WSJ Tech News Briefing
Episodes
New Tech Being Developed to Respond to Oil Spills
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Spurred by BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, researchers have been working on new, tech-powered ways to clean up oil spills. Reporter Eric Syl...
How Agriculture Is Using Tech to Make Farming More Efficient
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Farms have made use of various tech advancements in recent years: everything from self-driving tractors to genetic engineering for hardier plants. Rep...
Why Apple and Tesla Are Splitting Their Stocks
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tech companies' share prices are skyrocketing, and some companies are enacting stock splits to make it easier for investors to buy shares at a lower c...
Colleges Weigh Transparency vs. Privacy on Covid-19 Data
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As thousands of students across the country return to campuses, colleges and universities are trying to figure out how to share important health data ...
Tech Companies Seek to Combat Bias in Algorithms
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Algorithms are everywhere, helping to do things like determine who gets loans and what content shows up in your search results. But what happens when ...
Why TikTok Is Suing the Trump Administration
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month that would effectively ban TikTok if it doesn't find a buyer for its U.S. operations. Now...
How Covid-19 Is Exacerbating Workforce Inequality
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technologies, especially automation. While that's made it easier for white-collar workers to adjust i...
Sheryl Sandberg On Facebook and Elections (Special Episode)
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, our business columnist John D. Stoll interviews Facebook C.O.O. Sheryl Sandberg. Since we're coming up on an election, they talk a...
Slack and Teams Make Work-From-Home Easier-But Sometimes, Less Civil
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many groups are conducting most of their day-to-day workplace communications over services like Slack and Teams. But it can be hard to eke out your co...
Disagreement Inside the D.O.J. Over Possible Google Antitrust Suit
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department has been investigating Google's competitive practices, and we've reported it aims to file a suit by this summer. Now we report ...
How Our Internet Habits Have Changed in the Pandemic
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Shutdown orders have forced much of our daily lives online. A new Wall Street Journal analysis provides insight into how we're spending our time onlin...
An Epic Fight: How the 'Fortnite' Creator is Taking on Apple, Google
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The videogame maker Epic Games mounted a fight against developer fees, the fees that Apple and Google charge developers to distribute their software a...
Why Businesses Are Pushing Back on WeChat Restrictions
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order restricting dealings with the social-media app WeChat. Now major U.S. companies are pushing back....
What Kamala Harris's V.P. Candidacy Could Mean for Tech
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Before she was the Democratic Party's presumptive vice presidential candidate, Senator Kamala Harris built her career in the Bay Area. She has a long ...
SoftBank is Back in the Black
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the first quarter, tech investor SoftBank reported its worst financial results ever. Now it's swung back into the black, recording a profit of near...
Why Some Officials Are Calling for a National Cyber Director
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Several high-profile attacks have renewed some lawmakers' push for a director of cybersecurity at the White House level. Our reporter Dave Uberti expl...
A Look at Tim Cook's Apple
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's been nearly a decade since Tim Cook succeeded founder Steve Jobs as the C.E.O. of Apple. While Jobs was known as a visionary and a gregarious lea...
Tech Stocks Rally as Small Investors Buy Fractions of Shares
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Services from Robinhood, Fidelity, and others are making it easier to buy slivers of shares on the stock market. Our reporter Alexander Osipovich join...
Hackers Get the Green Light to Test Elections Systems
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After years of keeping security researchers at bay, election equipment makers are opening their devices to hackers to try and uncover vulnerabilities ...
How a Teenager Allegedly Masterminded Twitter's Worst Hack
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, hackers broke into dozens of major Twitter accounts, pushed a bitcoin scam, and - in some cases - downloaded users' data and DMs. Accordin...
How Would TikTok Fit Into Microsoft's Business Strategy?
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Talks between Microsoft and the Chinese-owned video app TikTok are in limbo after a regulatory rollercoaster last weekend. In the meantime, the questi...
TikTok's Rollercoaster Weekend
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As of Friday, it looked like the video-sharing app TikTok had come up with a plan to save itself from regulatory scrutiny. Then, everything changed, a...
Big Tech's Big Week
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google reported their quarterly earnings on Thursday. Just a day after CEOs from those companies faced questions from Con...
NASA's Most Ambitious Mars Mission Launches Today
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, NASA is expected to head to the red planet. If everything goes as planned, it'll be the third launch from Earth to Mars this summer alone. Our ...
What You Need to Know About Today's Tech Hearing
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Four of the most powerful CEOs in tech are scheduled to testify before the House Antitrust Subcommittee today, and it's expected to be a blockbuster h...
Why Google's Keeping Workers Remote Until Summer 2021
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As companies all over the country are grappling with when to return to the office, Google executives have decided to wait until next year. Our reporte...
How Election Officials Are Building Up Their Cyber Defenses
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're less than 100 days from the presidential election. As we get closer, local officials have been working on their cyber defenses. Cybersecurity re...
For Some Startups, Amazon Funding Is a Double-Edged Sword
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We report that Amazon met with startups about investing, and then launched their own, competing products. The news comes just days before CEO Jeff Bez...
Why Slack Filed an Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For the companies that make remote-work software, the competition is fierce. Now, Slack has formally accused Microsoft of throwing some elbows in its ...
Could Tesla Surprise Us Again?
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla is set to report its earnings this afternoon. While analysts are forecasting a loss, CEO Elon Musk has been known to throw a last-minute Hail Ma...
How Schools Are Preparing for Remote Learning (Again)
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
School districts are getting ready for another semester of online learning. This time, they're hoping to take a red pen to some of the mistakes they m...
How Governments Are Using Cellphone Data for Surveillance
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you've shared your location with an app, you probably know that advertisers then sell that data to other marketers. But you might not know that the...
Russia Blamed for Cyberattacks on Coronavirus Vaccine Researchers
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hackers have been targeting the research institutions working on treatments and vaccines for the novel coronavirus. Now some officials in the U.S. and...
In Search, Google Pushes YouTube Over Rivals
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you search Google for video content, the first results often direct you to YouTube. That's not a coincidence. The Journal reports that Google has...
Why the U.K. Reversed Course on Huawei
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amid tensions between China and the West, the U.K. says it is banning Chinese telecom company Huawei from its 5G networks. That's a reversal for the B...
Why Tech Stocks Are (Still) Rallying
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Even amidst the pandemic, tech stocks have been on an upswing. Our reporter Michael Wursthorn explains what's happening-and why analysts say the tear ...
How Hollywood is Bringing Tech Into the Creative Process
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot to watch, and Hollywood knows it. That's why some studios are using tech to ensure they're making content that you want to see. Our tech...
How Chicago's Broadband Plan Works to Close the Digital Divide
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As schools prepare for the fall, online education is looking like a good option for socially distanced learning. But not everyone has access to the in...
Why TikTok Is Allowing More Political Content
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Chinese company TikTok is best known as a place for lighthearted entertainment videos. But as it expands into new markets, the company is permitti...
Tech Companies Weigh Response to Hong Kong National-Security Law
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
China has imposed a new national-security law on Hong Kong, requiring authorities there to more closely supervise and control internet speech. Reporte...
Uber Buys Postmates in Play for Food-Delivery Dominance
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The food-delivery market is heating up-and cooking down. As the sector's big players look to consolidate, Uber and Postmates have agreed to a $2.6 bil...
What Scientists Uncovered About Earthquakes Using AI
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Usually, big earthquakes are the ones that capture our attention. But scientists recently uncovered new details about a mysterious group of tremors-ca...
What You Need to Know Before Buying Apple Products Right Now
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Apple has announced a flurry of new products and features - but our Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern says you should wait before you make a...
How Facebook Users Are Targeting Health Officials
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Protests against public health officials are ramping up from those who oppose social distancing measures or wearing masks. And Facebook has been a cri...
How eBay Tried to Crush a Blog Critic
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A pair of bloggers wrote some negative posts about eBay. Then, they started receiving ominous packages of cockroaches and funeral wreaths. Next, they ...
California City Bans Predictive Policing Software
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many governments are cracking down on policing tactics in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests. Now, a city in California is believed to be the...
White House Considering Broad Intervention to Secure 5G Future
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants in on the race to next-generation 5G networks. The Chinese telecom giant Huawei is leading the pack. And now, we report that the Trump ...
Why Trump's Campaign is Looking for Alternatives to Facebook, Twitter
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The biggest social media platforms have been feeling pressure to moderate political content. In recent weeks, Facebook and Twitter have flagged or rem...
How New Immigration Measures Could Impact Tech
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tech companies are pushing back against the Trump administration's temporary ban on H-1B and other immigrant work visas. Our reporter Asa Fitch will j...
What Wirecard's Downfall Could Mean for Tech Investing
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A German fintech company announced last week that it's missing over $2 billion from its balance sheet. On Monday, the board said that money probably n...
Our Guide to Apple's WWDC
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off today - virtually, of course. As usual, it's a chance for Apple to unveil new products and strategy....
Why Hackers Are Targeting Companies You've Never Heard Of
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When cybercriminals go after big entities, they make headlines. So they've begun targeting more under-the-radar companies. Our reporter Jenny Strasbur...
DOJ Proposes Limiting Protections for Internet Companies
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department proposed a rollback of some of the rules that have protected tech companies for decades. Our reporter Brent Kendall explains. A...
How Russian Misinformation Groups May Be Adapting Since 2016
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A new report gives us insight into how the Russian firm Secondary Infektion has been operating over the past few years. Our reporter Robert McMillan j...
Why Police Could Still Be Using Facial Recognition, Despite Big Exits
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon, Microsoft, IBM and others have said they won't sell facial recognition tech to police, and they've called on Congress to introduce national le...
How Political Groups Harvest Data from Protesters
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For years, companies have used location data to market specific products and messages to individuals. Now, political groups are adopting the strategy....
Developer Conferences, Minus the Developers
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Normally, major tech companies launch new products and services at developer conferences - but the pandemic has made that near-impossible. Our Heard o...
Rivals Step Up to Take on Amazon Amid Pandemic
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Shutdowns around the world mean more shoppers are taking their carts digital. As even the biggest companies like Amazon and Walmart struggle to keep u...
China's Tencent Holdings to Build a City
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tencent Holdings - one of the world's most valuable tech companies - is known for its social media, videogame, and other Internet ventures. Now: it's ...
Kids Sneaking Online During the Pandemic
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking rules is part of being a kid. Unfortunately for parents, that extends to screen time limits, too. Our Family Tech Columnist Julie Jargon join...
Why You've Been "Doomscrolling"
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There's a reason you've been spending more time than usual scrolling through bad news lately. It has a lot to do with your fight-or-flight response. O...
Microsoft Battles for Your Work Computer
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
During the pandemic, workplace communications companies have seen years' worth of progress in the space of months. Meaning the fight for market share ...
Working in Tech While Black
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since the killing of George Floyd last week, the nation has been reckoning with its racial divisions and history again. Microsoft is among several tec...
Special Edition: IG Founder Kevin Systrom at WSJ Tech Health
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Wall Street Journal held its second annual gathering on health technology yesterday, bringing executives and experts together online for interacti...
Social Media's Role in Protests
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For about as long as platforms like Twitter have existed, demonstrators and police have used them as a tool. Our reporter Sarah E. Needleman joins us ...
Tech Task Force to Combat Covid-19 Stumbles
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When the pandemic hit the U.S., tech leaders rounded up innovators and policymakers, from big investors to the White House, to try and come up with so...
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Social Media
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that seeks to limit legal protections for social media companies. The action comes after Twitter...
Facebook Officials Shut Down Attempts to Make it Less Divisive
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Americans' views on fundamental issues have been drifting apart for decades, but many believe that social media companies are widening the gap. After ...
SpaceX to Send Astronauts to the ISS
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Between Tesla and a new baby, you might've forgotten that Elon Musk is also working on space travel. Today, his company SpaceX is scheduled to become ...
Why Big Tech is Still Growing
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The most significant economic downturn in recent history has forced many companies to lay off thousands of workers, and cut back on new investments. B...
What Getting Hired in Silicon Valley Looks Like Now
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of tech workers have been laid off in recent days, and some executives have said those positions are gone for good. Our reporter Asa Fitch j...
Facebook Sets Its Sights on E-Commerce - and India
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With hundreds of millions of people not yet online, India represents a huge opportunity for Facebook as it pushes into e-commerce. Our reporter Newley...
Europe's Debate Over Contact Tracing
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers around the world try to use tech to keep coronavirus outbreaks in check. In Europe, they're running into the issue of privacy. Our reporte...
SoftBank Posts Its Worst Results Ever
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
SoftBank has reported its worst fiscal-year results in history. Our tech reporter Rolfe Winkler joins us to explain what those results could mean for ...
Google Heeds Phony Copyright Claims, Hides News
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Like other tech giants, Google is required to remove content that violates copyright laws. But we report exclusively that Google has removed thousands...
A.I. Cameras to Monitor Social Distancing in the Office
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As parts of the world begin to reopen, some employers are using artificial intelligence to monitor social distancing at work. Our reporter Parmy Olson...
Chinese, Iranian Hackers Targeting U.S. Coronavirus Researchers
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. officials say hackers have been targeting the universities and pharmaceutical companies working on treatments and vaccines for the coronavirus. O...
States Turn to Amazon, Others to Update I.T.
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Millions of people have tried to file for unemployment - or just get in touch with their government - since the pandemic began. Because of outdated I....
Tesla Defies Local Orders, Restarts Production
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Monday that Tesla is restarting production - in spite of local shutdown orders. This comes just days after Tesla file...
Trump Administration, Chipmakers Push for Self-Sufficiency
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Semiconductor chips power just about everything that's electric, but a majority of them are made in Asia. Our reporter Asa Fitch joins us to explain h...
Automate Your Emails and Digitize Your To-Do Lists
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's Friday, which means our Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern is back with her work-from-home tech tips of the week. Today: how to save you...
Lyft Earnings Show the Pandemic's Impact on the Gig Economy
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lyft reported its earnings on Wednesday, and Uber will report today. The rideshare companies' earnings are expected to provide a first look at the eco...
Our Guide to Grocery Delivery Services
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Going to the grocery story is now more tedious - and dangerous - than ever before, and many people are opting to stay home and have their carts delive...
L.C.D Turns 50 in the Year of Screens
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's been 50 years since liquid crystal displays were first invented - and their history underscores the importance of publicly-funded research and de...
A Month In, How's Quibi Doing?
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Quibi is the latest entrant in the streaming wars, offering quick, highly-produced videos for all your in-between moments. But a month in, the service...
Joanna Stern's Tech Tips of the Week
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern is back. This time, we're discussing the merits of a stand for your phone and how to fix that stutteri...
Facebook Reports Earnings Amid Push to Refresh
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Facebook's first quarter earnings come as the company tries to reposition itself after years of scandals and controversy. Our reporter Deepa Seetharam...
Airbnb's Broad Ripple Effect
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People all over the world have cancelled travel plans because of the pandemic, and Airbnb hosts have taken more than a billion-dollar hit. Our reporte...
How to Combat That Ballooning Screen Time Report
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we spend more time at home, you might be relying more on screens to keep your kids (or yourself) occupied. Our Family Tech Columnist Julie Jargon w...
Delivery Robots Could Keep Workers Safer
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
During a pandemic, delivering food and supplies is more dangerous than ever. Our tech columnist Christopher Mims joins to tell us about the robots ste...
Amazon Used Data from Sellers to Launch Competitive Products
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As a retailer, Amazon sells brand name products as well as some of its own products. But it's also a marketplace, meaning it allows third parties to s...
Coronavirus Generates Push for Broadband Infrastructure Upgrade
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the majority of the country abiding by stay-at-home orders, many people are trying to find ways to shift their lives online. But the digital divi...
On Facebook, Coronavirus Misinformation Shared By 'Superspreaders'
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A watchdog has found that misinformation about the coronavirus has been spreading online through so-called "superspreaders". Our reporter Lukas I. Alp...
What to Look for in Netflix's Earnings Report
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Netflix is posting its first-quarter earnings today. Investors are expecting the results to be an indicator of whether big tech companies will be able...
How A.I. is Filling in Coronavirus Testing Gaps
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Without data, governments are struggling to figure out how to plan for the future. Now, some are working with A-I to try and fill in the gaps. Our Dig...
How to Zoomify Your Hangout and Other WFH Tech Tips
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thursday was our team's 5-week anniversary of working from home. But we're still running into tech troubles. We're willing to bet you are, too. So we ...
Apple Launches New iPhone SE
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Apple has unveiled a new, low-cost model of its signature product - via press release. Our reporter Tripp Mickle breaks down what you should know. Hav...
Public-Sector Tech Struggles to Handle Traffic in Pandemic
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As millions of people across the country attempt to access public services online, state and local I.T. databases are being put to the test. Our repor...
Big Tech is Still Hiring
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While most businesses around the world are slashing their expenses, including payroll, some of the U.S.'s biggest tech companies are hiring. Our repor...
Health Professionals Begin 3-D Printing Supplies
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While test kits and masks are in short supply, researchers have come up with a stopgap solution: 3-D printing them. Our reporter Sara Castellanos will...