Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
@sanjanah.bsky.social
Studying confluence of influence operations, disinfo, truth decay, information integrity & policies addressing online harms. Many thoughts, sometimes prayers.
Pinned
A ‘War of Stories’: Humanitarianism in the Disinformation Age | @heatherleson.bsky.social from the @theifrc.bsky.social invited me to pen this article mid-2024. I sent it to her months ago, and finally got around to publishing it.
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
If you happen to be looking for bad redactions in a large set of data files today for some reason, there's an open source tool for that.
Y’all know we have a tool for finding exactly these kinds of bad redactions, right? free.law/open-source-...
December 23, 2025 at 6:31 AM
If you happen to be looking for bad redactions in a large set of data files today for some reason, there's an open source tool for that.
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Don't want to upset the holiday mood of folks in New Zealand by posting aspects of awful commentary inciting hate, & harm inspired by, & directly associated with Brian Tamaki's rally over the weekend. The rally was widely covered in Indian media, as well as foreign social media accounts. #nzpol
December 22, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Don't want to upset the holiday mood of folks in New Zealand by posting aspects of awful commentary inciting hate, & harm inspired by, & directly associated with Brian Tamaki's rally over the weekend. The rally was widely covered in Indian media, as well as foreign social media accounts. #nzpol
Since, AFAIK, it isn't probed by New Zealand media or critically raised elsewhere incl. in parliament, it will never cease to surprise me how the Foreign Minister esp., & others in Govt willingly appear on a far-right podcast platform that promotes, & normalises ChCh terrorist's violent extremism.
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Since, AFAIK, it isn't probed by New Zealand media or critically raised elsewhere incl. in parliament, it will never cease to surprise me how the Foreign Minister esp., & others in Govt willingly appear on a far-right podcast platform that promotes, & normalises ChCh terrorist's violent extremism.
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
The US TikTok sale has been signed. The company will be controlled by a joint venture including Oracle, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Adding a UAE company really makes it clear that this was never about national security concerns.
www.axios.com/2025/12/18/t...
www.axios.com/2025/12/18/t...
Scoop: TikTok signs deal for sale of U.S. unit after yearslong saga
The deal would end a yearslong saga to force TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the company's U.S. operation.
www.axios.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The US TikTok sale has been signed. The company will be controlled by a joint venture including Oracle, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Adding a UAE company really makes it clear that this was never about national security concerns.
www.axios.com/2025/12/18/t...
www.axios.com/2025/12/18/t...
Two far-right networks designated as terrorist entities newsroom.co.nz/2025/12/18/t... by @marcdaalder.bsky.social Good, but designation's basis showcases enduring blindness in New Zealand towards violent extremist content's free flow into, & spread within domestic social media networks. #nzpol
Two far-right networks designated as terrorist entities
NZ has joined Canada in designating as terrorist entities two far-right online networks that encourage extremist violence and exploit children.
newsroom.co.nz
December 19, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Two far-right networks designated as terrorist entities newsroom.co.nz/2025/12/18/t... by @marcdaalder.bsky.social Good, but designation's basis showcases enduring blindness in New Zealand towards violent extremist content's free flow into, & spread within domestic social media networks. #nzpol
"An independent panel of legal experts, including former Court of Appeal judge Sir Terence Arnold and former Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson KC, had rated Rainbow as “not recommended” for Chief Commissioner as he lacked proper human rights experience." www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
December 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"An independent panel of legal experts, including former Court of Appeal judge Sir Terence Arnold and former Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson KC, had rated Rainbow as “not recommended” for Chief Commissioner as he lacked proper human rights experience." www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Meta's 2024 annual human rights report (it's latest, and just released) highlights a China-linked coordinated inauthentic behavior network which had also targeted New Zealand. Full report at humanrights.fb.com/annual-human... News media also reported this last year.
December 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Meta's 2024 annual human rights report (it's latest, and just released) highlights a China-linked coordinated inauthentic behavior network which had also targeted New Zealand. Full report at humanrights.fb.com/annual-human... News media also reported this last year.
"A diary page set out the man’s manifesto, saying he had been radicalised at 19 and he was a 'soldier of Christ, his country, people and religion'". | Hawke’s Bay man deemed a ‘national security threat’, wanted to commit mass killing www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
'National security threat': NZ man planned to commit mass killing in mall or mosque
The Hawke's Bay man was caught after a tip-off from the United States FBI.
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 18, 2025 at 4:10 AM
"A diary page set out the man’s manifesto, saying he had been radicalised at 19 and he was a 'soldier of Christ, his country, people and religion'". | Hawke’s Bay man deemed a ‘national security threat’, wanted to commit mass killing www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-t...
Protection of the State from Terrorism Act, No. of 2026: Observations from an information integrity perspective
www.linkedin.com/pulse/protec... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/16/p... (WordPress)
#SriLanka
www.linkedin.com/pulse/protec... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/16/p... (WordPress)
#SriLanka
December 16, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Protection of the State from Terrorism Act, No. of 2026: Observations from an information integrity perspective
www.linkedin.com/pulse/protec... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/16/p... (WordPress)
#SriLanka
www.linkedin.com/pulse/protec... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/16/p... (WordPress)
#SriLanka
"A Sydney Muslim community leader says Islamic leaders are refusing to perform funeral rites for the Bondi gunman who was shot dead on Sunday, according to RNZ. Dr Jamal Rifi says the leaders have decided not to accept 50-year-old Sajid Akram's body because the gunman's actions don't reflect Islam."
December 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
"A Sydney Muslim community leader says Islamic leaders are refusing to perform funeral rites for the Bondi gunman who was shot dead on Sunday, according to RNZ. Dr Jamal Rifi says the leaders have decided not to accept 50-year-old Sajid Akram's body because the gunman's actions don't reflect Islam."
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
This is how a normal country responds to a mass shooting. And no, it's not too early.
"Australia PM will propose tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting" abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
"Australia PM will propose tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting" abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Australia PM will propose tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting
The Australian government is "prepared to take whatever action is necessary," after the shooting at Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
abcnews.go.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This is how a normal country responds to a mass shooting. And no, it's not too early.
"Australia PM will propose tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting" abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
"Australia PM will propose tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach mass shooting" abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
Our hearts go out today to everyone killed, injured or affected by the Bondi Beach massacre. We started up in response to the terrorist attack against the Muslim community in Christchurch and we are equally heartbroken today by the terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Sydney.
December 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Our hearts go out today to everyone killed, injured or affected by the Bondi Beach massacre. We started up in response to the terrorist attack against the Muslim community in Christchurch and we are equally heartbroken today by the terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Sydney.
This will be an interesting case. @openpolicy.bsky.social
“We Don’t Deserve This”
Survivors of Super Typhoon Odette are taking Shell to court in the UK, arguing its fossil fuel expansion helped supercharge the storm that devastated their communities.
via @drilledmedia.bsky.social
buff.ly/UdIz80e
Survivors of Super Typhoon Odette are taking Shell to court in the UK, arguing its fossil fuel expansion helped supercharge the storm that devastated their communities.
via @drilledmedia.bsky.social
buff.ly/UdIz80e
“We Don’t Deserve This”: Survivors of Super Typhoon Odette File Claims Against Shell
Last week the survivors of Super Typhoon Odette that struck the Philippines in 2021 filed what may be the most ambitious climate lawsuit to date against global oil giant Shell.
drilled.media
December 15, 2025 at 11:26 AM
This will be an interesting case. @openpolicy.bsky.social
🎯
Started seeing videos from Bondi almost in real-time last night and didn't know what to say.
I've landed here:
Those two shooters, and anyone else who wants to deliver mass violence upon others, especially based on their identity, are shit cunts of the highest order.
I've landed here:
Those two shooters, and anyone else who wants to deliver mass violence upon others, especially based on their identity, are shit cunts of the highest order.
December 15, 2025 at 9:11 AM
🎯
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
I've just read the Listener's article by Peter Bale Hearts and Minds, on online discourse: www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener.... I want to comment on its inaccuracies and platforming of hateful speakers.
Listener special: How the global rise of radical conservatism is influencing politics in Aotearoa
The messaging of US conservatives plays here in NZ, aided and abetted by political leaders
www.nzherald.co.nz
December 15, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I've just read the Listener's article by Peter Bale Hearts and Minds, on online discourse: www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener.... I want to comment on its inaccuracies and platforming of hateful speakers.
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
In the wake of the tragedy in Australia today, someone took the time to create a fake news website and made up a white “IT professional” named "Edward Crabtree" and claimed he stopped the Bondi shooting.
The real hero is a man named Ahmed Al Ahmed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The real hero is a man named Ahmed Al Ahmed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
December 15, 2025 at 5:51 AM
In the wake of the tragedy in Australia today, someone took the time to create a fake news website and made up a white “IT professional” named "Edward Crabtree" and claimed he stopped the Bondi shooting.
The real hero is a man named Ahmed Al Ahmed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The real hero is a man named Ahmed Al Ahmed. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa
Asked about my thoughts on social media bans for under 16s->Simply I feel mixed. Some lives saved & some youth will manage better, BUT it's crazy that govts happy to regulate end users, misplacing responsibility, and ignoring the actual producers of the most harm: Big Tech. 🧵1/4
Australia’s social media ban launched with barely a hitch – but the real test is still to come
The policy to cut off social media access for more than 2 million under-16s remains popular with Australians, while other countries look to follow suit
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Asked about my thoughts on social media bans for under 16s->Simply I feel mixed. Some lives saved & some youth will manage better, BUT it's crazy that govts happy to regulate end users, misplacing responsibility, and ignoring the actual producers of the most harm: Big Tech. 🧵1/4
Trump’s National Security Strategy: The violent extremist ideology behind the Christchurch massacre rendered as official policy
www.linkedin.com/pulse/trumps... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/t... (WordPress)
#nzpol
www.linkedin.com/pulse/trumps... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/t... (WordPress)
#nzpol
December 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Trump’s National Security Strategy: The violent extremist ideology behind the Christchurch massacre rendered as official policy
www.linkedin.com/pulse/trumps... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/t... (WordPress)
#nzpol
www.linkedin.com/pulse/trumps... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/t... (WordPress)
#nzpol
Submission to Meta Oversight Board: Policy advisory opinion on Community Notes Expansion
www.linkedin.com/pulse/submis... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/s... (WordPress)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/submis... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/s... (WordPress)
December 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Submission to Meta Oversight Board: Policy advisory opinion on Community Notes Expansion
www.linkedin.com/pulse/submis... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/s... (WordPress)
www.linkedin.com/pulse/submis... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/s... (WordPress)
Enjoyed being on The Hoon with the lovely Prof Patman talking about, amongst other things, the impact of the 'National Security Strategy' released by Trump's White House on white supremacist discourse, & networks in New Zealand. Tried to say what I could in the time allowed! youtu.be/ic1neV_XzR0?...
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Enjoyed being on The Hoon with the lovely Prof Patman talking about, amongst other things, the impact of the 'National Security Strategy' released by Trump's White House on white supremacist discourse, & networks in New Zealand. Tried to say what I could in the time allowed! youtu.be/ic1neV_XzR0?...
Up to 26,000 NZers' devices infected with malware Lumma Stealer www.1news.co.nz/2025/12/10/u...
Up to 26,000 NZers' devices infected with malware Lumma Stealer
"A very significant amount of New Zealanders" impacted by the malicious software, says the National Cyber Security Centre.
www.1news.co.nz
December 10, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Up to 26,000 NZers' devices infected with malware Lumma Stealer www.1news.co.nz/2025/12/10/u...
Locating the PLA's cognitive warfare doctrine in Sri Lanka: Implications for India, and beyond
www.linkedin.com/pulse/locati... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/l... (WordPress)
#InformationOperations #Disinformation #InfluenceOperations #FIMI #Democracy #China #India
www.linkedin.com/pulse/locati... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/l... (WordPress)
#InformationOperations #Disinformation #InfluenceOperations #FIMI #Democracy #China #India
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Locating the PLA's cognitive warfare doctrine in Sri Lanka: Implications for India, and beyond
www.linkedin.com/pulse/locati... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/l... (WordPress)
#InformationOperations #Disinformation #InfluenceOperations #FIMI #Democracy #China #India
www.linkedin.com/pulse/locati... (LinkedIn)
sanjanah.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/l... (WordPress)
#InformationOperations #Disinformation #InfluenceOperations #FIMI #Democracy #China #India
Great capture on #Australia's ban on key social media apps, and platforms for under-16s by Dr @legallyfeminist.bsky.social, originally posted to Instagram. Reposted to YouTube for wider audience, & better accessibility given importance of issue, & value of insights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ng...
Australia's under 16s ban for social media: Responses by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
YouTube video by Sanjana Hattotuwa
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Great capture on #Australia's ban on key social media apps, and platforms for under-16s by Dr @legallyfeminist.bsky.social, originally posted to Instagram. Reposted to YouTube for wider audience, & better accessibility given importance of issue, & value of insights. www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ng...