WSJ Tech News Briefing

Bad Bets is a new podcast series from The Wall Street Journal that unravels big-business dramas that have had a big impact on our world. This season, we're delving into Enron. In 2001, energy company Enron was at the height of its power. Then, out of the blue, CEO Jeffrey Skilling resigned-just six months after he took the reins of a company he had helped turn into an innovation machine. Why? In this episode, we dive into the first cracks in the Enron facade. John Emshwiller is the host of...

Satellites are emerging as powerful tools for combating climate change. WSJ energy policy reporter Tim Puko joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how governments, private companies and climate activists are using satellites to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, and why some people aren't thrilled about that kind of monitoring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The actor who played Captain Kirk on 'Star Trek' has gone to space in real life. William Shatner joined three other passengers on Blue Origin's second crewed space flight on Wednesday. Reporter Micah Maidenberg joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what this could signal about the future of space tourism, and whether high-profile passengers could move the industry forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some lawmakers want to force companies to report when they have been hacked. But the agency that would be tasked with enforcing those rules supports voluntary standards instead. WSJ Pro Cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rollout out of superfast 5G networks were supposed to create the Internet of Things. But not much has been 5G enabled apart from cellphones, and many networks are still being built. WSJ tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss where progress on 5G stands and the promises it could hold when it takes off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent data breach at live-streaming video platform Twitch offered a rare glimpse into how much money streamers make from the site. But these payments don't paint a full picture of their earnings. Reporter Sarah Needleman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the live-streaming business works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial intelligence is being used to recreate actors' voices to dub their performances in foreign languages, or make them sound older or younger. Reporter Ellen Gamerman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how the technology works and the controversy it is stirring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, wearable technology was bulky and unfashionable. Now a host of new accessories are blending form and function, offering wearers stylish looks that can track sleep and fitness, take pictures and play music. But are some common concerns about tech coming to clothing too? WSJ Men's Fashion Editor Jacob Gallagher joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how tech is disrupting fashion, and the drawbacks to wearing tech-enabled accessories all the time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new head of the National Transportation Safety Board says Tesla should slow its plans to release updated driver-assistance features and be clearer with drivers about what the software is capable of. Reporter Rebecca Elliot joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why self-driving technology is so important to Tesla and how safety officials' concerns might play out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wondering if you should upgrade your Apple devices? Curious about Apple's privacy updates? WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host Zoe Thomas to answer listener questions about Apple's new devices and what's next for the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices