Apple Privacy Chief Addresses iMessage Safety Concerns - Daily Crunch

Daily Crunch: August 10, 2021

A daily digest of TechCrunch's most significant and impactful stories is delivered to inboxes each day at 3 p.m. PDT. You can subscribe to this roundup here.

Today's Highlights

Greetings, and welcome to the Daily Crunch for August 10, 2021. A diverse range of topics are covered today, including Apple’s approach to user privacy, technological advancements in the cannabis industry, and several developments within the cryptocurrency space.

We'd also like to announce that Kathy Baxter from Salesforce will be a speaker at TC Sessions: SaaS. Her presentation will focus on AI, and promises to be an engaging event.

Featured Stories

• Apple’s commitment to privacy continues to shape the tech landscape. Their policies are frequently discussed and analyzed.

• The cannabis tech sector is experiencing rapid innovation. New technologies are being developed to support this growing industry.

• Cryptocurrency remains a focal point for investors and developers. Recent news highlights ongoing developments and market fluctuations.

— Alex

TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories

Here's a summary of the top three articles featured on TechCrunch today, offering insights into Apple's privacy initiatives, the growing need for disaster technology, and Salesforce's new streaming service.

Apple's Stance on Privacy

Apple is actively defending its approach to user privacy. A recent interview with Erik Neuenschwander, Apple’s head of privacy, conducted by Matthew Panzarino of TechCrunch, focused on the upcoming software release. This release will introduce a system designed to identify specific types of harmful content.

The implementation of this system has sparked debate and concern among privacy advocates. The core of the discussion revolves around the balance between safety and individual data protection.

The Urgent Demand for Disaster-Focused Technology

Danny Crichton argues for increased investment in technology designed to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. His analysis stems from the latest report by the IPCC concerning climate change.

Crichton’s reporting on startups developing solutions for fires, floods, and other natural events highlights a critical gap in the market. This presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking both profit and positive impact.

Salesforce Launches Salesforce+

Salesforce has announced the launch of Salesforce+, a new streaming platform. This initiative represents a shift in how the company delivers content and engages with its audience.

Previously, Salesforce hosted an annual in-person conference known as Dreamforce. Due to the pandemic, the company is now transitioning Dreamforce to an online format through Salesforce+.

The platform aims to become a central hub for business-related video content. Salesforce+ will be available at no cost upon its launch later this year, and will feature a wider range of content than just the Dreamforce event.

Startup and Venture Capital News

Recent developments highlight innovation across diverse sectors. A company focused on combating climate change, 44.01, has successfully secured $5 million in funding.

Carbon Dioxide Conversion

The investment will be utilized to advance 44.01’s technology, which transforms carbon dioxide into solid stone. This process, known as mineralizing, is scientifically established but hasn't yet been widely implemented on a commercial scale.

Robotic Food Delivery on Campuses

Kiwibot, known for its autonomous food delivery robots, has formed a partnership with Sodexo. This collaboration will introduce Kiwibot’s services to college campuses across the United States.

Students will now have the convenience of food delivered directly to them, eliminating the need to physically retrieve their orders.

Jerry Secures Further Funding

The auto insurance comparison application, Jerry, has announced a new $75 million Series C funding round. This follows a $28 million Series B raise completed just a few months prior.

Jerry operates in a highly competitive market, offering users a platform to compare various insurance options. The company’s continued success suggests a strong market position and a profitable business model.

Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Los Angeles

Motional, a joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai, is expanding its autonomous vehicle testing program to Los Angeles. A new facility will be dedicated to the development and refinement of this technology.

The proliferation of self-driving car companies indicates significant investment and progress in this field, potentially leading to a future with reduced reliance on human drivers.

Cannabis Marketing Technology

Surfside has raised $4 million to develop marketing technology specifically for the cannabis industry. This funding will support the company’s efforts to assist emerging cannabis brands in reaching consumers.

As cannabis markets continue to evolve with decriminalization efforts, specialized marketing solutions are becoming increasingly important.

Crypto Exchange Funding Trends

TechCrunch recently analyzed the surge in funding activity among cryptocurrency exchanges. This trend is often attributed to the success and influence of Coinbase within the digital asset market.

The Expanding Landscape of Retail Media Investment

Shifts in consumer habits brought about by the pandemic, coupled with evolving data privacy regulations, are prompting advertisers to increasingly focus on retail media channels.

Retailers are capitalizing on the wealth of data they gather – both individually from customers and in aggregate – to generate substantial, high-margin revenue. Cynthia Luo, head of Marketing at Epsilo, an e-commerce marketing platform, notes that effective implementation varies considerably.

The approach to retail media can range from basic to highly sophisticated.

(Access to exclusive insights and resources for founders and startup teams is available through Extra Crunch, our membership program. Registration can be completed here.)

Big Tech Inc.

Recent developments across several major technology companies are reshaping the landscape of online services and investment platforms.

OpenAI's Advancements in Code Generation

The creators of GPT-3 have refined Codex, a system initially developed to translate natural language into functional code.

These enhancements aim to make code creation accessible to individuals without formal programming experience, and the improved tool is currently being tested in a private beta phase.

Amazon's Enhanced Customer Protection

Amazon is implementing a new policy to directly compensate customers for defective products sold by third-party vendors.

Reimbursement will be provided for purchases under $1,000, incentivizing the company to maintain a higher standard of quality within its marketplace.

Robinhood's Acquisition of Say Technologies

Robinhood has announced the acquisition of Say Technologies in an all-cash transaction valued at $140 million.

Say Technologies offers a platform facilitating communication between investors and the public companies they invest in.

This integration is expected to differentiate Robinhood’s services within the competitive low-cost trading sector.

Venmo's Cryptocurrency Rewards Program

Venmo is now offering users the option to receive cryptocurrency as cashback rewards when using their Venmo credit card.

This feature allows users to potentially increase their cryptocurrency holdings, and demonstrates the growing integration of digital currencies into mainstream payment platforms.

It represents a strategic move by Venmo to expand its presence within the evolving cryptocurrency market.

TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing

Startup founders are being contacted to share their preferred sources for current growth marketing strategies. Participation in the survey can be completed through this link.

Below is a testimonial highlighting a growth agency located in Nigeria.

Marketer: Bili Sule, alGROWithm

Recommended by: Femi Aiki, Foodlocker

Testimonial: “Bili demonstrates a consistent ability to generate growth. Her experience includes a previous role as Vice President of Growth Marketing at Jumia Nigeria, alongside her work as a senior growth consultant with Founders Factory Africa.

She possesses the skill to bypass superficial metrics and consistently deliver reliable growth engineering for our organization.

A distinctive aspect of Bili’s methodology is its scope, extending beyond traditional marketing functions.

Her decisions are firmly rooted in data analysis, and she employs a cyclical, experimental process to identify growth opportunities across multiple facets of the business.

This encompasses not only marketing but also product development and operational efficiency.”