On Thursday, Google revealed that Google Wallet now provides an option for parents to establish a secure balance for minors under 18. The technology leader states that this new capability aims to assist parents in instilling responsible financial practices while keeping track of their child’s expenditures through integrated protections.

Parents have the ability to establish daily spending caps, monitor their child’s transaction logs, and opt to receive alerts every time a purchase occurs. They can also freeze or unfreeze the account if the child’s device gets misplaced, or implement a temporary “spending pause” to halt transactions at any moment.

This new functionality aligns Google Wallet more closely with rival financial solutions, such as Apple Cash Family, which enables parents to send funds to their kids while overseeing transactions and administering spending limitations.

Moreover, the company is positioning itself in competition with startups like FamZoo and Greenlight, which empower parents to educate their children about financial responsibility through prepaid debit card systems.

Children can utilize their Android devices or Wear OS gadgets to make payments wherever Google Pay is accepted. The tech company views this new functionality as a method for children to handle their finances without needing an actual bank account.

The feature is currently being rolled out in the United States. It remains unclear when or if Google intends to extend this new service to other areas.

This new option builds upon Google’s announcement last year that allowed parents and guardians in select nations to enable their children to engage in digital payments on Android devices under their supervision. A payment card can solely be linked with parental approval, and parents receive an email notification each time their child conducts a transaction.

With last year’s enhancement, children also gained the capability to utilize Google Wallet for accessing supported passes, including event tickets, library cards, and gift cards.

This cohort of young adults is so disenchanted with dating apps reliant on swiping that they’re willing to explore virtually any alternative — including an AI matchmaking service. After leaving UC Berkeley, Ditto co-founders Allen Wang and Eric Liu aimed to create a solution that would facilitate connections among their peers without the hassle of spending countless hours sifting through the chaos of platforms like Tinder and Hinge.

“Being part of Gen Z ourselves, we have directly observed the change in how individuals are relating to one another,” Wang expressed to TechCrunch. “People are becoming increasingly exhausted from the endless swipes and small talk, and they’re truly seeking something more authentic in real life.”

Rather than a conventional app, college students can join Ditto by sending a text to a specific iMessage number, along with a designated code. An AI chatbot then introduces itself as Ditto, “a dating project created by college students who understand it… no swiping, no uncomfortable DMs, just real dates every Wednesday at 7 pm.”

Users navigate through a text-based onboarding process, beginning with essential personal details such as name, gender, and birth date. Following this, Ditto delves into more targeted inquiries to grasp an individual’s personality, interests, and dating preferences. Some users even share images of their celebrity crushes to provide the AI with a better understanding of their type.

The Ditto algorithm seeks to match individuals not merely on shared hobbies and interests, but on what those hobbies and interests reveal about their character.

“For instance, if there’s a guy passionate about rock climbing, skydiving, and outdoor activities, and a girl who loves hip hop, streetwear, and skateboarding, while those interests may not appear similar at first glance, I can assure you that at a deeper level, both share an adventurous spirit; perhaps they are both quite individualistic,” Wang explained. “That’s fundamentally why people may feel chemistry with one another, hence our assertion that chemistry can indeed be predictable with accurate signals.”

Subsequently, each Wednesday at 7 p.m., Ditto sends users a message featuring their match for the week.

“The message includes the match’s details, along with time and place, and all users need to do is attend and get to know each other. After the date, we gather more feedback to enhance our understanding of the user and facilitate better future matches,” Wang noted. “At present, users aim solely to meet and get acquainted, so we’re effectively eliminating much of the friction for them, allowing us to handle the challenging parts while they simply show up and meet someone new.”

Ditto has recorded 150,000 registrations, with Wang stating that out of all matches made through Ditto, approximately 20% result in actual dates. (If that statistic seems low to you, it’s likely you haven’t tried Tinder.)

Ditto produces a collage-style visual to present users to each other and outline the reasons they may be compatible — a trend popular among Gen Z that other connection platforms with young founders like Sonder have embraced.

As with any dating service, especially one that reduces the time from matching to meeting, ensuring safety can be a concern — is the individual you’re meeting truly who they claim to be? Currently, though Ditto operates at only a limited number of colleges, there exists an inherent vetting system ensuring that users are verified students with a .edu email address. Ditto is concentrating on expanding to more institutions — and ultimately moving beyond just the collegiate landscape — while scaling securely. Even for well-established and heavily funded dating platforms, this presents a substantial challenge. However, Ditto does possess $9.2 million in seed funding from investors like Gradient, Peak XV, and Scribble.

Wang noted, “99% of our investors reached out to us through inbound inquiries since we gained considerable visibility on LinkedIn and Twitter. Even Duolingo’s co-founder Severin [Hacker] contacted me, saying, ‘Hey, I love your mission, I appreciate what you’re doing, let’s chat.’”

Ditto has garnered attention through its unconventional marketing strategies, including videos featuring robotic antics. Now based in San Francisco, Ditto employs 12 full-time staff, and they are also on the lookout for a “chief yacht officer” to host promotional events (yes, this is a real job posting).

“Our audience consists of college students, and they’re very perceptive about corporate marketing,” Wang commented. “But those stunts serve merely as the initial attraction, not the product itself… Viral moments capture college students’ interest; a successful first date is what encourages them to return.”

Tesla and SpaceX announced on Thursday that they will construct “Terafab,” a state-of-the-art chip manufacturing facility, in Grimes County, Texas, near Houston, with an initial investment of $16.8 billion directed towards the venture.

Elon Musk, the CEO of both firms, stated in a Thursday post that the factory will be “the most extensive and valuable edifice on Earth by a significant margin.” According to SpaceX, over 100 million square feet of manufacturing area is envisioned for this site.

The companies indicate that the facility will provide jobs for at least 3,000 individuals from Grimes and the neighboring Brazos County.

“The facility will serve as a sophisticated semiconductor production site that will reconcile the gap between the existing global chip supply and the future’s computing needs,” reads a statement on SpaceX’s website.

The impetus behind Terafab is Musk’s future vision — a scenario where millions of robots replace human jobs, robotaxis handle all transportation, and satellites act as data hubs for AI development and execution — which demands an extraordinary level of computing power, greatly exceeding what present production capabilities can deliver.

SpaceX has suggested in its filings that it might allocate as much as $119 billion for the endeavor through a “multi-phase” construction initiative — although the company did not mention Terafab during its initial earnings call this week.

Intel has claimed it will participate in the Terafab initiative, though specifics of its involvement have not been disclosed.

“Terafab will be monumental in its objectives and in its massive scale, crafted to generate new computing capabilities at an unparalleled rate and magnitude. A factory that is vertically integrated with over 100 million square feet of manufacturing capacity is proposed. This site will encompass the production, packaging, and testing of advanced logic and memory technologies,” states SpaceX on its website.

“Consolidating these functions in a single location will foster rapid, iterative enhancements and speed up the deployment of new computing resources. Terafab will manufacture chips tailored for edge computing and inference to be used in devices like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, alongside high-performance chips intended to manage SpaceX’s orbital data centers,” the company articulated.

SpaceX mentioned in its announcement that it is “dedicating itself to utilizing” water sourced from the local Gibbons Creek Reservoir rather than groundwater from the region.

The revelation came after a widely attended county meeting on Wednesday, where hundreds of local residents expressed concerns over the substantial tax incentives granted to the project and issues regarding transparency.

“We believe this agreement will empower our district, broaden opportunities, and more effectively equip our students for their futures,” stated Dr. Sarah Borowicz, Superintendent of Anderson-Shiro Consolidated Independent School District, in a message released by the Texas Governor’s office. “There are pivotal moments in the trajectory of a school district, and this represents one of those pivotal moments. Our current commitment is to ensure that each opportunity created through this agreement is overseen wisely, transparently, and always prioritizing the students in every decision.”

OpenAI’s request to dismiss Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit, coupled with newly submitted exhibits, underscores the company’s legal strategy. Instead of investigating whether former Apple employees at OpenAI accessed specific information, the AI firm contends that Apple’s own security measures and departure protocols undermine its assertion that the information qualifies as legally protected “trade secrets.”

Apple’s lawsuit, lodged in July, alleges that OpenAI engineered a scheme to acquire confidential hardware data from ex-Apple engineers. This week, Apple urged the court to accelerate discovery, stating that its internal inquiry suggests additional former employees may have taken part in, or observed, the supposed misappropriation of trade secrets.

In its filing, OpenAI maintains that Apple permitted employees to utilize personal iCloud accounts for work and neglected to properly revoke access post-departure. It also provided text message records showing that an Apple manager stayed logged into the personal iCloud account of defendant and ex-Apple engineer Chang Liu after his departure to transfer files, later reaching out for technical assistance regarding Apple projects.

OpenAI further claims Apple failed to include the implications of its own “inexplicable information-management practices” in its initial complaint, highlighting that the company did not adequately secure its systems when employees left, leading to confusion and unauthorized access issues that Apple now describes as theft.

Although this may resemble a “the door was unlocked, so it wasn’t really stealing!” defense, this argument aims to bolster OpenAI’s position that former Apple employees were merely attempting to aid their previous colleagues. It could also help advance the idea that these data were not genuinely trade secrets if they were not protected as such.

OpenAI contends that Apple has not clarified which “trade secrets” or confidential elements were purportedly stolen, instead categorizing them as “generic categories of the product-development process—such as component manufacturing, product testing, vendor and supplier relationships, and distribution channels.”

OpenAI’s submission suggests that Apple is leveraging this lawsuit to hinder its competitor from progressing in AI-driven hardware, rather than prioritizing its own product strategies.

“OpenAI has no use, need, or interest in Apple’s trade secrets,” the filing asserts. “OpenAI is creating something entirely new and distinct from anything at Apple. OpenAI is interested in hiring the best engineers, inventors, developers, and creators—many of whom have opted to leave Apple to join OpenAI, drawn by the innovative and thrilling work the company is doing. Apple might not appreciate that,” it states.

“…Apple should not be allowed to utilize a baseless and pretextual lawsuit to compensate for its
shortcomings in the talent market and in retaining its employees, and its failures to incorporate AI into its products,” the filing concludes.

In response to rivals like Whatnot and TikTok Shop, eBay is enhancing its live shopping initiative following impressive performance results. 

During the earnings call for the second quarter held on Wednesday, eBay indicated that the gross merchandise volume (GMV) from eBay Live surged nearly eightfold year-over-year across seven regions, accompanied by rises in viewer counts, watch durations, and items transacted. The company intends to broaden eBay Live’s availability to additional international regions in the upcoming weeks and months.

“These outcomes bolster our belief that Live can enhance user engagement, expand discovery, and accelerate transactions throughout the wider eBay marketplace,” stated CEO Jamie Iannone to investors. 

Nonetheless, it’s significant to highlight that eBay did not disclose the precise GMV figure, which complicates the assessment of the growth’s magnitude. 

That being said, eBay clearly identifies Live as a crucial growth sector, and the reactions from sellers and buyers appear favorable. eBay reports that more than 90% of sellers who frequently stream have observed an increase in their GMV, and those utilizing Live are selling approximately three times as much as those who do not. 

Moreover, buyers are increasing their expenditures. First-time purchasers within the collectibles bracket are spending roughly 70% more than those participating in non-Live shopping.

eBay introduced Live as invitation-only in the U.S. in 2022, later expanding internationally with a beta launch in the U.K. in 2024, subsequently introducing it in nations such as Germany, Australia, France, Italy, and Canada. 

Last month, the company transitioned from its invite-only model to providing self-service onboarding for qualifying sellers across over 300 categories, spanning from electronics to fashion and collectibles. 

The organization also highlighted recent enhancements to its offerings, including improved discovery features on its homepage and mobile application to facilitate easier access to live events. Iannone noted that eBay has also streamlined the processes of event creation, inventory setup, and live item management for sellers, while enhancing “bidding responsiveness” for smoother, quicker livestreams.

This growth occurs as live shopping in the U.S. evolves beyond a super niche trend, with more companies beginning to regard it more seriously rather than as a mere experimental side project. Even the resale giant StockX has recently unveiled live shopping features. Whatnot continues to thrive, boasting a valuation exceeding $11 billion. Additionally, TikTok Shop is reportedly testing a subscription model that includes free shipping and exclusive discounts.

Suno, the platform enabling users to generate songs with AI, has introduced new features to label tracks produced on its site, restrict downloads, and revise community standards to deter imitation songs. These updates arrive as Suno deals with multiple legal challenges from record labels and artist organizations.

In a blog update, co-founder and CEO Mikey Shulman articulated key principles, stating that the platform aims to foster original artistry while allowing a broader audience to create music using its AI capabilities.

A significant issue arose concerning users who uploaded AI-made songs to alternative streaming services, exploiting the system for revenue. Suno announced that it will implement audio watermarking and fingerprinting to curtail abuse on other streaming services. It remains uncertain whether Suno will utilize an established technology like Google’s Synth ID or create a new solution, and the firm did not clarify when approached by TechCrunch regarding this.

Additionally, the startup has entered into a partnership with lyrics provider Musixmatch to implement its Sentinel system for detecting copyright infringement, according to the blog entry.

“These instruments are crafted to be robust and tamper-proof while not compromising the listening experience. They are also not meant to assess whether a song is excellent, significant, or adequately human,” Shulman remarked in the blog. “In the end, we think it should be up to creators and platforms to determine what they wish to reveal. Our mission is to develop tools that offer them transparency choices and facilitate collaboration throughout the industry.”

The organization also disclosed plans to introduce a new download policy to prohibit mass distribution on streaming services, though it refrained from providing specifics on the matter.

Suno has revised its community standards to specifically ban “deceptive audio presented as authentic” and “using an individual’s voice or likeness without consent” to avoid imitation.

The company, which secured $400 million in a Series D funding round in June, is battling legal challenges on multiple fronts. The startup faces a lawsuit from Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music Group, coordinated by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

A German court recently ruled in favor of a state-mandated licensing organization, GEMA, indicating that Suno was infringing copyright laws.

Separately, 404 Media reported that Suno suffered a data breach in November 2025, uncovering that the platform had scraped YouTube, Deezer, and Genius for model training. Subsequently, the data breach notification service Have I Been Pwned revealed that the breach impacted 55 million users. The startup is currently facing a class-action lawsuit in Massachusetts, alleging that the company neglected security protocols in pursuit of profit.

Let’s get straight to the point: Starting today, you can receive an extra $100 off our existing $300 discount on your founder, investor, or attendee TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass, which adds a delightful perk to our current promotional pricing. 

This limited-time offer will be available all week, ending on Friday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. This discount represents your final chance at an additional deal before we transition to our next pricing level on August 21. 

Register using this link to secure your extra $100 off.

If you need more details before finalizing your arrangements, Disrupt will take place at Moscone West from October 13–15, bringing together over 10,000 founders, VCs, industry innovators, and creators for three days focused on one objective: driving momentum for future success. 

This isn’t a passive event you sit and watch — it’s a curated agenda of speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, and post-event thrill for those actively building, investing, and exploring what’s next. 

The Disrupt Stage: The conversations everyone will be discussing 

The Disrupt Stage is our premier programming, and we’ve just unveiled the initial lineup. We’ll explore the most significant transformations in technology today, from a post-smartphone era featuring Amazon’s SVP of Devices and Services Panos Panay; to the practical effects of a world where anyone can create their own software, with Replit founder and CEO Amjad Masad; and much, much more. 

However, that’s just one stage. Disrupt 2026 will also include the: 

AI Stage, discussing the security vulnerabilities and business model changes AI is imposing on every SaaS enterprise.

New Smart Money Stage, addressing stablecoins, instant transactions, and the role of AI in financial reliability. 

New Smart Systems Stage, providing insight into fusion innovations and grid pressures that will shape AI’s next decade. 

Builders Stage, the long-time preferred stage where founders and investors engage practically about funding, hiring, and scaling their ventures. 

Beyond the stages 

Most Disrupt passes also grant access to Startup Battlefield, where 200 startups will compete in real-time for the Battlefield Cup. You’ll also enjoy networking opportunities tailored to your needs as a founder, investor, or learner, in addition to our Expo Hall, where numerous startups showcase their innovations. 

This flash sale concludes Friday 

After 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, August 7, this added $100 discount will vanish. Regular discounted rates will cease on August 21. If Disrupt is on your agenda for this year, this is the top deal you’ll encounter before the event. 

Save an additional $100 before Friday.

We look forward to seeing you October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco!