Law enforcement shuts down VPN service used by two dozen ransomware gangs

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  May 21, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Law enforcement shuts down VPN service used by two dozen ransomware gangs: First VPN promised hackers complete anonymity for their cyberattacks. But Europol said it was able to notify the service’s users that they have now been identified. Read More Scammers are abusing an internal Microsoft account to send spam links: The loophole allows spammers and scammers to send emails from a legitimate Microsoft email address typically used for sending genuine account alerts. Read More NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes to Twitch to chat with New Yorkers: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is launching a Twitch series today at 4 p.m. ET. Read More A message from Deck Migrate customer data from any platform No source API. No manual export. No complex workaround. Deck logs in, extracts the data, and returns it schema-matched and ready to ingest. If a human can use it, Deck can too. Try It Free Afternoon Must-Reads Six search engines worth trying now that Google isn’t really Google anymore: Google is about to look really different, and if you're not a fan of the AI overview feature, then you're not going to like what's coming. Read More Hark raises $700M Series A for its secretive 'universal' AI interface: Hark expects to release its first multimodal models this summer, which it says will power a personal AI platform that works with existing products and services. The company expects to follow that with hardware devices built specifically for those systems. Read More Waymo pauses Atlanta service as its robotaxis keep driving into floods: Waymo's robotaxi service is now suspended in both Atlanta and San Antonio, as the company works to stop its vehicles from driving into flooded roads. Read More Google is pitching an AI agent ecosystem to consumers who may not buy it: One of the most promising introductions at Google’s I/O developer conference on Tuesday was a new way for consumers to use the web: AI agents. Unfortunately, it was also the most confusing. Read More Spotify launches an ElevenLabs-powered audiobook creation tool: Spotify is releasing new audiobook plans later this year Read More A message from Microsoft and NVIDIA Design, train & ship scalable AI: NVIDIA at Microsoft Build Get hands-on with real code, real systems, and real results. Join NVIDIA June 2–3 at Microsoft Build, happening in San Francisco and online. Developer-first activities, sessions, and solution demos available to both on-site and virtual attendees. Virtual passes are still available—sign up now. Learn more Last but Not Least Waymo halts freeway rides after robotaxis struggle in construction zones: The service suspension comes as Waymo has also paused operations in Atlanta and San Antonio after its robotaxis drove into flooded streets. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107

Scammers are abusing an internal Microsoft account to send spam links

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories to start your morning

View this email online in your browser  May 21, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Scammers are abusing an internal Microsoft account to send spam links: The loophole allows spammers and scammers to send emails from a legitimate Microsoft email address typically used for sending genuine account alerts. Read More Jensen Huang says he's found a 'brand new' $200B market for Nvidia: The next big thing for Nvidia will be CPUs for AI agents, $200 billion worth, CEO Jensen Huang predicts. Read More Hark raises $700M Series A for its secretive "universal" AI interface: Brett Adcock's new AI startup is now valued at $6 billion by its investors. 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. Register Now! A message from Schneider Electric The future of energy starts now From microgrids to smart homes, advanced energy technology is redefining reliability, sustainability, and performance at scale. At Schneider Electric, we believe the future of energy is unified, digital, and decarbonized – and we’re building it today, for everyone. Read insights Morning Must-Reads Google is pitching an AI agent ecosystem to consumers who may not buy it: The AI agents are coming. A lot of them. Read More Beauty booking startup Fresha hits $1 billion valuation with KKR backing: Beauty and wellness booking marketplace Fresha says it has raised $80 million investment from KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth fund, KKR's growth equity arm. Read More Truecaller gets into the eSIM business to diversify its revenue streams: The company said its plans will range from 1 GB over 7 days to 20 GB over 30 days. Initially, the launch will make the eSIM product available in 29 countries. Read More Waymo pauses Atlanta service as its robotaxis keep driving into floods: Waymo's robotaxi service is now suspended in both Atlanta and San Antonio, as the company works to stop its vehicles from driving into flooded roads. Read More Flipper unveils a Linux-powered networking gadget built for hackers and tinkerers: Flipper Devices said that the new gadget is in development and the base model will cost under $350 Read More A message from Microsoft and NVIDIA Design, train & ship scalable AI: NVIDIA at Microsoft Build Get hands-on with real code, real systems, and real results. Join NVIDIA June 2–3 at Microsoft Build, happening in San Francisco and online. Developer-first activities, sessions, and solution demos available to both on-site and virtual attendees. Virtual passes are still available—sign up now. Learn more Last but Not Least The Path, founded by Tony Robbins and Calm alums, hopes to offer safer AI therapy: The Path says its AI model has scored 95 on the mental health safety AI benchmark, Vera-MH. This compares to a top score of 65 for the consumer bots.  Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107