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Google to start deleting personal accounts inactive for 2 years this week

Visiting Nepal? Soon you can make payments using BharatPe, PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm

Google will start deleting those personal accounts, which have been inactive for two years, from this week.

The tech giant announced this policy in May, saying, the company will purge the content in inactive accounts within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube and Google Photos.

Starting December 1, the company will begin deleting such accounts. “Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used within that product for a 2-year period,” the company said in its Inactive Google Account Policy.

GoogleIANS

“December 1, 2023, is the earliest a Google Account will be deleted due to this policy,” it added. This policy only applies to users’ personal Google Account.

The company said, “this policy doesn’t apply to any Google Account that was set up for you through your work, school, or other organisation”.

Google when announced the policy, explained that if an account hasn’t been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised.

“This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user,” it added.

GmailIANS

In August, the tech giant sent emails to its billions of users, saying the company updating the inactivity period for a Google Account to two years across all its products and services.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 28, 2023
OnePlus 12 launch soon; official teaser offers first look [details]

OnePlus 11 5G review: Meaningful improvements; camera steals spotlight

OnePlus 12 is gearing up for its India launch sooner than expected, which is going to follow the official unveiling in China on December 5. The company has indirectly confirmed the Indian debut, with the flagship phone already listed on the official OnePlus website with an intriguing contest notice.

This upcoming device is generating buzz for its promising features and design enhancements. Currently, OnePlus has defined its upcoming flagship to be inspired by nature, perfected by OnePlus, adding that it is a “mesmerizing fusion of luxury and durability delivers the unparalleled smoothness of nature.” Quite intriguing, right?

The Indian variant, as shown on the official website, boasts a stunning marble back panel in an attractive green paint, adding a touch of elegance to the device. A video teaser released in China reveals that the OnePlus 12 will be available in three distinct colors: white, black, and green. It remains to be seen if all three colours will make it to India, which is highly likely.

OnePlus 12 first lookOnePlus

While specific technical specifications are yet to be officially disclosed, OnePlus has shared some key features that promise an exceptional user experience. The device will sport a BOE ProXDR display with a 2K resolution and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, earning it an A+ certification from DisplayMate for one of the best displays in the market.

Under the hood, the OnePlus 12 will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, ensuring robust performance and seamless multitasking. OnePlus enthusiasts can also look forward to a new generation X-axis motor for enhanced functionality.

OnePlus logo.IBTimes India/Sami Khan

The software front is equally exciting, with the OnePlus 12 expected to run on ColorOS 14, based on the latest Android 14 operating system. This promises a smooth and feature-rich user interface, aligning with the brand’s commitment to providing cutting-edge technology.

In terms of imaging capabilities, the quad rear camera system is set to impress, featuring a primary Sony LYTIA LYT808 rear camera sensor and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. The Hasselblad branding is also hard to miss, but it is not a surprising addition. While other details are eagerly awaited, OnePlus enthusiasts can anticipate a significant leap in camera performance. It looks like a lot of work has been put into the camera this time around.

November 27, 2023
Atomic Stealer malware spread to Mac users via fake browser updates: Report

Fake WhatsApp can potentially gain access to users’ personal data

Threat actors are delivering Atomic Stealer malware, also known as AMOS, to Mac users via a fake browser update chain tracked as “ClearFake”, a new report has found.

According to the cybersecurity company Malwarebytes, ClearFake is a newer malware campaign that leverages compromised websites to distribute fake browser updates.

“With a growing list of compromised sites at their disposal, the threat actors are able to reach out to a wider audience, stealing credentials and files of interest that can be monetised immediately or repurposed for additional attacks,” the researchers said.

On November 17, security researcher Ankit Anubhav observed that ClearFake was dispersed to Mac users as well with a corresponding payload.

Atomic Stealer Malware Spread To Mac Users Via Fake Browser Updates: ReportIANS

The ClearFake campaign began in July of this year, with the goal of targeting Windows users with bogus Chrome update prompts that appear on compromised sites via JavaScript injections.

According to the report, these attacks utilise a Safari update bait along with the standard Chrome overlay.

“The payload is made for Mac users, a DMG file purporting to be a Safari or Chrome update. Victims are instructed on how to open the file which immediately runs commands after prompting for the administrative password,” according to the researchers.

In a file accessed by the researchers, they looked at the strings from the malicious application and saw those commands, which include password and file-grabbing capabilities.

Representational picture of cyber security risks, malware and hackerIANS

In the same file, they found the malware‘s command and control server where the stolen data was sent to.

“Because ClearFake has become one of the main social engineering campaigns recently, Mac users should pay particular attention to it. We recommend leveraging web protection tools to block the malicious infrastructure associated with this threat actor,” the researchers suggested.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 27, 2023
Transforming Fintech Through Human-Centric Design with a focus on inclusive design

In the rapidly advancing tech landscape, humanizing technology is crucial. As our lives become increasingly reliant on tech, simplifying its complexity is essential for universal accessibility. While technology has transformative potential, its adoption hinges on user-friendly interactions. Innovators prioritizing human-centric design fare better in the industry, recognizing that user ease is key to successful integration and acceptance of tech products and services. Individuals like Tina N. Gada shine as beacons of progress, proving that technology can indeed be humanized through thoughtful User Experience (UX) design… As a Senior User Experience (UX) Designer with Vanguard Group, Tina’s journey from a humble beginning in Mumbai, India, to the top of her field in the United States, is a testament to her resilience, talent, and commitment to inclusivity.

With an extensive background of over seven years in Fintech UX Design, Tina excels in creating tailor-made digital experiences to help individuals achieve their financial goals. Her prowess lies in the fusion of strategic business acumen, a profound understanding of human psychology, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Tina’s distinctive ability to optimize financial service adoption rates sets her apart, as she prioritizes trust-building, simplifying interactions, and ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in her designs. She mirrored her persistence and inspiration by Self-funding her Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at SUNY Oswego.

A Trailblazer in the Industry

Tina’s professional journey spans over seven years in the Fintech industry, where she has honed her skills in UI and UX design. Holding a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction and being the first-generation Woman in IT and in the USA, Tina brings a unique perspective to her work. Her distinctive blend of strategic business acumen, an understanding of human psychology, and a passion for excellence set her apart in the competitive world of design.

Recognized Excellence

Tina is launching her project called “Tribe” which is a mental health application for the LGBTQ+ community in South Asian countries with a mission to spread awareness, give help, and support groups to individuals to help identify their sexuality as well as get expert help. She has won 7 Silver awards for this project from institutes like Davey, the International Awards Associate (IAA) London & Golden Pinnacle award from the IAF team.

Tina’s impact on the industry is not only evident in her extensive portfolio but has also been recognized on a global scale. Being featured on the New York Times Square Billboards as the Top 1% UX Design Mentor on topmate.io is a testament to her influence and expertise. Tina has mentored more than 250 UX Designers thus far.

Crafting Personalized Experiences

Tina’s core philosophy revolves around making financial services more intuitive, accessible, and inclusive. This is exemplified in her work with Citi, where she led initiatives to enable transgender and non-binary individuals to update their preferred names, setting a trend for diversity in FinTech. This progressive move not only increased customer satisfaction by 30% but also set a precedent for other financial institutions to prioritize the unique needs of diverse populations.

Impactful Redesigns and Innovations

Tina’s portfolio is filled with impactful redesigns and innovations. Notably, her work on Citi’s Certificate of Deposit (CD) experience addressed various customer pain points, streamlining processes, simplifying navigation, and enhancing transparency. This transformation significantly boosted customer engagement and positioned Citi as a leader in delivering exceptional banking experiences.

Her expertise also extends to transforming OTO Capital’s software platform, resulting in a 30% increase in user adoption and significant reductions in user errors and support requests. Tina’s strategic thinking, user-centric approach, and commitment to excellence are evident in every project she undertakes.

Bridging Technology and Humanity

Tina’s approach to UX design goes beyond creating visually appealing interfaces. She believes in designing for people at the heart of it all. Her work at Vanguard involves strategizing design solutions for investment features, such as Tax Loss Harvesting and ESG portfolios, aiming to facilitate hassle-free and productive customer engagement.

Mentorship and Recognition

Tina’s influence extends beyond her design work. Industry experts recognize her as a true visionary, and her simplicity and elegance have earned her admiration from peers. Invitations to mentor and judge at prestigious design events underscore her reputation as an expert in UX design. Tina’s commitment to nurturing talent is evident in her role as a mentor, where she actively supports newbies in the industry, featuring in the top 10% of mentors on ADPlist with 250+ mentees.

A Visionary Impact

In the world of UX design, Tina Gada stands out not just for her technical expertise but for her visionary impact on the industry. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and passion for mentoring the next generation of designers make her a trailblazer in humanizing technology through innovative UI design.

November 27, 2023
Optimize Your App’s Performance and Visibility: Unleashing Manoj Meenakshi Dattatreya Babu’s APM and Observability Mastery

As the world increasingly relies on applications for daily tasks and strategic business functions, the importance of APM becomes undeniable. APM not only allows organizations to proactively identify and address performance issues but also ensures optimal user experiences, playing a vital role in the reliability, scalability, and overall success of app-based solutions in our interconnected global society. The dependency on app-based systems gives rise to the requirement for skilled professionals in the field of APM, who can assist businesses in maintaining the highest level of efficiency in their systems. Manoj Meenakshi Dattatreya Babu emerges as a standout APM and Observability Expert with more than 8 years of experience in this highly skill-oriented domain. Beyond being a Software Engineer, Manoj is a dynamic problem-solver with a proactive approach to collaborative projects. His skill set spans various domains, demonstrating a commitment to excellence. He has consistently contributed to his field of expertise while working with Cisco Systems, where he has attained several professional accomplishments that have helped the organization and clients maximize tech-dependent results.

Professional Accomplishments:

During his tenure as a Software Engineer at AppDynamics – Cisco Systems Manoj has made a lasting impact through various key initiatives. One of his notable contributions is as a founding member of the Agent Installer Initiative, where he played a pivotal role in creating a flagship product aimed at simplifying the installation, configuration, and management of application performance monitoring agents.

Manoj’s expertise extends to the development of REST APIs for seamless operations. He has been instrumental in designing and implementing public-facing REST APIs that streamline critical processes such as the installation, upgrade, and rollback steps of monitoring agents, indicates a meticulous approach to ensuring observability throughout the software development lifecycle.

In the field of automation, Manoj engineered an end-to-end pipeline for service deployment on Kubernetes across diverse regions using Harness. This significant effort has contributed substantially to the automation coverage within the organization, showcasing his commitment to streamlining and optimizing deployment processes.

His innovative mindset is evident in the development of frameworks such as the BATS framework for component-level tests and a robust Rest client framework using OpenFeign. These initiatives, marked by their effectiveness, have been widely adopted by various teams within the organization, emphasizing Manoj’s role as a catalyst for innovation and efficiency.

In the domain of cloud collectors and efficiency advocacy, Manoj has demonstrated mastery in utilizing the Micronaut framework to construct cloud collectors. These collectors prioritize efficiency and high-performance capabilities, aligning with contemporary standards for optimal cloud resource monitoring. Seamless integration of these cloud collectors with AppDynamics’ monitoring systems further emphasizes his dedication to real-time insights and observability into cloud resources and services.

Additionally, Manoj leveraged Terraform to establish essential infrastructure on leading cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. This strategic move resulted in a remarkable 70% reduction in long-running infrastructure costs, showcasing his ability to implement cost-effective solutions without compromising on performance.

Tools Proficiency: APM Mastery and More

Manoj excels in the use of Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools, particularly demonstrating mastery in AppDynamics. His expertise extends to log aggregation using the ELK Stack and familiarity with distributed tracing tools like Jaeger and Zipkin. This in-depth knowledge enables him to unravel complex performance issues and optimize application functionality effectively.

Performance Analysis: Adept Anomaly Detective

Manoj possesses a unique ability to interpret and analyze metrics, going beyond routine tasks. His keen eye for anomaly detection and proactive issue identification ensures potential bottlenecks are discovered and resolved before impacting performance. This skill set showcases his dedication to delivering not just functional but highly optimized software solutions.

Infrastructure Awareness: Navigating Cloud and Containers

In today’s tech landscape, understanding the impact of cloud environments and containerization on monitoring is crucial. Manoj exhibits a profound awareness of cloud environments like AWS and Azure, as well as containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes. This knowledge is vital for adapting monitoring strategies to dynamic, scalable infrastructures.

Problem-solving and Collaboration: Troubleshooting Maestro

Manoj’s troubleshooting skills form the backbone of his ability to diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks. Whether dissecting complex issues or collaborating with cross-functional teams, he demonstrates strong problem-solving skills. His approach is not just about fixing issues but understanding the root cause to prevent them from resurfacing.

Manoj’s leadership acumen shines through in his role as a driving force behind the design of a robust test automation framework and efficient CI/CD pipelines. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, he has consistently showcased his commitment to software quality and prompt deliveries. Through these varied contributions, Manoj has not only left an indelible mark on the organization but has also set a standard for innovation, efficiency, and leadership within software engineering domain.

November 27, 2023
Narula Institute of Technology Organises Degree Award Ceremony

Kolkata, twenty seventh November 2023: Narula Institute of Technology (NiT), a JIS Group instructional initiative organised a Degree Award Ceremony 2023 on twenty fourth November 2023 at its Campus in Agarpara, Kolkata.

The ceremony commenced by lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Prof. (Dr.) Tapas Chakraborty, Honourable Vice Chancellor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director-JIS Group, Sardar Haranjit Singh, Joint Managing Director- JIS Group, and different dignitaries, who later awarded the certificates to the scholars.

2344 college students of B. Tech, M.Tech, and MCA have been awarded their levels and have been felicitated on the event. The toppers of every stream have been conferred with medals.

The occasion was graced by the Honourable Vice Chancellor of MAKAUT Prof. (Dr.) Tapas Chakraborty who was additionally the Chief Guest and presided over the Degree Award Ceremony. Prof. (Dr.) Ashish Ghosh, Director, IIT, Bhubaneswar was the Guest of Honour. Prof. (Dr.) Soumen Banerjee, Principal, Dr. Nidhi Singh, Registrar, Prof. (Dr.) Sourav Saha, Dean- R&D and Prof. (Dr.) B Okay Medya, COE have been current on the event.

Speaking on the event Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group prolonged his warmest congratulations to the graduating college students and mentioned, “The studying years are a very powerful and very important days in a scholar’s life. It is schooling that transforms and impacts society and the long run generations. Convocation isn’t solely a strategy to felicitate them, but additionally a platform to make the Graduates realise their duties in direction of society with the data they’ve acquired.”

November 27, 2023
Black Friday records blockbuster sales; generates $9.8 bn in US online sales [details]

These Flipkart stats from Big Billion Days Sale will blow your mind

Black Friday generated a record $9.8 billion in US online sales, up 7.5 per cent from a year ago.

According to Adobe Analytics, mobile shopping accounted for $5.3 billion of online sales.

The best-selling categories on Black Friday were electronics such as smartwatches and televisions, as well as toys and gaming, reports CNBC.

“We’ve seen a very strategic consumer emerge over the past year where they’re really trying to take advantage of these marquee days, so that they can maximise on discounts,” Vivek Pandya, a lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, was quoted as saying.

Pandya noted that influencers and social media advertising have made it easier for consumers to spend money on their mobile devices.

‘Black Friday’ salesIBT Media

However, shoppers were price-conscious, managing tighter budgets as a result of last year’s record inflation and interest rates.

A total of $79 million of the sales came from consumers who used the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ flexible payment method, up 47 per cent from last year.

Adobe collects data by analysing one trillion visits to retail websites in the US, 18 product categories, and 100 million unique items.

Black Friday continued the momentum from Thanksgiving Day when online sales totalled $5.6 billion, an increase of 5.5 per cent from last year.

Adobe expects spending to remain strong over the weekend and into Cyber Monday, with the best deals still to come.

The report forecasted that online shoppers will spend approximately $10 billion on Saturday and Sunday, and a record $12 billion on Cyber Monday.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 26, 2023
How Microsoft goes around seeking unfettered ownership of AGI

ChatGPT creator warns about AI; Is the world in trouble?

Microsoft, which already has a considerable ownership stake in OpenAI owing to its billion-dollar investment in the company, now aims to take full control of the momentum around artificial general intelligence (AGI).

This is what X owner Elon Musk feels, and is worried about “Microsoft having unfettered ownership of AGI”.

OpenAI was initially founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, Musk, Ilya Sutskever, and Greg Brockman as a non-profit organisation with the stated goal to “advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole”.

The company assembled a team of the best researchers in the field of AI to pursue the goal of building AGI in a safe way.

How Microsoft goes around seeking unfettered ownership of AGIIANS

According to leading venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, the early years of OpenAI were marked with rapid experimentation.

In 2020, bolstered by new funding, OpenAI unveiled GPT-3, a large language model (LLM) capable of understanding and generating convincing human-like text.

Microsoft purchased an exclusive license to the underlying technology behind GPT-3 in 2020 after investing $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019.

“This was a watershed moment for OpenAI and the broader AI community. As the company grew, its LLMs continued to become larger and more intelligent,” Palihapitiya said in a detailed post on X.

However, it is becoming increasingly clear that OpenAI’s convoluted corporate structure led to conflicting motivations and incentives within the company.

According to experts, there are two parallel battles here.

“First one is ownership of ChatGPT as a brand which has a very high brand and user value and a substantial valuation of the company is still embedded in that brand. Most users know the product and not the founder. By insisting on better governance and a board seat, Microsoft is ensuring that their investment is not eroded,” Vineet Nayar, former CEO of HCL Technologies, told IANS.

Moreover, history shows us that technology brands and products outlast founders.

“Thus I do not see a risk to the brand in the near-term irrespective of who is the CEO. It needs stronger governance, which Microsoft is pushing for,” he added.

The second battle is about people and ideas. Microsoft has smartly created an alternative landing structure to ring fence that risk.

“I am less excited about the possibility of this team recreating the magic like ChatGPT as I have rarely seen technology founders create a path-breaking second innovation. Thus, it’s a cheap acquisition of talent to drive new innovation within Microsoft, however recreating old magic will not be that easy,” Nayar elaborated.

Earlier this year, Microsoft extended its long-term partnership with OpenAI through a new “multiyear, multibillion dollar investment”.

MicrosoftIANS

The deal will see Microsoft increase its investments in the development and deployment of supercomputing systems to assist OpenAI’s research.

The key part of the deal means that Microsoft is the exclusive cloud partner for OpenAI, and Microsoft’s cloud services will power all OpenAI workloads across products, API services, and research.

Rumours about the deal suggested Microsoft may receive 75 per cent of OpenAI’s profits until it secures its investment return and a 49 per cent stake in the company, The Verge had reported.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 25, 2023
Taj Hotel’s data breached, around 1.5mn customers at risk [details]

5.4 mn users’ data exposed online as Musk reveals Twitter 2.0

Around 1.5 million people may have had their personal information compromised in a recent data breach at Taj Hotels, owned by Tata, as per reports.

“The perpetrator, known as ‘Dnacookies’, is requesting $5,000 for the complete dataset, encompassing addresses, membership IDs, mobile numbers, and other personally identifiable information (PII),” the reports further stated. “We have been made aware of someone claiming possession of a limited customer data set which is of non-sensitive nature. Safety and security of our customers’ data is of paramount importance to us,” said the spokesperson of Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), which runs the Taj Group.

Reuters

“We are investigating this claim and have notified the relevant authorities. We continue to monitor our systems and there is no suggestion of any current or ongoing security issue or impact on business operations,” said the spokesperson.

However, Delhi Police is yet to confirm if they have received any complaint from the Taj Group.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 23, 2023
Al is only a means, not an end: Nadella after Altman’s return to OpenAI

ChatGPT creator warns about AI; Is the world in trouble?

Taking a cue from the Karma philosophy, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said that technology, including Al, is only a means and not an end in itself, as ChatGPT creator Sam Altman returned to OpenAI after the five-day intense drama.

In an internal memo to employees ahead of Thanksgiving holiday, Nadella said that the pace of innovation that they have driven has been remarkable, especially during a time of so much “continued hardship and uncertainty in the world”.

“But technology, including Al, is only a tool. It’s a means, not an end. And, ultimately, our end is our mission to empower people and organisations all over the planet — one individual, one community, one country at a time,” he told employees.

OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Bard Spreading News-Related Misinformation: ReportIANS

“At the end of the day, the greatest privilege of my job is working with people who are driven by mission. There is no better example of this than these past 5 days, when I saw people across the company remaining focused on our mission and serving our customers and partners, stepping up to help in every way possible,” Nadella added.

Microsoft Chief Technology Office (CTO) and EVP of AI, Kevin Scott, also addressed employees about the OpenAI turmoil, reports The Verge.

Satya NadellaIANS

“The events of the past few days have been uncertain for our colleagues at OpenAl, and of intense interest to many others. Throughout, nothing has changed or wavered about our resolve and focus to deliver the world’s best Al technology platforms and products to our customers and partners,” Scott said in a separate memo to employees.

OpenAI Disables Browse With Bing In ChatGPTIANS

“We will continue to support our colleagues at OpenAl and the phenomenal work they’ve been doing alongside us in service of that mission. As we have for these past 4+ years, we look forward to continuing our work with Sam and his team,” he added.

Scott said that despite the potential of the past few days to distract us, both Microsoft and OpenAl scientists and engineers have been working with undiminished urgency.

On Wednesday, OpenAI announced that Altman and president and co-founder Greg Brockman are returning to the company with a new board in place.

(With inputs from IANS)

November 23, 2023