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F8 2018: Facebook promises steps to stop abuse of its services (Lead)
San Francisco, May 2 (IANS) Sensing the displeasure of its developer community over the controversies in which Facebook found itself embroiled in recent times, from the Cambridge Analytica data scandal to Russian meddling in the US presidential election, the social networking giant has now promised more steps to stop abuse of its services.
Delivering the keynote address on the inaugural day of the two-day F8 developers’ conference in San Jose on Tuesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company was taking a broader view of its responsibility by not only giving people powerful tools, but also making sure those tools are used for good.
He promised new services that bring people together in meaningful new ways across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Oculus.
With a focus on building trust with the people who use its products, Facebook said it was making several important improvements to its policies and programmes for the developer community.
“We are re-opening our app review process after making some changes to make it more comprehensive and grounded on ensuring that each of our APIs creates value for people, is transparent and builds trust,” Facebook said in a statement.
Among the biggest announcements made on the first day of the conference was Facebook’s plans to build a “Clear History” privacy tool which will enable users to see the websites and apps that send information to Facebook when they use them.
The tool, Facebook said, will also enable the users to delete this information from their account, and turn off Facebook’s ability to store it.
There is also some good news for WhatsApp users as Facebook said it will bring group calling to the popular mobile messaging platform.
In a move that could pose a challenge to popular dating apps like Tinder, Facebook said it was building a feature for dating and relationships within the Facebook app.
“People already use Facebook to meet new people, and we want to make that experience better,” the social networking giant said.
With this new feature, users will be able to create a dating profile that is separate from their Facebook profile — and potential matches will be recommended based on dating preferences, things in common, and mutual friends.
They will have the option to discover others with similar interests through their Groups or Events.
However, what people do within the dating feature will not be shown to their friends.
Facebook said it will begin testing this feature later this year.
The social network also announced a new feature for Crisis Response, a centre it announced last year where people can get information about recent crises and access features like Safety Check, Community Help and Fundraisers.
“Today we’re introducing a feature that will enable people affected by a crisis to share firsthand accounts of timely information, like road closures and damage photos and videos, making it easier to get real-time updates. The feature will be rolling out later this year,” Facebook said on Tuesday.
To make it easier to donate blood, Facebook also announced a “Blood Donations” tool.
“In a few weeks, people in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan will be able to view nearby blood donation camps, requests for blood donations and blood banks from one place on Facebook,” the social network said.
Facebook said it was making its Oculus Go virtual reality (VR) headset available in 23 countries at a starting price of $199.
The lightweight device is launching with over 1,000 apps, games and experiences, it said.
At F8, Facebook also unveiled Oculus TV which will be launched later in May with partners like Pluto TV, Red Bull TV, and the Facebook video app for TV — and even more partners like ESPN coming later this year.
To help small and large businesses reach out to 1.3 billion people who use Messenger every month, Facebook announced the launch of an Augmented Reality (AR) tool for them.
With this tool, the businesses can leverage the “Camera Effects Platform” to easily integrate AR into their Messenger experience, bringing the virtual and physical worlds one step closer together.
Facebook’s F8 is an annual two-day event where developers come together to explore the future of technology.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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