Is your pre-Series A startup solving big problems with game-changing potential? Do you have the drive to compete against the world’s top early-stage startups? Or know a founder whose vision deserves to be seen? TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 is where the most innovative early-stage startups battle it out in front of world-renowned VC judges in…
Category: Global IT News
Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
Honda’s $60B merger with Nissan falls apart
The $60 billion mega-merger between Honda and Nissan has been called off, in part because of Nissan’s “pride and insufficient alarm about its predicament,” writes Reuters, citing half a dozen sources. The report hints at bad blood on both sides, saying the development also ties to Honda abruptly revising the terms of the merger and…
AI, Cohere, copyright infringement, fair use, Global IT News, Global Security News, ip, lawsuit
Publishers sue AI startup Cohere over alleged copyright infringement
A consortium of fourteen publishers including Condé Nast, The Atlantic, and Forbes have filed a lawsuit against Cohere alleging that the generative AI startup has engaged in “massive, systematic” copyright infringement. In the complaint, the publisher plaintiffs accuse Cohere of using at least 4,000 copyrighted works to train its AI models and display large portions…
defense tech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, helsing, Startups
Germany’s Helsing doubles down on drones for Ukraine, scales up manufacturing
Helsing, the German defense tech startup backed by Spotify’s Daniel Ek and others, is producing 6,000 HX-2 strike drones in addition to the 4,000 HF-1 strike drones financed by Germany that are currently being delivered to Ukraine. “We are scaling up production of HX-2 in response to additional orders from Ukraine,” Helsing co-founder Gundbert Scherf…
Blue Origin, Global IT News, Global Security News, Space
Blue Origin cuts 10% of staff one month after first successful New Glenn launch
Blue Origin is laying off 10% of its workforce, according to Reuters, just one month after the successful first launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket. The company reportedly has more than 10,000 employees, meaning the cut could affect around 1,000 people. CEO Dave Limp told employees in an all-hands meeting Thursday morning the company is…
Android, Cybersecurity, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Hackers, hacking, Italy, Lookout, malware, Security, SIO, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker caught distributing malicious Android apps for years
Italian company SIO, which sells to government customers, is behind an Android spyware campaign called Spyrtacus that spoofed popular apps like WhatsApp, per security researchers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, Social, veo 2, YouTube, YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts adds Veo 2 so creators can make gen AI videos
YouTube Shorts is integrating with Google DeepMind’s latest video model, Veo 2, allowing creators to generate AI video clips for their posts. Veo 2 is Google’s response to Sora, OpenAI’s text-to-video generator. YouTube, owned by Google, already allowed creators to generate AI backgrounds for their Shorts with a text prompt through a feature called Dream…
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate, data centers, electricity, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, power grid
Data center tweaks could unlock 76 GW of new power capacity in the U.S.
A new study argues that data centers could be ideal demand-response participants because they have the potential to be flexible. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
CyberArk, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Zilla Security
CyberArk snaps up Zilla Security for up to $175M
Identity security company CyberArk has acquired identity governance and administration (IGA) platform Zilla Security in a deal worth up to $175 million. The transaction consists of a $165 million cash portion and an additional $10 million “earn-out” which is payable upon meeting certain milestones — it can be seen as an incentive for the founders…
avride, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, sidewalk delivery robots, Startups, Transportation, Uber Eats, Yandex
Avride launches sidewalk delivery bots on Uber Eats in Jersey City
Uber Eats customers in Jersey City can now have their orders delivered by one of Avride’s autonomous sidewalk delivery robots. The launch, which kicked off this week in New Jersey, is Uber’s latest foray into autonomous vehicles and represents an expanding relationship with Avride. The ride-hail and delivery giant deploys AVs on its app in…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
AuditBoard Survey Finds DORA Compliance Lagging
Audit, compliance, and risk management platform vendor AuditBoard recently announced its findings after surveying over 270 professionals about their compliance with DORA, the EU AI Act, and other compliance frameworks. Overall, the research shows that compliance lags behind expected targets. Channel Insider spoke with AuditBoard CISO Richard Marcus to learn more about the research for…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Security, sophos
Sophos lays off 6% of workforce following Secureworks acquisition
The layoffs come soon after Sophos completed its $859 million acquisition of Secureworks. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Apple app tracking transparency, Apps, Bundeskartellamt, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Apple’s app tracking privacy framework could fall foul of German antitrust rules
Germany’s antitrust watchdog has been investigating Apple’s app privacy framework since 2022. On Thursday, releasing preliminary findings from this probe, the Bundeskartellamt (FCO) said it suspects the iPhone maker may not be treating third-party app developers as equally as the law requires. The antitrust watchdog said it believes Apple’s behavior could amount to self-preferencing. Apple…
carbon credits, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, Exclusive, Forestry, formula 1, Formula 1 racing, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mercedes-AMG, Transportation
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team steers toward nature-based carbon credits
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team is buying 5,500 metric tons worth of carbon credits from Chestnut Carbon. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, apptronik, DeepMind, Global IT News, Global Security News, google deepmind, humanoid, humanoid robot, robotics, Startups
Apptronik, which makes humanoid robots, raises $350M as category heats up
Apptronik, a University of Texas spin-out that was quietly building humanoid robots before it became quite so fashionable, on Thursday announced a $350 million Series A round of financing. B Capital and Capital Factory co-led the round, which also featured participation from Google, whose DeepMind division is partnering with Apptronik to deliver embodied AI for…
AI search, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, stickers, Telegram, Video
Telegram releases improved sticker search and video consumption features
Chat app Telegram, which became profitable last year, released new updates to its apps, including improved sticker search, choosing video covers, and the ability to copy videos at the current time. The company first released its AI-powered sticker search in December, which allowed you to look for stickers using natural language. However, it was limited…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Spyware, variston
Barcelona-based spyware startup Variston reportedly shuts down
Variston, a Barcelona-based spyware vendor, is reportedly being liquidated. Intelligence Online, a trade publication that covers the surveillance and intelligence industry, reported that a legal notice published in Barcelona’s registry on February 10 confirmed that Variston has gone into liquidation. This comes almost exactly a year after TechCrunch reported that Variston was in the process…
Docker, Don Johnson, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, oracle cloud
Former Oracle Cloud exec Don Johnson takes over as Docker’s new CEO
Developer tooling and containerization company Docker has a new CEO: Former Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) executive vice president Don Johnson (pictured above) landed in the hotseat starting Wednesday. Incumbent Scott Johnston will leave the company with immediate effect. During his eight-year spell at Oracle, Johnson was instrumental in transitioning the company from its legacy on-premise…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, Salt Typhoon, Security
China’s Salt Typhoon hackers continue to breach telecom firms despite US sanctions
Threat intelligence firm Recorded Future said it had observed Salt Typhoon breaching 5 telcos between December 2024 and January 2025. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Elon Musk, filing, Global IT News, Global Security News, nonprofit, openai
Elon Musk will withdraw bid for OpenAI’s nonprofit if its board agrees to terms
In a court filing on Wednesday, a lawyer for Elon Musk said the billionaire will withdraw his $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI’s nonprofit if the ChatGPT maker’s board of directors “preserve the charity’s mission” and halt its conversion to a for-profit corporation. The filing, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of…
Binance, Coinbase, Crypto, Global IT News, Global Security News, India
Coinbase eyes re-entry to India
Coinbase is working on its re-entry to India more than a year after it officially ceased operations in the world’s most populous nation. The American crypto exchange is engaging with various Indian authorities, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), an Indian government agency that scrutinizes financial transactions, according to two sources familiar with the matter…
AI, Biotech & Health, Global IT News, Global Security News, hd, Merck, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Southeast Asia, Thailand
US pharma giant Merck backs healthcare marketplace HD in Southeast Asia
Big Tech and pharmaceutical companies are accelerating the implementation of artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. Just last month, AWS and General Catalyst announced their partnership to speed up the development and deployment of healthcare AI tools. GE Healthcare teamed up with AWS to build generative AI for medical use in 2024. Now, a…
DEI, diversity, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Ulu Ventures sticks to its diversity strategy, raises $208M
While large corporations like Google and Meta curbing their DEI programs, Ulu Ventures, which just raised a fourth $208 million fund, doesn’t plan to change its strategy of investing in diverse founders, the firm told the Wall Street Journal. Co-founded by Miriam Riviera, a Latina and former vice president and deputy general counsel at Google,…
Apps, Elon Musk Buys Twitter, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Social, Trump
Elon Musk’s X will pay Trump $10M to settle lawsuit over 2021 ban
Elon Musk’s X has agreed to pay President Donald Trump $10 million to settle a lawsuit from the days when the company was still called Twitter and owned by Jack Dorsey, the Wall Street Journal reported citing unnamed sources. The lawsuit took issue with Twitter’s decision to ban Trump after January 6, when Trump’s supporters…
AI, Biotech & Health, DeepMind, Global IT News, Global Security News, Latent Labs, Simon Kohl
Founded by DeepMind alumnus, Latent Labs launches with $50M to make biology programmable
A new startup founded by a former Google DeepMind scientist is exiting stealth with $50 million in funding. Latent Labs is building AI foundation models to “make biology programmable,” and it plans to partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to generate and optimize proteins. It’s impossible to understand what DeepMind and its ilk are doing…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Ready to hire a fractional CDO? Here’s what you need to know
GUEST OPINION: The world of work, or more specifically, how we work, has changed dramatically over the past several years. Flexible working arrangements have become favoured and even expected by many professionals, galvanised by their ability to continue delivering high-level work with greater discretion over their approach.
AI, Apps, earnings, Global IT News, Global Security News, q4 2024, Reddit, Search, Social
Reddit hints at expanded AI-powered search
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said that, over this year, Reddit plans to launch an upgraded search experience that’ll help users navigate the social network, but also answer “subjective, hard, [and] interesting questions.” The company plans to achieve this by integrating Reddit Answers, its feature that allows visitors to ask questions and receive curated summaries of…
a16z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government, Government & Policy
VC industry reacts to Trump nominating a16z’s Brian Quintez for regulatory role
Brian Quintenz, who leads policy for Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto team, announced on Wednesday that he’s being tapped to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to his X post. And many in the VC industry appear to be thrilled about it. The CFTC regulates the trading of commodity futures, options, and swaps, otherwise known…
AI, ChatGPT, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, model spec, openai, Politics, sensitive topics
OpenAI pledges that its models won’t censor viewpoints
Possibly in response to political pressure, OpenAI is making clear that its AI models won’t shy away from sensitive topics while refraining from making assertions that might “shut out some viewpoints.” In an updated version of its Model Spec, a collection of high-level rules that indirectly govern OpenAI’s models, OpenAI says that its models “must…
Biotech & Health, elizabeth holmes, Global IT News, Global Security News, Theranos
Elizabeth Holmes says from prison she’s ‘committed’ to ‘making healthcare solutions available to everyone’
People magazine has landed the first interview with Elizabeth Holmes since she reported to prison in 2023, and the convicted Theranos founder says she is still working on “research and inventions” in the healthcare space. “I remain completely committed to my dream of making affordable healthcare solutions available to everyone,” she told the magazine. Holmes,…
Apple, Apple tv+, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, streaming service
Apple’s TV app, TV+ streaming service, and MLS Season Pass launches on Android
Apple on Wednesday announced that its Apple TV app, including its Apple TV+ streaming service and MLS Season Pass, is arriving on Android devices. While the company previously offered a version of its app for Google TV, the newly released app will support a broader range of Android-based devices, including phones, tablets, and even foldables.…
AI, ChatGPT, evergreens, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai
ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about the AI-powered chatbot
ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has taken the world by storm since its launch in November 2022. What started as a tool to supercharge productivity through writing essays and code with short text prompts has evolved into a behemoth with 300 million weekly active users. 2024 was a big year for OpenAI, from its partnership…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News
OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release
OpenAI has effectively canceled the release of o3, which was slated to be the company’s next major AI model release, in favor of what CEO Sam Altman is calling a “simplified” product offering. In a post on X on Wednesday, Altman said that, in the coming months, OpenAI will release a model called GPT-5 that…
AI, Apple, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, home robot, robot, robotics
Apple is reportedly exploring humanoid robots
Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robotics form factors, according to a new scoop from longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The intel comes on the heels of a research paper from the iPhone-maker that explores human interactions with “non-anthropomorphic” robots – specifically a Pixar-style lamp. While Apple’s research paper highlights elements that could inform…
Apps, family link, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, kids, parental control apps, parents
Google expands Family Link parental controls with screen time tools, approved contacts, and more
Google on Wednesday announced a series of updates for its parental control software Google Family Link and a plan to test new machine-learning techniques to estimate users’ ages so it could apply more age-appropriate experiences to kids’ devices. The company earlier said that it would soon use machine learning to determine the age of YouTube…
autonomous vehicles, Global IT News, Global Security News, May Mobility, ride-hail, Startups, Transportation
May Mobility launches its first driverless commercial ride-hail service
May Mobility is deploying autonomous vehicles differently than its peers. Rather than operate robotaxis for individual ride-hail, May has followed a “gentle onramp” approach to commercialization by offering on-demand shuttles and pooled rides within campuses and along uncomplicated routes. The startup announced Wednesday the launch of its first fully driverless commercial service in Peachtree Corners,…
acquisition, AI, ai accelerator chip, AI chip, Funding, FuriosaAI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, In Brief, Meta, report, rumor
Report: Meta in talks to acquire AI chip firm FuriosaAI
Meta is reportedly in talks to acquire a South Korean chip firm as the social media giant looks to bolster its AI hardware infrastructure. Meta may announce its intent to purchase FuriosaAI, a chip startup founded by former Samsung and AMD employees, as soon as this month, per Forbes. FuriosaAI develops chips that speed up…
AI, ai newsletter, Apple, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, sam altman
This Week in AI: Musk bids for OpenAI
Hiya, folks, welcome to TechCrunch’s regular AI newsletter. If you want this in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. The billionaires are fighting again. On Monday, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, offered to buy the nonprofit that effectively governs OpenAI for $97.4 billion. In response to Musk’s offer, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman earlier Monday authored a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Telefónica, Vodafone Spain announce Fiberpass as brand for fibre JV
Spanish-based telecoms providers Telefónica and Vodafone Spain have unveiled their new joint venture brand Fiberpass, the trademark of their joint fibre optic service company FiberCo that both companies agreed to create in 2024.
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Netflix, netflix bites
Las Vegas just got a Netflix restaurant
You can now dine out on dishes inspired by Netflix movies and shows at Las Vegas’s newest restaurant. Netflix Bites is open as of this week in the MGM Grand Hotel & Casio, where it will operate for a year. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options like a Bridgerton-inspired tea service, Stranger Wings,…
acquisition, AI, Drata, Enterprise, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Merger, SafeBase, Security, startup, Startups
Security compliance firm Drata acquires SafeBase for $250M
Drata, a security compliance automation platform that helps companies adhere to frameworks such as SOC 2 and GDPR, has acquired software security review startup SafeBase for $250 million. SafeBase co-founders Al Yang (CEO) and Adar Arnon (CTO) will retain their roles, and SafeBase will continue to offer a standalone product while bringing its core solutions to…
Better Tomorrow Ventures, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Sheel Mohnot, Startups, Venture
VC Sheel Mohnot talks about Twitter fame, fintech, and the truth about AI startups
If you follow fintech on X, it’s very likely that you have come across the account of Sheel Mohnot, co-founder and general partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures. With over 150,000 followers, Mohnot has built an impressive presence on the social media site. Interestingly, many of his posts have nothing to do with venture capital. Mohnot…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Sky TV NZ switching from Optus to Korean satellite to stay on air
Sky Television New Zealand has decided to use a Korean satellite in place of a failing Optus satellite as a stop gap measure to keep its satellite TV service operational.
AI, Anthropic, dario amodei, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warns of ‘race’ to understand AI as it becomes more powerful
Right after the end of the AI Action Summit in Paris, Anthropic’s co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei called the event a “missed opportunity.” He added that “greater focus and urgency is needed on several topics given the pace at which the technology is progressing” in the statement released on Tuesday. The AI company held a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Under attack: Exposing upscale hacktivist DDoS tactics
GUEST REVEIW: In November 2024, DDoS attackers launched a campaign targeting Australian websites. It’s not out of the ordinary for Australian sites to be on the receiving end of DDoS attacks. However, this event was unusual, amounting to a surge of over 60 DDoS attacks on 39 different websites during the month.
Global IT News, Global Security News
LLMjacking Targets DeepSeek: What IT Teams Need to Know
Since its discovery in May 2024 by the Sysdig Threat Research Team (TRT), LLMjacking has emerged as a significant security concern, impacting organizations that rely on large language models (LLMs). The latest target is DeepSeek, a rapidly growing AI model that was exploited by cybercriminals within days of its release.
Global IT News, Global Security News
Snowflake Unveils Cortex Agents, Powered by Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet
Snowflake has today announced it has expanded its AI capabilities with the public preview of Cortex Agents, streamlining agentic app data access across structured and unstructured data. Cortex Agents leverages Anthropic Claude as a key LLM powering agentic text-to-SQL for high-quality structured data retrieval.
Apple, Donald Trump, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, jonathan morrison, nhtsa, Transportation
Trump picks Apple exec to lead transportation safety agency
President Donald Trump has chosen Jonathan Morrison, an Apple executive, to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per a Senate filing. The nomination will be reviewed and voted on by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation before being sent for a full Senate vote. If he’s sworn in, Morrison will oversee an…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Hitachi Vantara and BMC Transform Mainframe Innovation
New alliance combines Hitachi Vantara’s data infrastructure with BMC’s software expertise to help enterprises reduce costs, optimise operations and secure mainframe data
Global IT News, Global Security News
Check Point and Wiz Enter Strategic Partnership to Deliver End-to-End Cloud Security
The partnership integrates some of the best-in-class cloud network and CNAPP security through seamless technology integration and a strategic business alliance, setting a new standard for enterprise protection.
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, News and Trends, services, US Channel News
2023 Russian Hackers Back in News as HPE Discloses Data Exposure Risk
Bizarre and rather dramatically-named hacker organizations are at it again. A Russian hacker group, dubbed Midnight Blizzard (or Cozy Bear), breached HPE and stole the personal data of several employees at the company. Initial breach in 2023 recently flagged for potential information risk HPE actually discovered the breach on December 12, 2023, when they discovered…
AI, cloud marketplaces, Enterprise, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Intel Capital, Salesforce, startup, Startups, sugar, Threshold Ventures
Suger helps companies list and scale up on cloud marketplaces
When cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and AWS launched cloud software marketplaces a decade ago, it opened up a new sales channel for software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies to get in front of potential enterprise customers. These marketplaces effectively enabled SaaS companies to bypass the traditional, lengthy sales cycles. But rarely is the seller-side experience a walk…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Safeguarding the Future of Online Shopping
GUEST OPINION: As e-commerce continues its meteoric rise, it is also becoming a prime target for increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals.
brightmind, cisco, Enterprise, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, id management, identity, identity access management, Microsoft, Security, sgnl, TC
SGNL snags $30M for a new take on ID security based on zero-standing privileges
Security experts often describe identity as the “new perimeter” in the world of security: in the world of cloud services where network assets and apps can range far and wide, the biggest vulnerabilities are often leaked and spoofed log-in credentials. A startup called SGNL has built a new approach that it believes is better at…
AI, contract lifecycle management, Enterprise, Exclusive, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, legal tech, legaltech, SpotDraft, startup, Startups
SpotDraft taps AI to help streamline contract management
More and more legal professionals are embracing AI, surveys show. Per a recent poll from legaltech company Clio, 79% of firms used some form of AI for casework last year, up from just 19% in 2023. Despite some skepticism of the tech, in-house counsel has shown an interest, as well, with one survey suggesting that…
Adobe, AI, AI video models, firefly, Global IT News, Global Security News, premiere pro
Adobe launches subscriptions for Firefly AI
Firefly’s Standard plan costs $9.99 per month, the Pro plan will run users $29.99 a month, and there’s a more extensive Premium tier in the works. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, consumer goods, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Keychain, manufacturing
AI-driven manufacturing database Keychain raises $5M for European push
Brands are constantly trying to streamline how they source packaging materials and ingredient suppliers for their products in order to quickly meet consumer demand. However, even today this process can involve some laborious wandering around trade shows. Keychain is an AI-powered platform that aims to quickly connect the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry with manufacturing…
Global IT News, Global Security News
MongoDB expands Australian investment to ‘accelerate legacy modernisation and AI adoption’
Document database provider MongoDB has expanded its investment in Australia with a new office in Sydney in a move it says it will enable growth across its engineering, support, and go-to-market functions.
Commerce, fast food, food, food delivery, Global IT News, Global Security News, lanch, Social
Lanch bags $27M for a social media-skewed take on fast food
E-commerce startups built around food continue to gobble up funding as investors look for sticky consumer concepts that can scale without breaking the bank. On Wednesday, Germany’s Lanch — which taps social media and influencers to develop popular food brands alongside retail networks for distributing them — closed funding of €26 million ($27 million) to…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Other World Computing and ARCHIWARE Partner on Collaborative Workflows
Other World Computing (OWC) is partnering with ARCHIWARE, a data management software provider, to deliver seamless shared storage, cloning, backup, and archiving for collaborative workflows. Collaboration addresses asset management needs for creatives OWC, an organization that delivers storage, docks, and memory card solutions to empower professionals in video and audio production, photography, and business with…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Nozomi Networks welcomes Schneider Electric to its MSSP Elite Partner Program to deliver Advanced Managed Security Services worldwide
New Full-Scale, Industrial-Focused Security Management Service Designed to Safeguard the Most Complex Operational Environment COMPANY NEWS: Nozomi Networks, the leader in OT and IoT security, announced today that Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has joined its MSSP Elite Partner Program to deliver best-of-breed Managed Security Services (MSS)…
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, carbon credits, carbon removal, Chestnut Carbon, Climate, DBL Partners, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, reforestation
Chestnut Carbon gets $160M to turn old farms into forests
The company buys marginal and degraded farmland, plants them with native trees, and harvests the resulting carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News
Discovery Consulting appoints Mark O’Donnell to key executive position, launches new Qualtrics practice
SAP solutions provider Discovery Consulting has appointed Mark O’Donnell to a key exeutive position “to drive an expansion into new technologies solutions connected to the SAP ecosystem, including a substantial investment into a Qualtrics employee experience practice”.
dev tool, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, no-code, Softr, Startups
No-code app builder Softr expands beyond Airtable databases
If you’re working for a small company and want to build a client portal or an internal tool, it can be difficult to find the budget and resources to allocate a developer to that small project. That’s why more than 600,000 people, including project managers, HR employees and marketing people, have been trying Softr’s no-code…
Cloud, cloud storage, Enterprise, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Lucidity, WestBridge Capital
Lucidity snags $21M to help enterprises optimize their cloud storage
Lucidity, an Indian startup allowing enterprises to automate expansion and shrinking of their cloud storage, has raised $21 million in a Series A round. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
china, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation
A woman in China sued Tesla after complaining of faulty brakes — now she’s paying Tesla $23K
As per an investigation by the Associated Press (AP), Tesla has won a defamation lawsuit against one individual called Zhang Yazhou, who in February 2021 was a passenger in a Tesla Model 3 car that allegedly crashed due to faulty brakes, resulting in a four-day hospital stay for both her parents. Following the accident, Zhang…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, google whisk, image generation, imagen 3
Google Whisk, an image remixing tool, is now available in 100+ countries
Notably, the image tools are not available in countries and regions like India, Indonesia, the EU, and the U.K. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government, Government & Policy, lawsuits, privacy
Federal workers sue Elon Musk and DOGE to cut off data access
Federal workers are suing DOGE and its creator, Elon Musk to cut off the new agency’s access to their personal data. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Founders Fund, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, growth funding, Peter Thiel, Venture
Founders Fund is about to close another $3B fund
Founders Fund is on track to conclude fundraising of its third growth fund at the end of March, according to people close to the firm. The Peter Thiel-founded outfit is raising $3 billion, a source told TechCrunch and Axios also reported. The fund, which is intended primarily for additional investments in its successful late-stage portfolio…
Global IT News, Global Security News
True inks MoU with GalaxySpace to develop LEO satellite technology in Thailand
Thailand telecoms conglomerate True Corporation has launched itself into the space arena through a newly announced partnership with GalaxySpace, a Chinese company in the LEO satellite broadband field.
Apple, Apple Maps, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, gulf of america, Gulf of Mexico, Trump
Apple Maps plans to show ‘Gulf of America,’ following Google
Apple Maps will soon rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, following similar changes made by Google this week, in order to comply with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order that officially changed the name. U.S.-based Apple users may see the “Gulf of America” as soon as Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, and…
AI, ChatGPT, Climate, energy consumption, energy usage, environment, environmental impact, epoch, epoch ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Research, study
ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed
ChatGPT, OpenAI’s chatbot platform, may not be as power-hungry as once assumed. But its appetite largely depends on how ChatGPT is being used, and the AI models that are answering the queries, according to a new study. A recent analysis by Epoch AI, a nonprofit AI research institute, attempted to calculate how much energy a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
France’s Free offers premium AI assistant in mobile plans
French mobile provider Free and Paris-based artificial intelligence developer Mistral AI have collaborated to offer users a free taste of having their own premium AI assistant.
Amazon, Apps, Commerce, E-Commerce, Global IT News, Global Security News, online shopping, Shopping
Amazon tests sending customers directly to brands’ websites when it doesn’t stock their products
Remember that Christmas movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” where Macy’s in-store Santa, Kris Kringle, sends a frazzled shopper to a competitor’s store to find the Christmas present her son wanted because Macy’s was out of stock? Now, Amazon is doing the same thing online. The retailer announced on Tuesday the test of a new Amazon…
Apps, evergreens, Facebook, Global IT News, Global Security News, Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Social, Threads
How to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
In the wake of Meta’s decision to remove its third-party fact-checking system and loosen content moderation policies, Google searches on how to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads have been on the rise. People who are angry with the decision accuse Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of cozying up to the Trump administration at the expense of…
AI, Apps, Developer, gemini, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google I/O
Google’s I/O developer conference set for May 20-21
Google Tuesday confirmed that its annual developer conference is set for May 20-21, 2025. The event will be held at the usual spot, Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheater, a few minutes — depending on traffic — from Google HQ. The two-day event is a mix of both public- and developer-facing content. CEO Sundar Pichai will kick…
Commerce, Global IT News, Global Security News
Shopify took down Kanye’s swastika T-shirt shop, but another antisemitic storefront still operates
Shopify took down Kanye West’s online store after the musician sold T-shirts with the swastika symbol. West, who also goes by Ye, advertised his online store in a Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, directing viewers to his website, where the only item listed was the swastika T-shirt. Though Shopify removed a policy banning sellers from…
DEI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Social
Google says it removed cultural events from its calender last year
Google has removed events such as Black History Month and Pride Month from being listed on the calendar by default. Other events that were removed from the default calendar include Jewish Heritage, Indigenous People Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Google spokesperson Madison Cushman Veld confirmed the changes to TechCrunch, saying that in…
anduril, augmented reality, defense technology, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, military, Startups, TC, VR
Anduril takes control of Microsoft’s $22B VR military headset program
The Army has granted upstart weapons maker Anduril control of one of its highest-profile and long-troubled projects known as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, founder Palmer Luckey announced in a blog post Tuesday. IVAS was initially awarded to Microsoft in 2018 to develop augmented reality headsets for soldiers based on a ruggedized version of Hololens.…
activitypub, Automattic, fediverse, Global IT News, Global Security News, open social web, Social, social media, social networking, tumblr, wordpress
Tumblr to join the fediverse after WordPress migration completes
Since 2022, blogging site Tumblr has been teasing its plans to integrate with the fediverse — the open social web powered by the protocol ActivityPub also used by Mastodon, Threads, Flipboard, and others. Now, the Automattic-owned blogging platform is sharing more information about when and how that integration could actually happen. As it turns out,…
AI, ChatGPT, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, nonprofit, openai, sam altman, Startups
How Musk’s $97.4B bid could gum up OpenAI’s for-profit conversion
On Monday, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, offered to buy the nonprofit that effectively governs OpenAI for $97.4 billion. The unsolicited buyout would be financed by Musk’s AI company, xAI, and a consortium of outside investors, per a letter sent to California and Delaware’s attorneys general. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman quickly dismissed Musk’s bid,…
Global IT News, Global Security News
The hidden triggers of buying: what vending machine data reveals about your impulsive vs. intentional purchases
GUEST OPINION: Walk past any vending machine, and you’ll see a story unfolding in real time—a person stopping, scanning their options, and making a split-second decision to buy (or not to buy). It seems like a simple process, but behind every purchase is a complex web of psychology, environment, and subconscious triggers.
Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News
Klarna and Deel eye IPOs, and Stripe embraces crypto
Welcome to TechCrunch Fintech! This week we’re looking at how fintech heavyweights such as Klarna and Stripe are incorporating crypto into their strategies, which companies are planning for IPOs, one fintech’s Super Bowl ad, Stripe’s new lead of startups and venture capital, and more! To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important fintech…
Apple, Beats, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, heart rate, powerbeats, powerbeats pro 2
Apple brings heart rate monitoring to Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple Tuesday announced the long-awaited debut of Powerbeats Pro 2. The new headphones arrive nearly six years after the original Powerbeats hit the market. The new model maintains the familiar ear hook for workouts, while delivering upgraded sound, better battery life, and a wireless charging case. The earbuds also mark a major next step in…
AI, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, openai, sam altman
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calls Musk’s bid an attempt to ‘slow us down’
In an interview at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dismissed Elon Musk’s unsolicited $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI’s nonprofit as “an attempt to slow [OpenAI] down.” “[Musk] obviously is a competitor,” Altman said. “He’s raised a lot of money for [his AI company] xAI, and they’re trying to…
Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, stripe
Stripe mulls employee shareholder sale at $85B-plus valuation
Stripe is in talks for another shareholder sale that could value the company at “at least” $85 billion, according to multiple reports and a source familiar with the matter. The Information first reported the news that the payments infrastructure giant is working to sell employee-owned stocks. The move would help workers gain some liquidity as…
Bluesky, Global IT News, Global Security News, Pinksky, Social, social networking, TC
Built on Bluesky, Pinksky brings its Instagram-like app to Android
Bluesky users on Android now have access to a new app that works more like Instagram than X. On Tuesday, an app called Pinksky launched an Android version of its photo-centric social networking experience built on top of Bluesky. The app is now one of many attempting to court former Instagram users by offering a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Kyndryl: Organisations to prioritise behavioural change to unlock AI’s full potential
GUEST OPINION: With Australia back to work after the summer break, the focus for Australian organisations this year will be to drive the behavioural and organisational changes needed to maximise their investments in AI and drive long-term value, predicts Kyndryl.
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, paragon, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Another person targeted by Paragon spyware comes forward
Four people have so far come forward as victims of the Paragon spyware campaign targeting WhatsApp users, including one journalist and three activists. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, droneseed, ecosystems, Exclusive, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, mast reforestation, Pulse Fund, reforestation, reforesting, Social Capital Holdings, wildfires
Mast Reforestation hatched a plan to restore wildfire-ravaged forests. Investors took notice.
Mast enables reforestation without landowners needing to wait decades to harvest timber or claim carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Buzzfeed, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Social, social media
BuzzFeed is taking on Instagram, TikTok, X with a new social platform designed to spread ‘joy’
BuzzFeed, the media site known for its celebrity news and quizzes, announced on Tuesday that it’s developing its own social media platform, in a move to counter the current negativity on the internet. Semafor first reported BuzzFeed’s plan for the platform this past week. Details on the new platform are not yet public. However, the…
ADAS, avs, BYD, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
BYD to offer Tesla-like driver assist, even on its cheapest models
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD unveiled “God’s Eye,” an advanced driver assistance system that will be install on its entire model lineup, including its $9,600 Seagull hatchback. BYD founder Wang Chuanfu said at a live streamed event Monday that “we’re entering an era where autonomous driving is for everyone,” according to The Financial Times. God’s…
AI, AI agents, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, norwest venture partners, storm ventures, Talkdesk, TC
Pinkfish helps enterprises build AI agents through natural language processing
As the chief product officer for AI customer service startup TalkDesk, Charayna “CK” Kannan said that enterprises often say they want to automate different workflows but that it’s really hard to implement AI. Enterprises are dealing with clunky, legacy software, that often doesn’t have APIs, creating a daunting task their IT departments weren’t prioritizing. “Every…
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Creators, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Media & Entertainment, YouTube
YouTube AI updates include auto dubbing expansion, age ID tech, and more
In his annual letter, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan dubbed AI as one of the company’s four “big bets” for 2025, pointing to the company’s investments in AI tools for creators, like those that help them come up with video ideas, thumbnails, or those that help translate their content into other languages. The latter feature will…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Cisco Launching New AI Infrastructure and Data Center Solutions
Technology giant Cisco recently announced new solutions for service providers, allowing them to deliver AI connectivity. These new innovations will enable service providers to handle increased data volume and variety and monetize the services supporting AI traffic. Additionally, Cisco says these innovations showcase the evolution of Cisco Silicon One, with new devices enabling Cisco customers…
AI, Biotech & Health, Enterprise, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Quantum, quantum computing, QuEra
Google leads $230M convertible note for Boston quantum computing startup QuEra
Quantum computing, long relegated to the realm of theoretical, feels like it is back on the agenda as a potentially viable alternative to the expensive race for more powerful compute. On the heels of some notable advancements in quantum chips and error correction (two of the key areas that have kept quantum computers from becoming…
CISA, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, us government
CISA election security officials placed on leave: report
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reportedly placed several members of its election security team on administrative leave. The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the situation, reports that 17 CISA employees have been placed on leave pending review. The employees had worked with election officials to counter a range of…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Parallels Launching New Partner Program & Citrix Migration Support
Virtualization and end-user computing vendor Parallels is introducing a new partner program to assist existing and new partners with more resources, greater profitability, and enhanced support. Dubbed the “Elevate Now” Partner Program, it will focus on delivering increased value and growth opportunities aimed at enabling MSPs, value-added resellers (VARs), and system integrators (SIs). The key…
AI, ai action summit, Anthropic, dario amodei, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, paris
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls the AI Action Summit a ‘missed opportunity’
In a statement on Tuesday, Dario Amodei, the CEO of AI startup Anthropic, called the AI Action Summit in Paris this week a “missed opportunity,” and urged the AI industry — and government — to “move faster and with greater clarity.” “We were pleased to attend the AI Action Summit in Paris, and we appreciate…
funding round, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mattoboard, seed funding, Startups
3D mood board and marketplace Mattoboard picks up $2M to launch AI visual search
Mattoboard, the makers of web-based software designed to simplify the creative process for interior designers and architects, is getting into AI. On Tuesday, the startup announced its $2 million seed funding round, which will support the launch of a new feature called Design Stream, an AI-driven visual search and discovery tool. The company’s software, a…