Tech Tent

Why is Twitter banning political ads when Facebook insists it will keep on carrying them? Plus, some tech products aimed at women have been called "femtech". Does the label help or hinder inclusivity? DeepMind's AlphaStar artificial intelligence has reached the top league of one of the most popular esport video games Starcraft 2. We talk to a top player of the game who has competed against it. And why the co-founder of Netflix is not worried by Apple's new streaming TV service. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC North America tech reporter Dave Lee, and special guest Debbie Forster, co-founder of the Tech Talent Charter and member of the Institute of Coding's diversity board.(Image: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaving a meeting with Irish politicians to discuss social media and transparency in political advertising, Credit: Getty Images).

We follow Indian cyber police in the city of Kolkata as they raid a call centre suspected of scamming people in the US and UK. Plus, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg defends the Libra digital currency project. And how robots could help more patients in India's hospitals receive the surgery they need. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC reporter Szu Ping Chan, and special guest Izabella Kaminska from the Financial Times.(Image: Stock photo of a man entering banking details into his computer, Credit: iStock/ Getty Images Plus).

The latest handset from Google introduces a new way to control a phone without touching it. Is it actually useful, or an interesting gimmick? And the company's hardware chief Rick Osterloh tells us why he would warn a house-guest about the presence of smart devices. Plus, Nir Eyal, author of the new book "Indistractable" shares his strategies to help us all be less distracted by our gadgets. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield, and special guest Charlotte Gee from the MIT Technology Review.(Image: The new Google Pixel 4 smartphone displayed during a Google launch event in New York City, Credit: REUTERS/ Eduardo Munoz).

In a week of rising tension between US and China over trade we hear how some of China's biggest tech firms are caught in the cross-fire. And Rory Cellan-Jones asks why Apple has decided to take down a Hong Kong mapping app? As Ada Lovelace Day spreads around the world to celebrate women in science and tech, the BBC's Zoe Kleinman asks its founder whether conditions have actually improved since the movement was first launched a decade ago? And Rory asks UNICEF why it is getting into the controversial world of cryptocurrency? Rory is joined by technology writer Jamillah Knowles and by Mark Ward from the BBC tech desk(Picture:A woman holds her mobile phone as a group of masked protesters run past in the Diamond Hill station in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong on October 7, 2019. CREDIT: PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)

Why the Chinese video-sharing app seems to have Facebook worried. Plus, a leading AI researcher in Ghana tells us why algorithms used in Africa but trained on data from elsewhere could make biased decisions. And how a common definition of online abuse could help to tackle it more effectively. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield, and special guest Parmy Olson, tech reporter from the Wall Street Journal.(Image: Stock photo of a woman on a beach making a smartphone video with her dog, Credit: iStock/ Getty Images Plus).

The tech giant takes its Alexa smart assistant out of the home. Plus, are neural interfaces the next big thing in how we control computers? And, the Facebook-backed Libra digital currency has met with opposition from governments. Can the project get back on track? Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Chris Fox, and special guest, Caroline Carruthers, business author and data consultant.(Image: Eyeglass frames with voice-activated digital assistant Alexa at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle, Credit: Glenn Chapman/ AFP/ Getty Images).

California gave birth to the "gig economy" - working for app-driven services such as ride-hailing and food-delivery. But now the state has drafted a law to make “gig workers” employees and give them more rights. Is it the end for this way of working? Plus, will Apple's iPhone maintain its loyal following without 5G? And we visit Europe's largest data centre to consider our thirst for cloud storage. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Zoe Kleinman, and special guest Dominic Sunnebo, Director of Consumer Insights at market research firm Kantar.(Image: Ridesharing drivers protest for better rights outside the Uber HQ in San Francisco, California. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Two new surveys suggest cautious public attitudes in the US and UK towards the tech. Plus, the autumn mobile device launch season is upon us. We check out the news from the IFA electronics show in Berlin and look forward to the wave of new handsets set to be released in the coming weeks. And, would you report to your employer a colleague who you suspected was stealing company data? Presented by Zoe Kleinman, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield, and special guests Stuart Miles from Pocket-lint and Marta Pinto from research firm IDC.(Image: Stock photo of a woman using facial recognition on a smartphone, Credit: iStock/ Getty Images Plus).

Is the trade dispute between the US and China hurting both nations' tech industry? Artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G telecoms are key sectors in which the superpowers are vying to be the leader. Special guests Calum Chace, author of "Surviving AI", and Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs, join Chris Fox to examine the effects of the trade dispute between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.(Image: Composite image of Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, Credit: Reuters).

The social giant will reveal what it knows about your internet activity off of its platform. Will its users appreciate the transparency or be horrified? Plus, Twitter and Google take down accounts indicating co-ordinated posting relating to the Hong Kong protests. How has that gone down in China? And, 3D printing was meant to democratise manufacturing. It hasn't quite worked out like that, but we see one example of a 3D printed consumer product - a new type of bike helmet. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Jane Wakefield, and special guest Isobel Asher Hamilton from Business Insider.(Image: Stock photo of a couple on a sofa making an online purchase on a tablet computer, Credit: Hispanolistic/ Getty Images).

How privately-operated facial recognition in public places threatens privacy, according to campaigners. Plus, why is the shared-office firm WeWork valued at $47bn when it lost $1.6bn last year and has no idea when or whether it will ever deliver a profit. And how the kids' comic The Beano developed its digital strategy. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Zoe Kleinman, and Madhumita Murgia, European technology correspondent at the Financial Times.(Image: Stock image of a security camera against a skyscraper background, Credit: Getty Images Plus).

Key service providers kick the controversial message board, which has been used to celebrate mass shootings, off the mainstream internet. In what form might it resurface? Plus "warshipping" is one of the latest threats to corporate security presented at the annual Black Hat hackers' conference. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporters Chris Fox and Dave Lee, and special guests Kate Bevan, editor of Which? Computing, and Poppy Gustafsson, co-CEO of Darktrace.(Image: Stock photo of a bundle of unplugged network cables, Credit: Getty Images Plus).

Should a robot be allowed to react if it is attacked by a person? A new blueprint for robot makers aims to set out how machines should behave. Plus the UK Parliament committee scrutinising Facebook demands an explanation after reports the company knew about the misuse of its data by a political consultancy earlier than it had claimed. Presented by Jane Wakefiled, with BBC Online tech editor Leo Kelion, and special guest Annabelle Timsit from the Quartz website.(Image: Stock photo of man shaking hands with a robot, Credit: iStock/ Getty Images Plus)

The social network reaches a record settlement with regulators over users' data privacy. Will it change how Facebook operates? Plus, is opposition to using facial recognition technology in public places growing? And, we get a rare glimpse into the online activities of Russia's intelligence agencies. Presented by Chris Fox, with BBC North America tech reporter Dave Lee, and special guest technology researcher Stephanie Hare.(Image: Person trying the Facebook Portal device during the F8 2019 developers conference, Credit:Justin Sullivan /Getty Images).

How Dundee in Scotland gave birth to Grand Theft Auto and has remained a hub of games design ever since. We visit the V&A design museum’s exhibition on gaming, plus we get one young developer’s tips on getting into the games business. And we track down one of the original team that worked on GTA. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones.

Are privacy fears over Alexa's new ability to offer medical advice from the UK's National Health Service justified? Plus, how super-car maker Aston Martin thinks it can persuade its customers to swap the roar of a V12 engine for the near-silence of electric propulsion. And we hear about the disturbing rise of "stalkerware" apps. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Chris Fox, and special guest Charlotte Jee from the MIT Tech Review.(Image: An Amazon Echo smart speaker on a coffee table alongside an ear thermometer and some pills, Credit: Andrew Matthews/ PA Wire).

The man behind the design of the iPhone and iMac, Sir Jony Ive, leaves Apple to set up his own business. We assess his impact on the design of tech products. Plus, we talk to telecoms equipment giant Nokia on why it thinks it can beat its Chinese rival Huawei in 5G. And we find out where robots are likely to have the most effect in the coming years. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, with BBC tech reporter Zoe Kleinman, and special guest Kate Bevan, editor of Which? Computing.(Image: Sir Jony Ive (Left) with Apple CEO Tim Cook, inspecting new iPhones at a product launch, Credit: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images).

Rory Cellan-Jones talks to the artist who has created a "deepfake" Mark Zuckerberg to put Facebook on the spot over privacy. Also in the programme, Rory gets behind the hype over artificial intelligence and talks with the head of Moonshots at Google X, Astro Teller, about whether AI is finally becoming mainstream. And in a busy week for London's tech scene, Rory visits the Founders Forum to hear from the Europeans who want to impose tighter controls on the giant American technology companies. Special guest throughout the programme is Tabitha Goldstaub who runs the CogX festival of Artificial Intelligence.(Image: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivers the opening keynote introducing new Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram privacy features at the Facebook F8 Conference on April 30, 2019. Credit: AMY OSBORNE/AFP/Getty Images)