Technology

In a significant move, more than half a dozen VPN apps have been removed from India's Apple App Store and Google Play Store following intervention from government authorities. According to a document reviewed by TechCrunch and a disclosure made by Google to Lumen, Harvard University's database that tracks government takedown requests globally, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued removal orders for the apps. Affected Apps Among the affected apps are Hide.me and PrivadoVPN. In a communication to one of the affected developers, seen by TechCrunch, Apple cited a "demand" from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which deemed the developer's content to contravene Indian law. Background: India's Regulatory Framework The enforcement ac...

A New Era for Mirantis In a significant move, Mirantis has announced that Alex Freedland is returning to his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, effective January 11. This change comes after Adrian Ionel, who had taken over as CEO in 2018, will be stepping down from his position. A Planned Transition According to a memo sent to employees by Freedland, this transition is a planned move related to changes the board wanted to make at the beginning of the new year. The goal is to focus on the next phase of technical innovation and profitable growth for Mirantis. A Brief History of Mirantis Mirantis has undergone several leadership changes since its inception in 1999. In 2015, Freedland and Ionel swapped roles as CEO, with Ionel taking over as CEO and Freedland becoming Presid...

Jeeves Expands Beyond Credit Cards with Prepaid and Cross-Border Payments In a significant move to enhance its services for global companies, Jeeves, a financial operating system, is expanding beyond credit cards to offer prepaid cards and cross-border payments. This development marks a strategic shift for the company, which has been focused on providing corporate credit cards as its primary product since 2021. A Cross-Country, Cross-Currency Expense Management Platform Jeeves describes itself as the first "cross-country, cross-currency" expense management platform, serving businesses in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. With a total equity funding of $265 million at a valuation of $2.1 billion, Jeeves has been making waves in the fintech industry. A Strong Year for ...

The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has highlighted several issues, but one major concern is the liability of having too much cash sitting in too few bank accounts. In response to this challenge, a London-based startup called TreasurySpring has announced $29 million in funding to expand its platform for businesses to put their cash reserves to work through investments. TreasurySpring Raises $29 Million to Expand Its Platform The funding, a Series B round, is being led by Balderton Capital, with new backer Mubadala Capital and previous backers ETFS Capital, MMC Ventures, and Anthemis Group participating. This latest round values the startup at close to $100 million. Prior to founding TreasurySpring, the three co-founders - Kevin Cook (CEO), James Skillen (CTO), and Matthew Long...

The Unconventional Business Model Behind Telly's Success Telly, a hardware startup that has been making waves in the tech industry with its innovative approach to smart TVs, has announced that it has started shipping its dual-screen smart TVs to its first round of customers. The company claims that these TVs are free for consumers, but at what cost? To receive one of these cutting-edge devices, users must agree to share their personal information and viewing data with the company. The Business Model: "Free" TVs in Exchange for Personal Data Telly's business model is built around the concept of offering its dual-screen smart TVs for free in exchange for advertising revenue. The smaller second screen located below the 55-inch 4K TV displays ads 24/7, and users can engage with these...

A Year in the Making: NAIRR Comes Online with $800 Million Budget It's been a year since the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) proposal was first announced, and the coalition of U.S. agencies and private partners is finally coming online in pilot form. The program aims to democratize access to AI resources for aspiring researchers and engineers, ensuring that the United States remains competitive with its global rivals. A Response to the Concentration of AI Resources The sudden rise of AI in the global tech scene has led to a concentration of resources and expertise among a relatively small group of tech giants and privately funded startups. The Biden administration's response is to dedicate $800 million per year for three years, subject to congressional approval, to create public-acce...

The world of work has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the shift to hybrid work being one of the most notable changes. As employees adapt to this new landscape, employers are also changing their approach to monitoring and managing their workforce. According to a recent poll, searches for staff-monitoring software have increased by 75% in March 2020 compared to the 2019 monthly average, and demand has remained strong in 2021 and 2022. The Rise of Hybrid Work The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of hybrid work arrangements, with many employees working remotely at least part-time. This shift has presented challenges for employers, who are struggling to ensure that their workers are productive and engaged. A 2022 Microsoft survey found that 85% of leaders ...

The Micromobility Industry Sees Consolidation as Tier and Dott Plan to Merge After years of explosive growth and massive funding rounds, the micromobility industry is experiencing a period of consolidation. Two leading European companies in the space, Tier and Dott, have announced plans to merge their operations. A Necessary Move Amidst Struggles This development comes as no surprise, given the struggles that many e-scooter companies are facing. In recent times, several high-profile players in the industry have faced financial difficulties and operational challenges. The merger between Tier and Dott is seen as a strategic move to address these issues and create a more sustainable business model. The Challenges Facing E-Scooter Companies One of the primary reasons for this consolidation is ...

In a bid to mitigate the impact of their pollution on the climate, Google and other prominent companies have signed multimillion-dollar deals with Terradot, a startup backed by Sheryl Sandberg. The agreements aim to capture carbon dioxide using rocks, with the goal of slowing down climate change. The Carbon Removal Initiative Terradot's enhanced rock weathering (ERW) strategy involves speeding up a natural process that would otherwise take thousands of years. Rainfall breaks down rocks, releasing calcium and magnesium, which triggers a chemical reaction that traps CO2 in water as bicarbonate. The groundwater carrying this bicarbonate eventually makes its way to the ocean, where it is stored and kept out of the atmosphere. The Deals Google, H&M Group, and Salesforce are among the compan...

U.S. Government Charges Five Individuals in Multi-Year Hacking Spree Investigation Reveals Sophisticated Scheme to Steal Intellectual Property and Personal Information The U.S. government has announced charges against five individuals accused of carrying out a multi-year hacking spree targeting tech giants and cryptocurrency owners, which security researchers have dubbed "0ktapus." The alleged hackers used sophisticated techniques, including phishing text messages and SIM swapping attacks, to steal credentials and break into company systems. The Accused Hackers The five accused hackers are: Ahmed Hossam Eldin Elbadawy, 23, of College Station, Texas Noah Michael Urban, 20, of Palm Coast, Florida Evans Onyeaka Osiebo, 20, of Dallas, Texas Joel Martin Evans, 25, of Jacksonville, No...