Matthew Lane
@mattlane.bsky.social
Florida Man living in DC. Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
As both the House & Senate look to repeal Section 230, I'm curious who they think should be held liable for the comments they've left open on the Epstein photo dump...? Them? Dropbox?
Do they have a trust & safety team watching the comments?
Do they have a trust & safety team watching the comments?
absolutely wild move by @oversightdemocrats.house.gov to allow comments on the dropbox folder with the epstein photos
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
As both the House & Senate look to repeal Section 230, I'm curious who they think should be held liable for the comments they've left open on the Epstein photo dump...? Them? Dropbox?
Do they have a trust & safety team watching the comments?
Do they have a trust & safety team watching the comments?
Now that Senate Republicans are using means testing as an excuse to block a clean ACA extension here's a reminder:
Means testing is extremely expensive and you can simply get that money back by taxing rich people more.
(Means testing is people making over $x can't use these benefits)
Means testing is extremely expensive and you can simply get that money back by taxing rich people more.
(Means testing is people making over $x can't use these benefits)
December 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Now that Senate Republicans are using means testing as an excuse to block a clean ACA extension here's a reminder:
Means testing is extremely expensive and you can simply get that money back by taxing rich people more.
(Means testing is people making over $x can't use these benefits)
Means testing is extremely expensive and you can simply get that money back by taxing rich people more.
(Means testing is people making over $x can't use these benefits)
Reposted by Matthew Lane
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
www.404media.co
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Building off @cameronwilson.bsky.social's reporting for @crikey.com.au, I highlight how we appear to have a baptist & bootleggers situation in Australia, where it appears the gambling industry was a big force behind the "social media ban for teens" in an effort to kill a plan to ban gambling ads.
Australia’s Social Media Ban Was Pushed By Ad Agency Focused On Gambling Ads It Didn’t Want Banned
We’ve talked about the Australian social media ban that went into effect last week, how dumb it is, and why it’s already a mess. But late last week, some additional news broke that makes the whole…
We’ve talked about the Australian social media ban that went into effect last week, how dumb it is, and why it’s already a mess. But late last week, some additional news broke that makes the whole…
Australia’s Social Media Ban Was Pushed By Ad Agency Focused On Gambling Ads It Didn’t Want Banned
We’ve talked about the Australian social media ban that went into effect last week, how dumb it is, and why it’s already a mess. But late last week, some additional news broke that makes the whole thing even more grotesque: turns out the campaign pushing hardest for the ban was run by an ad agency that makes gambling ads.
www.techdirt.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Building off @cameronwilson.bsky.social's reporting for @crikey.com.au, I highlight how we appear to have a baptist & bootleggers situation in Australia, where it appears the gambling industry was a big force behind the "social media ban for teens" in an effort to kill a plan to ban gambling ads.
Tape Bowing Ensemble - Open Reel Ensemble
YouTube video by Open Reel Ensemble
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
It was a crazy game that took way too long because everyone almost won several times only to be blocked by someone else. In the end the person with the hardest faction won after having a terrible start but enough time to catch up.
I'm so excited about Twilight Imperium tomorrow even though I drafted a bad faction.
December 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
It was a crazy game that took way too long because everyone almost won several times only to be blocked by someone else. In the end the person with the hardest faction won after having a terrible start but enough time to catch up.
I'm so excited about Twilight Imperium tomorrow even though I drafted a bad faction.
December 13, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I'm so excited about Twilight Imperium tomorrow even though I drafted a bad faction.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Reposted by Matthew Lane
@fightforthefuture.org ’s policy counsel @mattlane.bsky.social and friends will be reacting live to this hearing tomorrow morning.
Join in the discussion: fftf.link/livestream
Join in the discussion: fftf.link/livestream
Bad Internet Bill Theater 3000: Subcommittee Markup on Kids Safety Bills
Fight for the Future's policy counsel Matt Lane and policy strategist, Jibran Ludwig, and friends react to House Energy + Commerce subcommittee hearing about a bunch of Bad Internet Bills, which inclu...
fftf.link
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
@fightforthefuture.org ’s policy counsel @mattlane.bsky.social and friends will be reacting live to this hearing tomorrow morning.
Join in the discussion: fftf.link/livestream
Join in the discussion: fftf.link/livestream
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Wrote about the ridiculous new Trump visa rules that will stop those who worked in trust & safety from getting visas at the same time MAGA folks are demanding more trust & safety work.
Your Job Was Stopping CSAM? Trump Says No Visa For You!
You want to see actual government censorship in action? And have it done by people claiming they’re doing it to stop censorship? Check out last week's revelation (originally reported by Reuters) that the US State Department will now start…
You want to see actual government censorship in action? And have it done by people claiming they’re doing it to stop censorship? Check out last week's revelation (originally reported by Reuters) that the US State Department will now start…
Your Job Was Stopping CSAM? Trump Says No Visa For You!
You want to see actual government censorship in action? And have it done by people claiming they’re doing it to stop censorship? Check out last week's revelation (originally reported by Reuters) that the US State Department will now start denying H-1B visas for anyone who has anything to do with trust & safety, fact checking, content moderation, or mis- or disinformation research.
www.techdirt.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Wrote about the ridiculous new Trump visa rules that will stop those who worked in trust & safety from getting visas at the same time MAGA folks are demanding more trust & safety work.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Finally a "shadow" hearing. Been wondering since February why Dems never do this.
Tomorrow at 3:00 House and Senate Democrats will be holding a "shadow hearing" on the detention of U.S. citizens. I'll be there testifying about the broader policy changes which led us to this moment.
/my name isn't in this press release but I'll be there! www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
/my name isn't in this press release but I'll be there! www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
Blumenthal & Robert Garcia to Hold Forum to Receive Testimony from Five U.S. Citizens Assaulted, Illegally Detained by DHS | U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut
[WASHINGTON, DC] – On Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 3 PM ET in 216 Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal...
www.blumenthal.senate.gov
December 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Finally a "shadow" hearing. Been wondering since February why Dems never do this.
The thing that really makes me lose all faith in Congress is that bills like the ECCHO Act could have been narrowly tailored around a real harm and be upheld by courts and maybe even done some good. BUT NO! 1/3
www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/re...
www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/re...
Grassley, Durbin Introduce Landmark Legislative Package to Protect Kids Online | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick...
www.judiciary.senate.gov
December 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The thing that really makes me lose all faith in Congress is that bills like the ECCHO Act could have been narrowly tailored around a real harm and be upheld by courts and maybe even done some good. BUT NO! 1/3
www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/re...
www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/re...
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Again, elites desperate to make corruption seem completely normal--not even worth being secretive about!
This is just how we do mergers now.
"Paramount executives also plan to argue their deal will have a much shorter regulatory approval process given the company’s smaller size and friendly relationship with the Trump administration."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/p...
"Paramount executives also plan to argue their deal will have a much shorter regulatory approval process given the company’s smaller size and friendly relationship with the Trump administration."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/p...
Paramount Skydance launches hostile bid for WBD after Netflix wins bidding war
Netflix won a bidding war for the Warner Bros. film studio and HBO Max streaming service, but it doesn't plan to buy WBD's TV networks.
www.cnbc.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Again, elites desperate to make corruption seem completely normal--not even worth being secretive about!
Reposted by Matthew Lane
404 Media is making a print zine! About the surveillance technologies used by ICE. 16 pages, riso printed. Shipping early January. Features reworked versions of our best reporting and a few new things. We're very excited! And hope to do more if people like it:
www.404media.co/404-media-is...
www.404media.co/404-media-is...
404 Media Is Making a Zine
We are publishing a risograph-printed zine about the surveillance technologies used by ICE.
www.404media.co
December 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
404 Media is making a print zine! About the surveillance technologies used by ICE. 16 pages, riso printed. Shipping early January. Features reworked versions of our best reporting and a few new things. We're very excited! And hope to do more if people like it:
www.404media.co/404-media-is...
www.404media.co/404-media-is...
Reposted by Matthew Lane
This year, I set out to chronicle free speech under the Trump admin. No small feat. Trump attacks dissent & leverages the White House to go after critics constantly. But how? Read our bombshell new @freepress.bsky.social report. I'm proud & horrified: www.freepress.net/attack-on-fr...
Chokehold: Donald Trump’s War on Free Speech & the Need for Systemic Resistance
This Free Press report examines the Trump administration’s hostile relationship with dissent and free expression in 2025. It analyzes how Trump and his political enablers have sought to undermine and ...
www.freepress.net
December 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
This year, I set out to chronicle free speech under the Trump admin. No small feat. Trump attacks dissent & leverages the White House to go after critics constantly. But how? Read our bombshell new @freepress.bsky.social report. I'm proud & horrified: www.freepress.net/attack-on-fr...
Reposted by Matthew Lane
I’m periodically going to be posting fundraising skeets for @fightforthefuture.org as we get into our year end push.
Unfortunately, we’re facing a big budget gap this year. We lost major funders over our principled stances.
We stay fighting. But we need your support
Fightforthefuture.org/donate
Unfortunately, we’re facing a big budget gap this year. We lost major funders over our principled stances.
We stay fighting. But we need your support
Fightforthefuture.org/donate
Donate
Donate We rely on donations from everyday people just like you to fund our strategic activism. Please make a recurring donation to our organization so we can continue to fight for your digital rights....
Fightforthefuture.org
December 8, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I’m periodically going to be posting fundraising skeets for @fightforthefuture.org as we get into our year end push.
Unfortunately, we’re facing a big budget gap this year. We lost major funders over our principled stances.
We stay fighting. But we need your support
Fightforthefuture.org/donate
Unfortunately, we’re facing a big budget gap this year. We lost major funders over our principled stances.
We stay fighting. But we need your support
Fightforthefuture.org/donate
Reposted by Matthew Lane
I'm an absolute goner once age inference technology gets used to kick teenagers off social media. I listen to the Tarzan soundtrack way too much, my devices will definitely think I'm a child
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I'm an absolute goner once age inference technology gets used to kick teenagers off social media. I listen to the Tarzan soundtrack way too much, my devices will definitely think I'm a child
SCOTUS is giddy to decide elections again after 25 years. I can't wait to see what logic they use to overturn CA maps when given the chance.
BREAKING: Supreme Court GRANTS Texas request to restore redistricting maps
apparent 6-3 ruling with the liberals in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
apparent 6-3 ruling with the liberals in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
SCOTUS is giddy to decide elections again after 25 years. I can't wait to see what logic they use to overturn CA maps when given the chance.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
A lot going on here: storytelling as “piracy” and the looming threat to fan fiction from gen AI theories of infringement. Let that little kid tell himself whatever stories he wants! Also note reliance on fair use to replicate the child’s “infringing” output
www.knobbe.com/updates/soun...
www.knobbe.com/updates/soun...
Sound the Alarm! How My 6-Year Old Almost Became a Copyright Pirate Overnight | Knobbe Martens
As we previously wrote, in the brave new world of AI, the ability of users to push the boundaries of creativity at breakneck speed raises new challenges for IP owners....
www.knobbe.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
A lot going on here: storytelling as “piracy” and the looming threat to fan fiction from gen AI theories of infringement. Let that little kid tell himself whatever stories he wants! Also note reliance on fair use to replicate the child’s “infringing” output
www.knobbe.com/updates/soun...
www.knobbe.com/updates/soun...
Reposted by Matthew Lane
Give to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social so that the game history train can keep rolling AND Phil can get a vacation!
It's Giving Tuesday at the VGHF! We've had an incredible 2025, but we need your help to make sure we can continue doing our charitable work in 2026 and beyond. We just launched our annual Winter Fundraiser campaign, please give if you're able (and share this post!). http://gamehistory.org/donate
December 2, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Give to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social so that the game history train can keep rolling AND Phil can get a vacation!
We are trying something new and livestreaming the House hearing on 19 online safety bills with commentary from me and some other folks who will be stopping by. We will also be answering questions. Catch us at:
www.youtube.com/live/GwAAPmN...
www.youtube.com/live/GwAAPmN...
Bad Internet Bill Theater 3000: Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online
Fight for the Future's Matt Lane and friends watch a hearing about a bunch of Bad Internet Bills.
More info:
* https://www.badinternetbills.com
* https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guth...
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We are trying something new and livestreaming the House hearing on 19 online safety bills with commentary from me and some other folks who will be stopping by. We will also be answering questions. Catch us at:
www.youtube.com/live/GwAAPmN...
www.youtube.com/live/GwAAPmN...
Reposted by Matthew Lane
It’s been in the pipeline for a minute, but the short version is: Cox lost the DMCA safe harbor for (more or less) refusing to disconnect accounts. The question then becomes, ok, they don’t have the safe harbor—but even without it, are they liable?
Why did this even make it to SCOTUS? What's the procedural history here?
December 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
It’s been in the pipeline for a minute, but the short version is: Cox lost the DMCA safe harbor for (more or less) refusing to disconnect accounts. The question then becomes, ok, they don’t have the safe harbor—but even without it, are they liable?
Reposted by Matthew Lane
AMA on Online ID Checks is now live! Where the Redditors at?
Our policy counsel team will be answering questions about the dangers of online ID checks alongside policy experts at @eff.org and the ACLU.
www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/c...
Our policy counsel team will be answering questions about the dangers of online ID checks alongside policy experts at @eff.org and the ACLU.
www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/c...
From the pcgaming community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the pcgaming community
www.reddit.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
AMA on Online ID Checks is now live! Where the Redditors at?
Our policy counsel team will be answering questions about the dangers of online ID checks alongside policy experts at @eff.org and the ACLU.
www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/c...
Our policy counsel team will be answering questions about the dangers of online ID checks alongside policy experts at @eff.org and the ACLU.
www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/c...
Same, -50 points for an error of fact and not capitalizing the "D" in Dumpster counted because it's a trademark and the paper you might work at could face legal for trademark dilution.
One of my first journalism professors would give you a zero if you had even one error of fact. It happened to me. Sucked so much. He was one of the best professors I ever had, I took three more classes from him, and we’re still in touch
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Same, -50 points for an error of fact and not capitalizing the "D" in Dumpster counted because it's a trademark and the paper you might work at could face legal for trademark dilution.
Reposted by Matthew Lane
And we're off with SCOTUS arguments in Sony v Cox. The question at issue: whether ISPs can be liable for the copyright infringement committed by their users.
December 1, 2025 at 3:13 PM
And we're off with SCOTUS arguments in Sony v Cox. The question at issue: whether ISPs can be liable for the copyright infringement committed by their users.