Parler is Back Online - Daily Crunch

Tech News Recap: February 15, 2021

Recent developments include the return of Parler, lobbying efforts by Uber in Europe, and further information regarding the outage experienced by Notion. This is a summary of the day’s key tech stories.

Parler’s Re-emergence

Parler, a social media network previously known for attracting a far-right audience, has been brought back online. The platform was initially taken offline by Amazon Web Services due to content promoting violence.

Currently, the reinstated site operates without its previous content, with all older posts having been removed for reasons that remain unspecified.

The company asserts that the new iteration of the site is constructed using “sustainable, independent technology,” avoiding reliance on major technology companies for its functionality.

A change in leadership has also occurred; following John Matze’s departure, Mark Meckler, a founder of the Tea Party Patriots – a group involved in the January 6th U.S. Capitol events – now serves as interim CEO.

Updates from Tech Industry Leaders

Uber is actively lobbying European policymakers for the adoption of standards similar to California’s ‘Prop 22’ regarding gig work. They have released a white paper outlining their proposals for a “new standard” in platform employment.

General Motors has unveiled an updated Chevy Bolt EV, alongside its larger, yet still compact, crossover counterpart. While sharing core components, the two vehicles possess distinct design features.

Google has been fined €1.1 million in France for displaying misleading star ratings for hotels.

Startup Activity and Investment

Notion’s extended outage was triggered by reports of phishing attempts. The disruption prevented users from accessing their files, calendars, and documents while the company’s domain was offline.

Delivery service goPuff is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the UK-based company, Fancy. Fancy operates a business model closely resembling that of goPuff, leading to comparisons as a smaller-scale version.

Lengow, a platform facilitating e-commerce optimization, has been acquired by private equity firm Marlin. The platform serves as a crucial integration point for various e-commerce processes.

Extra Crunch Insights

The increasing interest in SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) among investors has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of private market funding. Is this a natural progression of venture capital?

Universities are increasingly focused on fostering entrepreneurship, with initiatives like a collaborative effort involving 15 top U.S. institutions to create a centralized hub for patent licensing and corporate-startup connections.

An upcoming Extra Crunch Live session will feature Accel’s Steve Loughlin and Ironclad’s Jason Boehmig, discussing the Series A deal that propelled Ironclad towards a near-unicorn valuation. The stream is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST/12 p.m. PST.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to support founders and startup teams. Sign up details can be found here.)

Additional News

An analysis by an AI Now researcher examines the historical context of the “pipeline problem,” a frequently cited justification for the lack of diversity within the tech industry.

India has removed restrictions on mapping and surveying, aiming to support the growth of local firms. Companies will no longer require licenses to collect and share geospatial data within the country.

Attendees of TC Sessions: Justice 2021 will have the opportunity to meet Black Female Founders participating in TechCrunch’s Include program.

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