Economy

Economy

How Fortnite brought Google to its knees

5:55pm May 22, 2024

In August 2020, Epic Games launched a legal assault against both Google and Apple, alleging that their mobile app stores are illegal monopolies. Almost four years later, Epic could be close to forcing Google to make major changes to its Play Store.

Today, we explain the legal battle behind Epic v. Google and why the outcome could have major implications for where consumers get their apps and how they pay for them.

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is requiring buy-now, pay-later lenders to provide the same protections to shoppers as credit card companies do.

Buy-now, pay-later returns and disputes are about to get federal oversight

11:30am May 22, 2024

by Alina Selyukh

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is requiring buy-now, pay-later lenders to provide the same protections to shoppers as credit card companies do.

Rising prices remain a top concern for Americans, according to a new survey by the Federal Reserve. But 72% of adults say they're living comfortably financially or at least doing OK.

A big survey asked Americans about their finances. Here are some trouble spots

5:00am May 22, 2024

by Scott Horsley

A new report from the Fed shows little change in family finances over the last year, but rising prices remain a big worry. And parents of children under the age of 18 feel worse off than a year ago.

A hologram of Tupac Shakur performs at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella

Economy

AI Tupac and the murky legality of digital necromancy

3:42pm May 21, 2024

With a few clicks of AI software, anyone can conjure the voice or visual likeness of a dead celebrity — or really anyone. This new world has opened up a bunch of new legal questions about the rights of people and their heirs to control digital replicas of themselves. Today on the show, how a Drake diss track featuring the voice of Tupac made it into the Congressional record, and how it may lead to more regulation of AI.

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Related episodes:
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For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

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North Carolina sports wagers well over $1B in first months under new law, report says

10:18pm May 19, 2024

by Associated Press

Online sports wagering in North Carolina has exceeded $1 billion since authorized gambling operators could take bets starting March 11. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission released a report Friday about wagering, winnings and revenue.

Economy

Boeing held its annual shareholders meeting amid a string of controversies

8:44am May 18, 2024

Boeing held its annual shareholders meeting on Friday. This follows a difficult week and year for the plane-maker, which is facing renewed scrutiny over its safety and production practices.

How tariffs — like those on Chinese goods — might impact inflation and jobs

6:27pm May 17, 2024

by Darian Woods

When the U.S. imposes tariffs on specific foreign-made goods, what is the effect on American consumers and on the regions and industries the tariffs were supposed to protect? It's complicated.

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North Wilkesboro Speedway to host All-Star Race after last year's lucrative comeback

4:26pm May 16, 2024

by Paul Garber

After a successful first year back, the NASCAR All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. Last year's event generated tens of millions of dollars in regional revenue.

A giant truck hauls coal at a mine in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming

Biden ending new leases in America's top coal region

4:20pm May 16, 2024

by Kirk Siegler

Citing climate change, federal land managers are moving to end new leasing for coal in the country's top producing region.

Grocery prices fell in April as overall inflation cooled. Milk prices dropped 0.8% while egg prices declined 7.3%.

Egg and milk prices fall, fueling hope for interest rate cuts

7:31pm May 15, 2024

by Scott Horsley

Inflation eased last month, according to a report Wednesday from the Labor Department, which means people feeling stretched by high prices and high borrowing costs could feel a little relief soon.