The change seems to have come in relation to Google’s AI technology, Google Assistant.
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The ex-NSA contractor posted a series of Tweets to warn everyone away from the chat app, which he says will “record every message you ever send and make it available to police upon request”.
Google has released a new smart messaging app created to make it easier to keep in touch. Google Allo is undeniably a new and exciting chat app, certainly an alternative to other apps, like Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp.
“Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL,GOOG) Google unveiled its messaging app ‘Allo”, which would compete with the likes of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Allo’s Google Assistant comes with a smart reply feature, which is in fact one of the app’s high points, and it needs open access to be able to generate suggested responses to a given conversation. “That’s #Allo. Don’t use Allo”.
Google and its earlier messaging app Hangouts had failed to keep pace in a market that also includes Snapchat, Skype and global rivals such as WeChat, Viber, Line, Kik and Telegram.
As Snowden pointed out, a year ago every single one of the NSA and FBIs 1,457 surveillance requests was granted by the USA foreign intelligence surveillance court and Allos stored data (i.e. your data) will be fair game too.
The tech giant has also incorporated an “Incognito” mode to the service, providing end-to-end encryption, discreet notifications and message expiration.
The final version of Allo finally rolled out recently and as it turns out messages are stored indefinitely, until the user decides to delete them.
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Google defended its privacy stand, saying users can opt for a more secure “incognito” mode if they prefer.
