New Delhi, India (October 3, 2024): Tech giant Google announced a slew of new features at its annual ‘Google For India’ event on Thursday, aimed at enhancing user experience and strengthening its position in the Indian market.
Enhanced Fraud Protection and AI-Powered Maps
Google is piloting an enhanced fraud protection feature for Google Play Protect to combat the rise of financial scams in India. This feature will automatically block malicious apps from outside the Play Store, safeguarding users from potential threats.
To improve navigation and customer experience on Google Maps, the company is introducing AI-powered features. The app will now generate summaries of places based on reviews and display photos uploaded by businesses and users.
Safety and Security Initiatives
Google plans to establish a Google Safety Engineering Centre in India to combat financial fraud and ensure online safety. This centre will leverage AI to protect users from online threats, bolster security for businesses and government agencies, and drive research and development in cutting-edge technologies.
Expanding Language Support and AI Overviews
Google’s GenAI chatbot, Gemini, is now available in Hindi, with support for eight other Indian languages coming soon. The Gemini mobile app allows users to interact with the chatbot using voice or text and even provide images for assistance.
Additionally, Google is expanding support for local languages in AI Overviews. This feature provides users with AI-generated summaries of topics, and it will soon be available in Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi.
Dominating the Indian Digital Space
These announcements are part of Google’s strategy to dominate the Indian digital market, which has become the world’s largest consumer internet market for tech giants. With a massive user base in India, Google aims to capitalize on the country’s digital economy boom through expanded payment offerings and local manufacturing initiatives.
However, Google has faced regulatory challenges in India, including antitrust cases and accusations of abusing its dominant market position. The company is working to address these concerns and maintain its strong presence in the country.
