Google uses its users’ names and
photos for advertising
US-based Google made some amendments to its
Google+ Privacy & Terms allowing the company to use
its users’ names and photos for advertising purposes.
The new feature allows Google to make use of the
likes and comments of its users on pages of various
companies so that Google may use the user’s com-
ment along with his/her photo and the product name
he/she liked so that it appears in the search results of
this user’s friends on Google+.
The US-based company owning the most known
search engine on the Internet added that this new
amendment will be effective as of this November.
The company stated that social recommendations will
not appear except with the approval of the user. The
previous privacy and data protection settings will re-
main saved; for instance, if a comment appears only to
the circle of friends, this will also apply to the relevant
advertisement.
If the user wishes to hide their name and photo from the
advertisement, they can do that through
.
de/xLHoI by unchecking at the bottom of the page then
clicking on “Save” to approve the new changes then
“Next”.
247, a smart home fire control system
Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) launched 247 home smart
systems service connecting residents with the central
electronic operations chamber center.
The system enables home residents to notify DCD in
case of fire or any safety hazard in their home. This
should provide a better opportunity to address any
emergency and reduce potential losses.
This innovative system allows residents to report
emergencies to the DCD for a faster response. Home
smart systems will use information and communica-
tions technology to save and protect lives by connect-
ing homes to the control center in the central opera-
tions chamber.
Facebook tests new chat app on
Android
Facebook is testing a new chat app “Facebook Mes-
senger” on Android operated devices.
Through its website, Facebook indicated that its new
app will offer a special chatting experience through
new interface, fast performance design and high reli-
ability between smart phones.
In its new version, Facebook abandoned the SMS ser-
vice but brought in the contact search feature using
phone numbers.
When logging in chatting using the new app version,
users will be asked to log in their phone number and so
the new app users can have a chat with users through
their phone numbers even if they are not friends on
Facebook.
Facebook added an icon next to the user’s name on
the chat list.
Google builds a floating data center
The CBS network technology online portal CNET re-
ported that Google is building what looks like a floating
data center on a barge in the San Francisco Bay on
Treasure Island. It may generate energy from the sea
movements but the giant Internet company did not con-
firm the news.
CBS added that although Google did not confirm this
news, there is abundant evidence that the group stands
behind what is happening in Hangar 3 on the barge
docked in the southeast part of the island. Images in
a camera surveillance workshop show a multi-storey
structure with height of approximately 80 meters.
7
November
2013
