TechCrunch Industry News

Tech companies are increasingly warning their customers that they have been targeted by governments with advanced government spyware, such as NSO's Pegasus or Paragon's Graphite. What happens after receiving a threat notification? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline has been aiding journalists and dissidents who have been targeted with government spyware. This is how they operate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nigel Morris raises alarms about the rapid growth of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' (BNPL), particularly its use for everyday essentials like groceries. With 91 million Americans using BNPL and rising defaults, many are missing payments, creating what he calls 'phantom debt.' The podcast explores troubling statistics showing that borrowers often hold multiple BNPL loans, mostly skewing towards subprime credit. It highlights regulatory challenges and warns that without careful oversight, the lightly regulated BNPL could lead to widespread financial distress.

The $82.7 billion deal for Warner Bros. is sending shockwaves through Hollywood. Many are calling it a potential death blow to theatrical filmmaking. The Writers Guild is urging regulators to block the merger, stirring further controversy. Competing bids from Paramount and Comcast add to the drama, as do concerns about Netflix's intentions. Senator Elizabeth Warren voices her anti-monopoly critiques, while Netflix execs try to reassure about preserving HBO's legacy. The future of theatrical releases hangs in the balance.

In a fascinating exploration, women manipulate their LinkedIn profiles to assess potential algorithmic bias. While LinkedIn denies using demographic signals, experts highlight the complexities of implicit bias in algorithms. The discussion includes insights on how factors like posting habits and profile behavior influence visibility. Creator experiences vary widely, with some facing drops in reach while targeted content thrives. The importance of professional insights and educational posts is emphasized as part of LinkedIn's evolving landscape.

A pirate archive claims it scraped tens of millions of Spotify tracks and files. Spotify's countermeasures and creator protections are discussed. OpenAI warns AI browsers face persistent prompt injection risks. A new LLM-based automated attacker and demos showing agent exploits are described. Defenses and trade-offs around agentic browser security are explored.

Alphabet is making a bold move, acquiring Intersect Power for $4.75 billion to enhance its data center energy supply. This latest acquisition aims to tackle energy grid bottlenecks. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has paused several offshore wind leases, citing national security concerns over radar interference. The reasoning behind this decision raises questions, as it seems to conflict with the growing push for renewable energy. Exciting developments are shaping the future of energy and tech!

The bill will require large AI developers to publish information about their safety protocols and report safety incidents to the state within 72 hours. Also, the newest episode raises questions about whether Sequoia's new leadership -- managing partners Alfred Lin and Pat Grady, who took over last month -- can or will rein in Maguire's social media activity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The future may be electric, but that future is being postponed. The European Commission, citing the need for flexibility, has softened its ambitious plan to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The gaming startup will allow Netflix subscribers to create avatars that can extend across gaming titles. Also, Meta is working on an image and video model and new text-based model, which aids with coding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices