UnitedHealth has admitted that the health data of more than 100 million Americans was exposed in a hack. This is the first time the multinational health insurance and services company, has attributed a specific number to the cyberattack that took place earlier this year.

UnitedHealth admits health data of 100 million US citizens was compromised

UnitedHealth Group (UHG) acquired Change Healthcare in 2022. The two companies are now part of the same healthcare organization under the UnitedHealth brand.

In February this year, Change Healthcare suffered a massive data breach. However, the company did not mention the number of individuals whose data was exposed.

In May, UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty indicated that “maybe a third” of all American’s health data was exposed in the attack. A month later, Change Healthcare published a data breach notification, wherein the company merely stated that the ransomware attack exposed a “substantial quantity of data” for a “substantial proportion of people in America.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has updated the “Data Breach” portal. The column for Change Healthcare hack reportedly mentions that 100 million individuals are affected.

Largest American healthcare data breach in recent years

The FAQ section on the OCR website now mentions “On October 22, 2024, Change Healthcare notified OCR that approximately 100 million individual notices have been sent regarding this breach.”

Needless to say, with 100 million American citizens impacted, the ransomware attack could be one of the largest in recent years. What’s even more concerning apart from the number of civilians, is how the data breach was handled.

According to Bleeping Computer, threat actors stole 6TB of data from Change Healthcare. The attackers then encrypted computers on the network. As a remedial measure, the UnitedHealth subsidiary shut down its IT systems. This led to widespread outages in the U.S. healthcare system.

The BlackCat ransomware group, which conducted the attack, may have received about $22 million from UnitedHealth Group. The company allegedly paid to receive a decryption key and ensure the ransomware group deleted the stolen data.

The affiliate that worked with the ransomware group didn’t delete the data immediately. However, the entry for Change Healthcare has mysteriously disappeared from the affiliate’s website. This suggests UnitedHealth may have paid a second ransom demand.

It is not clear how UnitedHealth will be penalized. T-Mobile recently paid a paltry fine of $31.5 million for multiple data breaches. The carrier will get half the money to invest in tech to improve cybersecurity.

Update 10/26/24 9am ET: The deal below has expired, but you can get a similar deal on the Pixel Tablet at Wellbots right now. The Pixel Tablet with its charging speaker dock is $110 off and down to $489 when you use the code ENGPIX110 at checkout. You can use the same code to get $110 off the 256GB Pixel Tablet on its own, bringing the final price down to $389.

Tablets might be a cheaper alternative to laptops but they can still cost a good chunk of money. Sales make all the difference and, right now, the 128GB Google Pixel Tablet is available for $275, down from $399. The 31 percent discount brings this tablet to a new all-time low price. The sale is only available if you get the tablet in Porcelain and doesn’t come with the speaker dock (though that combo is 11 percent off).

Google released this Pixel Tablet in summer 2023 and gave us things we really liked and others we weren’t wowed with. We gave it an 84 in our review thanks, in large part, to its smart home features. Our reviewer, Cherlynn Low, already had a Nest Mini in her room, but was impressed with how much better the tablet worked. The sound is great — though that was thanks to the Speaker Dock — and its Hub Mode is very useful. It shows you all the devices throughout your home, including camera feeds and switch lamps.

If you want this device for entertainment and ease then it could be great. However, there were a few aspects that we weren’t as keen on. Some of the movements aren’t very intuitive and we didn’t use it much without the stand. But, it has great battery if you do get it without a dock, lasting 21 and a half hours with 50 percent brightness on our test.

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Velan Studios announced its VR pinball game Bounce Arcade is available for pre-order on Meta Quest and will debut on November 21.

In the game, you enter the machine and play pinball like you’ve never seen before. It has multiple themed pinball tables full of challenges. Players must strive to survive, unlock mini-games, and chase high scores in action gameplay.

Velan Studios, started by brothers Guha and Karthik Bala in 2016, is known for a wide range of game types with mostly original intellectual property. It also launched the Hot Wheels: Rift Rally title that used augmented reality and real toy cars.

Bounce Arcade mixes pinball classics like multiball with new ball control mechanics like “attract” and “guide“. Bounce Arcade enhances the pinball experience with mini-games only possible in VR. For pre-ordering the game, players will receive a 10% discount off the game’s $20 price, bringing it down to $18.

In Bounce Arcade, players will enter the machine and be transported into an immersive 3D table arenas featuring classic pinball-inspired mechanics like rails and bumpers, while navigating level specific mechanics.

Players will start with a set number of balls, and, using their paddles, they must keep the ball in play to rack up points. Players can use paddles to deflect or attract balls and even control balls in mid-flight with the “guide” mechanic to direct the ball to their target.

In Bounce Arcade, players are transported inside immersive 3D table arenas, featuring classic pinball-inspired mechanics like rails and bumpers, along with new tricks and secrets to uncover. Each of the table arenas has a distinct theme and presentation, including the space themed Asteroid Outpost and the western themed Gunpowder Gulch, plus two more to be announced at a later date.

The game keeps players on their toes as the difficulty can increase with multi-ball game play. Certain events within a level will cause multiple balls to be added to the environment which creates a period of more intense action.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 is three measly days away and we can’t be any more pumped. Here’s an insider’s guide to everything you need to know to have a successful Disrupt experience.

Registration and early badge pickup

Sunday, 10/27: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Early badge pickup — skip the line on Monday by grabbing your badge early.

Monday, October 28: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 29: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 30: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Please bring your government-issued ID. The name on the badge and ticket must match for pickup. 

TechCrunch Disrupt event app

Download the Disrupt event app via Bizzabo here. Log in with the email address that you used to register your ticket. Use the app for up-to-date agendas, register for Roundtables, view exhibitor lists, and access Braindate to enhance your networking experience.

For more details on parking, directions, food, and more, head to the Disrupt Attendee Portal.

Tune in and discover

Partner Sessions, Breakouts and Roundtables

With SO MUCH happening at Disrupt, we can’t call out every single session, but here are a few highlights of must-see content brought to you by our partners. Make sure to check out the full agenda here.

Monday, October 28, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Roundtable 1 — How to Build & Run Your Board with Justworks

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Roundtable 3 — Tackle Every Challenge Head-on with Affiliate Marketing with Awin

10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Builders Stage — How AI and XR Will Revolutionize All of Your Devices with Qualcomm

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 3 — Leverage Data Standards to Accelerate Your Startup with InterSystems

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Space Stage — Cislunar: The Next Frontier with The Aerospace Corporation

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | Builders Stage — Beyond the Hype: Building AI that Means Business with Google Cloud

3:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Fintech Stage — Visa Everywhere Initiative: The Ultimate Fintech Pitch Competition with Visa

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Roundtable 1 — How to Build & Run Your Board with Justworks (encore session)

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 1 — Refining Pre- and Post-Training Data Strategy for LLM Success with Telus

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 2 — Tackle Every Challenge Head-on with Affiliate Marketing with Awin (encore session)

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 3 — Leverage Data Standards to Accelerate Your Startup with InterSystems (encore session)

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | SaaS Stage — Building Enterprise AI Apps with Multi-Agent RAG Systems (MARS) with SingleStore

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Breakout 1 — The Art of the AI Pitch: Winning Over Investors in 2025 with Dropbox DocSend

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Roundtable 2 — Visionary Companies Embrace Innovation to Thrive in the Fast-Paced Economy with SAP

2:50 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. | Builders Stage — Cloud Doesn’t Have to Mean Compromise with Golub

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. | AI Stage — Speeding Ahead: Lessons for the GenAI Evolution with Thomson Reuters

10:50 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. | AI Stage — The AI Clouds Race: What’s Behind the Scenes with Nebius AI

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 1 — Refining Pre- and Post-Training Data Strategy for LLM Success with Telus (encore session)

10:50 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Roundtable 2 — Visionary Companies Embrace Innovation to Thrive in the Fast-Paced Economy with SAP (encore session)

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | AI Stage — Architecting the Future: Building Hardware for an AI-Native World with HP

2:20 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. | AI Stage — The Future of AI’s Data Infrastructure: Unlocking the Power of GenAI with MongoDB and Capgemini with MongoDB

Pavilion Startups and Startup Battlefield 200

Who doesn’t love watching startups pitch? No one we know! Get your fill on the Pitch Showcase Stage in the heart of the Expo Hall. Check out startups from international Pavilions and companies from the Startup Battlefield 200 delivering fast pitches to, and receiving feedback from, TechCrunch editors. 

Pitch Showcase Stage 

Monday, October 28, 2024

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Korea Pavilion Pitch Session — KOTRA

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Hardware, Robotics + IoT

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Japan Pavilion Pitch Session — JETRO

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Health Tech + Biotech

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Korea Pavilion Pitch Session — KOTRA

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Ukrain Pavilion Pitch Session — USAID Ukraine

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Security, Privacy + Social Networking

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Belgium Pavilion Pitch Session — hub.brussels

12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Pavilion Pitch Session — Silkroad Innovation Hub

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Fintech + Edtech

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Korea Pavilion Pitch Session — KOTRA

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Pavilion Pitch Session — Silkroad Innovation Hub

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, Sustainability, Mobility + Logistics

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, SaaS, Enterprise + Productivity

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Startup Battlefield 200 Fast Pitches, SaaS, Enterprise + Productivity

Don’t forget to catch the Startup Battlefield finalists compete on the Disrupt Stage. Check the agenda for times.

Relax and Network

There is so much to take in and learn at Disrupt, so make sure to take a break to network or relax.

Take a coffee break

Perk up with a caffeine stop courtesy of MongoDB (10/30), Carta (10/28), and Metronome (10/29), located in the lobbies on level 2 or 3.

Women of Disrupt Breakfast

Tuesday, October 29 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — For female pass holders, join TechCrunch and J.P. Morgan for breakfast at Disrupt for meaningful networking and dialogue, while connecting with fellow Disrupt goers, in the Deal Flow Cafe on the third floor.

Investor Breakfast

Wednesday, October 30 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Exclusive to Investor Pass holders, come chat with your peers, and get ready for a busy day at Disrupt. Located in the Deal Flow Cafe, space is limited. Hosted by SE Ventures.

Industry Meetups

At the end of each day, head to the House of Shields to meet folks interested in your industry. Make sure to bring your badge, as it’s your ticket to get in.

Monday, October 28 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Space and Fintech Meetup by Kama Capital

Tuesday, October 29 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — SaaS Meetup, sponsored by Statsig and SGN

Wednesday, October 30 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Artificial Intelligence Meetup, sponsored by Google Cloud and VioletX

Disrupt Side Events

Disrupt brings together a close-knit community of founders, investors, and dealmakers in tech across San Francisco throughout the week. Check out the full list of community events and RSVP for the ones that pique your interest.

Are you ready to experience Disrupt 2024?

It’s not too late to register for your pass and immerse yourself in all things tech. Take advantage of the current low rates before prices jump on October 28 when Disrupt doors open. Lock in your discounted pass here.

The best overall wireless earbuds

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Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds improve upon the previous model with richer sound quality, slightly more powerful ANC, and vastly improved comfort thanks to their reduced size and weight. Read our review.

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The best budget earbuds under $100

Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same general design as the company’s previous earbuds — but you can get these in a snazzy yellow. They include ANC, more than decent sound quality, and other features like multipoint for just under $100.

The best noise-canceling earbuds

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With dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.

The best earbuds for sports and working out

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds have integrated wing tips that help keep them secure during runs and workouts. They also have excellent noise cancellation, and their sound has just the right amount of bass and kick to keep you motivated. Read our review.

The best earbuds for iPhone owners

The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our hands-on impressions.

The best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy phone owners

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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung’s best-sounding wireless earbuds yet. They have a stemmed design similar to the AirPods Pro, but even if their design is a little bland, the Buds 3 Pro make up for it with great call quality, useful voice commands, and more. Read our review.

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The best earbuds for Google Pixel phone owners

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Significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also offer stronger noise cancellation, a crystal clear transparency mode, and lengthy battery life. Read our review.

The best earbuds if you own both Apple and Android devices

The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer better sound and noise cancellation than the original pair, and they now come in a unique translucent color option. Read our review.

The best earbuds for sound quality

Sennheiser’s MTW4 earbuds provide a top-notch listening experience, decent noise cancellation, and sound personalization for a custom audio profile that’s uniquely tuned to your ears. Read our review.

The best earbuds for voice calls on iPhone

Apple’s AirPods 4 improve on previous models with better sound, clearer voice calls, and an even more comfortable design. For $50 extra, you can purchase a model with active noise cancellation and wireless charging.

The best earbuds for voice calls on Android

Sony’s LinkBuds have a standout design that’s rooted in comfort and an airy, open sound. They also excel when used for voice calls, outshining pretty much all competitors. Read our review.

The partnership between India’s space agency, ISRO and Axiom Space for the Axiom-4 mission is a major achievement in India’s space exploration efforts. Set to launch in October 2024 for the International Space Station (ISS), this mission highlights the importance of working together globally, advancing technology and the increasing involvement of private companies in space activities. Interestingly, this mission will include a crew of four astronauts, Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space), Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO), Sławosz Uznański (POLSA/ESA) and Tibor Kapu (HUNOR) from Hungary. It also has a backup crew which includes Michael López-Alegría (Axiom Space), Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (ISRO) and Gyula Cserényi (HUNOR) from Hungary. 

Axiom Space, established in 2016 by Michael T. Suffredini and Kam Ghaffarian, is a major provider of human spaceflight services and builder of human-rated space infrastructure. Located in Houston, Texas, the company plans to create the first-ever commercial space station, known as Axiom Station. Axiom Space conducts complete missions to the ISS while working on developing its replacement, the Axiom Station. Additionally, the company is designing next-generation spacesuits for use in low-Earth orbit (LEO) on the Moon and beyond. 

The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight heading to the ISS and is set to launch in October 2024. This mission will last around 14 days and will be managed by Axiom Space using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket. The astronauts will go through extensive training that includes scientific research, technology demonstrations and space outreach activities. 

“NASA will provide essential to the Axiom-4 mission, including key services, through a Special Order and a reimbursable Space Act Agreement. These services include supplying the crew, delivering cargo, offering storage and providing daily resources while in orbit. The astronauts, including those from India, will undergo training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This training is crucial to prepare them for the mission and ensure their safety and effectiveness in space. The agreement with NASA also includes up to seven extra days on the ISS in case of unexpected issues, allowing the mission to adapt as needed,” explained space expert Girish Linganna. 

He explained that there is also a special order and space act agreement which includes a detailed plan that describes the services NASA will provide for the Axiom-4 mission. “Providing food, clothes and other necessary items for the astronauts. Transporting and storing the equipment and supplies needed for the mission and making sure that astronauts have access to such essentials as power, water and air while on the ISS.  Allowing up to seven extra days on the ISS in case of delays or emergencies,” added Linganna. 

Under the reimbursable Space Act Agreement is a financial deal where Axiom Space pays NASA for the services they provide including training using NASA’s facilities and knowledge to train the astronauts, access to NASA’s training centres and other buildings and help and support for the launch and return of the mission. 

There would also be scientific experiments on Axiom-4. Under this, ISRO has planned five experiments for Axiom-4. These experiments, created in India, will explore different scientific and technological areas. Some experiments will be done with other space agencies, adding more scientific value to the mission. Besides this, NASA will help carry out these experiments by providing the necessary resources and expertise. This includes setting up and operating scientific equipment on the ISS. Broadly the experiments will focus on materials science, biology and Earth observation, using the unique microgravity environment of space to make new discoveries. 

“One of the unique technical features of this mission is the integration of advanced life support systems and autonomous docking capabilities in the Crew Dragon spacecraft. These systems are designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for the crew, reducing the need for manual intervention and allowing astronauts to focus on their scientific and operational tasks. Additionally, the spacecraft is equipped with state-of-the-art communication systems that enable real-time data transmission and high-definition video streaming back to Earth, enhancing mission control and public engagement,” said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems. 

She added that the mission will also involve the deployment of cutting-edge scientific instruments and experiments. For instance, the crew will conduct research on the effects of microgravity on human physiology, which is crucial for long-duration space missions. They will also test new materials and technologies that could be used in future space habitats and vehicles. These experiments are designed to push the boundaries of our current knowledge and pave the way for future innovations in space exploration. 

“A particularly exciting aspect of this mission is the zero-gravity experience it offers. This environment allows for unique scientific experiments that cannot be conducted on Earth. For example, the behavior of fluids, combustion, and biological processes in microgravity can provide insights that are impossible to obtain under normal gravitational conditions. This experience is not only scientifically valuable but also crucial for preparing astronauts for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars,” remarked Kesan. 

By partnering with Axiom Space, ISRO leverages private sector expertise and resources, significantly reducing costs compared to traditional government-led missions. This approach aligns with the global trend of commercial space ventures, making space exploration more economically sustainable. This partnership exemplifies the growing role of commercial entities in space exploration. Unlike traditional partnerships that are often government-to-government, this collaboration involves a private company, highlighting a shift towards more diverse and inclusive space missions. 

The mission is a critical step in India’s human spaceflight program, particularly in the context of the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The experience and insights gained will be invaluable for ISRO as it prepares for its ambitious goal of sending Indian astronauts to space independently. The mission supports a variety of scientific experiments and technological tests in the unique microgravity environment of space. This focus on diverse scientific objectives underscores the mission’s critical role in advancing our understanding of space and its applications. 

ISRO’s collaboration with Axiom Space is a landmark event that combines technical innovation, economic feasibility, and international cooperation. It sets a new standard for future space missions and highlights the evolving landscape of global space exploration 

There have been previous Axiom Missions which include Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) that was launched on April 8, 2022. This mission was the first fully privately funded and managed mission to send a crew of four astronauts to the ISS. During their 17-day stay, they carried out various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. Besides this, there was the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) which was  a private space mission operated by Axiom Space. It launched on May 21, 2023, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission successfully docked with the ISS on May 22. After spending eight days on the ISS, the Dragon crew capsule, named Freedom, undocked and returned to Earth 12 hours later. This mission, which lasted 10 days, emphasised scientific research and educational outreach activities. 

The Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) was also a privately funded space mission to the ISS, launched on January 18, 2024. The mission lasted 21 days and concluded with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The goal of this mission was further scientific research and promoting international collaboration in space.