Edward Snowden has given a stark warning not to use Google's new Allo messaging app, which launched this week. The NSA whistleblower claims that the the'smart' messaging app which integrates Google's virtual assistant does not feature important privacy measures that the tech firm said it would have. Speaking in a series of tweets, the security expert said that the app should be completely avoided. Government whistleblower Edward Snowden (pictured) says that people should not use Google's Allo app if they care about their privacy Google has been criticised for not including the promised end-to-end encryption in the app when it first launched and reportedly storing messages indefinitely. Allo is'A Google app that records every message you ever send and makes it available to police upon request,' said Snowden.

Google is turning to artificial intelligence to make sure people keep using its search engine, even if they're not spending as much time on the Web and personal computers. The Alphabet division unveiled a new mobile messaging application on Wednesday called Allo containing - a digital personal assistant, based on AI technology that powers other Google services like Inbox. At its I/O developer conference near its Silicon Valley headquarters, the company also showed off a voice-based search device called Google Home that uses the same assistant technology to answer questions when people are in their houses, a potentially potent rival to Amazon.com's Chief executive Sundar Pichai said the goal was to develop an "ongoing two-way dialogue with Google" and build billions of people their own "individual Google." The CEO sees the Google digital assistant as an "ambient experience that extends across devices."

As explained in the I/O keynote, Allo is designed to learn over time, making conversations easier and more productive. Allo makes your phone into the ultimate smartphone. Allo's features include emojis and stickers, gesture controls, the option to send full-bleed photos and doodle on them (much like Snapchat), an incognito mode to ensure private messages, and Smart Reply. The Smart Reply features works closely with Google Assistant and makes the most out of the machine learning capability of the app. If you type that you're craving pizza, Smart Reply will automatically pull up options for deliveries from nearby restaurants.

Google is taking another swing at the messaging space with a new app called Allo. It's yet another way for users to talk with their friends, but with a couple of neat twists including a "smart replies" feature that even works with photos. Using Allo, people can quickly reply to a conversation using artificial intelligence-driven Smart Replies that Google lifted from its Inbox email product. That means instead of typing a reply, you can tap on bubbles that show up to suggest responses. Smart Replies also works with images, thanks to Google's image recognition technology.