Google to allow users auto-delete location history, web activity

In a major milestone for internet privacy, search giant Google is rolling out a new feature that will allow users auto-delete their location history and web and app activity permanently from Google’s records.

While controls to stop data gathering, which Google uses to personalise recommendations and ads, already exits on Google account settings page, the Alphabet-owned company has gone a step ahead to assure users' data is not misused, or harvested without consent. 

More often than not, people, by blindly agreeing to terms and conditions for internet services, allow their data and online activity to be tracked. It is no secret that Google, which owns the Chrome browser, Google Maps, YouTube, and Android mobile platform, maintains intricate user profiles that are constantly fed with users’ searches, places they have been to, ads they have clicked on, apps installed, and so on.

Google also fetches data from sites unrelated to Google as its ad engine is, more likely than not, embedded in the publisher website. Combining data from all these apps and services has been Google’s biggest advantage, and also a reason behind a global movement and public discourse against unethical data harvesting by big tech firms that has taken shape over the past two years.

“We work to keep your data private and secure, and we’ve heard your feedback that we need to provide simpler ways for you to manage or delete it,” the the search firm said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

Google will introduce a bunch of settings in the coming weeks, allowing users to delete all data older than either 3 months of 18 months.

Once the feature is turned on, data that is older than 3 months or 18 months, depending on the choice of the user, will get deleted automatically.

Google has conveyed that users opting for this may see their recommendations — ads, search suggestions, or places to visit or news on Google Discover page on Android phones — may become less relevant and personalised.

However, it is important to note, Google is allowing these controls only for location history, certain web activity like sites visited on Chrome, and apps download and usage log. It still gathers data from YouTube searches, voice searches, and a host of data points from a users usage of Android mobile operating system. Data gathering from some of these sources can be manually turned off.

Investors hammer Britannia Industries stock on loans to group firms

The share price of food major Britannia Industries was down nearly 4 per cent on Thursday following concerns over loans to group companies. The stock remained volatile through the day after a disclosure by Britannia that it had inter-corporate deposits (ICDs) in associate companies, which was under 25 per cent of its total investments.

The disclosure was made during an analysts call on Thursday, when the company was asked to explain its investment policy. While Britannia’s FY19 total investments stand at Rs 2,700 crore, according to its latest financial statements, 25 per cent of this works out to around Rs 675 crore. This is nearly double the amount of ICDs in associate companies in the previous two years, when Britannia lent Rs 350 crore to Bombay Dyeing (see chart).

In the analysts call, Britannia's Chief Financial Officer N Venkataraman said investments by the company were made after evaluating all risks. “The yields on our investments are to the tune of 9 per cent and we are doing it on the basis of our investment policy,” he said.

However, analysts remain unconvinced saying that Britannia’s group exposure was an overhang. “While Britannia has been historically giving loans to group companies, it is still a factor to watch out for,” Abneesh Roy, senior vice-president, research (institutional equities), Edelweiss, said. On Wednesday, Britannia reported a nearly 12 per cent increase in net profit to Rs 294 crore for the quarter ended March 31 versus Rs 263 crore a year ago. Net sales increased 10 per cent to Rs 2,764 crore in the quarter under review versus nearly Rs 2,510 crore a year ago.

graph “There is certainly some concern here because this money could have been given as dividend to shareholders rather than lending the same to associate companies,” said an analyst requesting anonymity. “But the Rs 350-crore investment (in Bombay Dyeing) has also been constant in FY17 and FY18 even as ICDs to Bajaj Finance and PNB Housing Finance by Britannia have grown in the same period,” he said.

In FY18, ICDs to Bajaj Finance nearly doubled to Rs 201.8 crore from Rs 102.75 crore the previous year. In PNB Housing Finance's case, the growth was even sharper in FY18, at five times the amount in FY17, which stood at Rs 25 crore. The break-up of ICDs in other companies by Britannia for FY19 has not been disclosed. It is important to note that rating agency CARE has put the long-term debt facilities and deposits of PNB Housing Finance on watch in its latest report dated April 29 over concerns mainly in relation to weakness in the real estate sector as well as the latter’s exposure to corporate loans.

CARE also said in its April 29 report that it would monitor developments at PNB Housing Finance when reviewing its rating in the future.

At close of trade, Britannia’s stock price stood at Rs 2785.50 per share, down 3.72 per cent on the BSE. It touched an intra-day high of Rs 2952.20 per share and a low of Rs 2785.30 per share.

Hyundai starts bookings for upcoming compact SUV Venue, launch on May 21

Hyundai Motor India on Thursday said it has commenced bookings for its upcoming compact SUV Venue.

The company said the model has already captured attention of the customers and it is confident that it will set a new benchmark in the automobile industry.

"The Hyundai Venue is a testimony of our commitment to bring the best of global products and technology for our customers in India," Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) National Sales Head Vikas Jain said in a statement.

Customers can book the model online through company's website or visit any dealership with a booking amount of Rs 21,000 only.

The compact SUV, which would compete with the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300, will be available in four major trims with multiple powertrain options including a 1-litre petrol engine mated to seven speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai is set to launch the model on May 21.

PepsiCo agrees to withdraw lawsuit against potato farmers in Gujarat

PepsiCo India Holdings Ltd. (PIH) said on Thursday it will withdraw cases against potato growers in Gujarat after discussions with the government. The company had sued potato farmers in Gujarat for allegedly buying seeds and selling potatoes of the FL 2027 variety registered by PepsiCo. The said variety is used by PepsiCo for making 'Lays' chips.

The company said that it had held discussions with the government in which it was assured of "long-term" and "amicable resolution" of all issues around seed protection by the government. "The company remains deeply committed to the thousands of farmers we work with across the country and towards ensuring adoption of best farming practices," as per the PepsiCo India spokesperson.

Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who had earlier announced the government's intention to be a party to the legal case to "protect farmers' interests", could not be reached for a comment.

PepsiCo uses FC5 variety of potato for making chips. For this, PepsiCo had also entered in to an exclusive buyback arrangements with farmers in India. It is learnt to have engaged 1,200 farmers in Gujarat for sowing and producing the FC-5 variety of potato for its snacks division.

However, PepsiCo had found potato growers not under such an arrangement with the company, buying seeds and selling the FC5 variety of potatoes, following which it had filed suit against them.

Under the suit, PepsiCo had claimed exclusive rights over the said variety under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, seeking damages worth Rs 1 crore from at least four farmers. The hearing at the local commercial court in Ahmedabad had been scheduled for June 12.

Commenting on the case, the PepsiCo spokesperson said that the move was made in order to "safeguard the larger interest of farmers". "PepsiCo India was compelled to take judicial recourse to protect its registered variety," the spokesperson stated.

The case has attracted global attention, with the food giant facing backlash from farmer groups across the country. PepsiCo's decision to withdraw the case after its discussions with the government comes at a time when farmer organisations, led by RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), recently sought government intervention in establishing legal rights for farmers over seeds of any crop variety.

Earlier, PepsiCo had also suggested a possibility of an out-of-court settlement during a hearing at the commercial court in Ahmedabad last week. "PepsiCo from the very start had also offered an amicable settlement to farmers," the spokesperson added.

In another case, filed at the Gujarat High Court, two other potato growers had objected to PepsiCo’s plea to allow a court commissioner to visit and inspect their premises and cold-storage, with the purpose of taking stock of the alleged infringed potato product, as part of a probe ordered by a city-based commercial court.

While the court had allowed the commissioner to carry out inspection at the farmers’ premises but not at the cold-storage to assess inventories of the infringed potatoes, PepsiCo had filed a plea with the High Court seeking inspection of cold-storages as well.

However, earlier on Monday, the legal counsel appearing for the two farmers sought a stay over the HC's order on the grounds of approaching the Supreme Court. The Gujarat HC had refused both the plea and placed the matter for further hearing on June 12.

TMC to play 'most important' role in forming the next govt: Derek O'Brien

Asserting that the "fascist" Narendra Modi government is on its way out, TMC MP Derek O'Brien says a front of regional political parties will come to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections and his party will play the "most important" role in government formation.

He, however, did not confirm or deny if Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be a contender for the prime minister's post if an anti-BJP front comes to power.

"After four phases of election, I can confidently say this fascist Narendra Modi government is on its way out. There will be a new government at the Centre which will be driven by regional parties," Brien told PTI.

Asked who would lead the front, he said, "All the leaders and MPs (of constituent parties) would sit together and decide who would be their leader. We would take just an hour to elect the leader of the front."

Speaking about his party's role in government formation, he said, "The TMC would play the most important role in the next government."

"In a garden there are different features, there is also a squirrel in a garden. A squirrel doesn't grab the limelight but plays a very important role," he added.

The TMC leader evaded a direct response when asked if Banerjee would be in the running for the top office.

"Mamata Banerjee's credentials speak for themselves," he said, adding that she has been member of Parliament and Union minister multiple times and chief minister twice.

"We are looking to win close to 42 seats. So no one from the TMC needs to go around with her biodata," he added.

Brien said there would be a "United India Common Minimum Agenda", decided by all alliance partners, to guide the government policies.

Asked whether the Congress would be part of the anti-BJP front, he answered in the affirmative.

"Of course, the Congress would be part of it," he said.

The TMC leader dismissed apprehensions that the failure of regional parties to stitch a national level pre-poll alliance could prove to be a handicap in getting a call from the president to form the government.

"If you look at the political history and see how the earlier governments were formed, the UPA-1, UPA-2, and if you go back to the 90s, there have been post-poll alliances which have formed the government," Brien said.

"As long as there is proper coordination between all the opposition parties and a common minimum agenda, it won't be a problem. The opposition leaders are leaders in their own right and have their egos in their pocket, (which) means no ego. Whereas if you look at Narendra Modi, he has ego written on his forehead," he said.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "mahamilawat" (adulteration) jibe at the Opposition's 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance), the TMC MP said, "Meglomaniacs, who do not respect the coalition dharma, will keep making such comments."

"We are in the era of coalition politics and everybody should respect the dharma of coalition politics," he said.

It is driven by federalism unlike the "feku federalism" practised by the BJP government, he added.

Brien asserted that coalition governments "work better" in the country.

The TMC leader ruled out the possibility of supporting the NDA in case it falls short of majority, saying it is a fight "against ideologies".

Asked about his party's ties with the NDA in the past, Brien said no one should compare a leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee with Modi and Amit Shah.

After its formation in 1998, the TMC was part of the NDA till 2006.

Brien also criticised Modi over his recent revelation in an interview that Banerjee sends him kurtas, which she personally chooses for him, and sweets every year.

The TMC leader said speaking about courtesies in the public domain is a "cheap shot".

Sony XB700 review: Wireless headphones with good bass, exceptional battery

After introducing the premium WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones, Japanese electronics maker Sony recently launched in India the Sony WH-XB700, an affordable product in the company’s Extra Bass headphones series.

Being entry-level mid-range headphones, the XB700 lacks most premium features like noise cancellation and isolation. But it boasts a bass-rich audio output, and that is what this pair of headphones is all about.

The XB700 has a minimal design, made mostly of plastic with leatherette cushioning on the headband and ear cups. Light in weight, the headphones boast an on-ear design with ear cups that turn 90 degrees outwardly, making it comfortable for you to lie flat even with the headphones hanging around your neck. However, thanks to an on-ear design, the headphones are not comfortable to use for extended hours. On the brighter side, though, an extendable headband design allows you to adjust the ear cups and provides a good fit perfectly over the ears.

Sony WH-XB700 Operating the headphones is fairly easy, too, especially because of limited but functional controller buttons on the lower side of both ear cups. On the right ear cup, there are dedicated buttons for volume up and down, and a play/pause button placed between them doubles up as the call key to take or reject calls. On the left, there is a power button, and another one to activate voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, etc (when paired with supporting devices).

Besides Bluetooth connectivity, these wireless headphones also support near field communication (NFC) for tap to pair functionality. There is a 3.5mm audio-in port as well to connect the headphones with a device using aux cable.

Sony WH-XB700 In terms of performance, the headphones have average loudness with deep bass. The bass effect can be tuned, based on personal preference, using Sony Headphones Connect app — available on iOS and Android devices. The app also allows you to change the headphones’ audio output settings, such as surround sound effects, Sony’s DSEE, etc. Unfortunately, these settings work when the headphones are set to use the basic SBC codec. If you switch to high-quality Qualcomm aptX from the app, these settings grey out and roll back to default.

Sony WH-XB700 Priced at Rs 8,990, the Sony WH-XB700 is a decent pair of headphones with good bass and an exceptional battery life of more than 18 hours. The headphones support fast charging, too, which makes it suitable for people on the go. Though its on-ear design makes it somewhat uncomfortable to use for extended hours, especially during summers, the product’s lightweight build and 90-degree swivel ear cups allow you to conveniently hang it around your neck all day.

Ashok Leyland reports 7.5% growth in sales at 13,626 units in April

Commercial Vehicle major Ashok Leyland has posted a 7.5 per cent growth in sales during the month of April, 2019, at 13,626 units compared to 12,677 units during same month a year ago.

Domestic sales grew 10 per cent to 13,141 units during the month, compared to 11,951 units during same month last year, driven by bus and LCV growth. In the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) segment, trucks sales grew to 7517 units during April, this year, compared to 7013 units same period last year, registering an increase of 7.2 per cent.

Bus sales grew 12.9 per cent to 1401 units in the month compared to 1241 units last year same month. The total M&HCV sales grew eight per cent to 8918 units as against 8254 units during the comparable period. LCV sales posted 14.23 per cent growth, to 4223 units from 3697 units.

Including exports, the sales of trucks marked a 1.8 per cent growth to 7,645 units compared to 7513 units same month last year, while bus sales grew 17 per cent to 1701 units compared 1,455 units during the period. The M&HCV sales including exports posted 4.2 per cent growth, at 9346 units compared to 8,968 units during April, last year. The LCV business including exports grew 15.4 per cent, to 4,280 units compared to 3,709 units during same period last year.