Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Big Tech Archive

Archives for May 2019

Technology
Amazon is reportedly looking into expanding into the telecom industryAmazon is reportedly looking into expanding into the telecom industry
Technology

The e-commerce giant might buy Boost Mobile out of the Sprint and T-Mobile deal.

By Emily Stewart
Technology
How much Google contractors say they get paid compared to full-time employeesHow much Google contractors say they get paid compared to full-time employees
Technology

We use Glassdoor data to take a look at the opaque world of Google contractor treatment and pay.

By Rani Molla
Technology
We should opt into data tracking, not out of it, says DuckDuckGo CEO Gabe WeinbergWe should opt into data tracking, not out of it, says DuckDuckGo CEO Gabe Weinberg
Podcast
Technology

On the latest Recode Decode with Kara Swisher, Weinberg explains why it’s time for Congress to step in and make “do not track” the norm.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
8,000 Amazon employees asked the company to do more on climate change. Shareholders just said no.8,000 Amazon employees asked the company to do more on climate change. Shareholders just said no.
Technology

Amazon is already doing a lot to reduce its carbon footprint — but employees say it’s not enough.

By Alexia Fernández Campbell and Emily Stewart
Technology
Tech billionaires who donate millions are just “bribing society at large,” Anand Giridharadas saysTech billionaires who donate millions are just “bribing society at large,” Anand Giridharadas says
Podcast
Technology

Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Gates shouldn’t have an outsize say in how we run our country, Giridharadas says on the latest episode of Recode Decode.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
How Amazon turned its darkest time into runaway richesHow Amazon turned its darkest time into runaway riches
Podcast
Technology

When Amazon was in trouble back in 2001, Jeff Bezos called professor and Good to Great author Jim Collins — and became his best student ever.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Apple is the only media company rich enough to beat Netflix — but does it care enough to try?Apple is the only media company rich enough to beat Netflix — but does it care enough to try?
Podcast
Technology

On the latest episode of Recode Media, former Amazon and Hulu employee Eugene Wei explains why Netflix and its competitors aren’t playing the same game.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter says AI should never have the “true autonomy” to killFormer Defense Secretary Ash Carter says AI should never have the “true autonomy” to kill
Podcast
Technology

Carter spoke with Recode’s Kara Swisher recently about AI ethics, tech regulation, and more, and you can hear the full conversation now on Recode Decode.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Uber had a terrible first day as a public company. It might not matter at all.Uber had a terrible first day as a public company. It might not matter at all.
Technology

Friday was bad. But how’s Monday?

By Theodore Schleifer
Technology
SoftBank, the most powerful — and controversial — tech investor in Silicon Valley, explainedSoftBank, the most powerful — and controversial — tech investor in Silicon Valley, explained
Technology

Why Uber’s biggest shareholder, SoftBank, is so important to understanding Silicon Valley today.

By Theodore Schleifer
Technology
Google’s privacy changes are mostly marketingGoogle’s privacy changes are mostly marketing
Technology

Making tracking cookies optional is only a half step toward privacy.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Driver strikes didn’t break Uber — but they showed gig economy workers are madDriver strikes didn’t break Uber — but they showed gig economy workers are mad
Technology

Uber says the protests haven’t impacted their business, but the global day of action shows drivers’ growing frustration.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
The Uber strike shows how drivers remain one of the company’s biggest liabilitiesThe Uber strike shows how drivers remain one of the company’s biggest liabilities
Technology

As the company continues to reduce drivers’ pay, they’ll make their frustrations heard.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Technology
The rise of fear-based social media like Nextdoor, Citizen, and now Amazon’s NeighborsThe rise of fear-based social media like Nextdoor, Citizen, and now Amazon’s Neighbors
Technology

Why people are socializing more about crime even as it becomes rarer.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Amazon wants to pay the New York Times and BuzzFeed to expand so it can reach more shoppers outside the USAmazon wants to pay the New York Times and BuzzFeed to expand so it can reach more shoppers outside the US
Technology

Big US publishers already make money from Amazon’s “affiliate” business. Amazon may pay them upfront to expand.

By Peter Kafka