Apple filed a trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI last Friday, and it’s not messing around. The complaint alleges a pattern of misconduct reaching all the way up to OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at the company. OpenAI’s response so far has been carefully hedged, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the company reportedly eyeing an IPO as early as later this year. 

On this episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dig into what the lawsuit could mean for OpenAI’s own hardware ambitions and IPO timeline, plus a bigger theme running through the week’s news: how much should anyone trust AI companies with their data? 

Subscribe to Equity on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. 

U.S. prosecutors have accused a Florida man of uploading fake video games that contained malware to Steam, the popular PC games platform. Once victims downloaded and installed the games, the malware was designed to infect their computers, steal their passwords and other data, and drain their crypto wallets, according to a criminal complaint.

On Tuesday, the FBI arrested Zyaire Wilkins, a 21-year-old Florida resident and student. On Wednesday, prosecutors accused him and a number of unnamed co-conspirators of hacking crimes. Over the past two years, Wilkins and his partners allegedly published several malware-laden video games on Steam, including BlockBlasters, Dashverse, Lampy, Lunara, and PirateFi. Using that malware, says the FBI, Wilkins and his accomplices infected around 8,000 victims, and then hacked around 80 cryptocurrency wallets to steal at least $220,000 worth of crypto.

Wilkins and the others marketed their malicious video games on Discord, LinkedIn, and Telegram, according to the authorities.  

Wilkins’ lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. 

In March, the FBI announced that it was investigating a hacker suspected of using malware-embedded video games published on Steam to hack victims. In the announcement, the bureau called for people who downloaded the malicious games, which included those named in this week’s complaint, to come forward and provide evidence to aid the investigation. 

In the last year, Steam’s maker Valve has removed several video games from its platform after they were found to contain malware, including PirateFi. All the games were designed to look legitimate, to the point that players could install them and play them, but they all contained malware. 

After the FBI identified another person involved in the crimes, according to the complaint, federal agents interviewed them. The unnamed person said they worked with other people to raise money to launch and market the malicious games in return for sharing some of the stolen cryptocurrency. The FBI identified a specific crypto account involved in the scheme, and then traced cryptocurrency payments made with that account to buy several gift cards, including for UberEats. After subpoenaing Uber, the feds were able to see that the gift cards were linked to an account that made deliveries to Wilkins, who went by the nickname Sibel.eth online, according to the complaint. 

The feds then got a search warrant for Wilkins’ residence, where they seized his MacBook laptop, cellphones, other devices, and digital wallets. According to the complaint, he refused to speak or answer any questions.

As parents become increasingly concerned about the potential dangers of unrestricted smartphone access for children, a growing number of companies are developing devices specifically designed for kids. 

Today’s kid-friendly phones typically feature touchscreens, cameras, and communication capabilities similar to regular smartphones. However, the software on these devices is heavily modified to remove or restrict access to web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions.

Parents can usually manage these devices through a companion app, allowing them to approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen time limits, select available apps, and, in some cases, receive alerts regarding cyberbullying, explicit content, or online predators.

In addition to these modified devices, some companies offer a more minimalist approach, creating devices that focus solely on calling and texting.

There are also home phones designed specifically for children, like Tin Can and the recently launched Pinwheel Home.

Here’s a look at the major players shaping the kid-phone market.

The Bark Phone

The Bark Phone is probably one of the most popular kid-specific smartphones on the market. 

Built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and powered by Bark’s monitoring software, it only allows calls and texts with approved contacts. Bark continuously scans texts, emails, photos, and supported apps for signs of cyberbullying, grooming, suicidal ideation, sexual content, and other potential concerns, then sends alerts to parents. 

A big standout feature is that parents can gradually unlock web browsing, apps, and other features as their child matures. The phone also includes GPS tracking and screen-time management.

Current pricing for the standard model is $240, plus a required wireless plan beginning at $29/month. Higher-tier plans add internet access and unlimited texting.

Gabb

Gabb is a well-known name in the kid-friendly phone category. Unlike Bark, however, Gabb focuses less on monitoring content and more on eliminating online risks altogether.

Its phones don’t include social media, a browser, or an app store. Instead, children get calling, texting, and a carefully curated selection of preloaded apps, including a camera, calendar, and calculator. The company also touts its “worry-free” music streaming library with millions of songs. 

Additionally, parents can view location and manage certain device settings, while optional services such as “Gabb Guard” help block spam calls and unwanted texts.

Current phone pricing starts around $159.99, with cellular service starting around $24.99 per month.

Pinwheel

With Pinwheel, parents approve every app, control contacts, schedule screen time, create custom routines, and monitor location history. 

One standout feature is the ability to create different “modes” throughout the day. For example, limiting the phone to calling and navigation during school hours before unlocking additional features after homework.

Pinwheel phones start around $119, while the Caregiver Portal subscription begins at $14.99 per month without cell service. (Cellular service can be purchased separately through participating carriers.)

The company recently launched two landline phones for $68 and $79. It also offers a smartwatch at $160.

Teracube Thrive

Launched in 2022, Teracube offers a tailored version of Android known as Thrive OS. This enables parents to approve every app download, filter web browsing, set app-specific and overall screen-time limits, monitor location, and create customized routines for school or bedtime. However, because it has more traditional smartphone features, it’s often recommended for older children.

Thrive currently sells for $99, with plans starting at $35 per month.

Ooma MyPhone

Unlike the other products in this roundup, Ooma MyPhone isn’t a mobile phone at all. This kid-focused home phone is designed as a modern replacement for the traditional household landline.

The service allows calls only between approved contacts through its Trusted Circle feature, offers scheduled Quiet Hours, provides address-based 911 service, sends emergency alerts when 911 is dialed, and lets parents review call logs through an online portal. There are no apps, internet browsing, texting, or social media.

The phone costs $99.99, while service starts at $7.99 per month.

Tin Can

For $100, Tin Can resembles a landline phone with a distinctive tin can design, which is the inspiration behind its name.

This device does not require a traditional phone jack, but connects via Wi-Fi. Only approved contacts can make calls, effectively preventing spam or unauthorized communications. Parents can easily manage contacts through a user-friendly companion app.

Tin Can offers a free plan for calling other Tin Can users, as well as a $9.99 per month plan that allows calls to all approved contacts.