WSJ Tech News Briefing — Tech Minute: EU Approves Google’s Purchase of Cybersecurity Startup Wiz

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Julie Chang

Episode Overview

This episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing centers on the European Union’s approval of Google’s massive $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity startup Wiz, marking Google’s largest deal to date. The episode also highlights blockbuster updates in the media and financial services sectors, including active merger bids and notable declines in fintech-related stocks due to developments in AI.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. EU Green-Lights Google’s $32B Acquisition of Wiz

[00:33 - 01:37]

• Overview of the Deal:
  The EU approved Google’s all-cash $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity company Wiz. This marks Google’s largest acquisition ever.
• EU Competition Statement:
  The EU’s executive arm ruled the acquisition “unlikely to affect competition” within the EU, citing the presence of credible alternatives for customers should Google bundle Wiz’s features with its own.

  “The agreement is unlikely to affect competition in the bloc, saying customers could switch services to credible competitors if Google started bundling Wiz's security platform with its own.”
  — Julie Chang [00:44]

• Market Context:
  The EU pointed out that Google remains behind both Amazon and Microsoft in terms of cloud infrastructure market share.

  “Google stands behind Amazon and Microsoft in terms of market shares in cloud infrastructure.”
  — Julie Chang [01:01]

2. Big Moves in Streaming and Media Consolidation

[01:07 - 01:53]

• Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Intensifies:
  Paramount increased its hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery by agreeing to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee owed to Netflix. Additionally, it included a “ticking fee”—an extra 25 cents per share per quarter (about $650 million quarterly if approval is delayed into next year).
• Competing Offers:
  Netflix’s bid for Warner includes $72 billion in cash for Warner Studios and HBO Max; Paramount’s bid is just under $78 billion.
• Warner’s Response:
  Warner’s board will review Paramount’s revised offer and cautions shareholders against quick action.

  “The company advised shareholders to not take any action regarding Paramount's amended offer.”
  — Julie Chang [01:49]

3. Turbulent Day for Financial Stocks Due to AI Innovations

[01:54 - 02:32]

• AI-Powered Tax Strategy Tool Shakes Up Industry:
  Fintech firm Altruist unveiled an AI tool capable of generating personalized tax strategies by parsing financial docs automatically—leading to an immediate plunge in traditional wealth management stocks.
• Industry Reaction:
  • Raymond James shares drop over 8%.
  • LPL Financial and Charles Schwab stocks down ~11% and ~7% respectively.
• Broader Context:
  The drop follows a similar trend from last week, when stocks dipped after Anthropic released new automation tools targeting research and analysis tasks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Google’s position in cloud infrastructure:

  “Google stands behind Amazon and Microsoft in terms of market shares in cloud infrastructure.”
  — Julie Chang [01:01]

• On the reasoning behind the EU’s approval:

  “Customers could switch services to credible competitors if Google started bundling Wiz’s security platform with its own.”
  — Julie Chang [00:44]

• On the scale of media deals:

  “Paramount has sweetened its hostile bid for all of Warner Bros. Discovery by agreeing to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee Warner would owe Netflix.”
  — Julie Chang [01:10]

• On the AI disruption in finance:

  “Fintech firm Altruist announced an AI tool that can create personalized tax strategies by interpreting financial documents without manual entry.”
  — Julie Chang [01:54]

Key Timestamps

• [00:33] — Google’s acquisition of Wiz and regulatory context
• [01:07] — Paramount and Netflix bids for Warner Bros. Discovery
• [01:54] — AI tools affect financial services stocks

Tone and Style

The episode uses a concise, fact-driven, businesslike tone with clear, accessible explanations and brief analysis. Julie Chang delivers the key updates swiftly and objectively, with a focus on major moves and their implications.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of high-stakes moves in tech, media, and finance, spotlighting Google’s landmark cybersecurity acquisition, intensifying battles over media conglomerates, and growing turbulence as AI disrupts traditional financial services. Each update underscores broader industry trends—consolidation in tech, competitive challenges in media, and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence.