Algorithms
How researchers reversed polarization on X with a simple change to the algorithm
A new study offers evidence for what we’ve long suspected: rage bait is distorting our politics. PLUS: The David Sacks discourse, and Claude Opus 4.5 debuts
Casey Newton
Founder and editor of Platformer, a publication about the intersection of tech and democracy. Prior to founding Platformer in October 2020, Newton was the longtime Silicon Valley editor of The Verge.
AI
AI is winning the copyright fight
Why music labels are folding in their cases against AI startups
Roblox
Roblox is a problem — but it’s a symptom of something worse
What is the role of tech journalism in a world where CEOs no longer feel shame?
AI
How Trump is converting Republicans to AI safety
His new push for a state moratorium on AI regulation has the right talking like effective altruists. PLUS: the EU backtracks on AI and privacy, and Grok loves Elon
Meta
The simple test that blew up the FTC's case against Meta
How one experiment defined the social networking market better than the government did. PLUS: Gemini 3 arrives
Algorithms
The California law that has platforms shaking
The state says ranking algorithms aren't protected by the First Amendment — and judges are starting to agree. PLUS: An OpenAI-powered toy breaks bad, and Jeff Bezos has a new AI company
Spotify
Spotify's doppelgänger problem
After King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard left Spotify in protest earlier this year, something strange took their place
European Union
Europe might cave on privacy protections
The bloc's leaders seem increasingly convinced AI regulations are harming its competitiveness. Are they right? PLUS: Another wave of ChatGPT lawsuits
Meta
Meta has a scam problem
The company's own projections showed up to 10 percent of its revenue could come from scams, according to a new leak. PLUS: OpenAI's "backstop" controversy
Perplexity
Amazon gets hit by a Comet
How Perplexity's smash-and-grab tactics are clouding the future of AI agents
Bluesky
The Bluesky exodus, one year later
The company has 40 million users and big plans for the future. So why don't its users seem happy? PLUS: The NEO Home Robot goes viral + Ilya Sutskever's surprising deposition
Child Safety
Character.AI cuts off teens from their companions
It's the first big developer to say AI companions aren't safe for under-18s. Will others follow?
OpenAI
OpenAI completes its restructuring
PLUS: ChatGPT users’ surprising questions for Sam Altman + Grokipedia launches
OpenAI
OpenAI maps out the chatbot mental health crisis
Millions of people are sending messages to ChatGPT each week suggesting emotional dependence or plans for self-harm, the company says. Will an updated model protect them?
OpenAI
Five ways of thinking about OpenAI's new browser
Hitting close to Chrome
OpenAI
OpenAI’s chaotic Sora policies are a sign of the times
Principle-based content moderation is out. Chaos is in. Welcome to tech policy in 2025