Twitter is testing a new system to combat false information, Apple introduces guided walks featuring celebrities for Apple Watch users, and Clubhouse secures additional funding. This is your Daily Crunch for January 25, 2021.

The primary development: Twitter introduces Birdwatch

Twitter today launched a new feature designed to utilize a “community-driven method for addressing misinformation.”

Birdwatch allows users to identify tweets they believe are inaccurate, contribute notes to provide additional information, and evaluate the notes submitted by other users. This is intended to work alongside Twitter’s current practices of removing or labeling problematic tweets, not to replace them.

A key question remains: How Twitter will resolve situations where multiple users engage in disagreements and post numerous conflicting notes regarding the accuracy of a tweet.

Major technology companies

A walk with Dolly — Apple explains the reasoning and process behind bringing Time to Walk to the Apple Watch.

Google commits grants and resources to COVID-19 vaccination initiatives — The technology company is among several large corporations offering support to government organizations and healthcare providers to facilitate increased vaccination rates.

Facebook will provide academic researchers with access to 2020 election ad targeting data — Beginning next month, Facebook will grant academic access to a dataset containing 1.3 million political and social issue advertisements.

Startups, investment, and venture funding

Clubhouse announces plans for creator monetization and receives new funding led by Andreessen Horowitz — While the precise amount of this funding round is still being determined, Clubhouse has confirmed the introduction of tools to enable creators on the platform to earn revenue.

Taboola will become a publicly traded company through a SPAC merger — The completion of this transaction is anticipated in the second quarter, and the resulting company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TBLA.

Wolt completes a $530M funding round to support continued expansion beyond restaurant delivery — The Helsinki-based online ordering and delivery service began by focusing on restaurants but has since broadened its services to include other product categories.

Insights and analysis from Extra Crunch

Qualtrics adjusts IPO pricing prior to its public debut — Following its acquisition by SAP, Qualtrics announced its intention to operate as an independent publicly traded company.

Fintech companies could experience $100 billion in liquidity in 2021 — The Matrix Fintech Index analyzes public markets, liquidity, and a new trend in e-commerce.

Analyzing Chamath Palihapitiya’s SPAC transactions involving Latch and Sunlight Financial — SPACs continue to be a prominent feature of the financial landscape.

(Extra Crunch is our subscription service designed to help founders and startup teams succeed. You can learn more and subscribe here.)

Other news

Moderna states it is developing vaccines tailored to specific COVID-19 variants, but its current vaccine remains effective — Moderna has outlined the steps it is taking to ensure its vaccine continues to provide protection against emerging strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19.

Original Content podcast: ‘Bridgerton’ offers a captivating reimagining of Jane Austen-inspired romance — It’s also worth noting the exceptionally talented cast.

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