TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief

Episode 25 - Meta's Ad Free Subscription & 23andme Files for Bankruptcy

Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;

• Topic Overview: Meta considers introducing a paid subscription model in the UK for ad-free experiences on Facebook and Instagram, following its EU implementation.
• Discussion Points:
  • Prospective cost of £5 per month.
  • Comparison to streaming service models.
  • Mixed reactions from hosts; concerns about social media usage habits and potential user base implications.

• Focus Story: Data breach at American genetic testing firm, 23andMe, leading to bankruptcy fears.
• Key Issues Discussed:
  • Privacy risks associated with sensitive genetic data being accessed by third parties or used commercially without consent.
  • Potential ramifications for users regarding health insurance premiums in countries like the US where private healthcare is predominant.

• Importance of building critical thinking around digital services and technologies among users to understand risks involved in sharing personal data online.

LINKS:

Ad-free Insta: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kglle0p3vo

23andme Bankruptcy: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/25/opt-out-23andme-account-dna-data-privacy

Don't forget to follow Harriet and Numi at @techgirlenergy on all social platforms.

You can find this, and all our other episodes at www.IM-Listening.co.uk or wherever you listen to your podcasts.