Google vows improved user privacy, introduces ‘Incognito Mode’ in apps

Alphabet Inc’s Google on Tuesday announced new privacy controls for its services, including “Incognito mode” for Google Maps, and published new privacy commitments for its hardware, showing how increased public scrutiny is forcing greater transparency in the Silicon Valley.

The announcements were dotted throughout nearly two hours of product updates from the search giant at its annual Google I/O developers’ conference. Google also launched its lowest priced smartphone yet, the Pixel 3a, and demonstrated upcoming capabilities for its virtual assistant, such as car rental and movie ticket bookings by voice commands.