World launches tool to verify humans behind AI shopping agents
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/world-launches-tool-to-verify-humans-behind-ai-shopping-agents/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/world-launches-tool-to-verify-humans-behind-ai-shopping-agents/
TechCrunch
World launches tool to verify humans behind AI shopping agents | TechCrunch
As AI agents take the reins for online shoppers, Sam Altman's unconventional startup is looking to expand its verification offerings to support agentic commerce.
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AI’s ‘boys’ club’ could widen the wealth gap for women, says Rana el Kaliouby
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/ais-boys-club-could-widen-the-wealth-gap-for-women-says-rana-el-kaliouby/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/ais-boys-club-could-widen-the-wealth-gap-for-women-says-rana-el-kaliouby/
TechCrunch
AI's 'boys' club' could widen the wealth gap for women, says Rana el Kaliouby | TechCrunch
AI investor Rana el Kaliouby warns that if women are shut out of AI funding and leadership, the consequences will be grim.
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Oura enters India’s smart ring market with the Ring 4
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/oura-enters-indias-smart-ring-market-with-the-ring-4/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/oura-enters-indias-smart-ring-market-with-the-ring-4/
TechCrunch
Oura enters India's smart ring market with the Ring 4 | TechCrunch
Finnish smart ring maker Oura is finally launching in India, taking on local rivals such as Ultrahuman in a relatively young smart ring market that is becoming price-sensitive thanks to an influx of low-cost options.
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OpenAI expands government footprint with AWS deal, report says
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/openai-expands-government-footprint-with-aws-deal/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/openai-expands-government-footprint-with-aws-deal/
TechCrunch
OpenAI expands government footprint with AWS deal, report says | TechCrunch
OpenAI has reportedly signed a partnership with AWS to sell its AI systems to the U.S. government for classified and unclassified work, marking an expansion beyond its Pentagon deal last month.
Stryker says it’s restoring systems after pro-Iran hackers wiped thousands of employee devices
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/stryker-says-its-restoring-systems-after-pro-iran-hackers-wiped-thousands-of-employee-devices/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/stryker-says-its-restoring-systems-after-pro-iran-hackers-wiped-thousands-of-employee-devices/
TechCrunch
Stryker says it's restoring systems after pro-Iran hackers wiped thousands of employee devices | TechCrunch
The hack, which brought ongoing widespread disruption to the company's operations, is thought to be the first major cyberattack in the United States in response to the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Meet Vurt, the mobile-first streaming platform for indie filmmakers embracing vertical video
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/vurt-mobile-first-vertical-video-streaming-platform-indie-filmmakers/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/vurt-mobile-first-vertical-video-streaming-platform-indie-filmmakers/
TechCrunch
Meet Vurt, the mobile-first streaming platform for indie filmmakers embracing vertical video | TechCrunch
Micro-drama apps make billions in consumer spending, so VURT launched its streaming app to allow indie filmmakers to capitalize on the vertical video trend.
Google’s Personal Intelligence feature is expanding to all US users
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/googles-personal-intelligence-feature-is-expanding-to-all-us-users/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/googles-personal-intelligence-feature-is-expanding-to-all-us-users/
TechCrunch
Google's Personal Intelligence feature is expanding to all US users | TechCrunch
Personal Intelligence allows Google's AI assistant to tap into your Google ecosystem, such as Gmail and Google Photos, to provide more tailored responses.
Google’s data center power playbook comes into focus
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/googles-data-center-power-playbook-comes-into-focus/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/googles-data-center-power-playbook-comes-into-focus/
TechCrunch
Google’s data center power playbook comes into focus | TechCrunch
Google has long procured clean power for its operations and data centers, but recent deals show the company is changing tactics.
BuzzFeed debuts AI slop apps in bid for new revenue
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/buzzfeed-ai-slop-apps-sxsw-bf-island-conjure/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/buzzfeed-ai-slop-apps-sxsw-bf-island-conjure/
TechCrunch
BuzzFeed debuts AI slop apps in bid for new revenue | TechCrunch
BuzzFeed unveiled new AI-powered social apps at SXSW, but its demos drew muted reactions.
The Pentagon is developing alternatives to Anthropic, report says
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/the-pentagon-is-developing-alternatives-to-anthropic-report-says/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/the-pentagon-is-developing-alternatives-to-anthropic-report-says/
TechCrunch
The Pentagon is developing alternatives to Anthropic, report says | TechCrunch
After their dramatic falling-out, it doesn't seem as though Anthropic and the Pentagon are getting back together.
Kagi brings its ‘small web’ of a human-only internet to mobile devices
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/kagi-small-web-human-authored-indie-internet-mobile-ios-android-devices/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/kagi-small-web-human-authored-indie-internet-mobile-ios-android-devices/
TechCrunch
Kagi brings its 'small web' of a human-only internet to mobile devices | TechCrunch
Kagi's "Small Web" offers a handpicked collection of more than 30,000 non-commercial, human-authored websites, including personal blogs, webcomics, and independent videos.
Apple rolls out first ‘background security’ update for iPhones, iPads, and Macs to fix Safari bug
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/apple-rolls-out-first-background-security-update-for-iphones-ipads-and-macs-to-fix-safari-bug/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/apple-rolls-out-first-background-security-update-for-iphones-ipads-and-macs-to-fix-safari-bug/
TechCrunch
Apple rolls out first 'background security' update for iPhones, iPads, and Macs to fix Safari bug | TechCrunch
Apple's first-ever "background security improvement" fixes a vulnerability in its Safari browser running its latest software.
Why Garry Tan’s Claude Code setup has gotten so much love, and hate
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/why-garry-tans-claude-code-setup-has-gotten-so-much-love-and-hate/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/why-garry-tans-claude-code-setup-has-gotten-so-much-love-and-hate/
TechCrunch
Why Garry Tan's Claude Code setup has gotten so much love, and hate | TechCrunch
Thousands of people are trying Garry Tan's Claude Code setup, which was shared on GitHub. And everyone has an opinion: even Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini.
Mistral bets on ‘build-your-own AI’ as it takes on OpenAI, Anthropic in the enterprise
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/mistral-forge-nvidia-gtc-build-your-own-ai-enterprise/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/mistral-forge-nvidia-gtc-build-your-own-ai-enterprise/
TechCrunch
Mistral bets on ‘build-your-own AI’ as it takes on OpenAI, Anthropic in the enterprise | TechCrunch
Mistral Forge lets enterprises train custom AI models from scratch on their own data, challenging rivals that rely on fine-tuning and retrieval-based approaches.
Kalshi’s legal troubles pile up, as Arizona files first ever criminal charges over ‘illegal gambling business’
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/kalshis-legal-troubles-pile-up-as-arizona-files-first-ever-criminal-charges-over-illegal-gambling-business/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/17/kalshis-legal-troubles-pile-up-as-arizona-files-first-ever-criminal-charges-over-illegal-gambling-business/
TechCrunch
Kalshi's legal troubles pile up, as Arizona files first ever criminal charges over 'illegal gambling business' | TechCrunch
It's the latest salvo in an escalating battle between state regulators and an industry that claims it's not beholden to them.
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DOD says Anthropic’s ‘red lines’ make it an ‘unacceptable risk to national security’
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/dod-says-anthropics-red-lines-make-it-an-unacceptable-risk-to-national-security/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/dod-says-anthropics-red-lines-make-it-an-unacceptable-risk-to-national-security/
TechCrunch
DOD says Anthropic’s ‘red lines’ make it an ‘unacceptable risk to national security’ | TechCrunch
The Defense Department said concerns that Anthropic might "attempt to disable its technology" during "warfighting operations" validate its decision to label the AI firm a supply-chain risk.
Russians caught stealing personal data from Ukrainians with new advanced iPhone hacking tools
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/russians-caught-stealing-personal-data-from-ukrainians-with-new-advanced-iphone-hacking-tools/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/russians-caught-stealing-personal-data-from-ukrainians-with-new-advanced-iphone-hacking-tools/
TechCrunch
Russians caught stealing personal data from Ukrainians with new advanced iPhone hacking tools | TechCrunch
A suspected group of Russian government hackers was caught targeting Ukrainians with new iPhone hacking tools designed for espionage and potentially to steal crypto.
Marquis says over 672,000 people had personal and financial data stolen in ransomware attack
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/marquis-says-over-672000-people-had-personal-and-financial-data-stolen-in-ransomware-attack/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/marquis-says-over-672000-people-had-personal-and-financial-data-stolen-in-ransomware-attack/
TechCrunch
Marquis says over 672,000 people had personal and financial data stolen in ransomware attack | TechCrunch
Fintech company Marquis is notifying hundreds of thousands of people that hackers stole their personal and financial information, including their Social Security numbers.
Microsoft hires the team of Sequioa-backed AI collaboration platform, Cove
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/microsoft-hires-the-team-of-sequioa-backed-ai-collaboration-platform-cove/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/microsoft-hires-the-team-of-sequioa-backed-ai-collaboration-platform-cove/
TechCrunch
Microsoft hires the team of Sequoia-backed AI collaboration platform, Cove | TechCrunch
AI collaboration startup Cove is shutting down after its team joined Microsoft, with service ending April 1 and customer data set for deletion.
Sequen snags $16M to bring TikTok-style personalization tech to any consumer company
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/sequen-snags-16m-to-bring-tiktok-style-personalization-tech-to-any-consumer-company/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/sequen-snags-16m-to-bring-tiktok-style-personalization-tech-to-any-consumer-company/
TechCrunch
Sequen snags $16M to bring TikTok-style personalization tech to any consumer company | TechCrunch
With its Series A, Sequen is bringing its proprietary AI ranking and personalization technology to large consumer business.
Facebook launches a new monetization program to attract popular creators from TikTok, YouTube
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/facebook-launches-a-new-monetization-program-to-attract-popular-creators-from-tiktok-youtube/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/facebook-launches-a-new-monetization-program-to-attract-popular-creators-from-tiktok-youtube/
TechCrunch
Facebook launches a new monetization program to attract popular creators from TikTok, YouTube | TechCrunch
Facebook says it paid creators nearly $3 billion through its monetization programs in 2025, a 35% increase from the previous year and its highest annual total to date.