TechCrunch Top 3

Meta to shut down Messenger desktop apps for Mac and Windows: Starting December 15, users will no longer be able to log into the apps and will be automatically redirected to the Facebook website to access Messenger. Read More

The real reason Google DeepMind is working with a fusion energy startup: Google has invested in fusion startups as potential power suppliers. This latest move suggests Google sees them as potential customers, too. Read More

Deel hits $17.3B valuation after raising $300M from big-name VCs: Deel says it's been profitable for three years and surpassed $1 billion in ARR, including having a month that hit $100 million in revenue Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Waymo dips its wheels back into delivery, this time with DoorDash: Waymo has spent the past several years scaling up its robotaxi business. The partnership with DoorDash could mark a return to delivery. Read More

EFF, unions sue Trump admin. over alleged mass social media surveillance of legal residents: The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges the Trump administration is monitoring and punishing non-citizens who express social media views that the government disfavors. Read More

Kayak launches an 'AI Mode' for travel questions, search, and bookings: Kayak is bringing AI directly to its main platform with a new "AI Mode" that lets travelers research, plan, and book trips through a built-in chatbot. Read More

Why AI startups are taking data into their own hands: Where training sets were once scraped freely from the web or collected from low-paid annotators, companies are looking to proprietary training data as a competitive advantage. Read More

Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, a network of AI cameras used by ICE, feds, and police: Agencies that use Flock can request that Ring doorbell users share footage to help with "evidence collection and investigative work." Read More

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Get access to 250+ top tech voices, 200+ sessions, 300+ showcasing innovations, and 10,000+ attendees for 3 days straight — October 27–29 in San Francisco. Gain key takeaways across 5 industry stages, breakouts, roundtables, and networking. Hear from leaders at Microsoft, Waymo, Reddit, Netflix, Amazon, and more. Register now to save up to $624 or 15% to 30% on group passes for Disrupt 2025. Deal ends October 17.

The Latest From TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Final 2 days to claim your exhibit table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: With less than 48 hours to secure your table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, now is the time to step in before a competitor takes your place. Read More

Aquawise will show off its AI-driven water-quality tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Aquawise uses satellite images and a physics-based AI model to monitor and predict water quality at aquaculture farms. Read More

The full Space Stage agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: The future of tech launches here: The Space Stage agenda is full at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Join 10,000 tech leaders to hear what's next in space tech from top voices like Baiju Bhatt, Will Bruey, Bridgit Mendler, and more. Register now to save up to $624. Read More

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Last but Not Least

Rent a Cyber Friend will pay you to talk to strangers online and will show off its platform at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: "Loneliness is the biggest disease in the world right now," founder Francesco Vitali said. "So we built a platform where human time has value again, and a place where being human is important." Read More