Zoho has launched a privacy-centric browser called Ulaa. The browser is designed to help users secure their personal data and internet activity by providing a browser solution that universally blocks tracking and website surveillance. Ulaa is a Tamil word that connotes the beginning of a journey into a secured browsing experience.
According to a study by Norton, 85% of global adults want to do more to protect their online privacy, with two-thirds of global consumers feeling that tech companies have too much control over their data. With Ulaa, users can browse the web without compromising their privacy. The browser’s commitment to privacy and a privacy-centric business model allows it to offer a conflict-free, privacy-centric browsing experience.
Ulaa’s development is rooted in three main areas: privacy, productivity, and user modes. The privacy features of the browser include ad and data tracking blockers, which prevent unauthorised push notifications, pop-ups, and time tracking. Unlike other browsers that use time trackers or idle monitors to power recommendation algorithms and browser suggestions, Ulaa does not track or share user data with any third parties. DNS prefetching is prohibited, so data cannot be cached, and motion sensors that track mouse movement and clicks are also disabled. In addition to privacy customisations, anonymised user data and stats, geographical data isolation, end-to-end encryption, and privacy reports, Ulaa also disables the API that allows websites to connect and communicate with devices connected to your computer or wifi network.
The productivity features of Ulaa include tab management options to view all open tabs in one place, which can be grouped and organised. Users can easily switch between tabs or move tabs to a different mode or a new window. The browser also includes integrated productivity apps, including Zia Search for existing Zoho users, Text2Speech, and Zoho Notebook, a dedicated note-taking space that works across all tabs. Ulaa includes Annotator, a new, built-in feature that can add annotations directly to web pages and images.
Ulaa offers five browsing modes that are isolated from each other, providing unique protected browsing experiences. Users can use Dynamic Mode Switching to save preferred modes for specific websites, which will automatically open the site in the saved mode when the user visits it again. The different modes are Personal and Work Modes, Developer Mode, Kids Mode, and Open Season Mode.
Personal and Work Modes are easy to differentiate for home or work use. Personal Mode can be used for banking, streaming, and shopping without signing in and has secure logins and privacy features like ad-blockers. Work Mode can pull in apps, websites, and extensions for work and has an ad blocker for protection from phishing attacks.
Developer Mode is for web developers and testers. It has developer tools and suggested extensions to ensure website compatibility and test new features. Users can inspect HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and track assets and load time.
Kids Mode provides a safe online space for children to learn, play games, and explore content. It has content filtering and Parental Control features to block inappropriate websites. It’s easy to navigate, has ad-free games, and creativity-promoting apps. Features like Child Lock and Learning-on-the-Go restrict access to other modes.
Open Season Mode has no privacy restrictions, with no ad or tracking blockers, and no UI or feature breakages. It’s similar to an average browser and allows access to all websites, including “zero-restriction” sites. The red theme serves as a reminder of disabled data protection features and informs users they’re being surveilled online.
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