August 17, 2025

TikTok's new guidelines add subtle changes for LIVE creators, AI content, and more: TikTok is preparing an update to its Community Guidelines, which dictate the rules for participating on the social video platform as well as what standards the company uses to determine the videos that make it onto its For You feed. Read More

How your solar rooftop became a national security issue: Texas solar company EG4 became the poster child for home energy cybersecurity risks this week after federal officials published an advisory detailing how hackers could hijack its inverters. Read More

Sam Altman, over bread rolls, explores life after GPT-5: At a dinner with reporters in San Francisco, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spilled details on the company's ambitions beyond ChatGPT. Read More

Disrupt 2025 gathers 250+ industry trailblazers and 10,000+ attendees in San Francisco on October 27–29. Explore 200+ sessions on scaling, exits, and the evolving tech landscape. Hear from Elad Gil (Gil & Co), Astro Teller (X, The Moonshot Factory), Tekedra Mawakana (Waymo), May Habib (Writer), and more. Register now to save $600+ before prices climb.

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Kyte, which billed itself as the 'best competitor to Hertz,' shuts down: The startup entered into receivership after selling its customer list to Turo. Read More

Judge says FTC investigation into Media Matters 'should alarm all Americans': A federal judge has blocked the FTC's investigation into Media Matters research around advertising and antisemitic content on X. Read More

The wait is almost over: The 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 list drops August 27: After reviewing thousands of groundbreaking applications from around the globe, TechCrunch is just days away from announcing the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200. Read More

AI-powered stuffed animals are coming for your kids: Do A.I. chatbots packaged inside cute-looking plushies offer a viable alternative to screen time for kids? Maybe not. Read More

Winklevoss twins' crypto company Gemini files for IPO: Another crypto company is headed for the public markets. Read More

Go beyond the booth — host a breakout session at Disrupt 2025. With 100+ seats, AV support, and promotion on the Disrupt agenda, app, and socials, it's your moment to shine. Limited sessions available. Plus, get a session video, attendee list, and TechCrunch recap article to extend your reach.

A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs: A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. Read More

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