User privacy on internet platforms is sliding higher up the “to do” list of the EU’s regulators. Five years after a trailblazing law was passed – the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – we’re starting to see its enforcement moving up a notch. For big tech companies that rely on personalized advertising, like Meta and Alphabet, their future in the EU is starting to look a little more complicated.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a humanitarian crisis, international sanctions and raised Europe’s geopolitical stakes. For investors, it’s shown how ESG can add deeper dimensions to their questions and decisions. Whether it’s about drilling into the relationships between Europe’s oil majors and Russia, or Facebook taking on misinformation, or the social ripples created by fleeing refugees – we’ll get into all of it and more.

A labor strike ends at Kroger after contract negotiations give the employees a wage increase. But Kroger is supposed to be a decent employer, so what is going on here? Is this all due to the great resignation or renegotiation or restructuring of labor caused by pandemic? Or is there something deeper? We answer all these (floating) questions. Then, we discuss how a new EU proposal to ensure that people working through digital labor platforms can enjoy the labor rights and social benefits they are entitled to is linked to the Kroger strike.

Jack Dorsey, the eccentric and visionary co-founder of Twitter, announced he was stepping down on Monday. Parag Agrawal, the chief technology officer, will replace him as CEO. We discuss what this move means for the governance of Twitter, for Block (previously called Square), and for the world of tech in general.

A low carbon alternative to maritime shipping is coming to the market. The largest shipping company in the world, Maersk, has ordered eight vessels propelled by cleanly made methanol instead of an oil-based fuel. But their shipping costs will increase by 15%. So who is going to pay for that? Then, the German government adopted a new gender diversity quota that will require certain listed companies to have at least one woman on their management board starting in 2022. But will it work? Listen to find out.