PC Magazine: How to Encrypt a Document Stored on Google Drive. “If you want to keep your files safe from prying eyes, encryption is your best bet—especially if you’re going to store those files in the cloud, where data breaches and other security issues can expose them to the outside world.”
TechCrunch: Google makes it easier to find prescription drug disposal sites
TechCrunch: Google makes it easier to find prescription drug disposal sites. “In an effort to combat the opioid crisis, Google will begin labeling places where people can safely dispose of their prescription drugs. Now, users can find clearly labeled drug disposal sites directly from searches for things like ‘drug drop off near me’ or ‘medication disposal.'”
CNET: Google will end forced arbitration for employees
CNET: Google will end forced arbitration for employees. “Google on Thursday said it’ll no longer require current and future staff to go through mandatory arbitration for disputes with the company. The change goes into effect on March 21. The search giant will also remove mandatory arbitration from its own employment agreements with contract and temporary staff, though the change won’t impact staffing firms. Axios earlier reported the change. ”
Ars Technica: Google Play apps with >10 million installs drain batteries, jack up data charges
Ars Technica: Google Play apps with >10 million installs drain batteries, jack up data charges. “Is your Android phone feeling hot to the touch, acting sluggish, in need of frequent charges, or using dramatically more data than it used to? It may be a victim of DrainerBot, a major fraud operation distributed through Google Play apps with more than 10 million downloads, researchers said Wednesday.”
ABC News (Australia): Why large swathes of countries are censored on Google Maps
ABC News (Australia): Why large swathes of countries are censored on Google Maps. “From self-driving cars to smart bins, global satellite positioning (GPS) is fundamentally changing the world around us, but as more of Earth becomes accessible from our keyboards, there are a number of groups who want to swat prying eyes away.”
Bloomberg Quint: Google Takes New Policy Approach Amid Growing Global Threats
Bloomberg Quint: Google Takes New Policy Approach Amid Growing Global Threats. “Alphabet Inc.’s Google is reorganizing its approach to global policy, including the addition of resources to emerging markets, according to a person familiar with the moves, which come as the internet giant faces new threats and regulations around the world. In an internal email, the company’s new global policy chief, Karan Bhatia, described the reorganization as a reaction to policy makers who are increasingly empowered to regulate the company’s core businesses, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing personnel decisions.”
WARC: Internet in decline beyond Google and Facebook
WARC: Internet in decline beyond Google and Facebook. “Total internet advertising spend – including desktop, mobile, and tablet – will decline by 7.2% this year, if you take the Google and Facebook ‘duopoly’ out of the equation…. Combined, the duopoly’s share of the global online ad market is expected to rise to 61.4% (up from 56.4% in 2018), with combined ad income forecast to reach $176.4 billion – an increase of 22%.”
