In January 2024, the US Embassy issued a warning to all American travelers: Be careful using dating apps in Colombia. Eight men had been killed in two months — several of them after traveling to Medellin and using apps to connect with women online. 


Bloomberg’s Natalie Lung and Antonia Mufarech investigated and found an even darker situation. On today’s Big Take podcast, they join host Sarah Holder to explain how apps from US-based tech companies are being used for sex trafficking and child exploitation in Colombia — and why it’s so hard for the companies to keep criminals off their platforms.

In January 2024, the US Embassy issued a warning to all American travelers: Be careful using dating apps in Colombia. Eight men had been killed in two months &mdash; several of them after traveling to Medellin and using apps to connect with women online.&nbsp;
 Bloomberg&rsquo;s Natalie Lung and Antonia Mufarech investigated and found an even darker situation. On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, they join host Sarah Holder to explain how apps from US-based tech companies are being used for sex trafficking and child exploitation in Colombia &mdash; and why it&rsquo;s so hard for the companies to keep criminals off their platforms.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Big Take

How Facebook, Tinder and Airbnb Are Being Used for Sex Trafficking in Colombia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/501ba382-cf0a-4236-937f-b29501797db3/transcript

In Episode 4 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take,we follow a spy from China’s Ministry of State Security as he tries to plan a delicate overseas meeting with a valuable source. But the person he’s talking to isn’t working alone.

The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness — and a cunning FBI sting — led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.

The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 3 here.

In Episode 4 of The Sixth Bureau, a series from The Big Take, we follow a spy from China&rsquo;s Ministry of State Security as he tries to plan a delicate overseas meeting with a valuable source. But the person he&rsquo;s talking to isn&rsquo;t working alone.
The Sixth Bureau from Bloomberg News follows an MSS intelligence officer whose mission was to acquire the crown jewels of American aerospace companies. With aliases, blackmail and the occasional break-in, he targeted corporate giants. That is, until his sloppiness &mdash; and a cunning FBI sting &mdash; led to a stunning reversal: Xu Yanjun became the first Chinese intelligence officer ever convicted on American soil.
The Sixth Bureau is the story of superpowers, their secrets and how one Chinese spy got caught. Listen to Episodes 1 - 3 <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/the-sixth-bureau/">here</a>.

The Sixth Bureau Episode 4: The Duck Analogy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/471d6d60-4ecf-47e0-b84a-b3fe00f84944/transcript

After US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, President Donald Trump said the US would “run” the South American country. What’s actually happened since?

On today’s Big Take podcast, host David Gura has a sweeping conversation with International Crisis Group senior analyst Phil Gunson, who’s based in Caracas and has tracked Latin American politics for decades.

Further listening: 
Why Trump Wants Venezuela’s Oil
How Venezuela Shifts China’s Calculus
The Domino Effect of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’

Hosted by David Gura and Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Edited by Aaron Edwards.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

After US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro in January, President Donald Trump said the US would &ldquo;run&rdquo; the South American country. What&rsquo;s actually happened since?
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, host David Gura has a sweeping conversation with International Crisis Group senior analyst Phil Gunson, who&rsquo;s based in Caracas and has tracked Latin American politics for decades.
Further listening:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-take/id1578096201?i=1000744510440">Why Trump Wants Venezuela&rsquo;s Oil</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-take/id1578096201?i=1000744032583">How Venezuela Shifts China&rsquo;s Calculus</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-take/id1578096201?i=1000745491988">The Domino Effect of the &lsquo;Donroe Doctrine&rsquo;</a></li>
</ul>
Hosted by David Gura and Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Edited by Aaron Edwards.
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Katie McMurran.
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

How the ‘Power Game’ Is Reshaping Venezuela

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f3b8cbfc-0c76-4c49-8e99-b3fd016572c6/transcript

As the “AI scare trade” jolts companies large and small, Apple shares keep doing their own thing. The company has “decoupled” to the greatest degree in 20 years from forces moving the rest of the Nasdaq 100.

Why — and how? On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg’s equities reporter Ryan Vlastelica and Chief Apple Correspondent Mark Gurman about how the company became a hedge against fears of AI disruption — and why that may not be a good thing. 

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Ryan Vlastelica and Mark Gurman; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

As the &ldquo;AI scare trade&rdquo; jolts companies large and small, Apple shares keep doing their own thing. The company has &ldquo;decoupled&rdquo; to the greatest degree in 20 years from forces moving the rest of the Nasdaq 100.
Why &mdash; and how? On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder talks to Bloomberg&rsquo;s equities reporter Ryan Vlastelica and Chief Apple Correspondent Mark Gurman about how the company became a hedge against fears of AI disruption &mdash; and why that may not be a good thing.&nbsp;
Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by David Fox; Reported by Ryan Vlastelica and Mark Gurman; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Alex Sugiura.
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

Is Apple Winning the ‘AI Scare Trade’?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6129b0d3-362e-4aa6-ad02-b3fc015f6280/transcript

How Facebook, Tinder and Airbnb Are Being Used for Sex Trafficking in Colombia

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