Google has launched Datally, an app which helps users track their mobile data usage and reduce data consumption. The app allows users to track their data consumption on an hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis, and get personalised recommendations on how to save data. More importantly, it allows users to stop background data usage, and track real-time data usage for each app, and stop data usage with a tap. According to the company, their tests in the Philippines suggest that users can save up to 30% data. What's really strange is that the app needs a VPN to block data. We've written to Google for a clarification regarding why they need a VPN for blocking data, and how users who use VPNs already on their mobile phones can use Datally. What's also curious is that, at one level, the app says that "Don't worry, we don't inspect your app traffic', and at another, it's meant to track app traffic, and needs a VPN to route usage through. I'll tell you what Google should launch: a privacy manager app for Android. Late to the party, but better is better Google's really late to the party: data saving apps have been around for a while, and some are even coded into operating systems. Times Internet launched SmartApp in 2016, which did exactly the same thing, and had a realtime data usage counter, data consumption patterns, and a data saver. It didn't have WiFi tracking though. That said, looking at the terrible reviews…
