October 21, 2026

TechCrunch Top 3

The internet is having a very bad cybersecurity day: From AI-discovered PHP vulnerabilities to flaws in Node.js and popular AI tool LiteLLM, cybersecurity teams have plenty to worry about this week. Read More

Tesla starts Optimus robot production in California as profit falls 43%: Tesla's revenue was flat and its expenses skyrocketed as it pressed the accelerator on its Optimus robots, AI, and autonomous driving. Read More

While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat: As Amazon blocks AI agents from shopping on its site, Walmart is taking the opposite approach, introducing new technology that lets AI agents make purchases on customers' behalf, with controls over spending and transaction approvals. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Meta says Muse has over 10M users, with shopping a top activity: Meta Muse users are adopting the app for shopping and personal productivity, the company said during Q3 earnings. The AI app now has over 10M users. Read More

Automattic begins layoffs following board upheaval and executive departures: Automattic has begun laying off employees across multiple teams, including WordPress.com and its enterprise business, following a board shakeup and a series of executive departures. Sources say more cuts could follow as the company looks to improve its finances. Read More

Heat pump tech is 170 years old — Pascal thinks it’s time for an update: Refrigerants startup Pascal has a new take on heat pump and cooling tech using a sponge-like material that promises to be 20% more efficient. Read More

AI promises productivity, but for managers, it's mostly a headache for now: More than 50% of managers say they're finding it harder to evaluate employees' work after adopting AI, according to a new survey. Read More

Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in case related to Cambridge Analytica scandal: The payout is related to a recent trial involving the social media giant that revolved around its data privacy practices. Read More

Last but Not Least

Recursive launches Flint, a laptop coding model it says was largely built by AI: Startup Recursive has released Flint, a free, laptop-sized coding model built largely by its own AI research system, as an early test of AI that improves itself. Read More

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