WSJ Tech News Briefing

Google Follows Apple in Plan to Limit Tracking on Smartphones

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Google said it plans to change the way users are tracked across apps on its Android operating system. It marks the latest shakeup for the mobile ad in...

DoorDash Shows Need for Speed With New McDonald’s Fees

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the food-delivery industry, where time is money, DoorDash has come up with a new way to charge McDonald’s restaurants if they move too slowly. WS...

NFT Fakes Challenge Crypto-Goods Marketplace OpenSea

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The NFT marketplace OpenSea has seen huge growth over the past year, but it is struggling with how to protect users from buying fake versions of the d...

Predicting Climate Change Pushes Limits of Computer Models

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To prepare for the impacts of climate change, policy makers are looking for more accurate and precise climate models. But scientists are running up ag...

How the Government Traced Billions in Stolen Bitcoin

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. government said it recovered roughly $3.6 billion in stolen bitcoin this week and arrested two people it said were laundering it. But trackin...

Would You Pay for a String of Emojis? If So, Yats Are for You.

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some celebrities and investors are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Yats, unique strings of emojis that can be used as URLs. Some say Yats...

After Nvidia and SoftBank’s Major Chip Deal Fell Through, What’s Next?

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Japanese investor SoftBank and semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia have scrapped their planned $40 billion deal for the chip design specialist Arm. WSJ ...

What Will Working in the Metaverse Be Like?

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Supporters of the metaverse say it will change how we shop, hang out with friends and even how we work. So how would being employed in the metaverse c...

After Covid-19 Vaccines, What Else Can mRNA Tech Do?

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were the first products using mRNA tech to get approved for use. Now scientists and researchers are look...

Facebook’s Metaverse Growing Pains Give Investors a Reality Check

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook’s parent company Meta wants to reposition itself for the metaverse, and it’s spending heavily to do so. But for the moment it’s still a...

Grocery Delivery Startups Rack Up Losses in Bid for Dominance

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Startups aiming to deliver groceries in a matter of minutes are losing lots of money, and fast. Yet venture capitalists keep the investment dollars po...

Crypto Trial Could Reshape How the Industry Is Regulated

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A lawsuit between the Securities and Exchange Commission and crypto startup Ripple Labs will test just how far regulators can go in enforcing old fina...

Social Media Is Making Connected Moms Feel More Lonely

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Generation X moms, social media used to be the place they could turn to find support. But since the pandemic, they’ve been reporting that it’s...

Who Really Won in the Meme Stock ‘Revolution’?

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many saw the run-up in meme stocks like GameStop and AMC last year as a way for small investors to turn the tables on Wall Street. But a year later, i...

Covid Tests From Tech Startups Promise Accuracy Without the Wait

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Health-tech startups have created lab-like molecular Covid-19 tests that you can use from the comfort of your own home. WSJ Senior Personal Tech Colum...

Threat of Cyberwar in Ukraine Has Companies Preparing for Attacks

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As diplomats try to convince Russia to pull troops back from Ukraine's border, companies are preparing for the possible fallout of cyberattacks agains...

How Gen Z Is Reshaping Fintech

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Generation Z has grown up with online banking, payment apps and digital investing platforms. Now as the generation comes of age, financial firms find ...

Facebook’s Free Internet Programs Charged Users Millions of Dollars

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To grow its user base in developing countries, Facebook offered free internet access. But internal company documents show users were charged fees by c...

Nanotech Promised to Change the World. It Already Has.

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, scientists have predicted that nanotechnology would change our world. It may already have. As microchips have gotten smaller, the machine...

Ancestry CEO on DNA Testing, Hybrid Work and Women in Tech

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Deb Liu, CEO of genealogy company Ancestry.com, discusses the challenges women face rising in the tech industry, ways to get ahead and the sometimes d...

Bills to Rein In Big Tech Face Fierce Lobbying Ahead of Key Meeting

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting on Thursday to discuss two bills that could rein in the power of big tech, and both the tech giants and thei...

Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard… and Its Troubles

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft said it plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, the publisher of games such as World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. Since last year, Activision ...

China’s Tech Sector Attracts Record Investment Despite Crackdown

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

China cracked down on its biggest tech companies last year, but that didn't stop investors from pouring record amounts of funding into the nation’s ...

How Some TikTok Stars Out-Earn Top CEOs

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The highest-earning TikTok star made more last year than the average CEO of an S&P 500 company. WSJ reporter Joseph Pisani joins host Julie Chang to e...

What Apple’s Texting App Tells Us About Its Strategy to Attract Users

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The must-have social network for teens is… iMessage? Apple has created an ecosystem on its iPhone that attracts more than 70% of young smartphone us...

Tech Giants Battle for Metaverse Workers

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Big tech companies have set their sights on building the metaverse as the next digital realm for work, play and shopping. But first they have to build...

Tech to Locate Any Object, Unlock Car Doors, and Eliminate Passwords

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Location technology is getting better and better … and ultra-wideband could soon make it easier to unlock doors, turn on smart devices and even limi...

How Trump’s Social Media Ban Impacted Him, Platforms

09 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

January 8th marked one year since Twitter permanently banned former president Donald Trump from its platform. Other social media companies soon follow...

The US Military's Battle Against Hobby Drones (Armed With Explosives)

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. military’s newest and most-concerning tactical threat is cheap hobby drones rigged with explosives. WSJ’s Middle East correspondent Steph...

EVs Take Center Stage at CES Tech Show

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

General Motors, Chrysler and electronics giant Sony unveiled their visions for the future of electric cars at the tech conference CES. WSJ reporter Mi...

CES Kicks Off With Robot Tables, Smart Remotes And Self-Driving Boats

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The annual consumer tech trade show CES opens to the public in Las Vegas on Wednesday. For decades, the event has been the place to reveal devices tha...

Theranos Founder Holmes Found Guilty on Four Counts in Fraud Trial

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a mixed verdict, Elizabeth Holmes, founder of defunct blood testing startup Theranos, has been found guilty of four of the 11 fraud and conspiracy ...

The New Tech Trends For 2022!

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As 2022 kicks off, how will technology shape the coming year? Will robots, cheaper electric vehicles and drone deliveries change our lives? WSJ’s Te...

Tonal CEO Bets on Fitness Personalization

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Aly Orady, founder and CEO of fitness company Tonal, says artificial intelligence is better and safer than a human trainer. At the WSJ's Tech Live eve...

The TikTok Spiral, Part 3: Escape the Algorithm

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When TikTok users start to feel that the videos being shown to them are harmful to their well-being, how easy is it to disengage? And what responsibil...

The TikTok Spiral, Part 2: Stuck. Together.

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to TikTok videos that discuss mental health, eating disorders and self-harm, deciphering what is helpful and what is harmful can be hard...

The TikTok Spiral, Part 1: Descent

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok’s powerful algorithm is exceptionally good at engaging users. But what happens when the endless scroll on the app turns into a stream of pote...

Next Week: The TikTok Spiral

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Starting Monday, Tech News Briefing will be bringing you a special series on the potentially devastating impacts of social media, in particular TikTok...

How NASA’s Webb Space Telescope Will See Into Deep Space

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After more than a decade of delays, the most powerful space telescope ever built is set to be launched this weekend. Once in action, the James Webb Sp...

Digital Tricks to Buy Hard-to-Get Items Online

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bots, Facebook groups, 3 a.m. notifications… There are various online tools available to help you sidestep this shopping season’s widespread suppl...

Oracle Wants to Buy Itself a Bigger Spot in the Cloud

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Oracle said it would purchase electronic-medical-records company Cerner for roughly $28 billion. Medical data is one of the top drivers of growth for ...

Could ‘Web 3.0’ Democratize the Internet?

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some investors, engineers and tech dreamers are developing plans for what they hope will be a better version of the internet. In their vision, “Web ...

How Computer Makers Aim to Cut E-Waste

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Companies are working to develop "circular" manufacturing processes to reduce waste, bring down costs and make electronics easier to repair. But there...

Hackers Backed by Foreign Governments See Opportunity With Log4j Bug

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A major software flaw has cybersecurity experts worried, and now Microsoft and some cybersecurity firms say they have found hackers tied to China and ...

Space Industry's Banner Year: What Comes Next?

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There have been more human space flights this year than any other, and private companies with paying customers are starting to make their mark on the ...

Facebook Shareholders Want More Power Following Investigations

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shareholders of Facebook parent Meta are calling for a range of changes to how the company operates, following revelations that internal research show...

Google's Plans for Artificial Intelligence Without Bias

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Google's VP of Engineering shares her thoughts on the challenges of developing responsible artificial intelligence and avoiding AI bias with WSJ Colum...

Amazon Upends the Labor Market

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon's growing need for warehouse workers means the company is dominating the hiring market. WSJ reporter Sebastian Herrera joins host Zoe Thomas to...

Musicians Turn to Data to Court Superfans

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The pandemic opened up whole new ways for musicians and recording artists to collect data on their audience. Now they are using that data to connect w...

Elon Musk on Federal EV Support, Telepathy and Reusable Rockets

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the electric-vehicle market would be better off without government support or intervention. He spoke with the WSJ's Senior Pe...

Your Data Is Worth a Lot. Should You Get a Cut?

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us unknowingly give away our data for free every time we go online. But a growing number of startups want to help people better manage their p...

How Spies Are Adapting in a Tech-Filled World

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Surveillance cameras, biometrics and smartphone data all make it harder for spies to remain in the shadows. National-security reporter Warren Strobel ...

Nuclear Fusion: The Future of Energy or Just an Investor Fad?

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists have been working for decades to replicate the sun's nearly limitless energy on Earth through nuclear fusion. Now investors are pouring bil...

How One South Korean App Is Helping Asia Embrace the Metaverse

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

SoftBank is investing in Zepeto, a South Korean app popular with young women, where they can buy their 3-D avatars virtual versions of luxury fashion ...

Tech Gifts Sold Out? We've Got Your Backup Plan

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The perfect tech gift might not be easy to come by this holiday shopping season, thanks to supply-chain issues and shipping backlogs. WSJ personal-tec...

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Is Leaving. What Legacy Does He Leave Behind?

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is stepping down as CEO. WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Laura Forman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the reasons be...

How NASA Plans to Defend Earth: Crash a Probe Into an Asteroid

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

NASA is testing a system designed to protect the Earth from a massive meteor strike. WSJ science writer Robert Lee Hotz joins host Zoe Thomas to discu...

Best Gadgets and Tech Gifts for the Holiday Shopping Season

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal's personal tech team has compiled a list of their favorite gadgets to give as presents this year, beyond laptops, gaming devic...

Venture Capitalist Sarah Guo on the New Challenges Facing Startups

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Guo, a general partner at the venture-capital firm Greylock, speaks with host Zoe Thomas about diversity in Silicon Valley, cybersecurity and ho...

Hulu Caught in Crossfire as Streaming Wars Intensify

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal reports exclusively that NBCUniversal is considering pulling its content from Hulu and keeping it solely on its own streaming ...

Crypto Thieves Target Small-Time Investors

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As more people invest in cryptocurrencies, hackers are targeting retail investors, emptying their digital wallets and making off with their holdings. ...

Inside the Secret Service's Training Lab for Cyber Crime Fighters

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Secret Service teaches law enforcement officers from across the country how to combat cybercriminals at a training center in Alabama. WSJ Pro...

Roblox Sees Path to Metaverse Through Classrooms

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Videogame platform Roblox is spending $10 million to help develop educational games. Reporter Sarah Needleman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the...

Activision Boss Knew for Years About Sexual Misconduct Accusations

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Employees at Activision Blizzard staged a walkout after a Wall Street Journal investigation found CEO Bobby Kotick knew for years about allegations of...

Bitcoin's Mysterious Creator Could Be Uncovered by Florida Jury

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A trial in Florida is seeking to determine the true identity of the mysterious creator of bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, and who is entitled to a digital ...

In Holmes Trial, Ex-Theranos Workers Describe Secretive Culture

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Prosecutors in the trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes are likely to rest their case as soon as this week. In court testimony, some employees h...

Alibaba Looks to Grow 'Singles Day' Amid Mounting Pressures

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is facing a variety of hurdles, from increased regulation to supply-chain constraints. How have those affected the co...

Infrastructure Bill Includes Big Wins for Tech

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill that's expected to be signed by President Biden contains money for various tech industries and could have a...

Are Solar Cars Ready for Their Moment in the Sun?

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solar-powered cars could reduce a driver's carbon footprint without leaving them stranded far from a charging station. But when will the technology be...

Your 'Facebook Files' Questions Answered

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Wall Street Journal's "Facebook Files" series brought to light many of the social-media giant's failings. WSJ reporter Jeff Horwitz joins host Zoe...

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...