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

Romantasy books have created a near-billion-dollar industry in the US alone. This week, fans are racing to grab a copy of Rebecca Yarros’ Threshing Day, and bracing for the sixth installment of one of the genre’s biggest hits, A Court of Thorns and Rosesby Sarah J. Maas, coming later this month.

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Hannah Miller and Madison Muller take host David Gura into the booming world of publishing’s runaway obsession. And The Knave and the Moon author Rachel Gillig talks about going from preschool teacher to global literary celebrity.

Read more: The Steamy, Magical and Now Very Lucrative Romantasy Business

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Host: David Gura; Guests: Hannah Miller, Madison Muller; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Engineering by Sean Carter; Illustrationby Anna Podedworna.

Romantasy books have created a near-billion-dollar industry in the US alone. This week, fans are racing to grab a copy of Rebecca Yarros&rsquo; Threshing Day, and bracing for the sixth installment of one of the genre&rsquo;s biggest hits, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, coming later this month.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Hannah Miller and Madison Muller take host David Gura into the booming world of publishing&rsquo;s runaway obsession. And The Knave and the Moon author Rachel Gillig talks about going from preschool teacher to global literary celebrity.
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-08-12/romantasy-book-series-help-revive-interest-in-reading-push-into-tv-and-film">The Steamy, Magical and Now Very Lucrative Romantasy Business</a>
We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts">Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>
Host: David Gura; Guests: Hannah Miller, Madison Muller; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Engineering by Sean Carter; Illustration by Anna Podedworna.

The Steamy, Billion-Dollar World of Romantasy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aa2c0cd2-20c6-457f-80ff-b4d70158d37a/transcript

The Premier League has found its top-ranked club, the star-studded and highly decorated Manchester City, guilty of artificially boosting financial results by more than £900 million over nine years. The franchise used “sham” contracts to build an unprecedented competitive advantage. The team has until Oct. 2 to respond to the charges.

On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura and UK-based Business of Sports Editor Giles Turner unpack the cheating allegations against Man City and how the scandal could reshape the entire league.

Read more: Man City Broke Rules With ‘Sham’ Contracts, League Finds

Popular on Bloomberg: Who’s Who at Jane Street

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Host: David Gura; Guest: Giles Turner; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Edited by Naomi Shavin; Engineering by Emma Munger.

The Premier League has found its top-ranked club, the star-studded and highly decorated Manchester City, guilty of artificially boosting financial results by more than &pound;900 million over nine years. The franchise used &ldquo;sham&rdquo; contracts to build an unprecedented competitive advantage. The team has until Oct. 2 to respond to the charges.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, David Gura and UK-based Business of Sports Editor Giles Turner unpack the cheating allegations against Man City and how the scandal could reshape the entire league.
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-29/man-city-broke-rules-with-sham-contracts-premier-league-finds?srnd=undefined">Man City Broke Rules With &lsquo;Sham&rsquo; Contracts, League Finds</a>
Popular on Bloomberg: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2026-jane-street-guide-power-players/">Who&rsquo;s Who at Jane Street</a>
We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts">Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>
Host: David Gura; Guest: Giles Turner; Produced by Julia Press and David Fox; Edited by Naomi Shavin; Engineering by Emma Munger.

Man City Scandal Threatens UK-UAE Ties

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/abae279e-85d6-4fc5-82a6-b4d6014e5ef5/transcript

The 2026 midterms are on track to become the most expensive elections in US history, with Republican Senate candidates raking in hundreds of millions from PACs and Democrats riding a growing wave of individual donations. So who has the edge?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Bill Faries, who oversees Bloomberg’s midterm coverage, and campaign finance reporter Bill Allison join Sarah Holder to break down how each party is raising and spending cash and what it means for control of the Senate — and for the coming presidential race.

Read more: Shifting Senate Map Is Fueling Most Expensive Election Ever


Further Listening: Why Everyone Is Talking About High Diesel Prices 

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Host: Sarah Holder; Guests: Bill Allison and Bill Faries; Produced by David Fox and Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott; Engineering by Sean Carter.

The 2026 midterms are on track to become the most expensive elections in US history, with Republican Senate candidates raking in hundreds of millions from PACs and Democrats riding a growing wave of individual donations. So who has the edge?
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Bill Faries, who oversees Bloomberg&rsquo;s midterm coverage, and campaign finance reporter Bill Allison join Sarah Holder to break down how each party is raising and spending cash and what it means for control of the Senate &mdash; and for the coming presidential race.
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-28/shifting-senate-map-is-fueling-most-expensive-us-election-ever?srnd=undefined">Shifting Senate Map Is Fueling Most Expensive Election Ever </a>
Further Listening:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-23/diesel-price-spike-hits-farms-food-prices-battleground-states">Why Everyone Is Talking About High Diesel Prices </a>
We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts">Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>
Host:&nbsp;Sarah Holder; Guests: Bill Allison and Bill Faries; Produced by David Fox and Julia Press; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott; Engineering by Sean Carter.

Can $700 Million Buy Republicans the US Senate? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e08555ea-559c-42e6-820d-b4d5014257a9/transcript

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

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