April 06, 2026

TechCrunch Top 3

Watch this video of how a job interviewer exposes a North Korean fake IT worker: An apparent North Korean worker was caught visibly stumped during a remote job interview when asked to insult the country's leader. Read More

Google quietly launched an AI dictation app that works offline: Google's new offline-first dictation app uses Gemma AI models to take on the apps like Wispr Flow. Read More

Iran threatens 'Stargate' AI data centers: Iran said it will target U.S.-linked data centers with new missile strikes, as the war between the U.S. and Iran escalates. Read More

Disrupt 2026: Where deals and ideas ignite

Oct 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, 10,000 founders, investors, and operators gather for high-signal insights, curated connections, and real momentum.

A message from Fidelity

Your Pitch Isn’t the Only Thing Investors Are Evaluating.

Investors don’t just listen to what you say - they look at how your company operates. Is ownership clear? Do your numbers match your story? Can you answer follow-up questions without digging through spreadsheets? The Fundraise-Ready Startup Kit equips founders with the materials investors expect to see, before pressure is on. Because confidence in the room doesn’t come from slides. It comes from preparation.

Learn More

Afternoon Must-Reads

North Korea's hijack of one of the web's most used open source projects was likely weeks in the making: North Korean hackers pushed out malicious updates to a popular open source project by hacking a top developer's computer in a long-running campaign. Read More

Startup Battlefield 200 applications open: a chance for VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K: Nominate your startup, or one you know that deserves the spotlight, and finish the process by applying. Selected 200 have a chance at VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K for Startup Battlefield 200. Applications close on May 27. Read More

Apple is taking its App Store fight to the Supreme Court — again: Apple plans to ask the Supreme Court to review its App Store fight with Epic Games, as it challenges a ruling limiting its ability to charge fees on external payments. Read More

Netflix is expanding into kids’ games with a new standalone app: Netflix says the app gives children access to an "ever-growing" library of games for kids. Read More

OpenAI’s vision for the AI economy: public wealth funds, robot taxes, and a four-day workweek: OpenAI proposes taxes on AI profits, public wealth funds, and expanded safety nets to address job loss and inequality, blending redistribution with capitalism as policymakers debate AI’s economic impact. Read More

A message from Deck

Automate any task. No integration needed.

Most task automation starts with an engineering request — API credentials, OAuth setup, a connector no one has time to build. Deck's computer use agents don't need any of it. They log in, click through, and complete work.

Try It Free

Last but Not Least

Ticket savings of up to $500 this week for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Starting today, you have 5 days to save nearly $500 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. This offer disappears Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here to secure these low rates. Read More