Rebecca Bellan
@rebeccabellan.bsky.social
Journalist. Explorer. Potty Mouth. Bagel Aficionado. NYC.
Senior Reporter at TechCrunch. Co-host of the Equity podcast. Author of TechCrunch Daily AM newsletter.
Send tips to rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.
Senior Reporter at TechCrunch. Co-host of the Equity podcast. Author of TechCrunch Daily AM newsletter.
Send tips to rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.
Reposted by Rebecca Bellan
NEW: Apple confirms it has pulled controversial apps Tea & TeaOnHer from its App Store.
Both apps had security lapses soon after their launches. Tea had a data breach that exposed thousands of users' government-issued IDs. And, I found that rival app TeaOnHer was exposing users' IDs as well.
Both apps had security lapses soon after their launches. Tea had a data breach that exposed thousands of users' government-issued IDs. And, I found that rival app TeaOnHer was exposing users' IDs as well.
Apple confirms it pulled controversial dating apps Tea & TeaOnHer from the App Store | TechCrunch
Apple has pulled the controversial dating safety apps Tea and TeaOnHer from the App Store over violations of its content moderation and privacy rules, following a flood of user complaints and reports ...
techcrunch.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
NEW: Apple confirms it has pulled controversial apps Tea & TeaOnHer from its App Store.
Both apps had security lapses soon after their launches. Tea had a data breach that exposed thousands of users' government-issued IDs. And, I found that rival app TeaOnHer was exposing users' IDs as well.
Both apps had security lapses soon after their launches. Tea had a data breach that exposed thousands of users' government-issued IDs. And, I found that rival app TeaOnHer was exposing users' IDs as well.
On yesterday's episode of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted to @adambillen.bsky.social of Encode AI about why California’s new AI safety law shows regulation and innovation don’t have to clash
techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/c... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/c... via @techcrunch.com
California’s new AI safety law shows regulation and innovation don’t have to clash | TechCrunch
“Are bills like SB 53 the thing that will stop us from beating China? No,” said Adam Billen, vice president of public policy at youth-led advocacy group Encode AI. “I think it is just genuinely intell...
techcrunch.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM
On yesterday's episode of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted to @adambillen.bsky.social of Encode AI about why California’s new AI safety law shows regulation and innovation don’t have to clash
techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/c... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/c... via @techcrunch.com
As enterprises rush to embed AI into their workflows — whether through vibe coding, AI agent integration, or new tooling — the attack surface is expanding. (1/2)
techcrunch.com/2025/09/28/w... via
@techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/28/w... via
@techcrunch.com
Wiz chief technologist Ami Luttwak on how AI is transforming cyberattacks | TechCrunch
Ami Luttwak, CTO of Wiz, breaks down how AI is changing cybersecurity, why startups shouldn't write a single line of code before thinking about security, and opportunities for upstarts in the industry...
techcrunch.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
As enterprises rush to embed AI into their workflows — whether through vibe coding, AI agent integration, or new tooling — the attack surface is expanding. (1/2)
techcrunch.com/2025/09/28/w... via
@techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/28/w... via
@techcrunch.com
Yesterday was a huge day for AI policy after California Governor Newsom signed a landmark safety bill SB 53 that will require large AI firms to be transparent about safety protocols.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/c... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/c... via @techcrunch.com
California Governor Newsom signs landmark AI safety bill SB 53 | TechCrunch
SB 53 requires large AI labs – including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind – to be transparent about safety protocols. It also ensures whistleblower protections for employees at those compa...
techcrunch.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Yesterday was a huge day for AI policy after California Governor Newsom signed a landmark safety bill SB 53 that will require large AI firms to be transparent about safety protocols.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/c... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/c... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/openai-takes-on-google-amazon-with-new-agentic-shopping-system/
This frictionless experience may change how people shop online. Instead of search engines and e-commerce platforms like Google and Amazon, buyers can interact with conversational agents with curated recos.
This frictionless experience may change how people shop online. Instead of search engines and e-commerce platforms like Google and Amazon, buyers can interact with conversational agents with curated recos.
OpenAI takes on Google, Amazon with new agentic shopping system | TechCrunch
This type of frictionless experience has the potential to spark a new movement in how people shop online – one that moves away from search engines like Google and e-commerce platforms like Amazon towa...
techcrunch.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/openai-takes-on-google-amazon-with-new-agentic-shopping-system/
This frictionless experience may change how people shop online. Instead of search engines and e-commerce platforms like Google and Amazon, buyers can interact with conversational agents with curated recos.
This frictionless experience may change how people shop online. Instead of search engines and e-commerce platforms like Google and Amazon, buyers can interact with conversational agents with curated recos.
OpenAI rolls out safety routing system, parental controls on ChatGPT -- and the results have been mixed techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/o... via @techcrunch.com
OpenAI rolls out safety routing system, parental controls on ChatGPT | TechCrunch
The new safety features come after numerous incidents of ChatGPT validating users' delusional thinking instead of redirecting harmful conversations -- including the death of a teenage boy by suicide.
techcrunch.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
OpenAI rolls out safety routing system, parental controls on ChatGPT -- and the results have been mixed techcrunch.com/2025/09/29/o... via @techcrunch.com
Do we think the 42 cents is referencing Hitchhiker's guide or 😙🍁💨? techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/e... via
@techcrunch.com
@techcrunch.com
Elon Musk's xAI offers Grok to federal government for 42 cents | TechCrunch
xAI has reached a deal with the U.S. GSA to sell Grok to federal agencies for 42 cents over 18 months, undercutting OpenAI and Anthropic.
techcrunch.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Do we think the 42 cents is referencing Hitchhiker's guide or 😙🍁💨? techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/e... via
@techcrunch.com
@techcrunch.com
Databricks will bake OpenAI models into its products in $100M wager to spur enterprise adoption
This is interesting bc Databricks has to pay even if OAI doesn't secure $100m in rev. It's a bet, but one DB hedged with customer interest.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/d... via @techcrunch.com
This is interesting bc Databricks has to pay even if OAI doesn't secure $100m in rev. It's a bet, but one DB hedged with customer interest.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/d... via @techcrunch.com
Databricks will bake OpenAI models into its products in $100M bet to spur enterprise adoption | TechCrunch
Databricks is on the hook to pay at least $100 million to OpenAI in this deal, even if customer usage falls short. It's a bet, but one that Databricks has already hedged.
techcrunch.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Databricks will bake OpenAI models into its products in $100M wager to spur enterprise adoption
This is interesting bc Databricks has to pay even if OAI doesn't secure $100m in rev. It's a bet, but one DB hedged with customer interest.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/d... via @techcrunch.com
This is interesting bc Databricks has to pay even if OAI doesn't secure $100m in rev. It's a bet, but one DB hedged with customer interest.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/d... via @techcrunch.com
🎣 💪 🧬 Longevity bait alert!
On today's episode of @equity.bsky.social
I chatted with the CEO of Chipiron, a startup that's figuring out how to make MRIs suck less and scale more. techcrunch.com/podcast/how-... via
@techcrunch.com
On today's episode of @equity.bsky.social
I chatted with the CEO of Chipiron, a startup that's figuring out how to make MRIs suck less and scale more. techcrunch.com/podcast/how-... via
@techcrunch.com
How Chipiron's rethinking the future of MRI
Chipiron CEO joins Equity to discuss how his startup is tackling one of the most expensive hospital-bound technologies, MRI machines, and aims to make them available anywhere.
techcrunch.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
🎣 💪 🧬 Longevity bait alert!
On today's episode of @equity.bsky.social
I chatted with the CEO of Chipiron, a startup that's figuring out how to make MRIs suck less and scale more. techcrunch.com/podcast/how-... via
@techcrunch.com
On today's episode of @equity.bsky.social
I chatted with the CEO of Chipiron, a startup that's figuring out how to make MRIs suck less and scale more. techcrunch.com/podcast/how-... via
@techcrunch.com
At the heart of every empire is an ideology. For AI, it’s AGI “for all humanity.”
As @karenhao.bsky.social argued on @equity.bsky.social, OpenAI has become its chief evangelist,
reshaping how the industry is built and justified.
Read more on @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/14/k...
As @karenhao.bsky.social argued on @equity.bsky.social, OpenAI has become its chief evangelist,
reshaping how the industry is built and justified.
Read more on @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/14/k...
Karen Hao on the Empire of AI, AGI evangelists, and the cost of belief | TechCrunch
OpenAI’s rise isn’t just a business story — it’s an ideological one. On Equity, Karen Hao, author of Empire AI, explores how the cult of AGI has fueled a billion-dollar race, justified massive spendin...
techcrunch.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
At the heart of every empire is an ideology. For AI, it’s AGI “for all humanity.”
As @karenhao.bsky.social argued on @equity.bsky.social, OpenAI has become its chief evangelist,
reshaping how the industry is built and justified.
Read more on @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/14/k...
As @karenhao.bsky.social argued on @equity.bsky.social, OpenAI has become its chief evangelist,
reshaping how the industry is built and justified.
Read more on @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/14/k...
Reposted by Rebecca Bellan
journalists spell "lead" like "lede" just to feel something
September 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
journalists spell "lead" like "lede" just to feel something
Reposted by Rebecca Bellan
This is horrific and feels like it should be a bigger deal. Business Insider reports that people who have worked at xAI have seen Grok create images and written material with child sex abuse material.
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-gr...
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-gr...
Behind Grok's 'sexy' settings, workers review explicit and disturbing content
Workers say they've faced sexually explicit content while xAI has marketed Grok to be deliberately provocative. Experts say the company should be cautious.
www.businessinsider.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:52 AM
This is horrific and feels like it should be a bigger deal. Business Insider reports that people who have worked at xAI have seen Grok create images and written material with child sex abuse material.
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-gr...
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-gr...
Meta launches super PAC to fight AI regulation as state policies mount | TechCrunch
Meta is investing 'tens of millions' into a new pro-AI super PAC called the American Technology Excellence Project to fight state-level tech policy that would regulate AI.
techcrunch.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
When I first tried virtual reality in 2017, I worried it could become the new opium of the masses. With AI reshaping our world today, that fear feels sharper than ever.
Here’s the feature I wrote then about my experience, which planted the seeds for my novel:
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
Here’s the feature I wrote then about my experience, which planted the seeds for my novel:
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
The stars were fake, the awe was real
The day I lost myself in virtual reality, and found the seeds of my novel
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
When I first tried virtual reality in 2017, I worried it could become the new opium of the masses. With AI reshaping our world today, that fear feels sharper than ever.
Here’s the feature I wrote then about my experience, which planted the seeds for my novel:
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
Here’s the feature I wrote then about my experience, which planted the seeds for my novel:
open.substack.com/pub/rebeccab...
UPDATE: A California bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots has now passed the Assembly and Senate, and is headed to @governor.ca.gov's desk.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/a... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/a... via @techcrunch.com
A California bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots is close to becoming law | TechCrunch
SB 243 passed the California Senate on Thursday and heads to Gov. Newsom's desk. If SB 243 is enacted, California would become the first state to require operators to implement safety protocols for AI...
techcrunch.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:25 PM
UPDATE: A California bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots has now passed the Assembly and Senate, and is headed to @governor.ca.gov's desk.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/a... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/2025/09/11/a... via @techcrunch.com
techcrunch.com/podcast/kare...
Really great having @karenhao.bsky.social on @equity.bsky.social to discuss the making of OpenAI's AI empire, how that has shaped the trajectory of AI development, and whether it can be different. 👇 (1/2)
Really great having @karenhao.bsky.social on @equity.bsky.social to discuss the making of OpenAI's AI empire, how that has shaped the trajectory of AI development, and whether it can be different. 👇 (1/2)
Karen Hao on the making of a $90B AI empire
Empire of AI author Karen Hao joins TechCrunch Equity to explore how OpenAI transformed from nonprofit to $90 billion powerhouse and the hidden costs of AI's boom.
techcrunch.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
techcrunch.com/podcast/kare...
Really great having @karenhao.bsky.social on @equity.bsky.social to discuss the making of OpenAI's AI empire, how that has shaped the trajectory of AI development, and whether it can be different. 👇 (1/2)
Really great having @karenhao.bsky.social on @equity.bsky.social to discuss the making of OpenAI's AI empire, how that has shaped the trajectory of AI development, and whether it can be different. 👇 (1/2)
NEW: Google avoids break up, faces new oversight in search antitrust trial techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/g... via @techcrunch.com
Google avoids break up, faces new oversight in search antitrust trial | TechCrunch
Google will not be forced to break up its search business, but a federal judge has tentatively ordered other changes to the tech giant’s business
techcrunch.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
NEW: Google avoids break up, faces new oversight in search antitrust trial techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/g... via @techcrunch.com
NEW: OpenAI plans to route sensitive conversations to reasoning models like GPT-5 and roll out parental controls within the next month — part of an ongoing response to recent safety incidents involving ChatGPT failing to detect mental distress.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/o...
techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/o...
OpenAI to route sensitive conversations to GPT-5, introduce parental controls | TechCrunch
OpenAI said Tuesday it plans to route sensitive conversations to reasoning models like GPT-5 and roll out parental controls within the next month – part of an ongoing response to recent safety inciden...
techcrunch.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
NEW: OpenAI plans to route sensitive conversations to reasoning models like GPT-5 and roll out parental controls within the next month — part of an ongoing response to recent safety incidents involving ChatGPT failing to detect mental distress.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/o...
techcrunch.com/2025/09/02/o...
Reposted by Rebecca Bellan
NEW: Credit reporting giant TransUnion has confirmed a data breach involving more than 4.4 million customers' personal information. TransUnion claims "no credit information was accessed" in the late-July breach, which it said involves its U.S. consumer support operations.
TransUnion says hackers stole 4.4 million customers' personal information | TechCrunch
The credit reporting giant confirmed unauthorized access to a third-party application storing the personal information of its customers.
techcrunch.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
NEW: Credit reporting giant TransUnion has confirmed a data breach involving more than 4.4 million customers' personal information. TransUnion claims "no credit information was accessed" in the late-July breach, which it said involves its U.S. consumer support operations.
Mark Cuban’s war on America’s $5T healthcare machine: ‘They can’t react as quickly’
On yest's ep of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted with @mcuban.bsky.social about Cost Plus Drugs, his effort to bring transparency and affordability to prescriptions.
techcrunch.com/2025/08/28/m...
On yest's ep of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted with @mcuban.bsky.social about Cost Plus Drugs, his effort to bring transparency and affordability to prescriptions.
techcrunch.com/2025/08/28/m...
Mark Cuban's war on America's $5 trillion healthcare machine: 'They can't react as quickly' | TechCrunch
Cuban said drug prices are opaque by design. He launched Cost Plus Drugs in 2022 to pull back the curtain on drug pricing, bring down costs to the average consumer, and disrupt the traditional pharmac...
techcrunch.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Mark Cuban’s war on America’s $5T healthcare machine: ‘They can’t react as quickly’
On yest's ep of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted with @mcuban.bsky.social about Cost Plus Drugs, his effort to bring transparency and affordability to prescriptions.
techcrunch.com/2025/08/28/m...
On yest's ep of @equity.bsky.social, I chatted with @mcuban.bsky.social about Cost Plus Drugs, his effort to bring transparency and affordability to prescriptions.
techcrunch.com/2025/08/28/m...
Thanks so much to @mcuban.bsky.social for coming on @equity.bsky.social! I learned so much 🤓
Have a listen to hear about Mark's formula for disruption, which he's applied to everything from streaming to healthcare to AI.
techcrunch.com/podcast/from... via @techcrunch.com
Have a listen to hear about Mark's formula for disruption, which he's applied to everything from streaming to healthcare to AI.
techcrunch.com/podcast/from... via @techcrunch.com
From streaming to healthcare to AI, Mark Cuban reveals his 'disruption formula'
Mark Cuban joins Equity to share his disruption formula and why most people building in AI are missing the real opportunity.
techcrunch.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Thanks so much to @mcuban.bsky.social for coming on @equity.bsky.social! I learned so much 🤓
Have a listen to hear about Mark's formula for disruption, which he's applied to everything from streaming to healthcare to AI.
techcrunch.com/podcast/from... via @techcrunch.com
Have a listen to hear about Mark's formula for disruption, which he's applied to everything from streaming to healthcare to AI.
techcrunch.com/podcast/from... via @techcrunch.com
I am so here for this
~this week in security~ is my weekly cybersecurity newsletter, featuring:
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers
~this week in security~
a weekly cybersecurity newsletter by Zack Whittaker, plus articles and more.
this.weekinsecurity.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I am so here for this
Reposted by Rebecca Bellan
~this week in security~ is my weekly cybersecurity newsletter, featuring:
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers
~this week in security~
a weekly cybersecurity newsletter by Zack Whittaker, plus articles and more.
this.weekinsecurity.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
~this week in security~ is my weekly cybersecurity newsletter, featuring:
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers
🗞️ all the news you need to know
😁 the happy corner of good news
🐈 a reader-submitted cyber cat (or friend)
👀 no email open/link trackers
🌏 read by email, online, or RSS
🔐 plus exclusive analysis & more for premium subscribers