Safer With Google India event: JioPhone security updates, Be Internet Awesome microsite and Safety Center announced

At the Safer with Google India event, Google shed light on some of the steps it has taken to ensure those using its services can continue to do so with minimal risk of being troubled by cybercriminals. At the event, Google brought up the JioPhone Next, a budget smartphone developed in collaboration with Reliance Jio that’s set to be launched in September, and also introduced its Safety Center with support for multiple Indian languages as well as the ‘Be Internet Awesome’ microsite to educate children about the threats they may face online.

JioPhone Next to get latest Android releases, security updates

First announced at the Reliance AGM in June, the JioPhone Next will go on sale starting 10 September, and is billed as an ‘ultra-affordable 4G smartphone’. During the announcement, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani had said the smartphone will be “amongst the most affordable smartphones not just in India, but even globally”. [caption id=“attachment_9911861” align=“alignnone” width=“892”]  The JioPhone will receive the latest security updates from Google. Image: Google[/caption] During today’s Safer with Google India event, Sameer Samat, VP – Android and Play at Google, said that while the JioPhone Next’s affordability will make it widely accessible, privacy and security will be key to securing the trust of scores of buyers who will be owning and using a smartphone for the very first time. Samat mentioned the JioPhone Next will have the capabilities of a premium smartphone, but will also have an enhanced focus on user security, as it will receive the latest Android software releases and security updates, and feature malware protection. “These capabilities are going to be a first for any device in this category”, added Samat. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also previously confirmed the JioPhone Next will have language and translation features as well as “a great camera”.

Google’s Be Internet Awesome microsite for kids

With the number of children logging onto their computers spiralling during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re also left vulnerable to several threats online. To educate them about these threats and help them identify potentially troublesome encounters, Google has introduced a microsite named ‘Be Internet Awesome’. [caption id=“attachment_9911881” align=“alignnone” width=“1612”]  ‘Interland’ game on Be Internet Awesome microsite aims to inform children about online threats in a fun way. Image: Google[/caption] This site features quick pointers on dangers kids need to look out for online, handy security guides for families and educators as well as ‘Interland’, an interactive game that teaches children the importance of aspects like setting a strong password, dealing with malicious emails and more.

Updated Google Safety Center introduced in multiple Indian languages

Google has also rolled out a comprehensive update for its Google Safety Center microsite, which now offers users in India a choice of five languages – Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu. Support for three more local languages will be added towards the end of 2021. [caption id=“attachment_9911901” align=“alignnone” width=“1628”]  The updated Google Safety Center will be accessible in eight local languages by the end of 2021. Image: Google[/caption] The Google Safety Center is essentially a one-stop guide for users to be able to learn about the safety measures in place for every Google app and service, and also lets users customise their privacy and security settings for the same. Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Firstpost