Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told county supervisors this week that his department would not use Fulgent Genetics to test his department staff for COVID-19. The letter, in which Villanueva said the genetic information was was likely to be shared with China, has put the Temple City company in the spotlight despite its attempts to dispel accusations that it collects DNA from individuals and shares data with the Chinese government. Read more >>
Here's what else we're reading in the news:
- Plug In South LA is now accepting applications for its Tech Accelerator Program.
- Riot Games has signed a 10-year lease for its new 200,000-square foot office in West Los Angeles.
- Half a dozen studios including Netflix, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures and others have sued streaming website Primewire over copyright infringement.
- A new report highlights how hackers game “mass reporting” that leads some TikTokers to lose their content on the platform.
Three Things to Know About Fulgent Genetics
The accusations around Fulgent Genetics and its alleged ties to China have long circulated on social media platforms. But the Temple City-based COVID testing company is defending its reputation. Reporter Keerthi Vedantam digs up three things there is to know about the company and what the Los Angeles County Sheriff is alleging.
Invisible Universe Inspires Serena Williams' First Book
Qai Qai, the baby doll co-created with Invisible Universe, is the subject of tennis star Serena Williams' first book for children titled "The Adventures of Qai Qai." The Los Angeles-based startup is looking to create the next hit cartoon character on social media and become “the Pixar of social media.”
Greycroft’s Dana Settle on LA's Booming Tech Scene
It was once a contrarian perspective to think a venture capital firm could survive outside of Silicon Valley. But Dana Settle moved to Los Angeles and tried it anyway. On this episode of Office Hours, co-founder of Zillow and dot.LA Spencer Rascoff talks to Settle about the booming L.A. tech scene and her investment firm Greycroft.