Digital Innovation: Jan 19 (5 stories)

Here is your Daily summary for Technology across the world for Mon 19th January 2026

Moxie Marlinspike has launched Confer, a privacy-focused alternative to popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT, ensuring user conversations remain confidential and are not used for training or advertising. This move highlights a growing demand for privacy in AI interactions.

In Israel, the tech sector is thriving amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with startups raising record capital, particularly in cybersecurity and defense. This trend underscores the resilience and adaptability of the "startup nation" during crises.

Sequoia Capital is reportedly set to make a significant investment in AI startup Anthropic, known for its chatbot Claude. This funding could bolster Anthropic's position in the competitive AI landscape.

Meanwhile, Threads has surpassed X in daily mobile users, aided by Meta's strategic cross-promotion and rapid feature enhancements, while X grapples with ongoing controversies. This shift indicates a potential change in social media dynamics.