Google

Google, the Internet search giant, removed more than 50 million links from search results this year for allegedly infringing the intellectual property of copyright holders.

According to an analysis of Google's weekly "transparency reports" performed by TorrentFreak editor ErnestoVan Der Sar, 51.5 million links to web pages allegedly infringing on copyrighted material were removed from search results in 2012.

"Nearly all of these web pages are no longer showing up in Google's search results," Van Der Sar reported.

Google has taken two steps to prevent its Chrome browser becoming an attack vector for malware that runs as extensions to the browser.

Like many other browsers, Chrome allows users to install “extensions”, apps that add functionality. Google even runs the “Chrome Web Store” to promote extensions.

Security outfit Webroot recently pointed out that some of the extensions in the store are illegitimate, data-sucking privacy invaders that trick users with offers to do things like change the colour of Facebook and then suck out all their data.

Google's Santa Tracker can help you keep track of the Big Man on his deliveries on Christmas Eve, and don't forget to use Google's cool Santa Call service, too.

Google Maps' Santa Tracker is ready to be used by Santa Claus fans around the world as they track his Christmas Eve trip that has him delivering toys and gifts to good children and to well-behaved techies.

People around the world have been asking for Google Maps on iPhone. Starting today, we’re pleased to announce that Google Maps is here—rolling out across the world in the Apple App Store. It’s designed from the ground up to combine the comprehensiveness and accuracy of Google Maps with an interface that makes finding what you’re looking for faster and easier.

Here’s one for business or otherwise privacy-hungry users of Chrome: BoxCryptor has released an experimental plugin that makes it possible to encrypt and decrypt files stored in Dropbox and Google Drive without needing to fiddle around with desktop apps.

Search giant Google has modified its "SafeSearch" feature, which has removed most pornographic, not-safe-for-work (NSFW) or explicit content from its image search results.

First reported on news-sharing site Reddit, hundreds of users have reacted angrily to the move. The new options only appear to affect Google.com for now, whereas other regional sites -- such as Google.co.uk -- have not yet changed. (My search history is not looking good right now.)

Google plans to release its much-awaited iOS Maps app tonight, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The app should be a welcome addition for many iPhone users, who have been unhappy with an Apple-made replacement.

L33tdawg: Video of Chris Evan's talk at #HITB2012KUL on Element 31337 in the Periodic Table: Pwnium,  is available on YouTube and covers details of Pinkie Pie's epic $60k exploit from the event and details of past winners and submissions. Well worth watching.

WikiMartyr in waiting Julian Assange has emitted another screed in which he shares his belief that democracy is being dangerously undermined by government monitoring of the internet, and that Facebook and Google are helping those efforts.

Chatting with RT, Assange has outlined his belief that nations now conduct surveillance on a massive scale, because “it is cheaper to intercept every individual rather that it is to pick particular people to spy upon.”

Google just released new Android platform distribution numbers for the end of November. While software fragmentation is still definitely a problem for smartphones and tablets running the open-source operating system, the numbers paint a picture of slow but continuous improvement: 34.2 percent of all users are now running Ice Cream Sandwich or newer. That's a considerable improvement from just six months ago when Ice Cream Sandwich accounted for a paltry seven percent of all Android devices. Now, at 6.8 percent, both versions of Jelly Bean have nearly overtaken that number by themselves.