Google, Facebook and more expand election push. A coalition of tech giants mostly with Bay Area ties is growing in its efforts to secure the November election. The group, which includes Facebook, Google, Twitter, Microsoft, Reddit, the Wikimedia Foundation, and more, met with federal officials last week about its efforts to thwart social media interference that could impact the election. [NY Times]
Palantir could go public next month. According to reports, the data analysis company founded by Peter Thiel is aiming to go public next month through a direct listing of its shares. The company, which is also currently in the process of raising nearly $1 billion, has not confirmed this news. [Bloomberg]
Uber, Lyft may pause California operations. After a judge ruled that ride-hailing services and others in the gig economy must classify its drivers as employees, the companies are expected to appeal that ruling and may also cease operations as early as August 21. The companies are also behind a ballot initiative, Prop 22, that would override the AB5 state law. [The Verge]
Lyft announces 1.5M free rides in underserved communities. In other Lyft news, the company also just unveiled its Lyft Up Access Alliance, an effort to partner with 10 racial justice organizations to offer free rides for people who live in transit deserts over the next five years. Additionally, the company is offering $20,000 community grants to organizations supporting communities of color. [Built In SF]
Has SF’s legacy of LGBTQ activism helped the city respond to COVID-19? If you ask journalist Daniel Duane, the answer is yes. In a new piece for Wired, Duane argues that the city’s previous experience being on the frontline of the AIDS epidemic contributed to a level of respect for health officials and a willingness to take preventative measures instead of waiting for the worst. [Wired]
Salesforce donates $20M to public schools. The SF-headquartered software giant has increased its grants to U.S. public schools, including $9 million to the SF Unified School District and another $9 million to the Oakland Unified School District. The company is also donating $500,000 to the Courageous Conversation Global Foundation, which offers racial justice education. [SF Chronicle]
Almanac launches ‘Startup in a Box.’ The SF-based workflow management platform just came out with its newest feature, which is aimed at helping fledgling startups get off the ground. Its Startup in a Box collection offers 100 document templates specifically tailored to helping these companies build out their operating systems and processes efficiently. [Built In SF]
Zynga pushes back reopening. Employees of the gaming company had anticipated returning to the office in October, but they’ll be working remotely for at least a few more months now. Zynga is just the latest major SF tech employer that is extending plans to keep workers at home, a trend that has created a surge in the SF office vacancy rate and prompted some workers to leave the Bay Area altogether. [SF Business Times]
