WSJ Tech News Briefing
Episodes
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...
A Big Week for Global Tech Policy
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the past week, there have been several major U.S. policy developments that could play a big role in the fate of tech companies. Reporter Ryan Tracy...
New Deepfake Detection Technique Developed
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A team of researchers from Facebook and Michigan State University say that even the sophisticated artificial-intelligence technology used to build dee...
Lina Khan, Critic of Big Tech, to Lead FTC
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden is tapping Columbia University professor Lina Khan to lead the Federal Trade Commission. Ms. Khan has been a vocal critic of Big Tech ...
New U.S. Strategy to Shut Out Chinese 5G Gear: More Carrot, Less Stick
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As next-generation 5G networks are rolled out, the U.S. government is ramping up restrictions on Chinese-made telecom equipment, which it sees as pote...
How the FBI Got Colonial Pipeline's Ransom Back
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, law enforcement said it had retrieved 64 of the 75 bitcoin Colonial Pipeline paid to hackers after a ransomware attack. The announcement ch...
Finding the Next Health Tech Unicorn
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the WSJ's recent virtual Tech Health event, SoftBank Senior Managing Partner Deep Nishar and former Apple CEO John Sculley spoke with reporter Rolf...
Google Health VP on the Company's Ventures in Healthcare
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the WSJ's virtual Tech Health event Wednesday, Google Health VP David Feinberg joined business editor Jamie Heller to discuss how Google has direct...
Apple's Privacy Moves Make Advertisers Anxious
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At WWDC this week, Apple introduced several features it said were meant to help protect users' privacy as they use their devices. But advertisers are ...
At WWDC, Apple Doubles Down on Privacy
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday, Apple kicked off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where it announced big updates to many of its core apps, many of which focused...
Facebook Suspends Trump for at Least Two Years
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After a decision from its Oversight Board last month, Facebook said it would suspend former President Donald Trump for two years, and that it would be...
Cyber Attacks Prompt Government Response
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Government officials are looking at ways to address the uptick in cyber attacks over the past year. Cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins host Ama...
Dogecoin to Begin Trading on Coinbase Pro Today
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dogecoin has been on a tear this year, egged on by retail investors and tweets from influential advocates like Elon Musk. Now doge is set to begin tra...
Elon Musk's Starlink Could Get a Boost From German Subsidies
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Germany could become the first large nation to subsidize the use of consumer satellite internet services like those offered by Elon Musk's Starlink. G...
5G Rollout in the U.S. Has Been Anything But Fast. Why?
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Next-generation 5G networks are supposed to bring superfast download speeds, and possibly even enable the next wave of tech innovation. But in8he U.S....
Down With Constant Video Calls. Long Live Audio-Only Calls.
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Not every meeting in the remote-work era needs to be a video call. In fact, there's evidence that plain-old voice calls can be just as productive, if ...
Amazon to Buy MGM, Heating Up the Streaming Wars
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon reached a deal to buy the fabled Hollywood studio MGM for nearly $8.5 billion, including debt. The deal will give Amazon access to MGM's librar...
Germany Weighs Using New Powers to Target Google
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Germany's competition regulator is considering a move that would enable the regulator to order Google to make changes to business practices that are d...
Ransomware Negotiators Step In When Companies Are Hacked
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ransomware attacks that lock up a victim's systems have become more common. So have people who negotiate with the hackers on behalf of the victims. Ku...
Google AI Unit DeepMind Tried and Failed to Gain More Autonomy
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For years, senior managers at Google's DeepMind artificial-intelligence unit sought to negotiate more independence from the parent company. Now we rep...
Apple CEO Tim Cook Set to Testify in Epic Games Trial
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of the third week of the Epic Games trial, Apple's CEO Tim Cook is expected to be called to testify in his company's defense. WSJ's Apple r...
Tesla Drivers Test Bounds of Assisted-Driving Features
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has championed his vehicles' driver-assistance system, and he has forecasted that self-driving cars are the future. But some Tesla...
Google Sets Sights on Commercial-Grade Quantum Computer
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Google says it is devoting billions of dollars to developing a commercial-grade quantum computer by 2029. The company is exploring use cases ranging f...
Parler Returns to the App Store
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Several big tech companies blocked access to the social-media app Parler in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, saying it hadn't done enough to ...
Ethereum's Boom Highlights Challenges for the Network's Future
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The second-largest cryptocurrency network, Ethereum, has been booming on the back of interest in NFTs and "DeFi," or decentralized finance. But our cr...
How Roblox Plans to Expand Beyond Gaming
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week The Wall Street Journal is sitting down with industry movers and shakers for our Future of Everything Festival. Today we hear from Roblox fo...
SEC Commissioner 'CryptoMom' on Crypto's Next Chapter
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week The Wall Street Journal is sitting down with industry movers and shakers for our Future of Everything Festival. SEC Commissioner Hester Peir...
Google's Marian Croak on Making AI Fair and Transparent
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week The Wall Street Journal is sitting down with industry movers and shakers for our Future of Everything Festival. Senior Personal Tech Columni...
Pipeline Ransomware Attack Exposes Vulnerabilities in Energy Sector
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hackers took aim at the East Coast's main fuel pipeline, forcing operators to shut it down over the weekend. Cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins...
Elon Musk Makes His 'SNL' Debut
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hosted "Saturday Night Live" this past weekend. Tesla reporter Rebecca Elliott joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss wh...
Investigation Finds Millions of Fake Comments on FCC Proposal
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from the New York attorney general found that nearly 18 million fake comments were filed regarding the Federal Communications Commission'...