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Google being investigated for stealing user data from Android phones

Harvesting even when your data is off

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Following massive investigations, Facebook was caught red-handed with its hands all over the cookie jar of user data. However, with privacy issues at an all-time high, several other fingerprints were found peppered throughout our entire social lives.

This time, cybersecurity pundits have set their sights on Google. The tech giant is reportedly harvesting data illegally from Android devices.

Recently, the software company Oracle has sent reports on Google’s activities to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The organization focuses on investigating large corporations of any anomalies.

According to the reports, Google’s data-collecting focuses on location tracking — where you go and where you are. More surprisingly, Oracle claims that Google’s tracking works even if users turn off their location services. Google can analyze location based on which hotspots you connect to or where you turn your data on.

Regardless, Google has always practiced location tracking even prior to the report. The company has used GPS information to improve both its advertisements and the quality of its software, as stated in Android’s terms and conditions. Google even argues that users can opt out of this at any time. The report asks whether Google obtained this data legally.

While Oracle’s report remains believable for the most part, a more outlandish claim states that removing your SIM card or turning your phone off won’t abate Google’s tracking. The report also claims that Google sends in 1GB per month of information back to its headquarters, at the user’s data expense.

Regardless of its overall integrity, the report has successfully piqued the ACCC’s interest. Despite being an Australian organization, the ACCC’s reach extends across the globe. Most notably, a previous investigation caused gaming platform Steam to issue a worldwide refund policy.

Despite their interest, the ACCC is still thoroughly investigating the issue. Of note, Oracle has tried to discredit Google before. The commission is ensuring that both sides are getting their fair share of justice.

SEE ALSO: Android Oreo now on more devices but Nougat remains the most popular

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MWC 2019

Nokia teases fans with an Instagram photo

Is this the year of mobile photography?

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February 23, 2019

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If you think you’ve seen it all from last week’s launches with Vivo, Xiaomi, and Samsung stepping up their camera performances, Nokia is stealing the spotlight by teasing us with an incredibly detailed photo uploaded on Instagram.

Finland-based photographer Konsta Punkka posted a stunning photograph on his Instagram account with the caption “captured and edited entirely on a Nokia phone.”

We can all guess but, most likely, this photo could’ve been taken by the Nokia 9 PureView, HMD Global’s upcoming smartphone with a penta-lens camera setup.

 

Additionally, Punkka says he will be on stage at Mobile World Congress with Nokia. He also invites his fans to follow Nokia on Instagram and leave a comment using Nokia’s hashtags for MWC 2019 to get a chance to join him at the event and “win cool giveaways.”

Even more, HMD Global’s Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas tweeted Punkka’s photo, which confirms that the Finland-based photographer will have a moment during Nokia’s event.

It seems this year is shaping up to become another year of mobile photography. We’ll find out when Nokia takes the stage on February 24 in Barcelona, Spain during MWC 2019.

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MWC 2019

Mate X is Huawei’s upcoming foldable 5G phone

A full announcement is imminent

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February 23, 2019

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Image credit: @gimme2pm (Twitter)

Huawei is set to take the stage by storm tomorrow in Barcelona at MWC 2019. As promised, the Chinese company will unveil their very own foldable phone which will go head-to-head with the Galaxy Fold from Samsung. Although, we don’t have to wait to get a sneak peek of Huawei’s device, because there’s a photo of it already going around.

An advertisement banner that’s being set up for the launch of Huawei was photographed and uploaded on Chinese social media. It was already taken down as of writing, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely off the internet.

Based on the image, the foldable phone will be called Huawei Mate X and it’ll be marketed as the “world’s fastest foldable 5G phone.” Furthermore, the folding design of the Mate X is different from Samsung’s or even Xiaomi’s prototype.

Upon closer inspection, the foldable Huawei phone will have its fingerprint reader on the side, while most of its components, including the cameras, are housed by the elongated module.

The existence of Huawei’s foldable phone was confirmed as early as June of last year. Huawei’s deputy chairman Ken Hu later confirmed that this same product will pioneer the company’s 5G era. It seems like this is the direction Huawei is taking, but nothing is certain until the official launch.

Huawei’s keynote is taking place right before MWC 2019 starts on February 24. We’ll be there to give you the latest news and, of course, a good look at Huawei’s futuristic foldable phone.

Via: 9to5Google

SEE ALSO: Huawei official confirms P30 Pro’s quad camera setup

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Apple, Samsung sold fewer smartphones in 2018 — report

Huawei won the game, though

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February 22, 2019

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2018 wasn’t a great year for smartphones in terms of sales, but not every company took a hit last year. According to the latest report by Gartner, the total number of devices sold in 2018 was 408.358 million, a 0.1 percent growth from 407.845 million. The biggest losers are Apple and Samsung, both in Q4 and the whole year.

Apple sold 11.8 percent fewer units during the holiday season compared to the same quarter in 2017. Samsung also sold fewer phones during the last quarter, but the South Korean company still managed to maintain a big gap from competitors.

According to the report, Apple is mostly affected in Greater China since buyers are now delaying their upgrades as they wait for bigger innovations. Alternatives are gaining popularity due to their cheaper prices as well.

While two of the biggest names in the industry suffered losses, Huawei, on the other hand, increased their sales and is now close in taking Apple’s coveted second spot. The Chinese tech giant managed to sell an additional 52 million phones in 2018.

Xiaomi and OPPO also gained a few extra millions of sales during the last quarter of 2018. Interestingly, Xiaomi was able to overtake OPPO for the whole year with a 7.9 percent market share versus 7.6 percent.

SEE ALSO: Apple users take longer to upgrade than before

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