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**Marketplace Tech**

Monday through Friday, Marketplace demystifies the digital economy in less than 10 minutes. We look past the hype and ask tough questions about an industry that’s constantly changing.

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Bytes: Week in Review – Trump's mobile venture, online data brokers used to target MN victims, and an OpenAI-Microsoft breakup Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

OpenAI and Microsoft are reportedly caught up in protracted behind-the-scenes negotiations that are in danger of boiling over into public conflict. Prosecutors say the man accused of assassinating a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker used online data brokers to help target his victims. And, the Trump Organization unveiled a new venture this week: a mobile service and a smartphone. Marketplace’s Nova Safo is joined by Natasha Mascarenhas at The Information, who explains why.

Malawi looks to tech to solve teacher shortage Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Despite having free primary schools, children in Malawi are lagging behind. According to UNESCO, almost 90% of them cant read a simple sentence at the age of 10, due in part to a shortage of teachers and basic resources. But the government has gone for a high-tech solution — digital tablets.

Online coverage of anti-ICE protest split by political lenses Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Protests in Southern California and around the country over raids targeting undocumented immigrants played out differently on social media depending on the person or the platform. They’re peaceful - look at the carnival atmosphere. They’re violent - Los Angeles is in flames. These competing narratives underline the hyper-siloed nature of online discourse and the power of misinformation. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Renee DiResta, Research Professor at Georgetown University about how protest discourse has been playing out online.

The various contracts Palantir has with the federal government Jun 17, 2025

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Data analytics company Palantir has many contracts with federal government, just as the Trump administration is reportedly trying to construct a centralized database combining information from various agencies. That's brought Palantir renewed scrutiny. Joseph Cox has been following all of this at the tech news site 404 Media.

Crypto crime gets physical Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of Marketplace Tech, Nova Safo speaks with Ari Redbord, global head of policy with the blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, about the recent wave of cryptocurrency “wrench attacks” and why more bad actors are going after high-profile crypto investors with threats of physical violence.

Is Apple out of ideas? Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Today on “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review,” we're looking at Apple's latest software and operating system updates. Also, there's a tentative labor deal between video game actors and studios. And we'll remember legendary Apple software engineer Bill Atkinson, who died at the age of 74.

We begin with Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference which came and went this week with some mixed reactions.

Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, columnist for The Information, to get her take on this year’s WWDC.

Tech Bytes for June 13

More on everything we talked about

“Apple fails to clear a low bar on AI” - from The Wall Street Journal

“Apple underwhelms at WWDC with incremental AI changes, new software name and ‘liquid glass’ design” - from The Associated Press

”Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal” - from The Associated Press

“Videogame voice actors strike 'suspended' following agreement with game companies: 'All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to work’” - from PC Gamer

“Bill Atkinson, Macintosh Pioneer and Inventor of Hypercard, Dies at 74” - from WIRED

“Bill Atkinson, who made computers easier to use, is dead at 74” - from The New York Times

Can Finland take Europe’s startup crown? Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Building work has started in the Finnish capital Helsinki on what’s expected to become the biggest startup campus in Europe. Finland’s government says it wants the small Nordic nation to offer the best startup ecosystem in Europe. The BBC’s Maddy Savage has this story.

Brazil wants its consumers to control their digital data — by monetizing it Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

There's a trial run taking place over a type of digital wallet for data. Consumers are in control, and they can sell their data to the highest bidder. This trial run is taking place in Brazil, the first country to try something like this on a national scale. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Sao Paolo-based journalist Gabriel Daros. He's been covering the story for the news site Rest of World.

Companies are betting on deep sea mining for critical minerals Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

The International Energy Agency projects the global market value of critical minerals could reach almost $800 billion by 2040. That's because we must have them for the electrified future. And right now, China is a dominant supplier.

The Trump administration wants to find other sources, and it's looking to U.S. and international waters to mine minerals on the ocean floor.

Marketplace contributor Daniel Ackerman has been reporting on the deep-sea mining companies that are working to figure out how to harvest in unforgiving terrain.

Federal judge rules AI chatbots don't have free speech protections — for now Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

There’s a lawsuit right now that’s testing the question of whether AI chatbots are protected by the First Amendment. And before we get into it, a warning that our story today includes discussion of suicide. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Jane Bambauer, law professor at the University of Florida, who’s been following this case.

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