Welcome to our weekly roundup of Pittsburgh technology news by noted local tech writer David Radin. Got tech news? Email us. And check back every Thursday for more.
The king of Twitter messages is coming to Pittsburgh
No, not him. Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s CEO and co-founder, will be speaking at a breakfast at the Omni William Penn later this month for an event held by Black Tech Nation, Vibrant Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Candi Castleberry Singleton, Twitter’s diversity vice president, will appear in Pittsburgh with him. She also heads the @TwitterTogether diversity campaign for the company. Attending the breakfast? Use this hashtag when you tweet: #GrowTogether.
Shark Tank is coming to Pittsburgh, too: Get your best pitch ready
ABC’s “Shark Tank” will hold open auditions at Rivers Casino on March 28. If you have a business product or idea that you think is worth pitching, you’ll need to line up no earlier than 8 a.m. and conform with other rules. Thanks to Pittsburgh (Mt. Lebanon) native Mark Cuban for tweeting the news to alert people that the show is coming to his hometown.
Pennsylvania sues Uber for data breach
According to the suit filed by State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a 2016 data breach at Uber put 13,500 Pennsylvania drivers at risk of identity theft, and Uber’s response violated Pennsylvania disclosure laws by not disclosing the breach until November 2017.
This is another development in the complicated relationship between Pittsburgh and Uber, which has local development and test facilities here. If Uber is found guilty, it is liable to pay $1,000 per person affected, totaling $13.5 million. That probably wouldn’t create positive movement in the relationship.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been picking up a lot of broken glass created by his predecessor, Uber founder Travis Kalanick (who this week announced his new venture). The breach happened on Kalanick’s watch, but wasn’t disclosed until shortly after Khosrowshahi took the company’s reins.
Amazon executives have been visiting HQ2 cities in the running
Amazon started with visits to D.C., Northern VA and Maryland. Mayor Bill Peduto said Amazon hasn’t arranged a visit with city officials but he thinks they’re likely here without him knowing. Wishful thinking? The Washington, D.C. area is considered to be the front-runner in the contest, according to various self-described experts. (Are there really any experts in this matter, outside of a small group of Amazon executives? Where did I put my Magic 8-Ball?)
Upcoming business, career & networking events
Tech Elevator’s Student Open House
Saturday, March 10 at CoLab18, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Philanthropy and Climate Change: A New Model for Building Urban Resilience
Thursday, March 15 at the University Club, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Panel on Investing in Women-led Businesses
Thursday, March 15 at Innovation Works, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
SMC March Madness Mixer
Friday, March 16 at Bar Louie, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
