WSJ Tech News Briefing

Use Facebook Compulsively? So Do 360 Million Other People.

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook's internal surveys show a significant number of users report engaging in compulsive use of the platform. In the latest installment of "The Fa...

TikTok for TV: Is It as Fun as the Original?

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok is now available on Amazon Fire TV, but without some of the classic features of the smartphone app. So is this new format as appealing as the o...

Yahoo Breaks Up With China After 20 Years

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yahoo has operated in China in some fashion for more than two decades. But this week the company decided to call it quits and cease offering its servi...

Crypto Mining Is Dirty Business. Can Renewable Energy Help?

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The creation of digital currencies requires a lot of power. Now more crypto mining companies are trying to cut their carbon footprint by turning to re...

What Uber and Lyft's Driver Woes Say About the Gig Economy

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Uber and Lyft say their drivers aren't returning as fast as their customers, even as extended unemployment benefits expire. That's keeping the prices ...

Google's AI-Powered Camera Is Built to Better Convey Darker Skin Tones

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Google's new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones come with AI technology, known as Real Image, that the company says is better at capturing photos of ...

Facebook Goes All-In on Metaverse With New Company Name

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says his company will now be called Meta, in line with its goal to focus more on the metaverse. But the shift comes amid ...

A 15-Foot-Tall Printer Could Build Your Next Home

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A new construction project in Texas will test the ability of and demand for 3-D printed houses. It comes at a time when the U.S. is facing a historic ...

Senators Grill TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube Over Child-Safety Measures

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. senators grill executives from social-media companies about how they plan to keep children safe on their platforms. WSJ tech policy reporter Ryan...

Startup Founder Pay Packages Keep Ballooning

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The founders of successful startups are increasingly receiving large compensation packages. Rather than simply benefiting from rising valuations, many...

Facebook Tamps Down Political Groups It Deems Dangerous

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook's systems that help create viral posts by amplifying content often spread disproportionately incendiary or divisive posts, according to the ...

Snap CEO on Kids Safety Online, Regulations and AR at WSJ Tech Live

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel sat down with WSJ Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern at WSJ's Tech Live event this week to discuss how the company thin...

Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Curbing Big Tech's Power at WSJ Tech Live

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sen. Amy Klobuchar says this is the year lawmakers will take action on the power of big tech companies. In a conversation with the host of The Journal...

Reddit CEO Discusses Meme Stocks and Moderation at Tech Live

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live conference, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman talked about the company's decision to leave discussions about GameStop un...

Sundar Pichai Talks Cybersecurity, Innovation and More at Tech Live

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai discussed cybersecurity, tech innovation and government oversight with WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray at the WSJ's Tech Li...

WSJ Tech Live: What to Expect

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live conference, featuring some of the biggest names and most influential people in the tech world, starts Monday. The ...

Introducing Bad Bets

16 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bad Bets is a new podcast series from The Wall Street Journal that unravels big-business dramas that have had a big impact on our world. This season, ...

Climate Monitors Turn to Satellites to Spot Carbon Cheats

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Satellites are emerging as powerful tools for combating climate change. WSJ energy policy reporter Tim Puko joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how gover...

William Shatner Goes to Space With Blue Origin

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The actor who played Captain Kirk on 'Star Trek' has gone to space in real life. William Shatner joined three other passengers on Blue Origin's second...

Why the U.S. Cyber Agency Doesn't Want to Be a Regulator

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some lawmakers want to force companies to report when they have been hacked. But the agency that would be tasked with enforcing those rules supports v...

5G Promised to Change Everything, Why Hasn't It Happened Yet?

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The rollout out of superfast 5G networks were supposed to create the Internet of Things. But not much has been 5G enabled apart from cellphones, and m...

Twitch Hack Revealing Streamers' Earnings Isn't the Full Picture

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The recent data breach at live-streaming video platform Twitch offered a rare glimpse into how much money streamers make from the site. But these paym...

AI May Be Voicing the Next Foreign Film You Watch

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence is being used to recreate actors' voices to dub their performances in foreign languages, or make them sound older or younger. ...

Is Wearable Tech Finally Having Its Fashion Moment?

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For years, wearable technology was bulky and unfashionable. Now a host of new accessories are blending form and function, offering wearers stylish loo...

Facebook Whistleblower Testifies Before Congress

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The whistleblower who gathered documents on Facebook's internal research testified before Congress. Francis Haugen said the company builds its product...

How Apple's Scoring Big on Gaming

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple doesn't make games, but it's making billions in profit from video gaming. It's earning that money by taking a cut from the sales of other game m...

Ransomware Attack Led to a Baby's Death, Lawsuit Claims

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A lawsuit in Alabama claims a ransomware attack on a hospital is partially to blame for the death of a baby. Reporter Kevin Poulsen joins host Zoe Tho...

Facebook Exec Grilled by Lawmakers On Toxic Impact of Instagram

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Thursday, senators grilled Facebook's Global Head of Safety on the possible negative impacts of the company's platforms, and what Facebook knew abo...

Paramount Picks New Boss To Help It In The Streaming Wars

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new head of Paramount Pictures, Brian Robbins, has experience appealing to younger audiences. The movie studio is hoping that will help it sign up...

Theranos's Investors: Were They Duped or Did They Make a Bad Bet?

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A key question in the criminal fraud trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes relates to the defunct blood-testing startup's investors: Were they de...

Facebook Hits Pause on Instagram Kids

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The head of Instagram says Facebook is pausing work on its plans for a version of the photo-sharing app geared at children younger than 13. The decisi...

Israel's Tech Sector is Booming, But Not for Everyone

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The red-hot technology sector in Tel Aviv is having an economic impact across Israel. It has created new opportunities for those in the industry but a...

The Road Ahead for Self-Driving Taxis

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Zoox's autonomous-taxi technology caught the eye of Amazon, which bought the company last year. But will it attract customers? Host Zoe Thomas asks Zo...

Zoom's China Ties Prompt National-Security Review

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Video conferencing company Zoom's plan to buy software business Five9 for nearly $15 billion has sparked a federal investigation of the deal over nati...

Tesla's 'Self Driving' Update Sets Up Clash With Safety Officials

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new head of the National Transportation Safety Board says Tesla should slow its plans to release updated driver-assistance features and be clearer...

You've Got Apple Questions. We've Got Answers.

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering if you should upgrade your Apple devices? Curious about Apple's privacy updates? WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host Zoe Th...

How Facebook Users Undermined Zuckerberg's Covid Vaccine Goals

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Zuckerberg wanted Facebook to support accurate information about Covid-19 and vaccines. But misinformation about the pandemic continues to circul...

When Facebook's Staff Flagged Criminal Content, Its Response Was Weak

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook employees have raised alarms about drug cartels, human traffickers and violent militias using the platform to recruit in developing countries...

Zuckerberg Resisted Fixes for Facebook's Divisive Algorithm

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook says its platform is designed to create meaningful interaction. But a Wall Street Journal investigation finds changes the company made to its...

Facebook Downplayed Instagram's Harm to Some Teens

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Wall Street Journal investigation shows that Facebook's internal research found that its Instagram service is harmful for many young users, especial...

Facebook's Secret Rules for Elite Users

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook says the rules on its platforms apply to all users, but a Wall Street Journal investigation finds a large group of select users gets special ...

Are Amazon's Algorithm Bosses Coming to Your Workplace Next?

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon's use of robots and worker-monitoring technology is a key part of its management strategy. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims joins host Zoe T...

How 9/11 Changed Data Privacy

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, we look back at how that moment opened the door to mass data collection. Host Zoe Thomas s...

Sex, Drugs and TikTok: What the Viral Video App Shows Minors

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Wall Street Journal investigation has found TikTok's powerful algorithm can drive young users toward content featuring sex and drug use. Investigati...

Could Health Tech Put the Annual Checkup on Life Support?

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Virtual checkups have become more common during the pandemic, but new ways of gathering health data remotely could make in-person doctor visits a thin...

El Salvador's Bitcoin Bet

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On Tuesday, El Salvador is set to become the first country to make bitcoin an official currency. The move was applauded by global crypto fans but also...

Apple's Ambitious Plans for Health Tracking Rest on Its Smartwatch

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has said its health tech will be the company's most important contribution to the world, and now it is working on a slew of new features for its...

China Bans Videogames on School Nights

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

China is enacting new rules limiting how much time young videogamers can play online. The WSJ's deputy China bureau chief Josh Chin joins host Zoe Tho...

Opendoor, Zillow and Redfin Bank On Flipping Houses Virtually

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More real-estate tech companies are buying and selling houses virtually, using data and images to quickly flip properties. Heard on the Street tech co...

How the 'Right To Repair' Could Expand Choices and Lower Costs

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you break one of your electronic devices, your options for fixing it can be limited. But new "Right to Repair" measures being debated in Washington...

What Is the Metaverse and Why Does Big Tech Want You to Live In It?

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Big tech companies have been investing tons of resources into a concept called "the metaverse." Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher joins host...

NFT Art Presents New Frontier for Fraudsters

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, started taking off early this year, they were heralded by many in the art world as a way for creators to make money ...

OnlyFans Backpedals on Plan to Ban Sex Videos

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, the social-media company OnlyFans said it would ban sexually explicit content on its platform. The move sparked a backlash, since the site ...

Hollywood Battles Digital Piracy in the Streaming Era

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A new focus on digital releases to streaming services has made it easier for Hollywood studios to reach customers during the pandemic. But it's also l...

Crypto in the Crosshairs of Global Regulators

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The price of bitcoin crossed $50,000 for the first time since May, signaling the possibility of a fresh rally for the digital asset. The news comes am...

Elon Musk Doubles Down on A.I. Ambitions Despite Regulatory Scrutiny

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tesla has been catching regulatory scrutiny for the company's assisted-driving features that rely on artificial intelligence. But despite the pressure...

Minimalist Phones Take the Smarts Out of Your Smartphone

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Companies offering pared-down phones with few features are hoping to lure users who have grown tired of their smartphones. But convincing people to ab...

China Set to Pass Sweeping New Data Privacy Law

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

China is expected to pass one of the world's strictest data privacy laws this week. It's the latest move by the government to tighten restrictions on ...

Self-Driving Trucks: A Smooth Ride or Bumpy Road?

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Self-driving trucks promise a future of faster and cheaper shipping. Startups are testing the technology on the roads and tapping the stock market for...

Crypto Industry Unites to Lobby Washington

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The cryptocurrency industry prides itself on being decentralized and shying away from connections to government. But as U.S. lawmakers and regulators ...

Boeing's Space Program Faces New Setback

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Boeing's Starliner space capsule has faced a string of problems, setting back a company that was once a leader in the space industry. Reporter Micah M...

How GameStop's Chairman Climbed His Way to the Top

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The chairman of GameStop, Ryan Cohen, was just an investor in the videogame retailer in 2019. But through activist tactics and support from meme-stock...

Crypto Heist Highlights Risks of DeFi Market

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hackers stole more than $600 million worth of cryptocurrencies from the decentralized finance platform Poly Network. DeFi has been gaining popularity ...

Robots May Be Cooking Your Next Drive-Through Order

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the hospitality sector struggles to find workers, more restaurants are turning to robots to take up jobs in the kitchen. Tech columnist Christopher...

Some Amazon Sellers Go to Great Lengths to Limit Negative Reviews

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some Amazon sellers are tracking down customers who leave bad reviews and begging or even paying them to remove them, in violation of the platform's p...

Hackers Rebrand After Colonial Pipeline Attack

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Experts believe the cybercriminals behind one of the biggest ransomware attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure have regrouped under a new name. How d...

Crypto Faces Prospect of New Scrutiny

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Gensler, head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, says his agency will step up regulatory enforcement of cryptocurrencies. That may not be...

Collecting Your Location Data: Why It's Worth So Much

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A little-known location-data broker, X-Mode Social, is being acquired a year after its work raised questions about government surveillance. Reporter P...

Who Benefits Most From the Infrastructure Bill's Broadband Funding?

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The infrastructure bill working its way through the Senate includes $65 billion to expand broadband access to poor and isolated communities. But the r...

Big-Money Investors Pour Cash Into Startups

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This year is poised to set a record for tech startup fundraising. That's due in large part to funding from large money managers that are writing huge ...

Big Tech's Influence on Salaries Reaches Beyond Silicon Valley

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remote working has led many big tech firms to hire outside of Silicon Valley. That's an opportunity for workers to reap the benefits and salaries of b...

Surfing's Next Sea Change - Using Data to Improve the Ride

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Surfing made its first Olympic debut this year. But those in the sport aren't just reading the waves- they're using an increasing amount of artificial...

Biden Seeks New Cybersecurity Standards for Critical Infrastructure

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Biden has directed federal agencies to draw up new standards to help businesses critical to the US economy ward off hackers. Reporter Dustin...

Beijing Regulators Zero in on Chinese Big Tech

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beijing is increasing pressure on the country's tech firms to get into line with national ambitions. Reporter Stephanie Yang joins host Zoe Thomas to ...

"Candy Crush" Maker Fights Accusations Of Gender Discrimination

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

California regulators have filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, the company behind Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. Reporter S...

Can Camp Help Kids Break Their Tech Habit?

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most overnight camps don't allow electronic devices. Some parents see this as an opportunity to bring their children's screen time back to pre-pandemi...

Netflix Wants to Play in the Gaming Industry

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix's aspirations in videogames are taking shape. But its dominance in streaming is no guarantee of success in the competitive field of gaming. Re...

How Does TikTok's Algorithm Know You So Well?

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The algorithm TikTok uses to serve up engaging videos has been the source of much speculation. Now an investigation by The Wall Street Journal reveals...

Does Gallium Spell the End of Silicon?

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The metal gallium is enabling a surprising array of new technologies, taking over for the old standby of silicon in some use cases. Tech columnist Chr...

As Jeff Bezos Takes Off, Where Is the Space Industry Headed?

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos is set to take a trip to the edge of space, making him the second billionaire to do so in less than two week...

Experimental Brain Implant Helps Man Who Can't Speak Communicate

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A team of California scientists backed by Facebook say they successfully tested an experimental brain implant that turned brain signals into words on ...

Chip Shortage Prompts Fake Parts From Scammers

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The global chip shortage has yet another consequence: a rash of fake semiconductors from scammers targeting manufacturers that are desperate for compo...

Cleantech Startups Attract Fresh Wave of Cash

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After some high-profile failures a decade ago, investors and governments soured on clean-technology companies. Now they're back, funding a new wave of...

Cyberbullying Takes a Toll. Could Insurance Help?

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bad actors online can take an emotional and, in some cases, financial toll on their victims. Now some insurance agencies are offering policies to prot...

WHO Panel Sets Gene-Editing Standards

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A panel of experts assembled by the World Health Organization is recommending global standards for gene-editing technology. The proposed rules aim to ...

Ride-Hailing at a Crossroads: Uber, Lyft Woo Drivers as Prices Soar

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Since their inception, Uber and Lyft have struggled to balance the pursuit of fast growth with demands for profitability. Now, as the cost of ride-hai...

As Branson, Bezos Prepare to Lift Off, What's Next for Space Tourism?

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend, Richard Branson hopes to head to space on a flight with his company Virgin Galactic. Just over a week later, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos p...

Why YouTube Is Still Recommending Objectionable Videos

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

YouTube has made a lot of changes in the past year to limit the problematic videos it recommends to viewers. But a new study suggests the company's ef...

How the Kaseya Ransomware Attack Is Different From Other Recent Hacks

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Russian hacking group REvil is demanding $70 million to unlock computers that were swept up in a widespread ransomware attack affecting a program ...

AI 'Ghosts': Digital Personas Promise a Kind of Immortality

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if Abraham Lincoln could address Congress today? Or if you could have dinner with your deceased ancestors? Researchers and entrepreneurs are expl...

Amazon Post-Bezos: What Comes Next?

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Next week Jeff Bezos is set to step down as CEO of Amazon, the company he founded and built into a sprawling e-commerce juggernaut. So what does Amazo...

To Keep the Lights On, Electric Grids Beef Up Cyber Defenses

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The White House says half of the country's highest-priority electric grid operators have taken steps to prevent cyberattacks, or will soon. The govern...

What Facebook's Legal Victory Could Mean for Antitrust Efforts

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A federal judge dismissed two antitrust lawsuits against Facebook, in a victory for the social-media giant even before the cases got off the ground. W...

AI Enlisted to Fight Wildfires

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wildfire season in the western U.S. is shaping up to be especially active this year, but some authorities are testing ways of using artificial intelli...

App Taps Unwitting Users to Gather Intelligence

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A network of gig workers around the world is unwittingly providing basic intelligence to the U.S. military, using a consumer smartphone app called Pre...

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Windows 11

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft rolled out a new version of its Windows operating system yesterday. On today's show, a conversation between CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella a...

Gig Workers Embrace Apps That Make Their Jobs Easier

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amid a patchwork of regulatory concerns about the employment status of gig workers, drivers for Uber, Lyft and others are flocking to apps that help t...

Academics' LinkedIn Accounts Blocked in China

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In recent weeks, some scholars have seen their LinkedIn accounts blocked and posts removed in China, over so-called "prohibited content." Reporter Liz...

Chip Shortage Starts Hitting Consumers With Higher Prices

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The tech industry has been dealing with a chip shortage, as demand for devices powered by semiconductors outpaces production capacity. Now some of the...

Amazon's Prime Day Is Under Way. Here's What You Need to Know.

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon's Prime Day event is underway. Since it was started in 2015, the event has become hugely impactful for the company's bottom line-and for compet...