Marketplace All-in-One Bytes: Week in Review – Trump's mobile venture, online data brokers used to target MN victims, and an OpenAI-Microsoft breakup
Jun 20, 2025
In this discussion, Natasha Mascarenhas, a tech reporter at The Information, dives into intriguing topics from the week. She unpacks the Trump Organization's controversial new mobile venture and the skepticism surrounding its U.S. production claims. Natasha also highlights a chilling incident where online data brokers contributed to the targeting of a Minnesota lawmaker, raising urgent privacy concerns. Lastly, she sheds light on the fraught negotiations between OpenAI and Microsoft, revealing the complexities of their revenue-sharing strategies and the future of AI.
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Challenges Making US Phones
- Manufacturing a smartphone labeled as "Made in the USA" is extremely difficult due to global supply chains.
- Many components, like chips, are produced overseas, complicating true domestic production claims.
Risks of Data Brokers
- Data brokers collect and sell personal information from public and non-public sources, enabling profiling.
- This accessibility raises grave concerns, including misuse by bad actors to target individuals.
Use Opt-Out Options
- Individuals should exercise the option to opt out from data broker sites to reduce their information exposure online.
- Though imperfect, opting out remains the best available method for controlling personal data visibility.