Tech News Weekly 380: 23andMe's Bankruptcy Fallout – Detailed Summary

Released on March 27, 2025

Hosts and Participants:

• Micah Sargent – Host
• Emily Forlini – Guest Host
• Jeffrey Fowler – Washington Post Correspondent

1. Introduction

In episode 380 of Tech News Weekly, host Micah Sargent, alongside guest Emily Forlini, delves into several pressing technology topics. The episode covers the evolving electric vehicle (EV) market, Utah's groundbreaking app store age verification law, the recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, and notable developments in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

2. Replacing Tesla with Other Electric Vehicles

Discussion Highlights: Emily Forlini initiates the conversation by addressing the shifting landscape of the EV market. Traditionally dominated by Tesla, the market now boasts a variety of competitive models, offering consumers more choices.

Key Points:

• Tesla's Dominance and Market Shift: Tesla's widespread appeal stemmed from its superior range, innovative touchscreen dashboards, and competitive pricing. However, recent diversification with models like the Cybertruck has polarized its customer base.

  Emily Forlini [03:26]: "Tesla definitely offered a good price for the range. It used to be kind of luxury... but the rest of the lineup is getting a little bit stale."

• Emergence of Competitors: With the introduction of other EV models capable of using Tesla's Supercharger network, consumers are no longer limited to Tesla for long-distance travel. Brands like Rivian and Porsche are becoming viable alternatives.

  Emily Forlini [03:26]: "All these other Tesla non-Tesla models are going to be able to use superchargers by the end of this year... that's really helpful for road trips."

• Affordability Concerns: While options under $40,000 remain limited, Tesla remains competitively priced within this range. However, the overall affordability of EVs is improving as the market matures.

  Emily Forlini [07:59]: "The affordable EVs list has actually shrunk as the industry has matured... there are fewer options."

Personal Preferences: When asked about her ideal EV, Emily expresses a preference for the Porsche Taycan, citing its aesthetics and performance, despite its practicality limitations.

Emily Forlini [08:21]: "I want the Porsche Taycan. Like, that's just the best looking, coolest EV in my opinion."

3. Utah's New App Store Age Verification Law

Discussion Highlights: The conversation shifts to Utah's pioneering App Store Accountability Act, which mandates more robust age verification protocols for app downloads, particularly targeting minors.

Key Points:

• Age Range API by Apple: To comply with the new law, Apple introduced the Declared Age Range API, which allows developers to ascertain an age range without accessing specific birth dates, thus balancing privacy with compliance.

  Micah Sargent [19:34]: "Apple introduced an API called the Age Range API... it provides an age range, like between 8 and 12."

• Responsibility Allocation: The law assigns the responsibility of age verification to App Store providers rather than individual app developers. This centralizes compliance but raises questions about effectiveness and circumvention methods.

  Emily Forlini [19:34]: "This is requiring the App Store providers to be responsible for age verification... another reason other companies aren't responsible."

• Implications for Users and Developers: While the system aims to protect minors by restricting access to age-inappropriate apps, challenges remain in ensuring the accuracy of parental input and preventing misuse.

  Micah Sargent [23:58]: "It's difficult for a child to create an adult account, given that... more protections are in place."

Future Prospects: Micah and Emily discuss the potential expansion of such laws, with multiple states considering similar legislation, indicating a nationwide move towards stricter age verification in digital services.

Micah Sargent [27:54]: "Other states like California, Texas... are also working on it, making it bipartisan."

4. 23andMe's Bankruptcy Fallout and Data Privacy Concerns

Discussion Highlights: The episode takes a significant turn as Jeffrey Fowler from The Washington Post joins to discuss the bankruptcy of 23andMe, a leading genetic testing company, and the ensuing data privacy issues.

Key Points:

• Bankruptcy Overview: 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection, moving towards selling off assets or parts of the company. The decline was precipitated by dwindling revenues, failed partnerships, and a major data breach.

  Jeffrey Fowler [32:12]: "23andMe struggled to figure out, how are they going to get revenue in this sort of ongoing way... a giant hacking attack... destroyed public confidence."

• Revenue Challenges: Initially successful with millions of customers providing genetic samples, 23andMe failed to sustain its business model beyond the initial sale, with attempts to monetize through drug research partnerships and health services falling short.

  Emily Forlini [33:19]: "They tried a lot of things... drug research partnerships didn't pan out... selling GLP1s wasn't working either."

• Data Privacy Risks: The bankruptcy raises alarms regarding the security and ownership of genetic data. Users are urged to delete their data to prevent unauthorized access or potential misuse by new owners or malicious entities.

  Emily Forlini [35:52]: "Our data is now up for grabs... you probably want to delete that data as soon as you can."

Protective Measures: Thanks to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and subsequent state laws, users have the right to delete their genetic data. Emily outlines the straightforward process for data deletion, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding personal genetic information.

Emily Forlini [40:49]: "It is easy. It took me about a minute to do... once you do that initial delete my account level, it will automatically do the other things as well."

Potential Consequences: The mishandling or unauthorized access to genetic data can lead to severe privacy invasions, including discrimination by insurance companies, unauthorized research, or governmental misuse.

Emily Forlini [37:03]: "DNA can unlock a lot of things... your likelihood to have certain kinds of health problems... insurance discrimination is a real threat."

5. AI Companies Agreeing on Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Discussion Highlights: Towards the episode's end, Micah touches upon a significant development in the AI sector—the adoption of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) by major AI players, including OpenAI.

Key Points:

• Introduction of MCP: Initially released by Anthropic in November 2024, MCP is an open-source protocol that standardizes how AI models connect to various data sources, facilitating seamless integrations across platforms.

  Micah Sargent [51:44]: "Anthropic announced and released MCP... it's an open standard that makes it easier for multiple data sources to integrate."

• Industry Adoption: OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, confirmed in March 2025 that OpenAI would adopt MCP, marking significant support from industry leaders.

  Micah Sargent [51:44]: "Sam Altman... said we are going to start using MCP... now you have two big players saying this is the way to go."

• Benefits of MCP: By adhering to MCP, AI developers can create more efficient and scalable integrations, reducing the need for custom-built connectors and fostering interoperability among diverse AI tools and data sources.

  Chief Product Officer at Anthropic [51:44]: "MCP has become a thriving open standard with thousands of integrations... making it easier for developers to build connections."

• Implications for Users: For end-users, MCP promises more cohesive and integrated AI experiences, enabling AI systems like chatbots to access and utilize user-specific data seamlessly while maintaining data security and privacy.

  Micah Sargent [51:44]: "It's your backstage pass to the world of TWiT... easier to communicate with your data sources."

Future Outlook: The adoption of MCP by leading AI companies signifies a move towards unified standards in AI development, potentially accelerating innovation and improving user experiences through better-integrated AI services.

Conclusion

Episode 380 of Tech News Weekly provided a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the technology landscape. From the diversification of the EV market beyond Tesla to the critical implications of 23andMe's bankruptcy on personal genetic data privacy, the episode underscored the dynamic and evolving nature of technology. Additionally, the adoption of the Model Context Protocol by major AI players highlighted a collaborative shift towards standardized integration in the AI industry. Listeners were encouraged to stay informed and proactive, especially concerning their personal data security in an increasingly interconnected digital world.

Notable Quotes:

• Emily Forlini [03:26]: "The landscape is very different."
• Jeffrey Fowler [32:12]: "23andMe's bankruptcy means our genetic data is up for grabs."
• Emily Forlini [43:55]: "The future is a long time and your DNA isn't going to change."
• Chief Product Officer at Anthropic [51:44]: "MCP has become a thriving open standard with thousands of integrations."

Resources Mentioned:

• Emily Forlini's Follow Channels: Blue Sky, LinkedIn, TikTok
• Jeffrey Fowler's Follow Channels: Blue Sky, Threads, Instagram

For more insights and updates, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Tech News Weekly and follow the hosts and guests on their respective social media platforms.