Technology

A close-up view of a lawmaker, with short blonde hair and wearing a blue blazer, as they sit behind a dias during a congressional meeting.

Technology

Following CalMatters investigation, Congress finds data brokers cost consumers tens of billions of dollars

A congressional investigation estimates broker breaches have cost consumers $20 billion in identity theft. Major brokers now promise to make it easier to opt out of their databases.

By

Colin Lecher

• February 27, 2026

Technology

AI images scandalized a California elementary school. Now the state is pushing new safeguards

Adobe's artificial intelligence generated sexualized images in response to prompts for a 4th grade book project. The incident coincided with the release of new state guidelines to prevent harmful AI in schools.

By

Khari Johnson

• February 26, 2026

A roadside device mounted on a small trailer sits on the shoulder beside a two-lane road as a blurred van drives past, with utility poles, trees, and rocky hills in the background under a clear sky.

Justice

He saw an abandoned trailer. Then, he uncovered a surveillance network on California’s border

Southern California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.

By

Wendy Fry

and

Khari Johnson

• February 26, 2026

Education

Modern parenting means apps for sports, school and more. Where is the data going?

California is a national leader in data privacy. Yet state law has gaps that allow companies to collect and sell students’ data.

By

Adam Echelman

• February 20, 2026

Two officials sit behind a wooden dais during a public meeting, with microphones, nameplates, and a countdown timer visible in front of them.

Economy

Newsom appoints a new utilities regulator with a mandate to cut costs

The governor elevated a former self-driving car company lawyer to lead the California Public Utilities Commission, promising a renewed focus on cost cutting.

By

Malena Carollo

• February 19, 2026

Hands rest on a black computer keyboard as a person types at a desk, with a computer mouse and folders blurred in the background.

Technology

Are TikTok and X tracking you across the internet? Our privacy tool can tell you

We’ve updated Blacklight, The Markup’s privacy inspector, to help you understand how sites are tracking you.

By

Miles Hilton

• February 10, 2026

A speaker addresses microphones at a labor press conference on artificial intelligence, with advocates standing behind them and signs reading “Demand Guardrails on Big Tech.”

Technology

Union leaders have a message for Newsom: Regulate AI if you want to be president

Leaders from the AFL-CIO, representing 2.3 million nationwide members, say Gov. Gavin Newsom needs to focus on the technology’s harms to win support for his presidential run.

By

Khari Johnson

• February 4, 2026

A child sits at a table holding a smartphone, watching a video of an adult demonstrating how to arrange pink plastic counting blocks into a square, with the blocks spread across the tabletop in front of them.

Technology

‘We’re basically pushers:’ Two California courtrooms hear how companies may have hooked kids on social media

Lawsuits in California federal and state court are unearthing documents embarrassing to tech companies — and may be a tipping point into federal regulation.

By

Colin Lecher

• January 30, 2026

Technology

California state employees alarmed by demand to prove their citizenship or work eligibility

Close to four thousand employees of the California Department of Public Health were told they must use the federal E-Verify system to keep federal funding. Unions are pushing back.

By

Khari Johnson

• January 29, 2026

A dancing group poses in sync, their arms arched, standing in formation on a stage in a dark dance studio. In the background is a black backdrop with LED lights hanging on metal railing rigs.

Technology

Generative AI is eating culture. See how close it’s getting to disrupting dance

Dancers say their craft can’t be duplicated by AI. Our tests show they’re right — for now.

By

Khari Johnson

,

Levi Sumagaysay

and

Mohamed Al Elew

• January 21, 2026