Twenty advocacy groups from around the world warn that Google’s acquisition of Fitbit risks damaging privacy and competition
News Alphabet
Google Buys North Smart Glasses, Closes Down Product
Canadian smart glasses maker North acquired by Google, which then immediately kills the next version of its wearable device
Coronavirus: Google Delays Re-opening US Offices
Google offices in the United States are to remain shut until September, as Coronavirus infections surge in certain parts of America
Google To Delete User Searches, Location Data After 18 Months
Privacy win? Google will automatically delete user’s website searches and visits, as well as some location data, after 18 months
Google To Spend $2 Billion On Polish Data Centre
Cloud services push in Europe reportedly sees Google investing as much as $2 billion for a data centre location in Poland
Google Hit With Lawsuit For Tracking Internet Use
Class action lawsuit seeks $5 billion from Google, for allegedly tracking people’s internet usage via browser’s ‘private mode’
Coronavirus: Google To Reopen Some Offices In July
Sundar Pichai tells staff that Google intends to open some offices starting from 6 July, as other tech firms give staff option to work from home forever
Alphabet To Deploy Google Project Loon In Mozambique
Loon signs deal with South African operator Vodacom to deliver balloon-powered high speed 4G and internet connectivity to rural provinces in Mozambique
Diversity Memo Author Drops Lawsuit Against Google
Developer James Damore drops his lawsuit against former employer Google after it fired him for his infamous ‘diversity’ memo
Coronavirus: Google Profits Rise, But Warns Of Pain Ahead
Alphabet delivers strong set of quarterly financial results, despite advertising decline in March as global Coronavirus pandemic starts to bite
Coronavirus: Google Releases Location Data To Help Authorities Check Lock-downs
Location data is being released by Google in 131 countries so officials can see if people are obeying self-isolating rules
Coronavirus: Google Pledges $800 Million For Covid-19 Crisis
Search engine giant pledges $800 million to fight against Coronavirus, mostly with the provision of free advertising for organisations
Coronavirus: Google Orders All North American Staff To Work From Home
Alphabet’s Google division has ordered all of its Northern American staff to work from home, if possible, until at least 10 April
UK Google Accounts To Be Placed Under US Jurisdiction
Change of terms of service will see British Google accounts moved out from Irish (European Union) control and placed within US jurisdiction
Google Acquisition Of Looker Data Sciences Approved
Alphabet unit completes $2.6bn acquisition of Looker Data Sciences after approval from British competition watchdog
Google Begins Appeal Against EU Shopping Penalty
Alphabet unit begin fightback against European antitrust regulators in three day hearing at EU General Court in Luxembourg
Google Fiber Drops TV Offering
Decision made to focus solely on providing high-speed Internet services, as customer need for ‘traditional TV’ wanes
Google Disappoints After Revealing YouTube’s $15 Billion Revenue
Strong financials from Google’s parent, as it reveals for the first time the turnover of YouTube and Google Cloud business
Amazon Surges Past $1tn Mark Once Again On Strong Earnings
But Amazon Web Services faces increased cloud competition from Microsoft, whose Azure grew 62 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter
Alphabet Hits $1 Trillion Market Valuation
Exclusive trillion dollar club. Google’s parent Alphabet becomes the fourth US tech giant to reach a market value of $1 trillion
Google Staffer Claims She Was Fired Over Worker Rights
Security engineer claims she was fired for Chrome popup about the protection of worker rights at the search engine giant
Google Founders Larry Page, Sergey Brin Step Down
End of an era as Google co-founders step down from leadership roles, with Sundar Pichai taking over the Alphabet CEO position
Is Google About To Acquire Fitbit?
Shares in Fitbit have been suspended amid reports that Google had made an offer to acquire the firm
Google Allegedly Developing ‘Spy Tool’ To Use On Staff – Report
Relationship between Google staff and management sinks to new low after worker surveillance allegation
Waymo CEO Eyes Self-Driving Lorries
Watch out truckers. Google’s Waymo is exploring the use of its tech for self-driving lorries and trucks
48 US States Open Google Anti-trust Probe
Google is facing an unprecedented anti-trust investigation from nearly all US states and territories that make up the United States
Google Facing Data Collection And Privacy Probe – Report
Attorney generals from more than 30 US states are readying anti-trust investigation of Alphabet’s Google unit
Former Uber Head Charged With Trade Secret Theft
Anthony Levandowski, former head of Uber’s self-driving program, has been charged with theft of trade secrets
Deepmind Co-founder Takes Leave Of Absence
Co-founder of Google’s AI division takes extended leave of absence, by mutual agreement
Alphabet Results Ease Advertising Slowdown Worries
Advertising sales drive profit and sales growth at Google parent, beating Wall Street expectations