Josh Franco
@heiferbeefmountain.bsky.social
Hot takes on tech, human rights law and baseball mostly.
I work for Amnesty Tech but I skeet for myself.
I work for Amnesty Tech but I skeet for myself.
Reposted by Josh Franco
The European Commission seems to believe that rights are an obstacle to competitiveness and innovation, but real innovation means finding ways to make new technologies work for everyone’s benefit, writes Amnesty Tech's Joshua Franco.
Why Civil Society Is Sounding the Alarm on the EU’s Omnibus Rollback | TechPolicy.Press
Under the guise of “simplification,” a corporate-backed wave of weakening digital rules is underway that threatens all of our rights, writes Joshua Franco.
www.techpolicy.press
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The European Commission seems to believe that rights are an obstacle to competitiveness and innovation, but real innovation means finding ways to make new technologies work for everyone’s benefit, writes Amnesty Tech's Joshua Franco.
Why Civil Society Is Sounding the Alarm on the EU’s Omnibus Rollback
www.techpolicy.press/why-civil-so...
www.techpolicy.press/why-civil-so...
Why Civil Society Is Sounding the Alarm on the EU’s Omnibus Rollback | TechPolicy.Press
Under the guise of “simplification,” a corporate-backed wave of weakening digital rules is underway that threatens all of our rights, writes Joshua Franco.
www.techpolicy.press
November 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Why Civil Society Is Sounding the Alarm on the EU’s Omnibus Rollback
www.techpolicy.press/why-civil-so...
www.techpolicy.press/why-civil-so...
New Amnesty report out today details how online harassment, fear of surveillance, unlawful use of force, disappearances, AI smear campaigns and more worked together to undermine the youth-led Gen Z protests in Kenya: www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Kenya: “This fear, everyone is feeling it”: Tech-facilitated violence against young activists in Kenya - Amnesty International
Through desk research, social media analysis and in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with young human rights defenders (HRDs) and expert observers, the report examines the links between di...
www.amnesty.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:33 AM
New Amnesty report out today details how online harassment, fear of surveillance, unlawful use of force, disappearances, AI smear campaigns and more worked together to undermine the youth-led Gen Z protests in Kenya: www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Reposted by Josh Franco
🚨Today, @stopspyingny.bsky.social and @amnesty.org are publishing the 2,700 docs we’ve forced the NYPD to release on their use of facial recognition against New Yorkers🚨
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social you might want to see this…
@jumaane.bsky.social
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social you might want to see this…
@jumaane.bsky.social
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Amnesty International, S.T.O.P. Lawsuit Reveals NYPD Surveillance Abuses
Records obtained by Amnesty International and S.T.O.P. reveal concerning surveillance abuses against protesters and communities of color, including the frequent use of rights-violating facial recognit...
www.amnesty.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:35 AM
🚨Today, @stopspyingny.bsky.social and @amnesty.org are publishing the 2,700 docs we’ve forced the NYPD to release on their use of facial recognition against New Yorkers🚨
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social you might want to see this…
@jumaane.bsky.social
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social you might want to see this…
@jumaane.bsky.social
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Under the guise of “simplification” the EU want to roll back digital rights to appease Big Tech.
Joint statement: www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-must...
Joint statement: www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-must...
The EU must uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights
What is being presented as a “technical streamlining” of EU digital laws is, in reality, an attempt to covertly dismantle Europe's strongest protections against digital threats.
www.amnesty.eu
November 13, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Under the guise of “simplification” the EU want to roll back digital rights to appease Big Tech.
Joint statement: www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-must...
Joint statement: www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-must...
Reposted by Josh Franco
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
The GDPR is Europe’s defence against digital oligarchy and child harm. Deregulation plans are misguided, say Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:46 AM
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
Inter-American SR on Free Expression calls for a ban on highly-invasive spyware like Pegasus which violates human rights by design.
www.oas.org/en/iachr/exp...
www.oas.org/en/iachr/exp...
October 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Inter-American SR on Free Expression calls for a ban on highly-invasive spyware like Pegasus which violates human rights by design.
www.oas.org/en/iachr/exp...
www.oas.org/en/iachr/exp...
Reposted by Josh Franco
“In Pakistan, surveillance is part of the cost of being a journalist”
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ca...
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ca...
“In Pakistan, surveillance is part of the cost of being a journalist”
In my experience, surveillance is never simply confined to one person. It is directed at your family, colleagues and sources. People around me have had to pay the price for my journalism. In the wake ...
www.amnesty.org
September 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
“In Pakistan, surveillance is part of the cost of being a journalist”
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ca...
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ca...
New research out today from Amnesty Tech shows how the shadowy trade in surveillance and censorship tech is fueling a human rights crisis in Pakistan: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Pakistan: Mass surveillance and censorship machine is fueled by Chinese, European, Emirati and North American companies
Pakistan’s unlawful mass surveillance and censorship expansion is powered by a nexus of companies based in Germany, France, United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, Canada, and the United States, Amnesty In...
www.amnesty.org
September 9, 2025 at 10:19 AM
New research out today from Amnesty Tech shows how the shadowy trade in surveillance and censorship tech is fueling a human rights crisis in Pakistan: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Reposted by Josh Franco
Big Tech or big technology companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple influence how we access and interact on the internet.
Here's why Big Tech companies are a threat to human rights ⬇️
Here's why Big Tech companies are a threat to human rights ⬇️
Why are Big Tech companies a threat to human rights?
Our new briefing, ‘Breaking up with Big Tech,’ outlines how big technology companies influence how we access the internet and how their power affects human rights.
amn.st
August 29, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Big Tech or big technology companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple influence how we access and interact on the internet.
Here's why Big Tech companies are a threat to human rights ⬇️
Here's why Big Tech companies are a threat to human rights ⬇️
"Breaking up with Big Tech" - is in the world today, thanks to the brilliant @hannahstorey.bsky.social
Human rights and anti-competition law need to work together to address the harms that tech monopolies cause: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Human rights and anti-competition law need to work together to address the harms that tech monopolies cause: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Amnesty launches ‘Breaking up with Big Tech’ briefing
Amnesty International has launched a new briefing calling on governments to rein in the power of Big Tech companies in order to safeguard human rights.
www.amnesty.org
August 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
"Breaking up with Big Tech" - is in the world today, thanks to the brilliant @hannahstorey.bsky.social
Human rights and anti-competition law need to work together to address the harms that tech monopolies cause: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Human rights and anti-competition law need to work together to address the harms that tech monopolies cause: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
New @amnesty.org research uncovers the role of Palantir and Babel in Trump's mass deportations and targeting pro-Palestine protest www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
USA/Global: Tech made by Palantir and Babel Street pose surveillance threats to pro-Palestine student protestors & migrants
The US authorities are using automated artificial intelligence (AI)-powered surveillance tools to deliberately target non-US citizens and pose risks to those who speak out for Palestinian rights, said...
www.amnesty.org
August 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
New @amnesty.org research uncovers the role of Palantir and Babel in Trump's mass deportations and targeting pro-Palestine protest www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Reposted by Josh Franco
The report is available in Danish, Arabic, and English.
Developing an easy-to-read version of the report is a first for Amnesty Tech and reflects our continued commitment to finding ways to make our work more accessible. Read more:
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Developing an easy-to-read version of the report is a first for Amnesty Tech and reflects our continued commitment to finding ways to make our work more accessible. Read more:
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Denmark: Easy-to-read version: Coded Injustice: Surveillance and Discrimination in Denmark’s automated welfare state - Amnesty International
This is the English Easy-to-read of the report Coded Injustice: Surveillance and Discrimination in Denmark’s automated welfare state The report discusses the findings of research conducted in Denmark ...
www.amnesty.org
June 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
The report is available in Danish, Arabic, and English.
Developing an easy-to-read version of the report is a first for Amnesty Tech and reflects our continued commitment to finding ways to make our work more accessible. Read more:
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Developing an easy-to-read version of the report is a first for Amnesty Tech and reflects our continued commitment to finding ways to make our work more accessible. Read more:
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Reposted by Josh Franco
New! If you are curious about how automation in welfare services effects people’s rights in Denmark, check out the easy-to-read version of Amnesty International’s investigation "Coded Injustice: Surveillance and Discrimination in Denmark’s automated welfare state".
June 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
New! If you are curious about how automation in welfare services effects people’s rights in Denmark, check out the easy-to-read version of Amnesty International’s investigation "Coded Injustice: Surveillance and Discrimination in Denmark’s automated welfare state".
Reposted by Josh Franco
I spoke to OkayAfrica about the landmark Kenya lawsuit in which a judge recently rule the court has jurisdiction to hear a case against #Meta for its contribution to violence in #Ethiopia about the avenues this opens up for community accountability
Read more here: www.okayafrica.com/kenya-ethiop...
Read more here: www.okayafrica.com/kenya-ethiop...
Can Facebook Be Held Responsible for Violence in Africa? Kenya’s Courts Say Yes | OkayAfrica
Ethiopian plaintiffs take on Meta in a landmark Kenyan lawsuit that could redefine Big Tech's accountability for fueling violence in Africa.
www.okayafrica.com
April 14, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I spoke to OkayAfrica about the landmark Kenya lawsuit in which a judge recently rule the court has jurisdiction to hear a case against #Meta for its contribution to violence in #Ethiopia about the avenues this opens up for community accountability
Read more here: www.okayafrica.com/kenya-ethiop...
Read more here: www.okayafrica.com/kenya-ethiop...
Reposted by Josh Franco
Last week, I was starstruck and positively stoked to sit down w @alixdunn.com and three incredible co-panelists to talk UK politics and broligarchy at the Computer Says Maybe live show in London. The show is now available on CSM's podcast feed – take a listen!
www.saysmaybe.com/podcast/ai-c...
www.saysmaybe.com/podcast/ai-c...
April 11, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Last week, I was starstruck and positively stoked to sit down w @alixdunn.com and three incredible co-panelists to talk UK politics and broligarchy at the Computer Says Maybe live show in London. The show is now available on CSM's podcast feed – take a listen!
www.saysmaybe.com/podcast/ai-c...
www.saysmaybe.com/podcast/ai-c...
Reposted by Josh Franco
📢 NEW: Investigative journalists in Serbia targeted with Pegasus spyware
Our team at @amnesty.org's Security Lab have found new evidence that Serbian authorities continue using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware against Serbian civil society.
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
Our team at @amnesty.org's Security Lab have found new evidence that Serbian authorities continue using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware against Serbian civil society.
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
Journalists targeted with Pegasus spyware - Amnesty International Security Lab
Amnesty International has found evidence that two journalists at the Serbia-based Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (“BIRN”), an award-winning network of investigative journalists, were targeted ...
securitylab.amnesty.org
March 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
📢 NEW: Investigative journalists in Serbia targeted with Pegasus spyware
Our team at @amnesty.org's Security Lab have found new evidence that Serbian authorities continue using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware against Serbian civil society.
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
Our team at @amnesty.org's Security Lab have found new evidence that Serbian authorities continue using NSO Group's Pegasus spyware against Serbian civil society.
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
Reposted by Josh Franco
Hungary has banned pride events and is allowing authorities to use face recognition to find the people who attend.
THIS is exactly the future we’ve been warning about as a movement to ban government use of face recognition has been working tireless to ban it at the local and state level.
THIS is exactly the future we’ve been warning about as a movement to ban government use of face recognition has been working tireless to ban it at the local and state level.
Hungary's new anti-LGBTQ+ law bans Pride events and sparks protests
The law, supported by Orbán’s Fidesz party and their minority coalition partner the Christian Democrats, was pushed through parliament in an accelerated procedure after being submitted only a day earl...
apnews.com
March 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Hungary has banned pride events and is allowing authorities to use face recognition to find the people who attend.
THIS is exactly the future we’ve been warning about as a movement to ban government use of face recognition has been working tireless to ban it at the local and state level.
THIS is exactly the future we’ve been warning about as a movement to ban government use of face recognition has been working tireless to ban it at the local and state level.
Reposted by Josh Franco
Must read: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out for the first time since his arrest by the Trump administration in an exclusive letter, dictated over the phone to his family, from ICE detention in Louisiana.
March 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Must read: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out for the first time since his arrest by the Trump administration in an exclusive letter, dictated over the phone to his family, from ICE detention in Louisiana.
Reposted by Josh Franco
The arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist and lawful permanent resident, is another attack on human rights by the Trump administration.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights, not grounds for deportation.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights, not grounds for deportation.
March 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist and lawful permanent resident, is another attack on human rights by the Trump administration.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights, not grounds for deportation.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights, not grounds for deportation.
Last week Amnesty joined the case of Brejza v. Poland at the ECHR.
Spyware like Pegasus violates human rights by design - it's time for a ban.
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Spyware like Pegasus violates human rights by design - it's time for a ban.
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Poland: Written submissions filed to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Krzysztof Brejza v. Poland and 8 Other Applications - Amnesty International
On 26 February 2025, Amnesty International filed written submissions to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Krzysztof Brejza v. Poland and 8 Other Applications. The case raises important...
www.amnesty.org
March 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Last week Amnesty joined the case of Brejza v. Poland at the ECHR.
Spyware like Pegasus violates human rights by design - it's time for a ban.
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Spyware like Pegasus violates human rights by design - it's time for a ban.
www.amnesty.org/en/documents...
Reposted by Josh Franco
🔔NEW: Apple threat notification 🔔
Apple have just sent new notifications to individual's targeted by highly-invasive mobile spyware!
Reach out to our team at @Amnesty's Security Lab or trusted experts if you received this critical warning
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Apple have just sent new notifications to individual's targeted by highly-invasive mobile spyware!
Reach out to our team at @Amnesty's Security Lab or trusted experts if you received this critical warning
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Apple threat notifications: What they mean and what you can do
Apple threat notifications: What they mean and what you can do
www.amnesty.org
March 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
🔔NEW: Apple threat notification 🔔
Apple have just sent new notifications to individual's targeted by highly-invasive mobile spyware!
Reach out to our team at @Amnesty's Security Lab or trusted experts if you received this critical warning
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Apple have just sent new notifications to individual's targeted by highly-invasive mobile spyware!
Reach out to our team at @Amnesty's Security Lab or trusted experts if you received this critical warning
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
Reposted by Josh Franco
Il est urgent d'adopter une approche critique du technosolutionnisme de la France et de poser des limites claires à l'utilisation d'outils qui, au nom de la sécurité, menacent nos droits fondamentaux.
Pour agir ✍️👇
www.amnesty.fr/petitions/la...
Pour agir ✍️👇
www.amnesty.fr/petitions/la...
[PÉTITION] Agissons avant que la reconnaissance faciale devienne une réalité en France
En France, le recours aux technologies de surveillance se multiplie. La prochaine étape, la reconnaissance faciale ? L'inquiétude est réelle.
www.amnesty.fr
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Il est urgent d'adopter une approche critique du technosolutionnisme de la France et de poser des limites claires à l'utilisation d'outils qui, au nom de la sécurité, menacent nos droits fondamentaux.
Pour agir ✍️👇
www.amnesty.fr/petitions/la...
Pour agir ✍️👇
www.amnesty.fr/petitions/la...
Reposted by Josh Franco
Des experts de l’ONU estiment non nécessaire et non proportionnée la vidéosurveillance algorithmique déployée pendant les JO 2024. #VSA
Des critères pourtant imposés par le droit international pour toute intrusion dans le droit à la vie privée.
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Des critères pourtant imposés par le droit international pour toute intrusion dans le droit à la vie privée.
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
JO de Paris 2024 : certaines des mesures de sécurité jugées « disproportionnées » et « illégales » par des experts mandatés par l’ONU
Pour ces experts « dans de trop nombreux cas, les mesures de sécurité semblent avoir été appliquées de manière indiscriminée », comme le recours aux drones de surveillance ou encore à la vidéosurveill...
www.lemonde.fr
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Des experts de l’ONU estiment non nécessaire et non proportionnée la vidéosurveillance algorithmique déployée pendant les JO 2024. #VSA
Des critères pourtant imposés par le droit international pour toute intrusion dans le droit à la vie privée.
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Des critères pourtant imposés par le droit international pour toute intrusion dans le droit à la vie privée.
www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Reposted by Josh Franco
**Major** update to this story, and something I'll continue reporting on through the weekend:
🚨 The new acting IRS commissioner has indicated she plans to comply with DHS's request for the addresses of 700,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. 🚨
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
🚨 The new acting IRS commissioner has indicated she plans to comply with DHS's request for the addresses of 700,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. 🚨
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
March 1, 2025 at 4:14 AM
**Major** update to this story, and something I'll continue reporting on through the weekend:
🚨 The new acting IRS commissioner has indicated she plans to comply with DHS's request for the addresses of 700,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. 🚨
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
🚨 The new acting IRS commissioner has indicated she plans to comply with DHS's request for the addresses of 700,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. 🚨
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...