Signal Is Latest Encrypted Messaging App Apparently Blocked in China
The messaging app Signal has become unusable for many people in mainland China, with users concluding it has apparently been blocked by authorities. Signal was one of the last widely used messaging apps that could send and receive encrypted messages in China without the use of a virtual private network, or VPN. Asia tech reporter Stephanie Yang discusses what the blocking of Signal and other se...
10m Mar 17, 2021
10m
How Telegram Plans to Build a Real Business Around Messaging
With more than 500 million active monthly users, Telegram is one of the few significant social-media challengers to Facebook. But until now the messaging company hasn't made much of an effort to turn that success in attracting users into a money-making business. Tech reporter Sam Schechner discusses how that is changing. Christopher Zinsli hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...
10m Mar 16, 2021
10m
Hybrid Work Is Coming; Here's What to Expect
As office employees start returning after a year of working from home, many will encounter a different kind of environment: hybrid work. Senior Personal Technology Columnist Joanna Stern joins host Kateri Jochum to explain what that means, the problems it could pose, and tech tips for dealing with them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15m Mar 15, 2021
15m
Congress Considers Major Changes to Antitrust Laws Governing Big Tech
Both sides of the political aisle have discussed the need to strengthen U.S. antitrust law. Congressional hearings this week could be a first test of whether that will come to fruition. Tech policy reporter Ryan Tracy joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the hearings, and what the outcome could mean for tech companies. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the execut...
13m Mar 12, 2021
13m
How Discord Could Disrupt Social Media
The chat startup Discord has doubled its user base and nearly tripled its revenue during the pandemic, as consumer demand for at-home entertainment has skyrocketed. Unlike the big social-media platforms, though, Discord uses a subscription model. Reporter Sarah Needleman joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why other platforms are taking note. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
10m Mar 11, 2021
10m
European Union Pushes for 'Digital Sovereignty'
The European Union's massive Covid-19 economic-relief package includes a more than $150 billion pledge to bolster its technological independence by 2030. Tech reporter Stu Woo joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss who the E.U. is competing against, and what is at stake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Mar 10, 2021
9m
NFTs Are All the Rage. But What Are They?
Non-fungible tokens have blown up in recent days, with collectors using them to verify the authenticity of everything from LeBron James highlights to the latest Kings of Leon album. But what are they? And are they here to stay? Reporter Caitlin Ostroff explains. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Mar 09, 2021
12m
Why Some Startups Are Skipping Venture-Capital Funding
For decades, tech startups have relied on rounds of venture capital to fuel early-stage growth before eventually going public. But recently more are turning to an alternative route to raising capital and securing a public listing: through special purpose acquisition companies, known as SPACs or "blank check" companies. Reporter Heather Somerville explains the trend and breaks down the risks and...
11m Mar 08, 2021
11m
Cyberattacks Cost Hospitals Millions in the Pandemic
Hospitals have increasingly been hit with ransomware attacks during the pandemic, making it even harder to deliver critical care to Covid-19 patients. Reporter Melanie Evans joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss what is causing the uptick, and what it could mean for hospitals. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more abo...
11m Mar 05, 2021
11m
Google to Stop Selling Ads Based on Your Web Browsing
Alphabet's Google says it will stop using tracking technologies that uniquely identify internet users based on their browser history. Tech reporter Sam Schechner joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss why the change is coming now, and how it could upend the digital-advertising industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Mar 04, 2021
12m
As Vaccines Roll Out, Tech Firms Work to Find Alternatives to Needles
Since the 19th century, syringes have been the go-to way to administer vaccines. Over the years, some technologists have tried, without much success, to introduce alternatives. But as Covid-19 vaccines roll out, reporter Jason Douglas says some companies see an opening. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Mar 03, 2021
10m
'Back to Normal' Might Not Mean 'Back to the Office' for Tech Startups
As tech companies begin to plan for life on the other side of the pandemic, many startups are betting on a future without traditional office spaces. Tech reporter Katherine Bindley joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss why they are hesitant to sign leases, and what the shift could mean for the way the tech industry works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Mar 02, 2021
11m
Tech Companies Face New Rules in India
For many tech companies, India is key to continued growth. There are hundreds of millions of users in the country who have yet to start using email, or tweeting, or shopping online. But New Delhi has begun to exert tighter control over internet companies, complicating their high hopes for the market. Tech reporter Newley Purnell joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the latest measures. Learn m...
9m Mar 01, 2021
9m
Lawmakers Push Amazon for Public Disclosure on SolarWinds Hack
Representatives from the public and private sectors have been collaborating to respond to the massive SolarWinds hack, which compromised at least 9 federal agencies and more than 100 businesses. But some are becoming increasingly frustrated with Amazon, saying the tech giant should be more publicly forthcoming about its knowledge of the attack. Cybersecurity and intelligence reporter Dustin Vol...
11m Feb 26, 2021
11m
Restaurants Look for Ways Around Food-Delivery Apps
For many restaurants, food-delivery apps like DoorDash and Grubhub have been a critical way to serve customers in the pandemic. But some say the commissions and fees these services charge is too high, and some restaurants are turning to alternatives. Tech reporter Preetika Rana joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss what they are trying, and how the development could affect food-delivery compani...
11m Feb 25, 2021
11m
Why Facebook Is Restoring News Content in Australia
Last week, Facebook instituted a news blackout in Australia, over a proposal there that would require internet companies to pay publishers for news content. Now the company has reached a deal with Australia's government to restore news. Tech editor Bowdeya Tweh joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why it reversed course, and what the development could mean for other jurisdictions considering s...
10m Feb 24, 2021
10m
IBM's Watson Illustrates Why Applying A.I. to Healthcare Is So Hard
Over the course of the last decade or so, IBM has poured billions of dollars into developing Watson Health, an artificial-intelligence system aimed at revolutionizing healthcare. But now we report that IBM is exploring a sale of the unit. So what happened? Digital science editor Daniela Hernandez joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Feb 23, 2021
13m
Big Tech's Employees Were Big Contributors to Democrats
New campaign finance data shows that employees of big tech companies were a key source of funding for Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Reporter Brody Mullins joins host Amanda Lewellyn to talk about how the finding turns traditional Democratic fundraising on its head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Feb 22, 2021
9m
Media and Big Tech Draw Lines in Debate Over News Content
For years, tech companies have been locked in a debate with publishers over whether they should have to pay for news content. This week, that debate has resulted in a deal between Google and News Corp, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, as well as a news blackout on Facebook in Australia. Media reporter Keach Hagey joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain the big issues at play. Christopher...
12m Feb 19, 2021
12m
Joanna Stern on Clubhouse and the Rise of Social Audio
The age of audio-first social media is upon us. The buzziest player is Clubhouse, an invite-only app now in beta testing. Twitter is working on its own version, and Facebook is hot on their heels. On today's episode, Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern takes us on a tour and explains what the fuss is about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15m Feb 18, 2021
15m
Why Corporations Are Upping Their Venture-Capital Investing
In times of uncertainty, corporations usually spend less, not more, on risky venture-capital investments. But new data shows that in the pandemic, the trend has been reversed. WSJ Pro Venture Capital reporter Marc Vartabedian joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why that is, and what the trend could mean for tech startups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Feb 17, 2021
11m
While the U.S. Deadlocks on Privacy, Other Countries Set Standards
The U.S. is home to many of the world's largest tech companies, but the European Union has led the charge when it comes to setting global corporate-privacy standards. With several other countries looking to introduce their own measures or step up enforcement of existing measures, cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the potential impact. Learn more about you...
11m Feb 16, 2021
11m
Online Stores Use Tech to Reduce Returns
E-commerce is exploding during the pandemic, but for customers, it can be hard to find the right fit without the luxury of a physical dressing room. That is leading to consumers returning clothes en masse. Reporter Suzanne Kapner joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why that is a problem for retailers, and how they are turning to tech for solutions. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising produc...
11m Feb 12, 2021
11m
Biden Administration Signals Potential Return to Net Neutrality
The pandemic has made it so that the internet plays an even greater role in how we live, work and learn. Recent actions from the Biden administration signal that we could see a return to net neutrality rules, policies aimed at creating more equal access to the internet. Reporter Drew FitzGerald joins host Amanda Lewellyn to trace net neutrality's history in previous administrations, and the imp...
12m Feb 11, 2021
12m
U.A.E. Probe Enters Mars Orbit; Other Nations Soon to Follow
The first interplanetary probe from an Arab nation entered Mars orbit yesterday, and other countries are set to follow soon. Science writer Robert Lee Hotz joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the achievement, and why so many countries are setting their sights on the Red Planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Feb 10, 2021
12m
Why Tesla Bought $1.5 Billion in Bitcoin
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has often advocated for cryptocurrencies, and now his company is following suit. In a filing Monday, the company revealed that it bought $1.5 billion in bitcoin, and that it was moving towards allowing customers to pay for its products with the cryptocurrency. Markets reporter Caitlin Ostroff joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why Tesla is making the move, and what it cou...
10m Feb 09, 2021
10m
How a Union Vote Could Change Amazon's Relationship With Workers
Amazon's business has benefited from strong demand from consumers during the pandemic. But moving into 2021, the e-commerce giant faces a potential headwind: Workers in an Alabama warehouse are set to begin voting Monday on whether to unionize. Reporter Sebastian Herrera joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain what's going on and what the move could mean for Amazon. Learn more about your ad choic...
10m Feb 08, 2021
10m
A Chip Shortage Is Hurting Car Makers. Other Industries Could Be Next.
Some of the world's biggest automakers are cutting production, as a shortage of semiconductors squeezes their industry. Reporter Asa Fitch joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why car makers are feeling the pain, and how other industries could be affected. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
11m Feb 05, 2021
11m
Pentagon, NASA Remove Barriers to Collaboration on Space Projects
U.S. government and aerospace-industry officials are removing decades-old barriers between civilian and military space projects in response to escalating foreign threats in space. Senior special writer Andy Pasztor joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the Pentagon and NASA's efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Feb 04, 2021
11m
Amazon Is Getting a New CEO
Along with its earnings report yesterday, Amazon included a surprise announcement: Founder Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO and transitioning into a role as executive chairman. Tech columnist Dan Gallagher will join host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the news, and what it could mean for the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Feb 03, 2021
10m
Why Facebook Plans to Overhaul Groups
In 2019, Facebook redesigned its flagship product to center on Groups, a feature that created forums for like-minded users interested in certain topics. But now the company is clamping down on Groups in the U.S., after research found that they have become a vector for rabid partisanship and even calls for violence. Reporter Jeff Horwitz joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain. Learn more about yo...
10m Feb 02, 2021
10m
Google Bets on A.I., But Management Issues Present Challenges
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has bet big on artificial intelligence, expecting the technology to be central to Google's future. But outside of the technical challenges that come with developing the nascent technology, A.I. is shaping up to be one of Google's trickiest management challenges. Tech editor Brad Reagan joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
10m Feb 01, 2021
10m
Apple, Facebook Spar Over Privacy
Apple is moving ahead with plans to introduce a new privacy feature that would give users more control over who has access to their data. While some are cheering the move, some businesses, including Facebook, are pushing back. Reporters Tim Higgins and Sarah Needleman join host Amanda Lewellyn to explain Facebook's concerns, and how this clash of tech giants could play out. Christopher Zinsli i...
13m Jan 29, 2021
13m
Apple, Facebook, Tesla Earnings: What We Learned
It's the biggest week for corporate earnings this quarter. On Wednesday, we heard from Apple, Facebook and Tesla. Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the results, and what they tell us about how Big Tech has fared amid the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Jan 28, 2021
12m
What's Driving GameStop Shares' Wild Ride
Shares of the videogame retailer GameStop are up more than 600% in the past two weeks, driven by individual investors encouraging each other to buy in on social media. But GameStop itself has been struggling for years, so why all the interest? Reporter Caitlin McCabe explains what is going on, and how the trend could impact the broader market. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad cho...
11m Jan 27, 2021
11m
Why China is Joining the Global Push to Regulate Big Tech
Europe has been leading the push to regulate large technology companies, focusing on privacy and competition rules, and the U.S. also has been working to curb Big Tech's power. But recently, China has begun laying out guidelines as well. Tech reporter Sam Schechner joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss what China is proposing, and why it is acting now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
12m Jan 26, 2021
12m
How the Virtual Office Could Replace the Physical One
As remote communication continues to be our primary way of working, some companies are turning to services that create virtual office spaces to beat Zoom fatigue. Meaning: you could sit at a virtual desk all day, or meet a colleague at the virtual water cooler. Tech columnist Christopher Mims visited one of these spaces, and he joins host Amanda Lewellyn to talk about what he saw. Learn more a...
12m Jan 25, 2021
12m
Intel's Earnings Report Highlights Challenges Facing New CEO
Intel reported its full-year results on Thursday, capping off a lucrative but difficult year for the legacy chipmaker. Tech reporter Asa Fitch joins host Amanda Lewellyn to discuss the path forward for Intel under its new CEO. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jan 22, 2021
10m
Why Volkswagen's Plan to Beat Tesla Short-Circuited
Volkswagen is the world's largest automaker, so when it decided to push into electric vehicles, many thought it would easily overtake the competition. But several years into its efforts, that hasn't happened. Senior reporter William Boston joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain why that is, and what it tells us about incumbents' push into EVs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
13m Jan 21, 2021
13m
How Algorithms Shape Our Worldviews and What You Can Do About It
When social media first came on the scene, our feeds were all about reverse chronology: Posts were organized based on the order in which they were sent. Platforms said they introduced algorithms to help us sort through the noise, but as we now know, those algorithms have had much further-reaching implications. Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern explains how we got here and shares some ...
12m Jan 20, 2021
12m
Social-Media Watchdogs Monitor Extremist Chatter Ahead of Inauguration
Social-media researchers work to keep track of extremist content on the internet, and they try to understand which ideas spread, how, and why. Ahead of the inauguration on Wednesday, cybersecurity reporter David Uberti discusses what researchers are seeing, and how the conversation has changed since the Capitol riot earlier this month. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
10m Jan 19, 2021
10m
What Happened at This Year's All-Virtual CES
CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is the world's largest tech show and a global crossroads for the tech industry. Personal tech columnists Nicole Nguyen and Joanna Stern tell host Amanda Lewellyn what they saw at this year's all-virtual event. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ Podcasts. Learn more about your ad cho...
14m Jan 15, 2021
14m
Social Media Is the New Wall Street Trading Desk
Interest in day trading has surged during the pandemic. Some of those new users are turning to communities on Twitter, Facebook, Discord and other platforms to share information and tips about where to invest. Markets reporter Caitlin McCabe explains what is behind the trend, and how it could impact the market. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jan 14, 2021
10m
What Airbnb Has to Do With Section 230
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides legal protections for internet companies as they moderate content. Some lawmakers are calling for those protections to be reformed or even repealed, with those calls growing louder since last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol. Reporter Heather Somerville joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain how Airbnb has relied on Section 230, and how chang...
14m Jan 13, 2021
14m
Capitol Riot Puts More Scrutiny on Big Tech
Amazon, Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook and other tech companies took unprecedented action to crack down on President Trump and the social platform Parler favored by his supporters, after five people died in riots at the Capitol last week. Tech policy reporter Ryan Tracy joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain how lawmakers and regulators may respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
15m Jan 12, 2021
15m
What to Expect at This Year's All-Virtual CES
The world's largest consumer-electronics show, CES, kicks off today. What's normally an experiential event, where conference attendees can test out all kinds of new technology, will be completely virtual. Personal tech editor Wilson Rothman explains how the show will be different and the potential impact on businesses. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
12m Jan 11, 2021
12m
Facebook and Twitter Blocked Trump's Accounts. Why Now?
In the aftermath of Wednesday's riots at the Capitol, social-media companies took their strongest action to date against President Trump. But the tech companies have been under pressure to take this kind of action before. So why now? Global tech editor Jason Dean joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain. Christopher Zinsli is our supervising producer. Kateri Jochum is the executive producer of WSJ...
12m Jan 08, 2021
12m
What Biden's Approach to China Could Mean for Tech
The Trump administration has taken a hard line against China, with both sides ramping up restrictions on each other-and tech has been central in their relationship. Senior editor Bob Davis joins host Amanda Lewellyn to talk about the Biden administration's plans for China, and what they could mean for tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Jan 07, 2021
12m
Why Google Employees Are Pushing to Unionize
In a rare move for the tech industry, a group of about 200 Google employees are forming a union. Reporter Sarah Needleman explains what want, and how their effort fits into the rise in activism among tech workers. Amanda Lewellyn hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jan 06, 2021
11m
WeChat Becomes a Powerful Surveillance Tool in China
Messaging apps have become even more critical during the pandemic. We report that China is tightening its grip on the country's do-everything app, WeChat. Reporter Jing Yang joins host Amanda Lewellyn to explain what the government is doing and the impact on users. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Jan 04, 2021
14m