WSJ Tech News Briefing

This year's Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists for their work in quantum computing . WSJ science reporter Eric Niiler joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss their work and what it means for the future of superfast computers and encrypted communications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Tehran restricted internet access to curb widespread protests, the Biden administration and Elon Musk's SpaceX both said they would help protestors stay online. But that promise has been hard to execute on , leaving demonstrators struggling to keep their messages private from the government while getting the word out to the rest of the world. Middle East correspondent David S. Cloud joins host Zoe Thomas to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest surprise twist in the Elon Musk-Twitter saga, the billionaire has offered to close his deal to acquire the social-media company on the original terms, potentially averting a high-stakes trial. WSJ senior reporter Cara Lombardo joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the reversal and what it could mean for Twitter's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden administration is close to reaching an agreement with TikTok aimed at preventing U.S. users' data from being shared with the Chinese government . WSJ reporter John McKinnon joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the prospects of Republicans taking control of Congress are putting pressure on the administration to get the long-anticipated deal done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Countless companies have migrated their data storage and computing needs to the cloud in recent years, in part to save money. But now many tech leaders say the investments have yet to pay off. WSJ CIO Journal reporter Isabelle Bousquette joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how cloud-computing costs got so high and how companies are changing their strategies in response.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a Wall Street Journal investigation found TikTok was showing some young users a stream of harmful content on eating disorders and self-harm, the company said it took steps to block and remove those kinds of videos from its platform. But months later, they are still cropping up in users' feeds. WSJ Family & Tech columnist Julie Jargon joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how harmful content keeps getting onto the platform and where that leaves users who are struggling with mental-health issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 The cryptocurrency ether saw its value climb ahead of the highly anticipated software upgrade known as “the merge.” But even though the changeover went smoothly, ether's price has fallen since then. And that might not be the only challenge for Ethereum, the network behind ether. WSJ crypto reporter Paul Vigna joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A NASA mission that purposely crashed a satellite into an asteroid this week was the first test of planetary defense technology. Now scientists are working to figure out how successful it really was. WSJ science reporter Aylin Woodward joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the mission and what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More companies are turning to surveillance software to monitor white-collar workers. But this tech doesn't always create the productivity boost that managers hope to see. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how monitoring software works and why it can fall short of its promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Russian military may be coordinating with hackers and online activists in cyberattacks, according to a new report from Google researchers. WSJ cybersecurity reporter Robert McMillan joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the coordination is said to work, and why it is raising so much concern in the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virtual Private Networks or VPNs, can keep your data from being collected by third-parties. But now all VPNs are equal. And sometimes they aren't needed or can cause problems. WSJ personal tech reporter Dalvin Brown joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how VPNs work and the best times to use them Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese factories are installing robots almost as fast as the rest of the world combined. But China is still playing catchup to other industrial economies when it comes to automation. WSJ Asia economics reporter Jason Douglas joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why China is pivoting now and what the shift could mean for the global economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Streaming giant Spotify has entered the audiobook market with a new platform. But growing in this space won't be the same as disrupting music listening or gaining a foothold in podcasting. WSJ music reporter Anne Steele joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the pitfalls Spotify could face and the battles it is taking on by getting into audiobooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions are rising between Washington and Beijing, but Chinese investment into Silicon Valley venture-capital funds is still flowing. Some U.S. officials are worried that Chinese investors could pass information back to their government. WSJ reporter Heather Somerville joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss a new report shedding light on the scope of the investments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trial of Uber's former head of security is being closely watched by cybersecurity professionals, who worry it could set a precedent for who is liable when a company is hacked. WSJ cybersecurity reporter Robert McMillan joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the ins and outs of the trial and its wider ramifications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new operating system for Apple's iPhones, iOS 16, includes a makeover for the home screen and new messaging functions. But some updates are features that other smartphones have had for a while. Wall Street Journal Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern joins host Zoe Thomas to break down the changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trevor Milton, the founder of electric-truck company Nikola, is facing fraud charges in a New York court. Prosecutors allege he lied to investors about the company's technology, but his lawyers call it a case of a founder voicing their hopes for the company. But the trial could have ramifications beyond Nikola and its founder. WSJ reporter Ben Foldy joins host Zoe Thomas to lay out the issues and why it could matter for startups looking to go public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twitter's former head of security testified before Congress on Tuesday, telling a Senate committee the company had failed to protect users and had put profit ahead of data security. WSJ social-media reporter Alexa Corse joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Peiter Zatko's testimony could affect Twitter and legislative efforts to rein in social-media companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Instagram's short-form video feature Reels is far behind its biggest rival, TikTok. Internal research reviewed by The Wall Street Journal shows Reels is struggling to get people to watch and create content for the platform. WSJ tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Instagram parent company Meta is trying to close the gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robinhood has launched its own index, giving a peek into the most popular stocks among its largely young and small-time investor base. WSJ markets reporter Alexander Osipovich joins host Julie Chang to explain how the new index works, why the company decided to create it, and what it can tell us about how traders are using the app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a bumpy time for startups and their investors. But the economic uncertainty could present opportunities for venture capitalists, who may be able to push for more restraint from tech startups. Kirsten Green, founder and managing partner of Forerunner Ventures, joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how early-stage companies can approach the coming economic challenges and what areas she is looking at investing in next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple has unveiled a new lineup of iPhones, smartwatches and wireless headphones. But the most surprising detail from the company's annual September event may be that the company is keeping most of its prices steady. WSJ personal-tech bureau chief Wilson Rothman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss Apple's strategy and the new features it rolled out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese regulators are taking unprecedented steps to rein in the power of algorithms, the automated systems that shape the internet. But many of these systems learn from user behavior and adapt in unpredictable ways. So is regulating algorithms even possible? WSJ China tech reporter Karen Hao joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Beijing is tackling the challenge and what other countries might learn from its efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With severe wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters becoming more commonplace, current technologies that alert people to impending danger sometimes fall short. WSJ reporter Jim Carlton joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the flaws in current alert systems and the efforts to develop new tech to warn people of danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A case involving a man alleged to have engaged in insider trading of non-fungible tokens could push the bounds of fraud law. The WSJ's Risk & Compliance Journal reporter Richard Vanderford joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the case and why it could set precedent that goes beyond digital assets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bill aimed at holding social-media platforms accountable for harm their apps may do to children passed the California legislature unanimously this week. WSJ tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what is in the bill and whether other states could follow suit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. government wants to collect more weather data from private companies' satellites, with the goal of improving forecasting while cutting costs. But not enough businesses are collecting the necessary data. WSJ Pro enterprise-technology reporter Isabelle Bousquette joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the government is struggling to find partners and what it means for our efforts to understand weather patterns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're storing more of our data than ever, but the hard disk drives we rely on are reaching their physical limits. Now scientists are working on methods to increase capacity and find new ways to house our data. Dr. Brian Michael Murphy of Bennington College joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how we got here and the new methods that are being tested. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More young people are turning to TikTok for the kinds of answers they used to search for on Google. But while TikTok has loads of useful information, some of it may need to be verified. Cordilia James from the WSJ's personal-tech team joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how people are using TikTok as a search engine and how to be sure you can trust the results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NASA plans to launch the uncrewed Artemis I flight from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Monday. WSJ space reporter Micah Maidenberg joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what NASA will be looking for from this test flight and how it aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The videogame industry in China is facing a tight regulatory environment and a slowing economy, and companies are looking for other ways to find growth. WSJ China tech reporter Shen Lu joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the industry's struggles and what it is doing to survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twitter's former head of security has filed a whistleblower complaint with regulators, claiming the social-media company is failing to protect sensitive user data and lying about security problems. WSJ tech reporter Sarah Needleman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the accusations and why they come at a problematic time for Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Apple launched Apple Pay in 2014, it didn't seem like the contactless payment system was much of a hit with customers. Flash forward eight years and the iPhone maker has convinced millions to make their smartphones their wallets. WSJ “Science of Success” columnist Ben Cohen joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what Apple's slow-and-steady approach can teach the rest of the tech world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crypto platform Ethereum is preparing for a major system overhaul aimed at reducing the amount of electricity the network uses. But the update could lead to other changes to how Ethereum works. WSJ cryptocurrency reporter Paul Vigna joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the change is being implemented and what it could mean for the network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rivals in the web-browser market are raising concerns about the dominance of Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome, and global regulators are taking notice as they focus more on the power of big tech companies. WSJ tech reporter Miles Kruppa joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Safari and Chrome became so big and what moves regulators are considering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cyber threats to the space sector are growing as the industry expands, and satellites in particular are vulnerable. WSJ Pro Cybersecurity reporter Catherine Stupp joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the call for international cybersecurity standards and why Germany could be a model for other nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Personal information such as phone numbers, email and home addresses have become more easily accessible over the internet. But getting that information taken down isn't so simple. WSJ reporter Maddie Ellis joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the possible ramifications of having personal details one online search away, and what steps you can take if you want to have yours removed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple and Facebook are at war over privacy and data-collection policies. But before their feud heated up, the tech giants engaged in secret discussions about a possible revenue-sharing partnership. WSJ reporter Salvador Rodriguez joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what the conversations were about and how the two ended up at odds with each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lithium is a key component to the batteries in electric vehicles. But the part of the world with the largest known lithium deposits is stifling production of the mineral at a time when demand for it is growing. WSJ South America reporter Ryan Dube joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what is causing the bottlenecks and how they could affect the global EV market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regulators are looking to make new rules that would govern how online data is gathered and stored. The Federal Trade Commission has begun the process of forming rules that could be even stricter than proposed legislation in Congress. WSJ reporter John D. McKinnon joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what the potential new regulations could do and the blowback they are already receiving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samsung sees foldable technology as the next step for improving our smart devices and has been leading the charge with its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold. But more competitors are coming, and steep price tags could be out of many customers' budgets. WSJ personal tech reporter Dalvin Brown joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why smartphone makers see foldables as the next big thing and how they hope to convince customers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tech sector's hiring spree seems to be coming to a close. Rising inflation and slowing demand for tech products are leading some companies to announce layoffs or pauses in hiring. But is this a sign of impending doom or just a rebalancing? Saydeah Howard, partner and chief talent officer for venture-capital firm IVP, joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices