TechCrunch Daily Crunch X taps William Shatner for its new payments service, X Money
Mar 5, 2026
News about TikTok choosing not to add end-to-end encryption for direct messages to keep content accessible to safety teams. Google rolling out Canvas in AI Mode across the US to help organize projects and draft documents with Gemini integration. X tests a new payments service called X Money and involves a high-profile promotional tie-in for its beta invites.
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TikTok Declines End To End Encryption
- TikTok chose not to add end-to-end encryption for DMs, citing safety and access for police and safety teams.
- The company says direct messages remain protected with standard encryption and can be accessed by authorized employees for law enforcement or reports.
Google Expands Canvas In AI Mode
- Google rolled out Canvas in AI Mode to all US English users to help organize projects and draft documents.
- Canvas can turn notes into webpages, quizzes, audio overviews, and generate code to create shareable apps or tools.
Shatner Auctioned X Money Beta Invites
- Elon Musk partnered with William Shatner to auction X Money beta invites, requiring a $1,000 donation to Shatner's charity.
- Musk sent Shatner a playful $42 payment inside X Money, and 42 beta invites were offered to donors.