TechCrunch Daily Crunch Apple removes ICEBlock and similar tracking apps from the App Store
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Oct 4, 2025 A hacking group claims to have stolen a staggering billion records from Salesforce, launching an extortion campaign that raises alarms. Meanwhile, the Sora AI video app surges in popularity with a meteoric, invite-only launch. In a decisive move, Apple has removed ICE-blocking apps from its App Store over law enforcement safety concerns, sparking discussions about privacy and security. Additionally, Lore gains attention after raising $1.1 million in pre-seed funding, focusing on fandom search and challenging competitors.
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Mass Data Theft And Extortion Scheme
- A hacking group claims to have stolen about a billion records from Salesforce-hosted customer databases.
- The group launched a dark‑web extortion site to pressure victims into paying to avoid data publication.
High‑Profile Victims Named
- Multiple major companies confirmed they were hit, including Google, Qantas, Stellantis, and TransUnion.
- TechCrunch lists victims to illustrate the breadth of the breaches and targets.
Viral AI Video App Debut
- Sora, an AI video app, had a viral debut despite invite‑only limits, reaching top App Store ranks.
- Early download numbers rival big AI app launches, showing high demand for consumer AI video tools.