James Tinged Words
@jameswords.bsky.social
Thinking about my dog 🐶, nerdy ways to have fun, and occasionally tech policy from Aotearoa New Zealand. Views my own.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
So many interesting stories on these interviews. @robin.berjon.com about web standards, governance, and the possibility of building better fundamentals for the future.
> if you got into tech because you didn't like politics, now you have two problems.
protocol.ecologies.info/interviews/b...
> if you got into tech because you didn't like politics, now you have two problems.
protocol.ecologies.info/interviews/b...
December 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
So many interesting stories on these interviews. @robin.berjon.com about web standards, governance, and the possibility of building better fundamentals for the future.
> if you got into tech because you didn't like politics, now you have two problems.
protocol.ecologies.info/interviews/b...
> if you got into tech because you didn't like politics, now you have two problems.
protocol.ecologies.info/interviews/b...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
SCOOP
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
Doxers Posing as Cops Are Tricking Big Tech Firms Into Sharing People's Private Data
A spoofed email address and an easily faked document is all it takes for major tech companies to hand over your most personal information.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
SCOOP
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
I spoke to the leader of a doxing-for-hire group who showed me how it took just minutes for them to get sensitive personal data from Big Tech companies—with virtually no pushback
www.wired.com/story/doxers...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
The U.S. proposes asking foreign tourists for five years of social media history before allowing them into the country. EFF’s Lisa Femia breaks down this breaks down this speech-chilling and privacy-invasive scheme for ABC Australia.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-1...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-1...
US to order foreign tourists to disclose social media histories
Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.
www.abc.net.au
December 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The U.S. proposes asking foreign tourists for five years of social media history before allowing them into the country. EFF’s Lisa Femia breaks down this breaks down this speech-chilling and privacy-invasive scheme for ABC Australia.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-1...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-1...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Discord, who recently leaked a heap of personal data in a security breach, wants my personal data to let me access a channel I created in a server I created. Thank you, Australian government.
December 10, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Discord, who recently leaked a heap of personal data in a security breach, wants my personal data to let me access a channel I created in a server I created. Thank you, Australian government.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Now imagine sharing your private fantasies with what you believe is a bot that cannot judge or remember. Just that, on the other side, is a man in a one-room home in Nairobi, pretending to be an AI companion.
That man is Michael, and this is his story: data-workers.org/michael/
That man is Michael, and this is his story: data-workers.org/michael/
The Emotional Labor Behind AI Intimacy, by Michael Geoffrey Asia.
Imagine confiding your most private fantasies to what you believe is an unfeeling algorithm that cannot judge or remember. Now imagine that on the other side of that conversation is a man sitting in a...
data-workers.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Now imagine sharing your private fantasies with what you believe is a bot that cannot judge or remember. Just that, on the other side, is a man in a one-room home in Nairobi, pretending to be an AI companion.
That man is Michael, and this is his story: data-workers.org/michael/
That man is Michael, and this is his story: data-workers.org/michael/
Reposted by James Tinged Words
The Prime Minister credited 36 Months for convincing him to ban teens from social media.
This group accused experts who opposed the ban of being 'bought' by big tech. Meanwhile, it was lining up brand deals, eyeing global expansion & developing an AI tool to track students
www.crikey.com.au/20...
This group accused experts who opposed the ban of being 'bought' by big tech. Meanwhile, it was lining up brand deals, eyeing global expansion & developing an AI tool to track students
www.crikey.com.au/20...
December 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
The Prime Minister credited 36 Months for convincing him to ban teens from social media.
This group accused experts who opposed the ban of being 'bought' by big tech. Meanwhile, it was lining up brand deals, eyeing global expansion & developing an AI tool to track students
www.crikey.com.au/20...
This group accused experts who opposed the ban of being 'bought' by big tech. Meanwhile, it was lining up brand deals, eyeing global expansion & developing an AI tool to track students
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Bluesky has also asked the @australia.theguardian.com account to put in its age, and is even more restrictive.
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
December 9, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Bluesky has also asked the @australia.theguardian.com account to put in its age, and is even more restrictive.
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
Reposted by James Tinged Words
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity.
December 5, 2025 at 8:01 AM
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Streeting to next launch inquiry into “over-diagnosis” of left-handedness.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
December 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Streeting to next launch inquiry into “over-diagnosis” of left-handedness.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather
"IT IS ... UNFAIR.
‘That’s life, master.’
BUT I’M NOT.
‘I meant this is how it’s supposed to go, master,’ said Albert.
NO. YOU MEAN THIS IS HOW IT GOES."
"IT IS ... UNFAIR.
‘That’s life, master.’
BUT I’M NOT.
‘I meant this is how it’s supposed to go, master,’ said Albert.
NO. YOU MEAN THIS IS HOW IT GOES."
Discworld QOTD, from The Truth
December 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather
"IT IS ... UNFAIR.
‘That’s life, master.’
BUT I’M NOT.
‘I meant this is how it’s supposed to go, master,’ said Albert.
NO. YOU MEAN THIS IS HOW IT GOES."
"IT IS ... UNFAIR.
‘That’s life, master.’
BUT I’M NOT.
‘I meant this is how it’s supposed to go, master,’ said Albert.
NO. YOU MEAN THIS IS HOW IT GOES."
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
“How did you get into ttrpgs?”
I woke the same as any other day except a voice was in my head.
I woke the same as any other day except a voice was in my head.
"How did you get into ttrpgs?"
Asian Cigarettes. A long talk. A few cans...
( Seeing as this is an old song from New Zealand that many people won't know , here's a link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks3R... )
Asian Cigarettes. A long talk. A few cans...
( Seeing as this is an old song from New Zealand that many people won't know , here's a link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks3R... )
November 28, 2025 at 8:03 AM
“How did you get into ttrpgs?”
I woke the same as any other day except a voice was in my head.
I woke the same as any other day except a voice was in my head.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Scoop: The most popular apps in Australia right now are social media platforms not included in the teen ban (so far).
This comes as teens make videos recommending that they all migrate to these alternative platforms to get around the ban — something experts warned about.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
This comes as teens make videos recommending that they all migrate to these alternative platforms to get around the ban — something experts warned about.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
November 27, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Scoop: The most popular apps in Australia right now are social media platforms not included in the teen ban (so far).
This comes as teens make videos recommending that they all migrate to these alternative platforms to get around the ban — something experts warned about.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
This comes as teens make videos recommending that they all migrate to these alternative platforms to get around the ban — something experts warned about.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
At New Zealand's Kawaiican cybersecurity convention, organizers hacked together a way for attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue—even before they arrived. www.wired.com/story/this-h...
This Hacker Conference Installed a Literal Anti-Virus Monitoring System
At New Zealand's Kawaiican cybersecurity convention, organizers hacked together a way for attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue—even before they arrived.
www.wired.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
At New Zealand's Kawaiican cybersecurity convention, organizers hacked together a way for attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue—even before they arrived. www.wired.com/story/this-h...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Give the wonderful folks on your systems and security teams lots of pats on the back.
This is the hellscape they inhabit daily.
This is the hellscape they inhabit daily.
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Give the wonderful folks on your systems and security teams lots of pats on the back.
This is the hellscape they inhabit daily.
This is the hellscape they inhabit daily.
Reposted by James Tinged Words
My full analysis of the proposal to revamp EU data protection standards (#GDPR/#ePrivacy). So, changing the definition of personal data? blog.lukaszolejnik.com/the-gdpr-pro..., techletters.substack.com/p/techletter...
The GDPR proposal unveiled officially
European Union is on a route to simplify regulations. Some measures in the past decade have been criticised as overbroad. European Commission plans to modify the General Data Protection Regulation.
S...
blog.lukaszolejnik.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
My full analysis of the proposal to revamp EU data protection standards (#GDPR/#ePrivacy). So, changing the definition of personal data? blog.lukaszolejnik.com/the-gdpr-pro..., techletters.substack.com/p/techletter...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
wasn’t my most out-there take, but still… called it
October 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
wasn’t my most out-there take, but still… called it
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Why do some parts of the internet seem more robustly democratic than others?
"A big piece of it is that they have a higher purpose. Wikipedia editors, at their best, they really do believe that there’s something more than partisan politics—and that’s the accurate reflection of reliable sources."
"A big piece of it is that they have a higher purpose. Wikipedia editors, at their best, they really do believe that there’s something more than partisan politics—and that’s the accurate reflection of reliable sources."
Elon Musk Has His Own Encyclopedia Now. Well, We Read Some of the Entries …
He tried to buy Wikipedia. When that didn’t work, he made his own version—and it’s a mess.
slate.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Why do some parts of the internet seem more robustly democratic than others?
"A big piece of it is that they have a higher purpose. Wikipedia editors, at their best, they really do believe that there’s something more than partisan politics—and that’s the accurate reflection of reliable sources."
"A big piece of it is that they have a higher purpose. Wikipedia editors, at their best, they really do believe that there’s something more than partisan politics—and that’s the accurate reflection of reliable sources."
Reposted by James Tinged Words
reminded of eric williams's observation about britain's relationship to its history with slavery. "British historians wrote almost as if Britain had introduced Negro slavery solely for the satisfaction of abolishing it."
holy shit: “Among the 2,000 UK adults surveyed, 85% were unaware that Britain forcibly transported more than 3 million Africans to the Caribbean, 89% did not know that Britain enslaved people in the Caribbean for more than 300 years” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Caribbean reparations leaders in ‘historic’ first UK visit to press for justice
CRC mission will seek to deepen public understanding of Britain’s colonial legacy and its lasting impact
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
reminded of eric williams's observation about britain's relationship to its history with slavery. "British historians wrote almost as if Britain had introduced Negro slavery solely for the satisfaction of abolishing it."
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Important to understand the Epstein stuff and the fascism and the corruption are, in a lot of ways, really all the same story from different angles: powerful men who can and do abuse vulnerable people around them because they can, and because systems of elite accountability catastrophically failed
November 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Important to understand the Epstein stuff and the fascism and the corruption are, in a lot of ways, really all the same story from different angles: powerful men who can and do abuse vulnerable people around them because they can, and because systems of elite accountability catastrophically failed
Reposted by James Tinged Words
Good apples (provisional) www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Revealed: The senior cops who exposed the Jevon McSkimming police 'cover-up'
The watchdog that found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police also commended the work of several police staff who stood up. Here's who they are.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Good apples (provisional) www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by James Tinged Words
In an Australia first, I used FOI to get the AI chat logs of Australia's top national security bureaucrat.
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 AM
In an Australia first, I used FOI to get the AI chat logs of Australia's top national security bureaucrat.
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...