Tech News Briefing
RECENT EPISODES
Facebook Whistleblower Testifies Before Congress
The whistleblower who gathered documents on Facebook's internal research testified before Congress. Francis Haugen said the company builds its products to be addictive, and she called on lawmakers to take action. WSJ tech editor Jason Dean joins host Zoe Thomas to break down the testimony and how it could affect Facebook.Read transcript
How Apple's Scoring Big on Gaming
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 makers. Now challenges to the dominance of Apple's app store and changes to regulations in one of its biggest markets could threaten those earnings. WSJ reporter Tim Higgins joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Apple has leveled up in the gaming world.Read transcript
Ransomware Attack Led to a Baby's Death, Lawsuit Claims
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 Thomas to discuss how computer outages led to medical staff missing warning signs and how the hospital industry is dealing with the risks of cyberattacks. Read transcript
Facebook Exec Grilled by Lawmakers On Toxic Impact of Instagram
On Thursday, senators grilled Facebook's Global Head of Safety on the possible negative impacts of the company's platforms, and what Facebook knew about potential harm of Instagram to young users. WSJ reporter Georgia Wells joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the hearing and what the bi-partisan pushback towards the social media giant could mean for the company's future.Read transcript
Paramount Picks New Boss To Help It In The Streaming Wars
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 more subscribers to its steaming service, Paramount +. WSJ Entertainment and Media Reporter Joe Flint joins host Zoe Thomas to talk about the movie studio's plans and what they mean for audiences.Read transcript
Theranos's Investors: Were They Duped or Did They Make a Bad Bet?
A key question in the criminal fraud trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes relates to the defunct blood-testing startup's investors: Were they deceived or did they just make an unwise bet? Reporter Heather Somerville joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the prosecution and defense will use the knowledge and experience of Theranos's investors to make their cases.Read transcript
Facebook Hits Pause on Instagram Kids
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 decision comes as the social-media giant faces criticism over its impact on young users' mental health. WSJ deputy tech editor Brad Reagan joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the pressure Facebook is under and how this decision could affect its business.Read transcript
Israel's Tech Sector is Booming, But Not for Everyone
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 also exacerbated existing fault lines in an already divided country. Reporter Dov Lieber joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the industry is transforming the look of cities and who's being left out of the boom. Read transcript
The Road Ahead for Self-Driving Taxis
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 Zoox co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jesse Levinson about the company's technology, competition and how to get people to trust self-driving taxis.Read transcript
Zoom's China Ties Prompt National-Security Review
Video conferencing company Zoom's plan to buy software business Five9 for nearly $15 billion has sparked a federal investigation of the deal over national-security concerns. Reporter Kate O'Keeffe joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the deal is under review despite both companies being based in the U.S., and what it says about how authorities are looking to protect the telecommunications sector.Read transcript
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Host and Producer, WSJ Tech News Briefing, The Wall Street Journal
Zoe Thomas is the host of Tech News Briefing. Before joining The Wall Street Journal, she was a producer and reporter for BBC News. Zoe has covered business, economics and technology stories across North and South America and Asia. She has been based out of bureaus in San Francisco, Mumbai and her hometown of New York. When not at work, you can often find her searching for new culinary delights or food trends to test out.