Tech News Weekly 428: Live Nation Settles with the DOJ

Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Micah Sargent (TWiT)
Co-Host: Dan Moren (Six Colors)
Guest: Abrar Alheati (CNET)

Episode Overview

This episode of Tech News Weekly dives into three main stories shaking up the tech world:

• The controversy and lawsuit surrounding Grammarly's unauthorized use of writers' personas in its AI tool
• The DOJ's much-criticized settlement with Live Nation/Ticketmaster in a landmark antitrust case
• A firsthand report from Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including new device trends and innovations
• A look at China's viral AI agent OpenClaw and the emergent business culture around it.

The show maintains its signature blend of fun, accessibility, and critical analysis, aimed at making complex tech policy and product trends understandable and engaging for all.

Grammarly's “Expert Review” Lawsuit: When AI Meets Identity Theft

[01:56 – 13:22]

Key Points & Discussion

• Feature Overview:
  Dan Moren explains how Grammarly introduced “Expert Review,” a tool promising feedback as if it came from notable authors and journalists (some deceased, like Carl Sagan), by simulating their style and persona.
• Consent Concerns:
  Grammarly never sought permission from those whose names were used. Living writers and journalists (e.g., Nilay Patel, Joanna Stern, Mark Gurman) were shocked to find their likenesses used without their consent.
• AI Limitations:
  The advice often didn’t even match what the simulated expert would say, flattening individual style into generic tips.

  “It’s extra weird because then it just feels like you’re slapping these people’s names on kind of generic writing advice. … You can see the dotted line—‘Let’s train the LLM on their writing’—but LLMs tend to sort of flatten the effect of all these things.” (Dan Moren, [04:08])

• Class Action & Legal Principles:
  A class action lawsuit led by journalist Julia Angwin contends you can't use someone’s name for commercial benefit without consent, even absent a direct endorsement.
• Big Tech Pattern:
  Moren likens this to a “classic Silicon Valley move,” referencing Jurassic Park:

  “They were so busy thinking about whether or not they could do this that they didn’t stop to think about whether or not they should.” (Dan Moren, [08:03])

• Consequences vs. Capitalism:
  The hosts highlight how relentless drives for product growth and “move fast and break things” innovation encourage ignoring legal and ethical lines—especially with AI.
• Copycat Question:
  Micah reflects on the apparent disconnect:

  “I genuinely wonder—did they know they’d get pushback and have a plan? Or did they think everyone would just be honored?” ([08:47])

• Industry Context:
  The discussion references broader patterns, like LLMs being trained on pirated material, and companies opting for “ask forgiveness, not permission.”

DOJ vs. Live Nation/Ticketmaster: Why Doesn’t This "Settlement" Feel Like a Win?

[17:03 – 26:55]

Segment Summary

• The Settlement:
  The DOJ announced a settlement with Live Nation/Ticketmaster—capping fees, requiring backend tech access for competitors, and divesting booking rights for 13 amphitheaters.
• Public & Industry Backlash:
  Across industry, critics deride these as “half-measures.”

  “The theme today...has been this: Who asked for this?” (Micah quoting insider, [19:32])

• Tech Shortcomings:
  Ticketmaster’s tech is derided as outdated—one competitor calls it “something out of the 1980s” while an advocacy group says it’s “held together with duct tape.” Giving access to such tech isn’t seen as a real remedy.
• Monopolistic Control:
  Live Nation commands a vast swath of venues (40 of the top 50 U.S. amphitheaters), and the settlement doesn’t require selling any venues.
• Antitrust Frustration:
  Moren notes disappointments:

  "This feels like a textbook antitrust situation where one party controls a huge part of this infrastructure. And it’s hard to see how this remedy is going to fix that problem.” ([23:29])

• “Political” Analysis:
  With a lackluster DOJ outcome here and in the Google antitrust case, Moren hints at a political climate favoring business:

  “...doesn’t shock me that this DOJ was willing to settle—these settlements as being sufficient.” ([24:37])

• Public Transparency Lost:
  Because the settlement arrived mid-trial, damaging evidence won’t air.

  “By leapfrogging past the airing of the evidence to the remedies, it’s especially difficult to judge whether the sentence matches the crime.” (Micah quoting Kevin Erickson, [25:42])

• Takeaway:
  No near-term relief for consumers on ticket pricing.

Inside Mobile World Congress: Whimsical Phones, Hardware Innovation, and the Reality of Adoption

Guest: Abrar Alheati, CNET
[30:22 – 43:38]

What’s Unique About MWC?

• International Flair:
  “The ‘World’ in Mobile World Congress is real.” Diverse exhibitors and attendees from all over the globe.
• Comparison to CES:
  More focused on mobile and telephony versus CES’s gadget sprawl. Main players (Samsung, Google) dominate; Apple was absent but still in the news.

Cool Tech and Trends

• Foldables & Modularity:
  • Motorola RAZR Fold resurfaced with large internal/external displays.
  • The showstopper: Honor Robot Phone with a moveable camera; Honor Magic V6 notable too.
  • Techno’s modular phone:

    “4.9mm thick—you can attach battery packs, larger camera, microphones... all these magnetic accessories to build up your phone as you want.” (Abrar, [33:55])

• Smart Glasses Convert:
  Initially skeptical, Abrar was impressed by Android XR glasses: live Google Maps overlays, non-intrusive navigation, and real-time translation.

  “You wear these smart glasses... you can have Google Maps navigation and still see everything around you. … I’m apparently a smart glasses believer!” ([36:18])

• Airport Tech Innovations:
  • Bag ID: Reusable, trackable smart luggage tag.
  • Alba Ride: Autonomous personal carts launching at Dallas Fort Worth for accessibility.
  • Robotic concierges and automated entertainment for waiting travelers.

Overarching Themes

• Thin, Hardware-Driven Innovation:

  “People talk about phones being boring, but there are interesting phones. It’s just, are you willing to leave your iPhone behind?” (Abrar, [34:46])

• Habit vs. Experimentation:
  Despite buzz, most media pros use iPhones or Samsung flagships; experimentation is more visible outside the US.
• Pet Tech:
  Pet phones and cams are a growing segment; anecdote about pets being terrified by treat-dispensing cams.

Bonus Segment: China’s OpenClaw (Lobster Craze)

[45:24 – 57:35]

What Is OpenClaw?

• Viral, open source AI agent (called “Lobster” in China), letting users automate tasks via terminal commands.
• Spawned a subculture:
  “Have you raised a lobster yet?” is the social meme among techies and non-techies of all ages.
• Developer communities and massive events—some with 1000+ people, city- and district-level governmental support.
• Service economy: installation packages (~$14), pre-installed hardware, technical support are booming businesses.

  “Within weeks, [a developer] pulled in $830 in a single weekend.” ([50:48])

• Accessibility challenge creates business opportunity—most users lack tech fluency, so “lobster consultants” are cashing in.

Skepticism & Risks

• Some observers, like Harvard PhD candidate Tianyu Feng, express doubt about the agent's practical value for average users.
• China’s cybersecurity regulator issued a formal warning (March 10) about potential data risks and privacy breaches.
• Yet, enthusiasm continues unabated—even senior citizens are asking for “lobster installs.”

Host’s Advice:

“If you’re thinking about installing this, please be mindful of the security risks and really read up on that before going down this path.” (Micah, [56:42])

Notable Quotes & Highlight Moments

• Grammarly’s “move fast and break things”:
  “What you may have broken is your business model.” (Dan Moren, [08:29])
• Ticketmaster’s lack of true change:
  “Your Tech News Weekly dads are just disappointed.” (Micah and Dan, [25:34])
• On phones at MWC and habit:
  “People are fawning over these phones, but guess what they’re recording with—a Samsung or iPhone.” (Abrar, [40:08])
• On OpenClaw’s impact:
  “It wasn’t until my father, who is 77, asked me to help install a lobster for him that I realized this thing is truly viral.” (Micah, [47:36])

Timestamps to Important Segments

• Grammarly lawsuit & AI pitfalls: [01:56 – 13:22]
• Live Nation/Ticketmaster DOJ saga: [17:03 – 26:55]
• Mobile World Congress breakdown: [30:22 – 43:38]
• China’s OpenClaw phenomenon: [45:24 – 57:35]

Closing & Next Steps

The episode wraps with reminders to stay mindful of the legal and personal risks as tech rapidly evolves, and a nod to the continuing merger of enthusiasm, optimism, and necessary skepticism in tech—both for users and regulators.

For next week: Subscribe at twit.tv/tnw and join the discussion for more in-depth analysis, interviews, and trend-watching in the tech world.