Musk plans cost-cutting – and Americans will end up footing the bill; the business of immigration surveillance; and a fond farewell to Skype

Hello, and welcome back. In this week’s Techscape: the cost of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting, the emotional shutdown of Skype, and a new documentary on immigration and surveillance.

Donald Trump’s administration could rack up a “monumental” bill and is breaking the law by firing government workers on spurious grounds, according to a top labor lawyer.

Officials have cited “poor performance” when terminating thousands of federal workers. In many cases it’s not true, according to employees embroiled in the blitz, many of whom are now seeking legal advice.

‘I’m selling the Nazi mobile’: Tesla owners offload cars after Elon Musk’s fascist-style salutes

Trump cabinet flunkies hail wannabe Caesar and Elon, his oligarch pal