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The Exchange: Leta Hong Fincher

26 Oct 2018

China’s fledgling feminist movement has laid the foundations for a #MeToo moment. In the wake of the infamous one-child policy, author Hong Fincher has documented the development of women’s rights, and activism. She joins Katrina Hamlin to explain why their work worries Beijing.

Facebook hires one weapon for two-handed fight

19 Oct 2018

Nick Clegg, former UK deputy PM, will lead global affairs at the $450 bln social network. His anti-Brexit stance and EU background could help with tribulations in Brussels. But he’s an odd choice to deal with Washington, where scrutiny may intensify after the midterm elections.

Facebook is late to fight second existential crisis

5 Oct 2018

User and government annoyance at poor security, low-quality content and excessive advertising is as big a danger to Mark Zuckerberg’s company as the 2012 growth of mobile. Facebook finally appears focused on the threat, but it won’t be as easy to solve.

The Exchange: Europe’s tech-slayer in chief

27 Sep 2018

Margrethe Vestager has taken on Apple, Facebook and Google as Europe’s antitrust commissioner, leaving behind huge fines and bruised feelings. She talks with John Foley about Silicon Valley’s missteps, Europe’s challenges and what she’s buying on Amazon – her latest target.

U.S. data privacy suffers from too many cooks

26 Sep 2018

Amazon, Apple and other tech executives said a single federal privacy law is needed to avoid fragmented state rules. Different standards also apply to the healthcare and financial industries, while data collection extends beyond tech. Europe has some ideas to offer.

Jack Dorsey tops Sheryl Sandberg as tech’s DC rep

5 Sep 2018

The usually dry Twitter CEO seemed more genuine than Facebook’s polished No.2 at a Washington hearing. Dealing with fake accounts, election meddlers and the like may hurt growth. But the industry needs a good envoy to tackle the regulatory threat. Dorsey may be the one.

Chinese news app IPO delivers hilarious feed

23 Aug 2018

Tencent-backed Qutoutiao, or "fun headlines", filed to go public in New York hours after raising money privately. The unprofitable outfit pays users to read, lacks important licenses to operate in China, and even rights to its name are shaky. The prospectus befits the business.

Don’t expect tech giants to stifle Alex Jones

7 Aug 2018

Facebook, Apple, Alphabet et al have, after excessive vacillation, taken the hateful rantings of the Infowars founder off their platforms. As private companies, that’s their right. But until Jones is bankrupted for libel, he will have many other ways to spread his noxious bile.

Twitter purges users and shareholders alike

27 Jul 2018

The social network’s efforts to reduce spam, fake users and toxicity shrank active monthly users. Investors fled as well. That leaves both the platform and valuation more salubrious. Healthy returns will now depend on finding growth.