Following Uber's lead, second-place ride-hailing app Lyft is offering a rental program for new drivers. Lyft is getting a hand from GM, its recent partner and investor. GM is providing the Chevy vehicles to rent; Lyft is footing the bill. The ultimate goal for both companies, though, is a network of cars that don't require drivers at all.
[Johana Bhuiyan | Re/code]

Ready for more encryption battles? You should be. Amid Apple's deadlock with the FBI, top software companies are digging in their heels on security features, moves sure to irritate government officials. Encryption efforts are under way at Facebook's WhatsApp for voice calls, Snapchat for messaging, and Google for secure emails.
[Danny Yadron | The Guardian]

Pull over the car, tap an app and hail a valet -- that was, until very recently, a hot startup idea. Now two of the on-demand valet services are belly-up, and three others are frantically scurrying toward new business models.
[Ellen Huet and Jing Cao | Bloomberg]

The stars of Vine have accrued a (sometimes staggering) number of followers, but most don't have revenue to show for it. Some are getting antsy. Several content creators on Twitter's six-second video platform have met with execs at the company to discuss potential payment options.
[Alex Kantrowitz | BuzzFeed]

Hillary Clinton would like Silicon Valley's financial support for her presidential bid. To help, Clinton has picked Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos, the blood-testing startup beset with numerous high-profile problems. Interesting choice!
[Noah Kulwin | Re/code]