TechQ: BJP Website Hack, Google Chrome Update, OnePlus 7 & More
Here’s a look at the top technology stories of this week.
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TecQ is our weekly round up of the top technology stories of the week.
Post Ban Huawei Now Back on Google’s Android Beta Q Program
Chinese technology giant Huawei has had a pretty rough ride in the past couple of weeks owing to the trade war between US and China that has led to American tech companies like Google, Intel and even BraodComm splitting ties with Huawei.
However, it looks like the Shenzhen-based company is ending the month of May on a high note.
It’s come to light that Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro smartphone has made it back into Google’s Android Q beta program. To add to this Huawei has also been reinstated in the SD Association's website, days after its name got removed from the portal in the wake of the recent US ban.
Read the full story here.
BJP Delhi Website Hacked, Served With Beef As PM Modi Takes Oath
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking his oath for his second term on 30 May 2019, BJP’s Delhi website was hacked and filled with content around beef items. The hacker or hacking group who goes by the handle Shadow_V1P3R has even have put out ingredients and recipes for certain beef dishes as well.
The website, which doesn’t carry a https certification (critical for secure websites), was seen carrying a mast with the mention of Shadow Viper, the likely hacker group responsible for hacking and putting up the beef content on it.
The hack was first spotted by a French security researcher, who goes by the name Elliot Alderson on Twitter.
Read the full story here.
Not Just Android, Even iOS Apps Are Sharing Data With Companies
American tech giant Apple has always advertised itself as a stronghold for user data and preached about how it considers user's privacy sacrosanct. But, if you are thinking that Apple has mastered the art of keeping user data safe, you might be wrong.
A recent study conducted by The Washington Post's Geoffrey Fowler has revealed that when the 'Background Apps Refresh' feature has been active on the iOS, some of the apps have been using it to send data to third party companies.
The report mentions that Fowler in collaboration with a privacy firm named Disconnect used VPNs to keep a regular check on what was going on inside his iPhone.
Read the full story here.
Google Will Soon Restrict Data Access for Apps on Chrome & Drive
Google’s been faulted for allowing third party companies and developers access to user data, violating privacy rules across the globe.
Such mishandlings have come to light ever since the Facebook Cambridge Analytica data scandal went public, forcing others to put their house in order.
Keeping that in focus, Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted a variety of features slated to come on various Google products later this year. And this week, the search giant has taken a big step towards privatising user data, by limiting its access to developers and third-party companies.
Read the full story here.
OnePlus 7 vs Google Pixel 3a: Which Phone is Worth Its Price Tag?
OnePlus will start selling its latest mid-range "affordable flagship" phone in the country from 4 June onwards.
We just think it’s apt to compare the OnePlus 7 with another “affordable flagship” under Rs 40,000, the Google Pixel 3a.
One might argue about how a phone priced at Rs 32,999 can be compared with one that costs Rs 39,999. But that’s the thing – OnePlus going up against a Google Pixel phone is the story here. Even though there are a lot of differences between the two, the price is what appeals to buyers in this segment.
So, which one of these is worth picking up? Read the full story here to find out.
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