundai is likely to allocate the biggest amount to its EV capex, and that spending for cooperation with other U.S. companies could be more flexible depending on how the U.S. EV market changes. Hyundai said it will work with the U.S. government and business partners to install hydrogen refuelling stations and offer its NEXO hydrogen SUVs. Hyundai is also investing in robotics, urban air mobility and autonomous driving technology, the company said.

Hyundai to invest $7.4 billion in US by 2025, with electric cars in focus

Facebook-owned messaging colossus&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;retreated again from its plan to force users to accept new terms which critics said could expand data collection from its two billion users around the world.

It comes after a&nbsp;German regulator on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on Facebook collecting user data from&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;accounts and referred the case to an EU watchdog, citing concerns about election integrity.

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WhatsApp, which was set to enforce its new data-sharing policy on May 15, following a delay in response to a user outcry -- revealed on its website that it would not immediately cut off users who don't accept the new terms, although it would send reminders to those who don't opt-in.

The update will allow additional sharing of information from&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;with Facebook and its other applications such as Instagram and Messenger, such as contacts and profile data, but not the content of messages which remain encrypted.

The platform had claimed the update was chiefly aimed at merchants who use&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;to chat with customers -- allowing them to share data with Facebook.

But critics feared it could open the door to broader data sharing with Facebook with potential implications for user privacy.

The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information sent the order to the social network, which owns the popular messaging service. Hamburg has jurisdiction because Facebook's German branch is based in the city.&nbsp;

The tech giant informed&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;users earlier this year that they had to consent to a new data-use policy to continue using the service.

The German authority said in an emergency decision that the terms of that agreement were now null and void in Europe's top economy for three months.

It will hand the case over to the European Data Protection Board, an independent EU body that enforces rules throughout the 27-nation bloc. &nbsp;

The head of the German regulator, Johannes Caspar, said past Facebook data protection breaches as well as Germany's general election in September showed the "dangers" of "mass building of user profiles" that could be exploited.

"This ruling is intended to protect the rights and freedoms of the many millions of user across Germany who give their permission to the new use and privacy policy," he said.

"That includes not only the private sphere but also the possibility of using profiles to influence voter choices and manipulate democratic decisions."&nbsp;

Caspar noted that with nearly 60 million users in Germany,&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;was "by far" the country's most popular social media app.

A&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;spokesman said the update would not allow additional passing of user information from the service to Facebook's other applications.

"Your acceptance of the new Terms of Service does not expand&nbsp;WhatsApp's ability to share user data with its parent company Facebook," he said.

WhatsApp&nbsp;said the German order "is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and effect of&nbsp;WhatsApp's update and therefore has no legitimate basis".

The update actually "provides further transparency about how we collect and use data", said the spokesman.

As the Hamburg authority's "claims are wrong, the order will not impact the continued roll-out of the update", he added.

The regulatory action has opened a new front in&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;over Facebook's privacy policies, with its national antitrust regulator waging a legal battle over data practices it says amount to an abuse of market dominance.

Since 2018, online privacy has been subject to a European Union rulebook, called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Under the GDPR, Ireland leads oversight of Facebook because the company's European headquarters is there.

Facebook-owned messaging colossus WhatsApp retreated again from its plan to force users to accept new terms which critics said could expand data collection from its two billion users around the world.

Facebook-owned messaging colossus WhatsApp retreated again from its plan to force users to accept new terms which critics said could expand data collection from its two billion users around the world. It comes after a German regulator on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on Facebook collecting user data from WhatsApp accounts and referred the case to an EU watchdog, citing concerns about election integrity. WhatsApp, which was set to enforce its new data-sharing policy on May 15, following a delay in response to a user outcry -- revealed on its website that it would not immediately cut off users who don't accept the new terms, although it would send reminders to those who don't opt-in. The update will allow additional sharing of information from WhatsApp with Facebook and its other applications such as Instagram and Messenger, such as contacts and profile data, but not the content of messages which remain encrypted. The platform had claimed the update was chiefly aimed at merchants who use WhatsApp to chat with customers -- allowing them to share data with Facebook. But critics feared it could open the door to broader data sharing with Facebook with potential implications for user privacy. The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information sent the order to the social network, which owns the popular messaging service. Hamburg has jurisdiction because Facebook's German branch is based in the city. The tech giant informed WhatsApp users earlier this year that they had to consent to a new data-use policy to continue using the service. The German authority said in an emergency decision that the terms of that agreement were now null and void in Europe's top economy for three months. It will hand the case over to the European Data Protection Board, an independent EU body that enforces rules throughout the 27-nation bloc. The head of the German regulator, Johannes Caspar, said past Facebook data protection breaches as well as Germany's general election in September showed the "dangers" of "mass building of user profiles" that could be exploited. "This ruling is intended to protect the rights and freedoms of the many millions of user across Germany who give their permission to the new use and privacy policy," he said. "That includes not only the private sphere but also the possibility of using profiles to influence voter choices and manipulate democratic decisions." Caspar noted that with nearly 60 million users in Germany, WhatsApp was "by far" the country's most popular social media app. A WhatsApp spokesman said the update would not allow additional passing of user information from the service to Facebook's other applications. "Your acceptance of the new Terms of Service does not expand WhatsApp's ability to share user data with its parent company Facebook," he said. WhatsApp said the German order "is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and effect of WhatsApp's update and therefore has no legitimate basis". The update actually "provides further transparency about how we collect and use data", said the spokesman. As the Hamburg authority's "claims are wrong, the order will not impact the continued roll-out of the update", he added. The regulatory action has opened a new front in Germany over Facebook's privacy policies, with its national antitrust regulator waging a legal battle over data practices it says amount to an abuse of market dominance. Since 2018, online privacy has been subject to a European Union rulebook, called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Under the GDPR, Ireland leads oversight of Facebook because the company's European headquarters is there.

WhatsApp delays enforcing new privacy terms after Germany halts data sharing

Observing an increase in climate-harming emissions, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/elon-musk?page=1">Elon Musk’s</a> electric car company, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/tesla">Tesla</a>, has decided to temporary suspend payment for cars with bitcoin.

"Tesla has suspended vehicle purchase using Bitcoin. We are concerned about the rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel," Musk&nbsp;said in a statement.

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Tesla &amp; Bitcoin <a href="https://t.co/YSswJmVZhP">pic.twitter.com/YSswJmVZhP</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1392602041025843203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-elon-musk-reveals-he-has-asperger%E2%80%99s-syndrome-on-%E2%80%98saturday-night-live%E2%80%99-383885" hreflang="en">Elon Musk reveals he has Asperger’s syndrome on ‘Saturday Night Live’</a>

Recently, Tesla shifted towards fulfilling its owner’s dream of making electric cars mainstream and tried to drive people away from combustion engines pumping out emissions contributing to climate change.

In a bid to give a boost to digital currency, in March, the electric car company started accepting bitcoin in exchange for electric cars from Tesla.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musks-tesla-says-it-appears-driver-was-at-the-wheel-in-crash-380728" hreflang="en">Elon Musk's Tesla says it appears driver was at the wheel in crash</a>

"Cryptocurrency is a good idea on many levels and we believe it has a promising future, but this can not come at great cost to the environment," the statement read.

Musk also said that Tesla will not be selling any of its bitcoin and will wait to resume bitcoin purchases and sales only after "mining transitions to more sustainable energy".

Meanwhile, the company is also looking at other options in digital currency that do not harm the environment like bitcoin.

Observing an increase in climate-harming emissions, Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has decided to temporary suspend payment for cars with bitcoin. "Tesla has suspended vehicle purchase using Bitcoin.

Observing an increase in climate-harming emissions, Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has decided to temporary suspend payment for cars with bitcoin. "Tesla has suspended vehicle purchase using Bitcoin. We are concerned about the rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel," Musk said in a statement. Tesla & Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/YSswJmVZhP — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2021 × Also read | Elon Musk reveals he has Asperger’s syndrome on ‘Saturday Night Live’ Recently, Tesla shifted towards fulfilling its owner’s dream of making electric cars mainstream and tried to drive people away from combustion engines pumping out emissions contributing to climate change. In a bid to give a boost to digital currency, in March, the electric car company started accepting bitcoin in exchange for electric cars from Tesla. Also read | Elon Musk's Tesla says it appears driver was at the wheel in crash "Cryptocurrency is a good idea on many levels and we believe it has a promising future, but this can not come at great cost to the environment," the statement read. Musk also said that Tesla will not be selling any of its bitcoin and will wait to resume bitcoin purchases and sales only after "mining transitions to more sustainable energy". Meanwhile, the company is also looking at other options in digital currency that do not harm the environment like bitcoin.

Elon Musk's Tesla halts bitcoin purchases amid concerns of increasing carbon emissions

Instagram on Wednesday began letting English-language users enhance profiles to show new gender pronouns they want applied to them in conversation.

The photo-centric social network became the lasted internet service to broaden beyond basic "he" or "she" references to pronouns preferred by those with alternate gender identities.

"Add pronouns to your profile," Instagram said in a tweet.

"The new field is available in a few countries, with plans for more."

Instagram users can opt to have pronoun choices shown publicly, or just to friends at the service.

Pronoun options included "them" and "theirs" along with nonbinary "co," "ze" and others shared at a resource center page at the University of California, Davis, website.

"We are giving people more tools to express themselves on Instagram," the Facebook-owned service said.

"Sharing pronouns has been widely adopted by our community, and with this feature we hope to normalize the adoption further," he added.

Instagram added that it consulted with advocacy groups on pronoun options.

The addition to Instagram profiles was rolled out globally in English, with work being done to expand to other languages, according to Instagram.

(With inputs from agencies)

Instagram on Wednesday began letting English-language users enhance profiles to show new gender pronouns they want applied to them in conversation. The photo-centric social network became the lasted internet service to broaden beyond basic "he" or "she" references to pronouns preferred by those with alternate gender identities.

Instagram on Wednesday began letting English-language users enhance profiles to show new gender pronouns they want applied to them in conversation. The photo-centric social network became the lasted internet service to broaden beyond basic "he" or "she" references to pronouns preferred by those with alternate gender identities. "Add pronouns to your profile," Instagram said in a tweet. "The new field is available in a few countries, with plans for more." Instagram users can opt to have pronoun choices shown publicly, or just to friends at the service. Pronoun options included "them" and "theirs" along with nonbinary "co," "ze" and others shared at a resource center page at the University of California, Davis, website. "We are giving people more tools to express themselves on Instagram," the Facebook-owned service said. "Sharing pronouns has been widely adopted by our community, and with this feature we hope to normalize the adoption further," he added. Instagram added that it consulted with advocacy groups on pronoun options. The addition to Instagram profiles was rolled out globally in English, with work being done to expand to other languages, according to Instagram. (With inputs from agencies)

Instagram to let users add pronouns in profiles, in nod to alternate gender identities

A German regulator on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/facebook">Facebook</a> collecting user data from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/whatsapp">WhatsApp</a> accounts and referred the case to an EU watchdog, citing concerns about election integrity.

The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information sent the order to the social network, which owns the popular messaging service. Hamburg has jurisdiction because Facebook's German branch is based in the city.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/whatsapp-rolls-out-stickers-to-spread-covid-19-vaccine-awareness-check-out-details-376095" hreflang="en">WhatsApp rolls out stickers to spread COVID-19 vaccine awareness: Check out details</a>

The tech giant informed WhatsApp users earlier this year that they had to consent to a new data-use policy to continue using the service.

The German authority said in an emergency decision that the terms of that agreement were now null and void in Europe's top economy for three months.

It will hand the case over to the European Data Protection Board, an independent EU body that enforces rules throughout the 27-nation bloc. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/social-media-platforms-should-not-amplify-untrustworthy-content-biden-383169" hreflang="en">Social media platforms should not amplify 'untrustworthy' content: Biden</a>

The head of the German regulator, Johannes Caspar, said past Facebook data protection breaches as well as Germany's general election in September showed the "dangers" of "mass building of user profiles" that could be exploited.

"This ruling is intended to protect the rights and freedoms of the many millions of user across Germany who give their permission to the new use and privacy policy," he said.

"That includes not only the private sphere but also the possibility of using profiles to influence voter choices and manipulate democratic decisions."&nbsp;

A 'fundamental misunderstanding'

Caspar noted that with nearly 60 million users in Germany, WhatsApp was "by far" the country's most popular social media app.

WhatsApp on Friday stepped back from its plan to require users to accept the new terms, which critics said could expand data collection from its two billion users around the world.

The service had been set to enforce its new data-sharing policy on May 15, following a delay in response to a user outcry. Instead, it said on its website that it would not immediately cut off users who don't accept the new terms, although it would send reminders to those who don't opt in.

A WhatsApp spokesman said the update would not allow additional passing of user information from the service to Facebook's other applications.

"Your acceptance of the new Terms of Service does not expand WhatsApp's ability to share user data with its parent company Facebook," he said.

WhatsApp said the German order "is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and effect of WhatsApp's update and therefore has no legitimate basis".

The update actually "provides further transparency about how we collect and use data", said the spokesman.

As the Hamburg authority's "claims are wrong, the order will not impact the continued roll-out of the update", he added.

A German regulator on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on Facebook collecting user data from WhatsApp accounts and referred the case to an EU watchdog, citing concerns about election integrity.

A German regulator on Tuesday slapped a three-month ban on Facebook collecting user data from WhatsApp accounts and referred the case to an EU watchdog, citing concerns about election integrity. The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information sent the order to the social network, which owns the popular messaging service. Hamburg has jurisdiction because Facebook's German branch is based in the city. Also read | WhatsApp rolls out stickers to spread COVID-19 vaccine awareness: Check out details The tech giant informed WhatsApp users earlier this year that they had to consent to a new data-use policy to continue using the service. The German authority said in an emergency decision that the terms of that agreement were now null and void in Europe's top economy for three months. It will hand the case over to the European Data Protection Board, an independent EU body that enforces rules throughout the 27-nation bloc. Also read | Social media platforms should not amplify 'untrustworthy' content: Biden The head of the German regulator, Johannes Caspar, said past Facebook data protection breaches as well as Germany's general election in September showed the "dangers" of "mass building of user profiles" that could be exploited. "This ruling is intended to protect the rights and freedoms of the many millions of user across Germany who give their permission to the new use and privacy policy," he said. "That includes not only the private sphere but also the possibility of using profiles to influence voter choices and manipulate democratic decisions." A 'fundamental misunderstanding' Caspar noted that with nearly 60 million users in Germany, WhatsApp was "by far" the country's most popular social media app. WhatsApp on Friday stepped back from its plan to require users to accept the new terms, which critics said could expand data collection from its two billion users around the world. The service had been set to enforce its new data-sharing policy on May 15, following a delay in response to a user outcry. Instead, it said on its website that it would not immediately cut off users who don't accept the new terms, although it would send reminders to those who don't opt in. A WhatsApp spokesman said the update would not allow additional passing of user information from the service to Facebook's other applications. "Your acceptance of the new Terms of Service does not expand WhatsApp's ability to share user data with its parent company Facebook," he said. WhatsApp said the German order "is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and effect of WhatsApp's update and therefore has no legitimate basis". The update actually "provides further transparency about how we collect and use data", said the spokesman. As the Hamburg authority's "claims are wrong, the order will not impact the continued roll-out of the update", he added.

Germany halts Facebook sharing WhatsApp data

With accounts deleted on Twitter and content blocked on Instagram, Palestinian social media users say they have been censored from showing the reality of the unrest in Jerusalem.

The eastern part of the holy city has been hit with the worst violence since 2017, with clashes centred around the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, since Friday.

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The tensions have since spiralled into a full-scale military confrontation, in which Islamist groups have fired rockets and Israel has launched air raids on targets in the coastal enclave of Gaza.

The tensions, which the United Nations has warned is heading towards "a full-scale war", were triggered by the looming evictions of Palestinian families to make way for Israeli settlers in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

On social media, Palestinians have widely shared photos and videos of Israeli forces facing off with residents, in what Amnesty International has denounced as an "illegal and abusive use of force" against "largely peaceful" protesters.

Social media remains an important tool for Palestinians, many of whom believe traditional media coverage does not sufficiently capture the reality of the crisis.

Instagram and&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;had&nbsp;blamed technical errors for deleting posts mentioning the possible eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, but data rights groups fear "discriminatory" algorithms are at work and want greater transparency.

Palestinians living in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood claimed by Jewish settlers have taken to social media to protest as they face eviction, but some found their posts, photos or videos removed or their accounts blocked starting last week.

It came as a long-running legal case over evictions from homes in Sheikh Jarrah has fuelled tensions in Jerusalem where hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police on Monday.

Sada Social, a platform designed to protect content shared by Palestinians online, recorded 200 restrictions in the past week on matters related to Sheikh Jarrah and East Jerusalem.

"This includes the closure of accounts on Twitter or Instagram or the blocking of features on Instagram, such as streaming live videos, or restricting access to content related to Sheikh Jarrah, Gaza or Jerusalem," said director Eyad Rifai.

A spokesperson for Twitter said it was reversing action against accounts that were targeted "in error by an automated spam filter".

"Defending and respecting the voices of the people who use our service is one of our core values at Twitter," said the statement.

"We use a combination of technology and human review to enforce the Twitter Rules across the service. In this case, our automated systems took enforcement action on a number of accounts in error".

Instagram meanwhile blamed a "technical bug which impacted millions of people's stories, highlights and archives globally" including Palestinians who saw their content "disappear".

Likewise, the Arabic hashtag Al-Aqsa was "mistakenly restricted" in an action which has since been "lifted", said a spokesperson for Facebook, which owns the platform.

"We sincerely apologise for both issues, and to all those, including our Palestinian community, who felt like their ability to have an open discussion around important matters was affected in any way".

But Palestinian internet users still report restrictions, said Marwa Fatafta, Middle East and North Africa manager at digital activist group Access Now.&nbsp;

"On Friday evening, during the Israeli assault on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Facebook restricted the 'Al-Aqsa' hashtag and the streaming of live videos on Instagram was disrupted or blocked for many users," Fatafta said.

She added that Twitter also suspended dozens of accounts, including that of Palestinian journalist Mariam Barghouti, "as she covered a violent Israeli crackdown on protesters near Ramallah" in the occupied West Bank.

"These arbitrary 'technical errors' tend to happen in peak times when activists are sharing information and documenting Israeli aggression," said Fatafta, who called for transparency and an investigation.

Barghouti's Twitter account, with over 50,000 followers, has since been restored.

Rifai, from Sada Social, accused the Israeli government of having forged partnerships with major social networks to "crack down on Palestinian digital content", but said this is the first time that restrictions have become widespread.

"It is a very serious situation which prevents us, as Palestinians, from enjoying our digital rights like other users of these sites around the world," he told said.

Rifai said that some deleted accounts have been restored on Twitter, but that the process is "still ongoing".

In a statement released on Sunday, Instagram said that the same restrictions had affected content related to protests in Colombia and the rights of indigenous communities in Canada and the United States.&nbsp;

The social network said it has solved the problem but Hind Khoudary, a Palestinian journalist with more than 18,000 followers on Instagram, said she is "still censored".

"I have lost stories. And my stories on Instagram cannot be seen," she told said.

(With inputs from agencies)

With accounts deleted on Twitter and content blocked on Instagram, Palestinian social media users say they have been censored from showing the reality of the unrest in Jerusalem.

With accounts deleted on Twitter and content blocked on Instagram, Palestinian social media users say they have been censored from showing the reality of the unrest in Jerusalem. The eastern part of the holy city has been hit with the worst violence since 2017, with clashes centred around the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, since Friday. The tensions have since spiralled into a full-scale military confrontation, in which Islamist groups have fired rockets and Israel has launched air raids on targets in the coastal enclave of Gaza. The tensions, which the United Nations has warned is heading towards "a full-scale war", were triggered by the looming evictions of Palestinian families to make way for Israeli settlers in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah. On social media, Palestinians have widely shared photos and videos of Israeli forces facing off with residents, in what Amnesty International has denounced as an "illegal and abusive use of force" against "largely peaceful" protesters. Social media remains an important tool for Palestinians, many of whom believe traditional media coverage does not sufficiently capture the reality of the crisis. Instagram and Twitter had blamed technical errors for deleting posts mentioning the possible eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, but data rights groups fear "discriminatory" algorithms are at work and want greater transparency. Palestinians living in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood claimed by Jewish settlers have taken to social media to protest as they face eviction, but some found their posts, photos or videos removed or their accounts blocked starting last week. It came as a long-running legal case over evictions from homes in Sheikh Jarrah has fuelled tensions in Jerusalem where hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police on Monday. Sada Social, a platform designed to protect content shared by Palestinians online, recorded 200 restrictions in the past week on matters related to Sheikh Jarrah and East Jerusalem. "This includes the closure of accounts on Twitter or Instagram or the blocking of features on Instagram, such as streaming live videos, or restricting access to content related to Sheikh Jarrah, Gaza or Jerusalem," said director Eyad Rifai. A spokesperson for Twitter said it was reversing action against accounts that were targeted "in error by an automated spam filter". "Defending and respecting the voices of the people who use our service is one of our core values at Twitter," said the statement. "We use a combination of technology and human review to enforce the Twitter Rules across the service. In this case, our automated systems took enforcement action on a number of accounts in error". Instagram meanwhile blamed a "technical bug which impacted millions of people's stories, highlights and archives globally" including Palestinians who saw their content "disappear". Likewise, the Arabic hashtag Al-Aqsa was "mistakenly restricted" in an action which has since been "lifted", said a spokesperson for Facebook, which owns the platform. "We sincerely apologise for both issues, and to all those, including our Palestinian community, who felt like their ability to have an open discussion around important matters was affected in any way". But Palestinian internet users still report restrictions, said Marwa Fatafta, Middle East and North Africa manager at digital activist group Access Now. "On Friday evening, during the Israeli assault on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Facebook restricted the 'Al-Aqsa' hashtag and the streaming of live videos on Instagram was disrupted or blocked for many users," Fatafta said. She added that Twitter also suspended dozens of accounts, including that of Palestinian journalist Mariam Barghouti, "as she covered a violent Israeli crackdown on protesters near Ramallah" in the occupied West Bank. "These arbitrary 'technical errors' tend to happen in peak times when activists are sharing information and documenting Israeli aggression," said Fatafta, who called for transparency and an investigation. Barghouti's Twitter account, with over 50,000 followers, has since been restored. Rifai, from Sada Social, accused the Israeli government of having forged partnerships with major social networks to "crack down on Palestinian digital content", but said this is the first time that restrictions have become widespread. "It is a very serious situation which prevents us, as Palestinians, from enjoying our digital rights like other users of these sites around the world," he told said. Rifai said that some deleted accounts have been restored on Twitter, but that the process is "still ongoing". In a statement released on Sunday, Instagram said that the same restrictions had affected content related to protests in Colombia and the rights of indigenous communities in Canada and the United States. The social network said it has solved the problem but Hind Khoudary, a Palestinian journalist with more than 18,000 followers on Instagram, said she is "still censored". "I have lost stories. And my stories on Instagram cannot be seen," she told said. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinians denounce 'censorship' of content by Instagram and Twitter

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