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Tag: Google

  • Google…Trying times for Nigeria’s number one site

    Nigerians’ love for betting sites is legendary. However, Google remains the number one site in Nigeria. Its dominance of the online advertising business has pitched it against U.S. states and territories, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

     

    GOOGLE.COM’s prime position as the number one site in Nigeria seems guaranteed.  It has been like that for a long time. Despite the efforts of bet9ja.com, Youtube.com and Yahoo.com, Google still towers higher than all of them, with 13 daily pageviews per visitor, nine minutes, five seconds daily time on site and linkage to 2,152,655 sites.

    The betting site, bet9ja.com, has tried to take the slot. But, the love for this site by many Nigerians has not been able to upstage Google. It has had to contend with being number two. Youtube and Yahoo are numbers three and four.

    Google accounts for an estimated 87 per cent of online searches worldwide. It processes trillions of queries each year, which works out to at least 5.5 billion a day, 63,000 a second.

    These are, however, not the best of times for Google. On Monday, attorneys general of states in the United States announced an antitrust investigation of this firm, which Nigerians rely on for information on myriad of subjects. Many other websites, especially newspapers, rely on it for online adverts through its AdSense. The states suspect that the firm may be a threat to competition and the growth of the web.

    Every state in the U.S. except Alabama and California, the home of Silicon Valley, has signed onto the bipartisan effort. Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are also on board.

    This new probe is coming more than six years after federal watchdogs concluded an antitrust investigation into its search and advertising practices. No indictment was made but major penalties were brought against the company, including breaking it up.

    Google also faces two Congressional, six state and local, and eight federal investigations. Its worries are not limited to the United States. The European Union once issued $9 billion competition-related fines against it.

    The latest probe is being led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. According to him, Google “dominates all aspects of advertising on the Internet and searching on the Internet”. It is not clear if the investigation will be followed by a lawsuit.

    For now, the probe is concerned about online advertising through which Google is expected to make over $48 billion in U.S. digital ad revenue this year. eMarketer says it has captured 75 per cent of all spending on U.S. search ads.

    Speaking at a news conference alongside officials from 11 states and the District of Columbia, Paxton said: “They dominate the buyer side, the seller side, the auction side and the video side with YouTube.”

    Some other complaints against Google also include its search results ranking processes, which some attorney generals argued may not fully protect users’ personal information.

    But, what is wrong with being the market leader that Google is in the U.S., Nigeria and many parts of the world?

    Republican attorney general of Utah Sean Reyes says: “There’s nothing wrong with being a dominant player when it’s done fairly.”

    He added that there is “pervasiveness” to complaints regarding Google’s business practices.

    His views are shared by Louisiana Attorney general Jeff Landry, who said: “We’re here because there’s an absolutely existential threat to our virtual marketplace.”

    Arkansas attorney-general Leslie Rutledge described Google as an “online search engine juggernaut”. She alleged that searches for businesses are coloured its algorithms and advertising systems.

    “I want the best advice, from the best doctors — not the doctor, not the clinic who can spend the most on advertising,” she said.

    For Ashley Moody, who is the attorney general of Florida, the probe will start with the company’s vast data stores.

    “Google monitors our online behaviour, and captures data on every one of us as we navigate the internet,” Moody said, adding: “This investigation will initially focus on capture of that information and whether Google embedded itself on every level of the online market (for) ad sales to monopolise this industry.”

    Moody continued: “When there is no longer a free market or competition, this increases prices, even when something is marketed as free, and harms consumers. Is something really free if we are increasingly giving over our privacy information? Is something really free if online ad prices go up based on one company’s control?”

    D.C. attorney-general Karl Racine said he and his peers would forge ahead if Washington fails to act against Google.

    “The state attorneys general, they are an independent bunch, and they can be quite tenacious. So, I’m very confident that this bipartisan group is going to be led by the facts, and not be swayed by any conclusion, that may fall short, if you will, if it’s inconsistent with our facts, on the (federal) side,” Racine said.

     

    How far can the probe go?

    A tech analyst, Casey Newton in an article on verge.com, said “the Trump Administration’s antitrust inquiries have been tainted by the perception that they are intended to punish the president’s political enemies rather than level the competitive playing field”.

    Newton observed that when attorneys-general “have banded together on a broad, bipartisan basis, they’ve managed to muscle major changes to other industries”.

    “They forced billions of dollars in payments from Big Tobacco to pay health claims and finance antismoking campaigns in the 1990s. Two decades later, they helped reform unfair mortgage lending practices. More recently, states have led lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies they contend are responsible for the opioid crisis,” he said.

    A professor at Stanford Law School, Doug Melamed, said: “If people are expecting antitrust law to break up the platforms or fundamentally change the way they do business … my bet is they’re going to be very disappointed.”

    An analyst observes that only a court can decide an antitrust case.  “But at the end of the day, it’s still up to a court to apply antitrust law. So if the court thinks it’s not an antitrust case, it doesn’t matter if the states have signed on,” the analyst said.

    A few days ago, its video site, YouTube, was fined $170 million to settle allegations it collected children’s personal data without their parents’ consent.

    The Federal Trade Commission fined Google $136 million; the additional $34 million is to New York to resolve similar allegations.

    Google’s parent company, Alphabet, made a profit of $30.7 billion on revenue of $136.8 billion last year.

    The tech giant has chosen to keep mum in the face of this fresh onslaught but it had, in previous statements, said it would cooperate with state officials.

     

    BEHIND THE STORY

    IN 2013, Google agreed to change some of its business practices to resolve a dispute with FTC. The agreement involved agreeing to allow competitors access  to patents on critical standardised technologies.

    A statement by the FTC at the time read: “The changes Google has agreed to make will ensure that consumers continue to reap the benefits of competition in the online marketplace and in the market for innovative wireless devices they enjoy. This was an incredibly thorough and careful investigation by the Commission, and the outcome is a strong and enforceable set of agreements.

    “We are especially glad to see that Google will live up to its commitments to license its standard-essential patents, which will ensure that companies willing to license these patents can compete in the market for wireless devices. This decision strengthens the standard-setting process that is at the heart of innovation in today’s technology markets.”

    The statement quoted a counsel to the FTC, Beth Wilkinson, as saying: “The evidence the FTC uncovered through this intensive investigation prompted us to require significant changes in Google’s business practices. However, regarding the specific allegations that the company biased its search results to hurt competition, the evidence collected to date did not justify legal action by the Commission. Undoubtedly, Google took aggressive actions to gain advantage over rival search providers. However, the FTC’s mission is to protect competition, and not individual competitors. The evidence did not demonstrate that Google’s actions in this area stifled competition in violation of U.S. law.”

    The statement also noted:  “The Commission’s complaint alleges that Google reneged on its FRAND commitments and pursued – or threatened to pursue – injunctions against companies that need to use MMI’s standard-essential patents in their devices and were willing to license them on FRAND terms. Specifically the company pursued injunctions in federal district court and at the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) to block competing technology companies from using MMI standard-essential patents.

    “The FTC alleged that this type of patent hold-up is what the standard setting organizations sought to prevent by instituting FRAND licensing requirements. According to the FTC, if left unchecked, this type of patent hold-up can lead to higher prices, as companies may pay higher royalties for the use of Google’s patents because of the threat of an injunction, and then pass those higher prices on to consumers. This may cause companies in technology industries to abandon the standard-setting process and limit or forgo investment in new technologies, according to the agency.

    “To remedy this concern, Google has agreed to a Consent Order that prohibits it from seeking injunctions against a willing licensee, either in federal court or at the ITC, to block the use of any standard-essential patents that the company has previously committed to license on FRAND terms.

     

    What the law says

    ANTITRUST law is a collection of federal and state government laws which regulates business corporations to promote competition for the benefit of consumers.

    The main statutes in the United States are the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914 and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. The Acts serve three major functions.  Section 1 of the Sherman Act prohibits price-fixing and the operation of cartels. It also prohibits other collusive practices which restrain trade.

    Section 7 of the Clayton Act restricts the mergers and acquisitions of organisations capable of substantially lessening competition. Section 2 of the Sherman Act prohibits the abuse of monopoly power.

    These laws are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, state governments and private parties through bringing court actions.

     

     

  • Google sends gifts to Indonesian baby named ‘Google’

    United States technology giant Google has sent gifts to a baby boy named Google by their parents in Indonesia, local media reported on Wednesday.

    Google was born in November but his birth certificate went viral recently after his mother posted it on social media.

    Some online commentators quipped that he would find it hard to search his name on Google.

    “They sent several items as a token of appreciation, including a jumper,” the baby’s mother, Ella Karina, was quoted as saying by Tribunnews online newspaper.

    Read Also: Firm, Google train 120 female entrepreneurs on digital skills

    Ella said that Google congratulated them and expressed hope that baby Google would help many people in future.

    Google’s mother said she was initially opposed to her husband’s idea to name their second child Google, but now she has no regrets.

    “We thank `technology giant Google’ for their attention. We are more confident now,” Ella said. (dpa/NAN)

  • Breaking: Google services down in Nigeria, North America, Europe

    Google services including YouTube, Gmail, Analytic and others are currently down.

    Some parts of Nigeria have apparently been affected.

    The US has been apparently affected the most, RT report.

    Some part of Europe are also reported to be affected.

    Some users on social media also complained of trouble in accessing some of the tech giant services.

    https://twitter.com/_cosmicdebris_/status/1135261860612251649

    Details shortly…

  • Without Ifa’s existence, there wouldn’t have been Google, says Ooni of Ife

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Wednesday said that the Google originated from the  ‘Ifa’ also known as the oracle.

    The traditional leader said that without ‘Ifa’, Google would not have been created.

    Ogunwusi said this during the press tour of the tourists sites within the ancient city ahead of the Tourism Innovation and Development Innovation Conference (TIDA) slated for April 24.

    The theme of the forthcoming conference is:” Impact of Sustainable Tourism Development and Marketing of Tourism Destinations on Host Communities”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘ Odu Ifa’ refers to the verses of the literary corpus  that are usually consulted by people who believe in its efficacy before embarking on any project or activity.

    It is also a West African religion and system of divination

    Ogunwusi said that ‘Ifa’ as a form divination was all about sourcing for information and knowledge through traditional consultation.

    The traditional ruler said that Google could be regarded as the modern way of sourcing for past information and what was likely to happen in the future too.

    He said that ‘Ifa’ originated several thousands of years ago and is seen as the voice of the almighty God referred to as ” Orisa Oke” which is supreme to other lesser gods.

    ” Without ‘Ifa’, there could never have been the google, so the google is the modern-day version of ‘Ifa’ .

    ” ‘Ifa’ is all about information, getting knowledge from the Almighty God.

    Read also: No Moremi, no Yoruba race, says Ooni

    “Whenever you  search the google for information or knowledge, you are consulting ‘Ifa’;  and without ‘Ifa’, there would not have been the google.”

    He said that ‘Ifa’ was still relevant in contemporary time t saying that was why people were still consulting the oracle for information and solutions to their problems.

    Ogunwusi explained that if the modern day youths and the educated wanted to know the date of any important event, they would search for it from Google.

    ‘That is part of the functions that Ifa’ does for its believers and followers; that is the truth but it may sound strange, ” he said.

    The Ooni who is the custodian of the Yoruba culture and tradition called on Nigerians to embrace traditional worships peculiar to their communities.

    He said that would not stop them from practising other modern religions. (NAN)

  • NCC tackles Google over free Wi-Fi

    Investigations by the Nation revealed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory body for telecommunications in the country, has reported global internet giant, Google, to the Federal Government for evading regulatory oversight in its bid to expand its ‘free’ Wi-Fi deployment in Nigeria.

    Google is currently rolling out the ‘free’ Wi-Fi service in Lagos and Abuja with plans to expand to other locations in the country, a development that has caused great concerns in the industry because of the threat to the investment made by existing telecoms operators and privacy issues occasioned by the internet giant’s mode of operation.

    A letter from NCC to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) under the Office of the Vice President, sighted by our correspondent, indicated that Google may be illegally providing its ‘free’ Wi-Fi in the country under obscure conditions that put it beyond regulatory purview.

    The letter, signed on behalf of NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman by the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Mr. Sunday Dare, reported to the Office of the Vice President (PEBEC) that “Google is operating in Nigeria without being licensed by the Commission with the implications that it does not pay applicable fees, levies and taxes that are paid by other players in the telecommunications sector.”

    It further revealed that “There are several other irregularities in the structure under which Google presently provides its free public Wi-Fi for which the Commission requested it to provide information that will clarify certain issues that have cropped up in the course of trying to streamline its usage of Short Message Service (SMS) for user authentication.

    “Google has till date failed to provide the requested information, which has stalled efforts to resolve the issues,” the letter noted.

    Other shortcomings the Commission reported to PEBEC included Google’s failure to pay its Nigerian partners that it had presented as licensees of NCC and dealing with companies illegally providing SMS services.

    Internationally, Google has come under scrutiny over privacy issues and the way it handles the user data collected through its Android mobile operating system, an array of applications and more recently its ‘free’ Wi-Fi.

     

  • Google, UBA partner on free internet

    United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has partnered with Google to launch Google Station in 11 of the bank’s branches in Lagos.

    Google Station, a platform for providing free, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, began in Lagos last year, and extended to Abuja in December in partnership with Backbone Connectivity Network.

    This google-powered initiative would allow customers access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs, thereby facilitating their day-to-day businesses and activities, while ensuring unhindered connectivity.

    The 11 branches where the hotspot will be located are: UBA Bank Road, 810-811 Bank Road, Daleko; UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Atere street; UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive; UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja; UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa; UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa; UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island; UBA HQ, Broad Street, Marina; UBA Lekki Admiralty; UBA Oke Arin and UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.

    At the official launch which took place in UBA’s Head Office on Wednesday, UBA’s Executive Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chuks Nweke, expressed UBA’s excitement over the collaboration, adding that the move will go a long way to present opportunities far beyond the imagination of both organisations.

    He noted that the challenges of financial inclusion which the USSD platform has not been able to solve will be eased through the Google Station, as the financially excluded will now be able to access the internet and enjoy the services provided free of charge.

    He said, “It is an interesting platform which will ultimately benefit everyone. It is a win-win for everyone. Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smart phones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease.

    Google Nigeria’s Country Director, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor noted that the institutions remained focused on providing internet services to users for free.

    She said, “With the help of our partners, we are offering high-quality internet access in heavily-trafficked areas like airports, markets, malls and bus stations throughout the country, especially in areas where there were no internet connections before.

    “Even with the amazing progress on expanding mobile internet, we are finding that public Wi-Fi remains a crucial step in getting free, high quality internet to everyone,” she explained.

  • BCN, Google partner for free Abuja Wi-Fi

    In a move to foster internet connection in Nigeria, Backbone Connectivity Network, in partnership with Google, has launched a free, high-speed and public Wi-Fi hotspot in Abuja.

    The station launch was kickoff of Google’s intention to rollout free internet service in Northern Nigeria.

    It was launched in three strategic parts of the FCT, including Wuse Market, Enab Plaza and Banex Plaza.

    BCN owns and operates a network of over 2,000 km of fibre optic broadband cable having the largest broadband infrastructure in Abuja serving telecommunication operator’s (Telcos), Network Broadband Carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISP’s), business enterprises and retail households.

    Its CEO Ibrahim Dikko emphasised the societal impact of the BCN-Google partnership to bring free Wi Fi to consumers.

    He recalled how some young wheelbarrow pushers in Wuse market were excited to learn about free access to the internet on their devices.

    He stated that BCN is working with Google to activate more sites in Abuja and the Northern Region in 2019.

    According to him: “We strive to bridge access gaps by providing the requisite infrastructure, one that can yield the quality of service the customer desires and one that enhances Digital Inclusion.”

    BCN was also selected by the Kaduna State government to build fiber metropolitan broadband communications networks in the three key economic zones of Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan respectively, including Northern Nigeria’s first Tier III Data and Co-location Center in Kaduna town.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Google under fire over GDPR violation

    Google has come under fire over allegations of contravening Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it tracks its users’ locations.

    A group of seven European consumer organisations in the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and Czech Republic have filed complaints against the internet giant with their national data protection authorities, accusing it of forcing users to use its location tracking.

    The complaints are based on new research published by Forbrukerradet, a member of European consumer organisation BEUC.

    In a statement, the coalition alleged Google employed “deceptive practices” to get users to turn on its various tracking systems, and that consent was not being given freely.

    It also claimed Google did not provide “straightforward information” about what surrendering the data really entailed, and “leaves consumers in the dark about the use of their personal data.

    “Location data can reveal a lot about people, including religious beliefs (going to places of worship), political leanings (going to demonstrations), health conditions (regular hospital visits) and sexual orientation (visiting certain bars),” the statement added.

    Gro Mette Moen, acting head of unit, digital services in the Norwegian Consumer Council, says Google is processing highly detailed and comprehensive personal data without proper legal grounds, and is acquiring that data through manipulation techniques.

    He added that Google records where users go, and how they move, and this data can be combined with other information, such as what users search for, and the Web sites they visit.

    “Such information can in turn be used for things such as targeted advertising meant to affect us when we are receptive or vulnerable.”

    Google tracks its users through “Location History” as well as “Web & App Activity”, settings that are integrated into all Google accounts. For those who use Android smartphones, including Samsung and Huawei phones, tracking is especially difficult to avoid.

    A detailed report said there are several ways Google tricks its users into sharing their location.

    Firstly, this is done through deceptive click-flow, which, when setting up an Android device, pushes users into enabling “Location History” without being aware of it. This contravenes the GDPR’s legal obligations to ask for informed and freely given consent.

    Next, default settings for “Web & App Activity” are hidden behind extra clicks and enabled by default.

    Google also gives misleading and unbalanced information, the group claims, as users are given insufficient information when presented with choices, and are misled about the data that is being collected and how it is used. For example, information on how location data is being used for advertising is obfuscated behind extra clicks.

  • Winners emerge for Google Impact Challenge Africa

    Winners have emerged for the first Google Impact Challenge in Nigeria with twelve non-profits and social enterprises each awarded a share of $2m in grant funding.

    Four winners Vetsark, The Cece Yara Foundation,  HelpMum,  Project Enable Africa will receive $250 000 each, while the eight runners up will each get $125 000.

    1. Vetsark – Plans to launch Alpha Prime Disease Surveillance Technology to predict, prevent, and control pests and disease outbreaks in Nigeria to protect crops and livestock.
    2. The Cece Yara Foundation – Established the first toll-free child helpline and child advocacy centre in Nigeria and aims to connect victims with professional services through the web, SMS, and mobile apps.
    3. HelpMum – Using mobile technology, HelpMum provides clean birth kits to ensure that pregnant women are given the best possible care during delivery, irrespective of where they live.
    4. Project Enable Africa – The digital inclusion project promotes the access of people with disabilities and their caregivers to ICT skills and opportunities.

     

    The winners were chosen by judges and members of the public at the grand event held in Lagos on Tuesday evening.

    According to a statement by the organisers, funding will be allocated in tranches and assigned to each enterprise as they reach a set of predefined milestones specific to each venture, while winners and runners up will also receive support from Google to reach their goals and meet those milestones.

    Google Impact Challenge Africa, a competition to find the most innovative African non-profits and social enterprises using technology to solve societal problems, opened in May and more than 5,000 (Five thousand)  entries were received in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

    In her address at the ceremony, Google Country Director in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, noted that many African innovators are doing great work with real impact and Google is keen to shine a light on their work, and also give a financial boost to their projects and ideas.

    “We believe technology can help local and national organisations to better reach their goals and solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, and Google is eager to provide support to individuals and organisations using technology in new ways to make a positive difference,” she stated.

    Judges on the night included Chairman CEO Channels media group, John Momoh, Chairman/CEO;
    Mrs. Parminder Vir, Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation; Rapper, CEO of Chocolate City Music Group, MI Abaga; Philanthropist and Executive Director of Nigeria Network of
    NGOs Oluseyi Oyebisi; Managing General Partner, EchoVC Partners Eghosa Omoigui and Google Nigeria’s Country Director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor.

  • Facebook, Google tools reveal political ad removal data

    Public databases that shine a light on online political ads launched by Facebook and Google before Tuesday’s U.S. elections, offer the public the first broad view of how quickly the companies yank advertisements that break their rules.

    The databases also provided campaigns unprecedented insight into opponents’ online marketing, enabling them to capitalise on weaknesses, political strategists told Reuters.

    Facebook Inc and Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, introduced the databases earlier in the year to give details on some political ads bought on their services.

    This was in response to U.S. prosecutors’ allegations that Russian agents who deceptively interfered in the 2016 election purchased ads from the companies.

    Russia denies the charges. American security experts said the Russians changed tactics this year.

    Reuters found that 436 ads, 375 on Facebook and 61 on Google from May through October related to 34 U.S. House of Representatives contests declared competitive in October by RealClearPolitics, which tracks political opinion polls.

    Out of the 258 removed ads with start and end dates, ads remained on Google an average of eight days and Facebook 15 days, according to data Reuters collected from the databases.

    Based on ranges in the databases, the 436 ads were displayed up to 20.5 million times and cost up to 582,000 dollars, amounting to a fraction of the millions of dollars spent online in those races.

    Asked for comment, Google said it was committed to bringing greater transparency to political ads. Facebook said the database was a way the company was held accountable, “even if it means our mistakes are on display.”

    In some cases, the companies’ automated scans did not identify banned material such as hateful speech or images of poor quality before ads went live.

    Ads that are OK when scanned may also become noncompliant if they link to a website that later break down.

    Google’s database covers 54 million dollars in spending by U.S. campaigns since May and Facebook 354 million dollars, according to their databases.

    Facebook’s figure is larger partly because its database includes ads not only from federal races but also for state contests, national issues and get-out-the-vote efforts.

    The databases generally do not say why a particular ad was removed, and only Facebook shows copies of yanked ads.

    The American Conservative Union political organisation, which had 136 ads removed through Sunday on Facebook, said some commercials contained a brief shot of comedian Kathy Griffin holding a decapitated head meant to portray U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Removing the bloody image resolved the violation for sensational content, and the organisation said it had no qualms about Facebook’s screening.

    Some removals were errors. The Environmental Defense Action Fund said Facebook’s automated review wrongly misclassified one of its ads as promoting tobacco.

    Ryan Morgan, whose political consulting firm Veracity Media arranged attack ads for a U.S. House race in Iowa, said Google barred those mentioning “white supremacy’’ until his team could explain the ads advocated against the racist belief.

    Five campaign strategists told Reuters they adjusted advertising tactics in recent weeks based on what the databases revealed about opponents’ spending on ads and which genders, age groups and states saw the messages.

    Facebook blocks accounts citing foreign interference

    Ohio digital consultant Kevin Bingle said his team reviewed opponents on Facebook’s database daily to take advantage of gaps in their strategy.

    Morgan said his team tripled its online ad budget to 600,000 dollars for a San Francisco affordable housing tax after Facebook’s database showed the other side’s ads were reaching non-Californians.