Author: TechBrunch

Ahead of the US presidential election, Google is introducing passkey support to Advanced Protection Programs (APP) used by people at high risk of targeted attacks, including campaign workers, candidates, journalists, and human rights activists. . Traditionally, APPs required the use of hardware security keys, but users will soon be able to register with APPs using passkeys. Users can choose to use a passkey alone or in conjunction with a password or hardware security key. “In a critical election year, we will continue to bring this capability to the users who need it most, working with experts such as Digital Campaign…

In a bid to capture more ad dollars despite a looming US ban, TikTok is helping marketers better control what kind of content their ads appear on. We are introducing new advertising products and opportunities that give you control. The company says it uses generative AI to curate trending, brand-safe content. Expanding selection of “center of attention” moments such as the Paris Olympics and Met Gala. Allows advertisers to purchase slots on specific networks and content offerings. The company introduced the Pulse Premiere ad slot last year and is now adding new partners to it. The service is focused on…

Apple is tweaking how it applies new fees applicable to iOS developers in the European Union as it continues to set its approach to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA): Changes will allow free apps to Developers will be able to avoid fees entirely, the company announced Thursday, effective today, but other developers who earn below a certain revenue threshold will have to pay fees to Apple. It will take even more time. As Apple continues to offer standard terms and conditions, so-called “core technology fees” remain opted-in for iOS developers in the region, but the new rights that…

Lamini, a Palo Alto-based startup building a platform to help companies adopt generative AI technology, has raised $25 million from investors including Stanford University computer science professor Andrew Ng. Co-founded several years ago by Sharon Zhou and Greg Diamos, Lamini has an interesting sales pitch. Zhou and Diamos argue that many generative AI platforms are too generic and don't have the solutions or infrastructure to meet the needs of enterprises. In contrast, Lamini was built from the ground up with enterprises in mind and is focused on delivering high accuracy and scalability for generative AI. “The top priority of almost…

So to speak, S2G Ventures has graduated today. For the past three years, the climate technology investment firm has operated under Builders Vision, the philanthropic and investment umbrella organization of Walmart heir Lucas Walton. Walton was his sole limited partner in S2G. Now, the organization is bringing others on board. Mr. Walton started S2G in 2014 to invest in startups focused on energy, agriculture, and oceans, with the goal of creating new companies that benefit the climate and environment. Mr. Walton plans to continue investing in and supporting S2G, giving the company a little more control, but not leaving the…

SoundCloud has launched a new set of playlists named “Buzzing Playlists” to highlight up-and-coming tracks from artists. It has pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music playlists, and includes tracks from artists participating in SoundCloud's Next Pro paid subscription program. SoundCloud said it looks at signals such as repeat plays, playlist additions, likes, comments, and reposts to add tracks to Buzzing Playlists, which are updated weekly. Last year, the company launched its First Fans program, which suggests new songs to people in autoplay mode to help artists reach the first 100 listeners with a new release. The company says it will…

Danti, an artificial intelligence company building an ultra-powerful search engine for Earth data, has brought on prominent defense technology investor Shield Capital as it looks to expand its technology for government customers. Founded by Jesse Kallman in early 2023, Danti develops a natural language search engine that targets previously highly siled data, such as satellite imagery, and cross-checks it with other commercial and government sources. , created reports across multiple sources and domains. For example, an analyst can pose a complex question in simple terms, such as “What are the recent tank movements in eastern Ukraine?” And in turn, you…

Nigeria's logistics industry, like other informal sectors, suffers from poor infrastructure and other inefficiencies that make it difficult for businesses large and small to move and store goods. I am. While many startups have tackled the challenges of middle- and last-mile delivery, one untapped area is providing end-to-end fulfillment solutions. Renda, a three-year-old startup, is filling this gap by simplifying order fulfillment and retail distribution for businesses in Africa. The company has secured a pre-seed round of $1.9 million, which will be used to improve its service. Expanding to more cities in Nigeria and Kenya, two of his current markets.…

Digital fraud detection company BioCatch has become a new major shareholder. UK-based private equity firm Permira is acquiring stakes in the company “primarily” from existing investors including Bain Capital, Maverick Ventures and Tech Opportunities in a value-driven secondary market transaction. Biocatch is worth $1.3 billion. Existing shareholders Sapphire Ventures and Macquarie Capital are also increasing their stake in BioCatch, but neither company has disclosed the amount. Permira also declined to confirm how much of a majority stake it currently holds in BioCatch. This is the second notable private equity deal announced in the past week in the cybersecurity space. Thoma…

Butcherbox is known for taking over $600,000 in revenue and moving forward. The company has not traditionally followed the M&A path, but today it announced that it will acquire Truffle Shuffle. Some of you may remember him from a 2021 episode of Shark Tank (or maybe The Goonies). The acquisition could make Butcher Box's customers better cooks and broaden its appeal (and product line) to more customers. Truffle Shuffle's goal is to make us home cooks feel like pros, and we do that by providing an easy-to-follow cooking show. When I tried it during the pandemic, I was struck by…