The Grand Theft Auto VI trailer broke records for YouTube views, while thousands of servers leaked patient medical records due to security weaknesses. Meta launched a new AI-powered image generator, Spotify cut 17% of its workforce, and autonomous truck startup TuSimple is leaving the U.S. for Asia. Meanwhile, buy now, pay later startup ZestMoney is shutting down after failing to find a buyer. The newsletter also includes podcast episodes and in-depth commentary for TechCrunch+ subscribers.
Key takeaways:
- Google was caught faking a demo of its new AI model, Gemini, and also gave out offensive notebooks at a Black summit. The company has pledged to avoid similar situations in the future.
- Defense startup Anduril has developed a new weapon, Roadrunner, designed to take on aerial threats. It's an autonomous vertical take-off and landing air vehicle that can follow and destroy targets.
- The personal data of 6.9 million people was exposed in the 23andMe hack, including names, birth years, relationship labels, DNA percentages with relatives, ancestry reports, and self-reported locations.
- Spotify is cutting about 1,500 jobs, or 17% of its workforce, in its third round of layoffs this year as it aims to become more productive and efficient. Meanwhile, autonomous truck startup TuSimple is exiting the U.S. for Asia after a series of internal controversies and the loss of a critical partnership.