Jeff Chester
@chesterj1.bsky.social
Public interest advocate focused on digital media and online marketing accountability, inc. content diversity, ad practices, antitrust, privacy, journalism and consumer protection
Beware social media addiction/youth settlements as Gen AI commercial surveillance ops further transforms all platforms & experiences, incl. TikTok. Waiting to see details, but if it doesn't address agentic addiction/manipulation, misses what's going on. www.reuters.com/world/tiktok...
Tiktok settles social media addiction lawsuit ahead of trial
Tiktok agreed to settle a social media addiction lawsuit on Tuesday, according to one of the plaintiff's lawyers.
www.reuters.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Beware social media addiction/youth settlements as Gen AI commercial surveillance ops further transforms all platforms & experiences, incl. TikTok. Waiting to see details, but if it doesn't address agentic addiction/manipulation, misses what's going on. www.reuters.com/world/tiktok...
Typical Meta ploy with youth as key market as it builds its Gen AI commercial surveillance marketing.
Meta AI companion crackdown could reshape future ad opportunities www.insiderintelligence.com/content/meta...
Meta AI companion crackdown could reshape future ad opportunities www.insiderintelligence.com/content/meta...
Meta AI companion crackdown could reshape future ad opportunities
Meta is tightening teen safeguards for its AI companions in a move that could help make future chatbot ads more viable.
www.insiderintelligence.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Typical Meta ploy with youth as key market as it builds its Gen AI commercial surveillance marketing.
Meta AI companion crackdown could reshape future ad opportunities www.insiderintelligence.com/content/meta...
Meta AI companion crackdown could reshape future ad opportunities www.insiderintelligence.com/content/meta...
Agree with those calling for Alphabet/Google; Meta/Instagram/WhatsApp; Amazon/Prime/AWS & Apple (phone, TV, app) to speak out against threats to democracy & public safety from ICE/DHS. CEOs, execs, & staff. Opportunity to try & redress recent ethical failures by your companies.
January 27, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Agree with those calling for Alphabet/Google; Meta/Instagram/WhatsApp; Amazon/Prime/AWS & Apple (phone, TV, app) to speak out against threats to democracy & public safety from ICE/DHS. CEOs, execs, & staff. Opportunity to try & redress recent ethical failures by your companies.
Trump Adm surveillance--kids' schools: "US IMMIGRATION AND Customs Enforcement is asking companies to provide information about “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products that would “directly support investigations activities,”...https://www.wired.com/story/ice-a
January 25, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Trump Adm surveillance--kids' schools: "US IMMIGRATION AND Customs Enforcement is asking companies to provide information about “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products that would “directly support investigations activities,”...https://www.wired.com/story/ice-a
Warning signs flash as Gen AI delivers Commercial Surveillance 3.0 in U.S. and worldwide--
Commentary: Ads in ChatGPT open a new door for dangerous influence www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/c...
Commentary: Ads in ChatGPT open a new door for dangerous influence www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/c...
Commentary: Ads in ChatGPT open a new door for dangerous influence
OpenAI says it will keep ads separate from answers, but this assurance rests on vague and easily reinterpreted commitments, say academics.
www.channelnewsasia.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Warning signs flash as Gen AI delivers Commercial Surveillance 3.0 in U.S. and worldwide--
Commentary: Ads in ChatGPT open a new door for dangerous influence www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/c...
Commentary: Ads in ChatGPT open a new door for dangerous influence www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/c...
The Facebook early “Beacon” ads playbook comes to OpenAI as commercial surveillance marketing becomes core DNA of GenAI/agentic commerce.
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
OpenAI Lines Up Advertisers, Reveals Key Details Ahead of Ads Launch
OpenAI has started offering its new chatbot ads to dozens of advertisers, according to two people familiar with the matter. To start off, the company is charging on the basis of ad views as opposed to...
www.theinformation.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The Facebook early “Beacon” ads playbook comes to OpenAI as commercial surveillance marketing becomes core DNA of GenAI/agentic commerce.
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
As well as 2024 US election under major threat via The New Yorker
January 17, 2026 at 7:45 PM
As well as 2024 US election under major threat via The New Yorker
Reposted by Jeff Chester
Congress can freeze out funding for ICE in 2 weeks — but only if Democrats are a unified opposition. To make that happen, we must flood their offices with calls to demand ICE Out For Good.
Call your senators: indivisible.org/ice-out-sena...
Call your representative: indivisible.org/ice-out-hous...
Call your senators: indivisible.org/ice-out-sena...
Call your representative: indivisible.org/ice-out-hous...
January 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Congress can freeze out funding for ICE in 2 weeks — but only if Democrats are a unified opposition. To make that happen, we must flood their offices with calls to demand ICE Out For Good.
Call your senators: indivisible.org/ice-out-sena...
Call your representative: indivisible.org/ice-out-hous...
Call your senators: indivisible.org/ice-out-sena...
Call your representative: indivisible.org/ice-out-hous...
GenAI was always going to be about ads & the commercial surveillance. @OpenAI claims should be dismissed as digital "Trojan Horse." The most powerful brands & advertisers will be structuring GenAI platforms/search--much of that work has begun. US federal regulators failing public. bit.ly/4sSxVwn
Our approach to advertising and expanding access to ChatGPT
OpenAI plans to test advertising in the U.S. for ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers to expand affordable access to AI worldwide, while protecting privacy, trust, and answer quality.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM
GenAI was always going to be about ads & the commercial surveillance. @OpenAI claims should be dismissed as digital "Trojan Horse." The most powerful brands & advertisers will be structuring GenAI platforms/search--much of that work has begun. US federal regulators failing public. bit.ly/4sSxVwn
Google's "Building Personal Intelligence" paper reflects decades long-promises for safety & privacy online--which has resulted in unprecedented commercial surveillance & many other harms. Its quest to mobilize its GenAI across the global financial & commerce system.
ai.google/static/docum...
ai.google/static/docum...
ai.google
January 15, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Google's "Building Personal Intelligence" paper reflects decades long-promises for safety & privacy online--which has resulted in unprecedented commercial surveillance & many other harms. Its quest to mobilize its GenAI across the global financial & commerce system.
ai.google/static/docum...
ai.google/static/docum...
Google's further moves into agentic AI driven commerce & payments raise concerns over its power with our financial system, personal economic security, consumer protection and privacy. The Trump Adm cheerleads instead of requiring safeguards--hurting Americans and many more. Part 1. bit.ly/4bA5SLM
A new era of agentic commerce is here | Google Cloud Blog
A new era of agentic commerce is here
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Google's further moves into agentic AI driven commerce & payments raise concerns over its power with our financial system, personal economic security, consumer protection and privacy. The Trump Adm cheerleads instead of requiring safeguards--hurting Americans and many more. Part 1. bit.ly/4bA5SLM
At the upcoming workshop, we can't imagine that @AFergusonFTC commission will ask for info about the various identity measures used to further surveillance pricing by retailers & others. Hint--look into a mirror.
bit.ly/3NGIz95
bit.ly/3NGIz95
Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
The Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy will bring together economists, academics, and other experts to examine how the agency can better understand and measure co
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 5:34 PM
At the upcoming workshop, we can't imagine that @AFergusonFTC commission will ask for info about the various identity measures used to further surveillance pricing by retailers & others. Hint--look into a mirror.
bit.ly/3NGIz95
bit.ly/3NGIz95
Here's another issue that FTC under @AFergusonFTC not likely to ask at hearing. How has one of the most popular forms of digital applications grown even stronger gathering US consumer data & engaging in commercial surveillance? 📷
bit.ly/3NGIz95
bit.ly/3NGIz95
Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
The Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy will bring together economists, academics, and other experts to examine how the agency can better understand and measure co
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Here's another issue that FTC under @AFergusonFTC not likely to ask at hearing. How has one of the most popular forms of digital applications grown even stronger gathering US consumer data & engaging in commercial surveillance? 📷
bit.ly/3NGIz95
bit.ly/3NGIz95
Rohit Chopra at CFPB was working 24/7 to protect US consumers' financial security, inc. privacy, from the AI & surveillance-driven agentic AI commerce. Khan #FTC was working on #antitrust impacts. Trump Adm., however, cheerleads/ignores. bit.ly/4aXHDqO
New tech and tools for retailers to succeed in an agentic shopping era
An overview of Google’s new open standard for agentic commerce and AI tools to help retailers connect with shoppers and drive sales.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Rohit Chopra at CFPB was working 24/7 to protect US consumers' financial security, inc. privacy, from the AI & surveillance-driven agentic AI commerce. Khan #FTC was working on #antitrust impacts. Trump Adm., however, cheerleads/ignores. bit.ly/4aXHDqO
Wouldn't you have to direct this to the Ellison, UAE investors, etc now to ensure it impacts US. www.contentgrip.com/tiktok-us-de...
January 12, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Wouldn't you have to direct this to the Ellison, UAE investors, etc now to ensure it impacts US. www.contentgrip.com/tiktok-us-de...
In what ways has the commercial surveillance pricing infrastructure expanded during the first year of the Trump Adm? Another issue we don't believe the FTC under @AFergusonFTC will raise. bit.ly/3NGIz95
Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
The Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy will bring together economists, academics, and other experts to examine how the agency can better understand and measure co
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM
In what ways has the commercial surveillance pricing infrastructure expanded during the first year of the Trump Adm? Another issue we don't believe the FTC under @AFergusonFTC will raise. bit.ly/3NGIz95
We are starting series of questions we believe FTC under @AFergusonFTC won’t answer at workshop. Q1. How much more data, Andrew, is being stealthily gathered on Americans today?
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on February 26, 2026, to examine how the agency can better understand and measure consumer injuries and benefits that may result from the collectio
www.ftc.gov
January 10, 2026 at 4:34 PM
We are starting series of questions we believe FTC under @AFergusonFTC won’t answer at workshop. Q1. How much more data, Andrew, is being stealthily gathered on Americans today?
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
We doubt FTC can be candid with the American people about the explosive growth of data-driven commercial surveillance marketing & show what the real "costs and benefits of behavioral and contextual advertising" are to consumers & others.
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
FTC to Host Workshop on Consumer Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy
The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on February 26, 2026, to examine how the agency can better understand and measure consumer injuries and benefits that may result from the collectio
www.ftc.gov
January 8, 2026 at 7:17 PM
We doubt FTC can be candid with the American people about the explosive growth of data-driven commercial surveillance marketing & show what the real "costs and benefits of behavioral and contextual advertising" are to consumers & others.
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
We agree @techpolicypress. This critically important article on Gen AI systems, memory & personalization by scholar Gathoni Ireri is required reading for policymakers & advocates. We should heed its warnings & take action now.
www.techpolicy.press/what-we-risk...
www.techpolicy.press/what-we-risk...
What We Risk When AI Systems Remember | TechPolicy.Press
Gathoni Ireri explores how memory-enabled AI, reshapes personalization, privacy, and the ethics of knowing users deeply.
www.techpolicy.press
January 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
We agree @techpolicypress. This critically important article on Gen AI systems, memory & personalization by scholar Gathoni Ireri is required reading for policymakers & advocates. We should heed its warnings & take action now.
www.techpolicy.press/what-we-risk...
www.techpolicy.press/what-we-risk...
The merging of commercial surveillance data operations should be a focus of any review of Netflix & WBD--that's how streaming works today. Market power, privacy, diversity etc. For ex. adsales.wbd.com/products-sol...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/articl...
Data-Driven Audience Solutions
Warner Bros. Discovery, a premier global media and entertainment company, offers audiences the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of content, brands and franchises across television, f...
adsales.wbd.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:33 PM
The merging of commercial surveillance data operations should be a focus of any review of Netflix & WBD--that's how streaming works today. Market power, privacy, diversity etc. For ex. adsales.wbd.com/products-sol...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/articl...
State AI regulatory agenda should include safeguards for agentic payment systems, esp. tied to ecommerce & surveillance marketing. Require indep. assessment before these "we will make you pay" systems rack up greater consumer debt. Example: newsroom.paypal-corp.com/index.php?s=...
OpenAI and PayPal Team Up to Power Instant Checkout and Agentic Commerce in ChatGPT - Oct 28, 2025
PayPal's tens of millions of merchants will soon be discoverable in ChatGPT, helping connect consumers to businesses that they love SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PayPal, Inc....
newsroom.paypal-corp.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:57 PM
State AI regulatory agenda should include safeguards for agentic payment systems, esp. tied to ecommerce & surveillance marketing. Require indep. assessment before these "we will make you pay" systems rack up greater consumer debt. Example: newsroom.paypal-corp.com/index.php?s=...
Role of AI-enabled ads by Netflix, its data practices & partnerships (Amazon) must be part of antitrust reviews for planned #WBD takeover. For ex.
about.netflix.com/en/news/amaz...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/target...
about.netflix.com/en/news/amaz...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/target...
Amazon Ads and Netflix Partner to Offer Programmatic Buying on Netflix’s Ads Plan - About Netflix
about.netflix.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Role of AI-enabled ads by Netflix, its data practices & partnerships (Amazon) must be part of antitrust reviews for planned #WBD takeover. For ex.
about.netflix.com/en/news/amaz...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/target...
about.netflix.com/en/news/amaz...; advertising.netflix.com/en-us/target...
Gen AI fueled commercial surveillance marketing worldwide will be indication in 2026 that AI must be regulated for its scope, impacts, privacy. Agentic payments, agentic adtech, agentic personalization reveals much of AI's promise will be focused on helping brands, platforms, retailers, lenders.
December 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Gen AI fueled commercial surveillance marketing worldwide will be indication in 2026 that AI must be regulated for its scope, impacts, privacy. Agentic payments, agentic adtech, agentic personalization reveals much of AI's promise will be focused on helping brands, platforms, retailers, lenders.
Scrutiny required regarding Trump new EO on 6G spectrum, further enabling telecom giants (inc. Starlink) to gain even more control of the digital system (following spectrum giveways in GOP budget bill). www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Winning the 6G Race
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATETHE SECRETARY OF WARTHE SECRETARY OF COMMERCETHE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATIONTHE SECRETARY OF ENERGYTHE SECRETARY OF
www.whitehouse.gov
December 20, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Scrutiny required regarding Trump new EO on 6G spectrum, further enabling telecom giants (inc. Starlink) to gain even more control of the digital system (following spectrum giveways in GOP budget bill). www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Surveillance pricing has been "baked in" to the commercial surveillance marketing system, with retailers, grocers, airlines & many others using the same set of tools used by Google, Meta & other Gen AI+Big Data marketers.
You shouldn’t be charged higher costs because your grocery app is profiling you — but that’s exactly what Instacart is doing.
Their use of surveillance pricing to rip you off is alarming, and with @deluzio.house.gov, Rep. Pat Ryan, & @repangiecraig.bsky.social, I’m demanding an investigation.
Their use of surveillance pricing to rip you off is alarming, and with @deluzio.house.gov, Rep. Pat Ryan, & @repangiecraig.bsky.social, I’m demanding an investigation.
December 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Surveillance pricing has been "baked in" to the commercial surveillance marketing system, with retailers, grocers, airlines & many others using the same set of tools used by Google, Meta & other Gen AI+Big Data marketers.