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Senator Scott Wiener Press Conference at YC

Garry Tan and Scott Wiener on california BASE Act targets trillion-dollar platforms’ self-preferencing to restore competition.

SWScott WienerguestGTGarry Tanhost

Mar 19, 2026·42m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1

   Wiener unveils SB 1074 (BASE Act) to ban self-preferencing by mega platforms

   Senator Scott Wiener opens the press conference announcing SB 1074, a California bill targeting self-preferencing by the largest internet platforms. He frames it as pro-competition legislation aimed at protecting startups, mid-sized companies, and consumers.

2. 2

   Real-world examples of “rigged” digital markets (Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta)

   Wiener lists concrete examples of self-preferencing and related conduct by major platforms. He argues these behaviors harm consumers and competitors by restricting choice, raising prices, and controlling information flows.

3. 3

   Why this matters now: AI-driven startups and public trust in the innovation boom

   Wiener ties the legislation to the current AI wave, arguing that rapid company creation (“vibe coding”) needs fair distribution channels. He emphasizes that a level playing field is necessary for the public to feel the benefits of AI rather than seeing gains captured only by incumbents.

4. 4

   Defining the core problem: self-preferencing and outdated enforcement tools

   Wiener defines self-preferencing as the central practice distorting online experiences and markets. He argues that existing federal antitrust tools and recent legal wins have not been sufficient to change platform behavior.

5. 5

   What SB 1074 (BASE Act) does: scope, thresholds, and prohibited conduct

   Wiener introduces the BASE Act’s formal name and outlines its coverage thresholds and types of banned behavior. The bill targets only the very largest platforms and enumerates specific prohibited self-preferencing practices.

6. 6

   Garry Tan (YC): the web’s openness is disappearing behind app stores and platform search

   YC CEO Garry Tan argues the internet used to be open to builders, but distribution is now bottlenecked by Apple and Google. He claims founders can build quickly with AI, yet face gatekeeping when trying to publish, reach users, or monetize.

7. 7

   Tan’s framing: pro-innovation, anti-corruption—target narrow anti-competitive edge cases

   Tan anticipates criticisms and argues the bill is not anti–vertical integration. He positions it as targeted “anti-corruption” work against gatekeepers that tilt essential infrastructure to disadvantage rivals.

8. 8

   Economic Security California Action: the “toll road” analogy and consumer affordability

   Teri Oley explains how dominant platforms resemble a toll-road owner who competes with those dependent on the road. She connects self-preferencing to higher prices, fewer choices, worse quality, and an “affordability crisis” in digital markets.

9. 9

   Founder story #1 (AltStore): EU DMA enabled alternative app stores Apple wouldn’t allow

   Shane Gill recounts building AltStore to distribute apps Apple rejected (e.g., emulators). He argues Apple only allowed change when forced by competition and regulation, and says California can replicate that dynamic with SB 1074.

10. 10

    Founder story #2 (Beeper/Pebble): interoperability blocks third-party devices on iPhone

    Eric Migicovsky describes how Apple limits third-party smartwatch features on iPhone, steering users toward Apple Watch. He notes EU rules mandating interoperability would unlock features for competitors that are currently unavailable in the US.

11. 11

    Founder story #3 (Poke/Interaction): WhatsApp access threatened when Meta launched its own AI

    Marvin von Hagen describes Meta moving to ban or price out businesses that compete with Meta’s new AI assistant on WhatsApp. He depicts messaging apps as essential communication infrastructure and says EU intervention helped but was followed by new barriers.

12. 12

    Founder story #4 (Blue): workarounds (USB dongle) exist only because platforms won’t grant access

    Peter Krogue explains Blue, a voice assistant requiring deep phone control, and why the team had to build a hardware dongle to simulate taps and typing. He emphasizes accessibility benefits and argues platform restrictions block software-only solutions.

13. 13

    Press Q&A: prohibited behaviors, thresholds, enforcement, and responses to criticisms

    Wiener details what the bill bans, how it phases in for public and private companies, and how it will be enforced. Speakers also address security arguments, Governor Newsom’s position, and how SB 1074 relates to other California competition legislation.