Ryan Tate

Deputy Editor • he/him

Ryan Tate has been writing and editing technology stories for more than 15 years. He was previously at The Intercept, where as deputy and technology editor he led lengthy investigations into companies like Facebook, Google, and TikTok and into surveillance by the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and authorities in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Before that, he wrote about the use and abuse of corporate power in the tech sector at Wired and Gawker.

(Photograph by Noah Berger.)

ryan.tate@themarkup.org @ryantate

A person in a white medical coat with a stethoscope uses a tablet, while another individual in a light blue shirt sits nearby. The interaction suggests a consultation or discussion, with the focus on the hands and device rather than faces.

Hello World

During my kid’s surgery, I was denied a copy of my consent form — then sent to a ghost office

Help us understand the challenges patients face opting out of voluntary uses of their data, or getting access to their records.

July 19, 2025 08:00 ET

A close-up of a yellow Cal Fire uniform with a detailed embroidered patch on the shoulder. The patch features the shape of California, a stylized flame, and text reading “CAL FIRE” and “Since 1885.” The words “California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection” are visible along the top of the patch. The fabric is lit with strong contrast, emphasizing its texture and stitching.

Artificial Intelligence

California's fire protection agency made an AI chatbot. It can’t answer one crucial question

The bot fails at some basic questions about fires. Cal Fire says it is working on fixes.

July 9, 2025 08:30 ET

A view of the dome-structure of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. taken and next to its blurry reflection on a glass wall in the foreground.

Artificial Intelligence

State AI regulations safe after Senate strips moratorium from ‘big, beautiful bill’

In the end, both Republicans and Democrats helped doom a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation after it cleared the House

July 1, 2025 13:15 ET

A person, with short white hair and wearing a blue suit, sits in front of a dais alongside other lawmakers during a hearing. A portion of an American flag can be seen in the background.

Pixel Hunt

House lawmakers demand answers from California health exchange on sending data to LinkedIn

The lawmakers cite a Markup and CalMatters investigation that first revealed Covered California’s data practices in April.

June 23, 2025 14:30 ET

A view from behind of two rows of cars sitting idle during a traffic jam on a road.

Privacy

California police are illegally sharing license plate data with ICE and Border Patrol

LAPD and the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Riverside have repeatedly shared automated license plate reader data to federal agencies

June 18, 2025 08:00 ET

Pixel Hunt

We caught 4 more states sharing personal health data with Big Tech

Healthcare exchanges in Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island shared users’ sensitive health data with companies like Google and LinkedIn

June 17, 2025 08:00 ET

Illustration of a woman on her laptop, set against a background of a browser window; the image is heavily manipulated to be pixelated in a bitmap style

The BreakdownPixel Hunt

This is how you stop data trackers from sucking up your health data

The Markup and CalMatters found multiple ways consumers can block the trackers quietly sending your data to tech companies, including those used on state-run health exchange websites.

June 17, 2025 08:00 ET