Tech’s D.C. agenda: Massive workforce changes, pandemic relief, broadband access and climate change top the list of issues for tech companies as a new presidential administration takes office. Those are some of the takeaways from the Seattle-area tech policy leaders who answered our questions in advance of the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the new U.S. president and vice president this week. Respondents said issues such as content moderation, antitrust, and data privacy regulation may receive lower priority in the new administration given more pressing near-term challenges. Read more.
Expedia deals with security concerns in D.C.: The online travel giant is blocking any new reservations in the nation’s capital on its rental platform Vrbo. The latest step, announced by Expedia Group on Tuesday, will be in place through Friday. It comes after the company took some heat over the weekend for not following Airbnb’s lead on cancellations and refunds. Security measures have been heightened around this week’s inauguration. Read more.
Microsoft turns campus into mass vaccination site: The Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant is working with the state of Washington and local hospitals to open up buildings at its mostly vacant headquarters to administer vaccines to the public. Read more.
Microsoft to help power Cruise: Microsoft is partnering with the self-driving vehicle maker, and General Motors, to leverage its cloud computing technology to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous vehicles. The company also joined a $2 billion investment in San Francisco-based Cruise along with GM, Honda and others. Read more.
Bardy Diagnostics to be acquired for $375M: Health tech giant Hillrom is buying the Seattle startup, which has developed a non-invasive cardiac monitor patch that helps detect arrhythmia. Read more.
Integris co-founder launches new startup: After selling his Seattle startup to OneTrust, Raghu Gollamudi is now on a mission to help enterprises face their next biggest challenge: getting their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy right. His latest startup, Included, is building a platform that integrates with all employee data systems to help promote a high retention and belonging culture at scale. Read more.
The beautiful (video) game: The Seattle Sounders FC are among a small handful of teams selected to participate in a global celebration of soccer within the popular video game “Fortnite.” Fans who take part this week can get suited up in special “Kickoff Set” outfits featuring the Sounders colors.
Thanks for reading, and see all our latest headlines below. — GeekWire editor Todd Bishop, editor@geekwire.com, managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com, and reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.
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