Author: TechBrunch

As YouTube Shorts continues to compete with Tiktok, the platform is unveiling new features coming up to help creators publish compelling short form videos. Creators have access to improved video editors, the ability to generate AI stickers, the ability to sync content to the beats of songs, and enhanced templates. The launch of the new tool will take place just a few days before the TIKTOK ban period on April 5th. Given the timing of the announcement, YouTube could be trying to exploit the platform for potential gaps left by Tiktok if it faces a ban in the US. Image…

Consumer-grade phone monitoring apps aren't just meant to keep you stealthy. Some of these apps are making them increasingly difficult to remove. TechCrunch has effectively blocked the stealth phone monitoring app for Android so that it can remove the app by Android device owners who require a password to identify and uninstall it. Spyware apps that don't name them to promote relying on people who plant their apps and enable Android's built-in features, allowing their apps to “overlay” content over all other apps. Once this permission is granted, the Spyware app will use this overlay access to force a password…

Call founders, VCS and startup experts and share your scaling strategy! TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is garnering top mindsets in startups and venture capital on July 15th in Boston. If you have valuable insights into scaling, it's your chance to share them with over 1,200 founders, investors and entrepreneurs. Lead thought-stimulating sessions, interactive round tables and practical breakouts to help startups thrive. This is an opportunity to share expertise and guide founders through scaling challenges. Step up and stand out! Apply now and apply for a chance to compete in the Audience Choice Round where TechCrunch readers vote for those…

Tiktok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, has been at the heart of US controversy for four years due to concerns about user data that the Chinese government may access. Earlier this year, the app experienced a temporary suspension in the US, leaving millions of users suspense before it was quickly restored. Tiktok returned to the App Store and Google Play Store in February. Nevertheless, Tiktok's future remains uncertain, with a potential second ban on April 5th looming. Many investors are competing for opportunities to buy apps, and if a transaction occurs, the platform's US business could rise to over $60…

Spotify announced Gen AI Ads, among other changes to its advertising business at an event in New York City on Thursday. In particular, the company has introduced Spotify Ad Exchange (SAX), a new program offering. This allows advertisers to contact Spotify logged in users via real-time auctions. In scaling Sax News, Spotify said it has “instantly” inked its new partnerships with Google's Demandside Platform, Display & Video 360 and Magnite with “Yahoo DSP, Adform, and more.” Trade desks are also supported. SAX will offer “full addressability” and measurement capabilities, the company said. Partners can initially advertise the entire music in…

TechCrunch All Stage – Altimate Founder Summit – is becoming a powerhouse event where 1,200 founders and VCs come together across all stages to create meaningful connections and quickly gain actionable insights to apply to expand the startup. Join the Sowa Power Plant in Boston on July 15th. Be part of your conversation with a scaling expert. Sign up now and save up to $210! Registering in more than four groups will save more. About the breakout session Image credit: TechCrunch Adding more value to this already packed agenda, we look forward to announce that Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana…

With President Donald Trump's latest tariffs announced today, the day he calls “liberation day” – Web3 startups believe they can use their blockchain platform to automatically track tariffs on goods coming and going to the United States. This claim can be bold and is typical of many such bold claims made by other Web3 startups. However, there may be more than just eye contact, as WATR's platforms are already being used to verify products by large mining companies and automakers. Created by former Shell, BP and JP Morgan executives, the company is led by Mariam Ayati, who leads global origination…

Caller Identity app TrueCaller said earlier this week it surpassed the 450 million user mark. The company said it has added 50 million users and 15.5 million users in the last 10 months since the beginning of 2025. India is the company's largest user base. Therefore, it was not surprising that TrueCaller promoted Chief Product Officer and MD Rishit Jhunjhunwala to the position of CEO after TrueCaller last year's co-founder decided to step back from day to day operations. Image credit: TrueCaller Jhunjhunwala said India remains an important market for Truecaller, while it has grown in other regions as well.…

Circle, the publisher of USDC, is a stablecoin pinned to US dollars submitted for publication on Tuesday. The company reported that its earned money from interest earned on its reserve assets, with revenues and reserves in 2024 at $1.68 billion, up from $1.45 billion the previous year. Circle's net income in 2024 was $156 million, up from $268 million in 2023. This is the second attempt by a circle to be listed on the stock exchange. The company previously tried to make public in 2022 in conjunction with SPAC, but it abolished the plan when the SEC did not approve…

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney manufactures Fortnite and tools for other developers, including Unreal Engine, calling Apple and Google “Gangster-style business” and is engaged in illegal practices while speaking at the Y-combinator event on Wednesday. The executive also highlighted that the practices of large tech companies had a direct impact on their business by scaring users from installing Epic's game store software and preventing Epic from offering developers. In particular, Epic Games has played a major role in the fight against the Big Tech monopoly over the past few years. The company sued both Apple and Google. For exclusive practice…