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Google is forced to address its diversity problems ... again (The 3:59, Ep. 263)

We discuss the controversial Google memo and talk about the latest in the HBO hacking drama.

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Ben Fox Rubin Roger Cheng Brianne Garrett
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Ben Fox Rubin Former senior reporter
Ben Fox Rubin was a senior reporter for CNET News in Manhattan, reporting on Amazon, e-commerce and mobile payments. He previously worked as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and got his start at newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
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Roger Cheng Former Executive Editor / Head of News
Roger Cheng (he/him/his) was the executive editor in charge of CNET News, managing everything from daily breaking news to in-depth investigative packages. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade and got his start writing and laying out pages at a local paper in Southern California. He's a devoted Trojan alum and thinks sleep is the perfect -- if unattainable -- hobby for a parent.
Expertise Mobile, 5G, Big Tech, Social Media Credentials SABEW Best in Business 2011 Award for Breaking News Coverage, Eddie Award in 2020 for 5G coverage, runner-up National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for culture analysis.
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Brianne Garrett Editorial Intern
Brianne is an editorial intern for CNET from Bay Shore, NY. She is a rising senior at Boston University, studying journalism and Spanish. A lover of food and travel, her passion is storytelling in all its forms.
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A Google engineer's 10-page memo raising concerns about his company's diversity efforts surfaced over the weekend and quickly generated plenty of controversy. By Monday, he confirmed that he was fired for breaking company rules.

"Portions of the memo violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace," Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in a memo to employees. "To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK."

For today's podcast, we discuss Google and the tech industry's longtime struggles to address diversity issues and what might come from this latest flashpoint in the ongoing situation.

We also talk about HBO's problems with hackers stealing emails and content from the premium cable provider.

The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought to you by the CNET News team in New York and producer Bryan VanGelder.

Check out the extended shows on YouTube.

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