Justin Hendrix
@justinhendrix.bsky.social
Concerned with tech, media and democracy. CEO & Editor at Tech Policy Press. Research & Adjunct Professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions mine.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
New Knight Institute Initiative Will Explore the Role of the Legal Profession in an Age of Authoritarianism
knightcolumbia.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Major new @knightcolumbia.org initiative will address the role of the legal profession in the defense of democratic values and institutions. Excited to have the chance to work with Prof Madhav Khosla on this. knightcolumbia.org/content/new-...
Are you subscribed to the Tech Policy Press newsletter? If you are interested in issues at the intersection of technology and democracy, it's a useful resource. It comes out every Sunday morning. Sign up here: www.techpolicy.press/newsletter/
Newsletter | TechPolicy.Press
Tech Policy Press is a nonprofit media and community venture intended to provoke new ideas, debate and discussion at the intersection of technology and democracy. We publish opinion and analysis.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Are you subscribed to the Tech Policy Press newsletter? If you are interested in issues at the intersection of technology and democracy, it's a useful resource. It comes out every Sunday morning. Sign up here: www.techpolicy.press/newsletter/
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Delighted to have been invited to write a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social's and KGI's series on the necessity of platform data. In it, I discuss how I and other researchers have used platform data to help research important public health topics.
www.techpolicy.press/why-platform...
www.techpolicy.press/why-platform...
Why Platform Data is Essential to Public Health Efforts in Tobacco Control | TechPolicy.Press
Social media platforms are a key avenue for tobacco control research, but as George Pearson argues data access barriers hinder efforts to monitor impacts.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Delighted to have been invited to write a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social's and KGI's series on the necessity of platform data. In it, I discuss how I and other researchers have used platform data to help research important public health topics.
www.techpolicy.press/why-platform...
www.techpolicy.press/why-platform...
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
The President pardoned members of his private militia after they failed to overturn an election; they, in turn, pledge their support to him and urge him to use them to police civil society.
New:
On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers
He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
On The Gateway Pundit's podcast yesterday, Stewart Rhodes announced he's relaunching the Oath Keepers
He also urged Trump to “call us up as a militia" & "order us all to come together in our counties under his command."
www.mediamatters.org/oath-keepers...
![STEWART RHODES (FOUNDER, OATH KEEPERS): And one other thing I want to say is that President Trump, as commander in chief, always has absolute authority to call all of us up as the militia because every one of us — in federal statues defining the militia, it's every able-bodied male from age 17-45. And for us veterans, it goes up to age 64 because of our prior training and experience.
Right now, under federal statutes, President Trump can call us up as the militia if he sees it necessary, especially for three purposes: to repel invasions, to suppress insurrections, and to execute the laws of the union. And right now, we see all three of those in play.
...
And the militia is all of us. So the National Guard is part of the militia, which is why it's completely lawful for him to use the National Guard as he has, and he should do more of that, I think, across the country.
...
He could just say given the circumstances of an invasion, insurrection, and resistance against federal law being being enforced, I'm calling up the militia, ordering all the men to come together [in] every county, put the veterans in charge of training and organizing all the other men and just have them stand too and await his orders. He can do that and I think he should do that. And so that's what I'll be advocating for from him. So from the bottom, from down the rank and file, we can let President Trump know that we're ready to serve, encourage him to do that, call us up as a militia, order us all to come together in our counties under his command, which gives you complete legal sanction to do what you're doing.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:af7tqcetuyt352aolf3znlxe/bafkreialm4skuozqobejpd6vx4m6kuwsgtidxmmxvj3ftcff6otiuyohiy@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The President pardoned members of his private militia after they failed to overturn an election; they, in turn, pledge their support to him and urge him to use them to police civil society.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
“Structural ignorance.” Yes.
Public health depends on citizens accepting scientifically-grounded guidance. When official institutions produce politically-determined science and independent verification infrastructure is eliminated, the capacity for evidence-based health policy collapses, writes Renée DiResta.
How Political Power is Capturing Knowledge Systems and Manufacturing Structural Ignorance | TechPolicy.Press
We're witnessing the simultaneous capture of knowledge-producing institutions and the elimination of independent verification mechanisms, writes Renée DiResta.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
“Structural ignorance.” Yes.
Public health depends on citizens accepting scientifically-grounded guidance. When official institutions produce politically-determined science and independent verification infrastructure is eliminated, the capacity for evidence-based health policy collapses, writes Renée DiResta.
How Political Power is Capturing Knowledge Systems and Manufacturing Structural Ignorance | TechPolicy.Press
We're witnessing the simultaneous capture of knowledge-producing institutions and the elimination of independent verification mechanisms, writes Renée DiResta.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Public health depends on citizens accepting scientifically-grounded guidance. When official institutions produce politically-determined science and independent verification infrastructure is eliminated, the capacity for evidence-based health policy collapses, writes Renée DiResta.
The EU’s Digital Omnibus could roll back key parts of the GDPR, AI Act, and ePrivacy rules — laws that set global standards for privacy and AI. Leaked drafts suggest companies could get more leeway on data use and slower enforcement, reports Ramsha Jahangir (@ramshajahangir.bsky.social):
EU Set the Global Standard on Privacy and AI. Now It’s Pulling Back | TechPolicy.Press
The draft Digital Omnibus could weaken core data protections and give tech companies more leeway in using European data, reports Ramsha Jahangir.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The EU’s Digital Omnibus could roll back key parts of the GDPR, AI Act, and ePrivacy rules — laws that set global standards for privacy and AI. Leaked drafts suggest companies could get more leeway on data use and slower enforcement, reports Ramsha Jahangir (@ramshajahangir.bsky.social):
US knowledge infrastructure is under attack, write Dean Jackson and Sam Woolley, as part of a series of provocations ahead of a symposium at the University of Pittsburgh's Communication Technology Research Lab (CTRL) on threats to knowledge and democracy. The assault is complex and multidirectional.
The United States is on the Cusp of a Digital Dark Age | TechPolicy.Press
The first in a series of provocations, Dean Jackson and Sam Woolley write that the current assault on knowledge infrastructure is complex and multidirectional.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
US knowledge infrastructure is under attack, write Dean Jackson and Sam Woolley, as part of a series of provocations ahead of a symposium at the University of Pittsburgh's Communication Technology Research Lab (CTRL) on threats to knowledge and democracy. The assault is complex and multidirectional.
Across the United States, communities are weighing the costs and benefits of data centers. Local responses, both reactive and proactive, fall into a few distinct patterns, from outright rejection to securing concessions, write Christopher Jordan and Kate Stoll.
Local Governments are Learning How to Negotiate With Data Center Developers | TechPolicy.Press
Christopher Jordan from the National League of Cities and Kate Stoll from the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues consider examples.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Across the United States, communities are weighing the costs and benefits of data centers. Local responses, both reactive and proactive, fall into a few distinct patterns, from outright rejection to securing concessions, write Christopher Jordan and Kate Stoll.
Think platform data from social media only matters for election or disinformation research? Think again. George Pearson, a researcher at the Truth Initiative, shows it’s vital for public health—revealing how tobacco companies can target youth, dodge regulations, and influence policy.
Why Platform Data is Essential to Public Health Efforts in Tobacco Control | TechPolicy.Press
Social media platforms are a key avenue for tobacco control research, but as George Pearson argues data access barriers hinder efforts to monitor impacts.
www.techpolicy.press
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Think platform data from social media only matters for election or disinformation research? Think again. George Pearson, a researcher at the Truth Initiative, shows it’s vital for public health—revealing how tobacco companies can target youth, dodge regulations, and influence policy.
Seems like there should be a petition to write this into the plot of a future season of Slow Horses.
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Seems like there should be a petition to write this into the plot of a future season of Slow Horses.
Asked, "Do you see a straight line from AI data centers to higher electricity bills?" Calvin Butler, the chief executive of Exelon, says "increased demand for electricity is not just data center growth," points to other demands. "But is the biggest part of that the boom of data center growth? Yes."
A.I. Isn’t the Only Thing Pushing Up Electricity Bills. (But It’s Mostly A.I.)
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Asked, "Do you see a straight line from AI data centers to higher electricity bills?" Calvin Butler, the chief executive of Exelon, says "increased demand for electricity is not just data center growth," points to other demands. "But is the biggest part of that the boom of data center growth? Yes."
"President Trump has granted pre-emptive pardons to Rudolph W. Giuliani and others accused of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to an official familiar with the matter." Others include Sidney Powell, John Eastman. [Gift link]
Trump Pardons Giuliani and Others Involved in Effort to Overturn 2020 Election
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
"President Trump has granted pre-emptive pardons to Rudolph W. Giuliani and others accused of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to an official familiar with the matter." Others include Sidney Powell, John Eastman. [Gift link]
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Data-center projects that “may sit empty for years because the local utility isn’t ready to supply electricity.”
@bloomberg.com @weisenthal.bsky.social $NVDA
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com @weisenthal.bsky.social $NVDA
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Data-center projects that “may sit empty for years because the local utility isn’t ready to supply electricity.”
@bloomberg.com @weisenthal.bsky.social $NVDA
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com @weisenthal.bsky.social $NVDA
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"...but draft documents obtained by POLITICO show that officials are planning far-reaching changes to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to the benefit of artificial intelligence developers."
Brussels knifes privacy to feed the AI boom
Draft proposals obtained by POLITICO show EU is breaking sacred privacy regime to placate industry.
www.politico.eu
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
"...but draft documents obtained by POLITICO show that officials are planning far-reaching changes to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to the benefit of artificial intelligence developers."
"NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus spyware, says a group of investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has acquired a controlling stake in the firm, which has named a former Trump official to lead an effort to restore its battered reputation."
Israeli Spyware Maker NSO Gets New Owners, Leadership and Seeks to Mend Reputation
Investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have taken a controlling stake in the company behind Pegasus, and former Trump official David Friedman has been named executive chairman.
www.wsj.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
"NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus spyware, says a group of investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has acquired a controlling stake in the firm, which has named a former Trump official to lead an effort to restore its battered reputation."
"Voter anger over the cost of living is hurtling forward into next year's midterm elections, when pivotal contests will be decided by communities that are home to fast-rising electric bills or fights over who's footing the bill to power Big Tech's energy-hungry data centers."
Voters’ anger at high electricity bills looms over 2026 midterms
Communities with fast-rising electric bills or debates over who pays for Big Tech's energy needs are pivotal.
spectrumlocalnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
"Voter anger over the cost of living is hurtling forward into next year's midterm elections, when pivotal contests will be decided by communities that are home to fast-rising electric bills or fights over who's footing the bill to power Big Tech's energy-hungry data centers."
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
The US national strategy to prevent suicide failed to address the risks posed by social media and AI, Erich Mische writes. That's why he's come to regret signing it — and calling for a new plan.
The US Needs a New Suicide Prevention Plan That Tackles Social Media and AI | TechPolicy.Press
Our national suicide prevention largely treats technology as a tool to be managed, not a threat to be confronted, Erich Mische writes.
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The US national strategy to prevent suicide failed to address the risks posed by social media and AI, Erich Mische writes. That's why he's come to regret signing it — and calling for a new plan.
New podcast! At the Mozilla Festival, I spoke to Peter Chapman from the Knight-Georgetown Institute, Brandi Geurkink from the Coalition for Independent Tech Research, and LK Seiling from the Weizenbaum Institute and the DSA40 Data Access Collaboratory about how to get better access to platform data:
Why Independent Researchers Need Better Access to Platform Data | TechPolicy.Press
A conversation with KGI's Peter Chapman, CITR's Brandi Geurkink, and the Weizenbaum Institute's LK Seiling.
techpolicy.press
November 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
New podcast! At the Mozilla Festival, I spoke to Peter Chapman from the Knight-Georgetown Institute, Brandi Geurkink from the Coalition for Independent Tech Research, and LK Seiling from the Weizenbaum Institute and the DSA40 Data Access Collaboratory about how to get better access to platform data:
Last week’s elections show how central social media has become to campaigns with politicians on nearly every platform. But as Josephine Lukito and Kaitlyn Dowling explain, we know less and less about them, because access to this data is shrinking.
There is More Online Election Discourse than Ever, But Researchers See Less | TechPolicy.Press
Josephine Lukito and Kaitlyn Dowling explore why public social media data is vital for transparent elections and accountability in the digital campaign era.
www.techpolicy.press
November 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Last week’s elections show how central social media has become to campaigns with politicians on nearly every platform. But as Josephine Lukito and Kaitlyn Dowling explain, we know less and less about them, because access to this data is shrinking.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
“Given the severity of the threats social media companies pose to democracy and fundamental rights, policy responses cannot merely tinker around the edges,” writes Christine Galvagna. The EU must act now—fund decentralized, public service social media to protect democracy and digital rights.
Public Service Social Media as a Democratic Safeguard | TechPolicy.Press
Christine Galvagna proposes an EU fund to support decentralized, public service focused social media networks to protect digital rights and democracy.
www.techpolicy.press
November 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“Given the severity of the threats social media companies pose to democracy and fundamental rights, policy responses cannot merely tinker around the edges,” writes Christine Galvagna. The EU must act now—fund decentralized, public service social media to protect democracy and digital rights.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
📣 New series alert: @knightgtown.bsky.social + @techpolicypress.bsky.social teamed up to unpack the state of access to public platform data.
➡️ Why this is needed: public data is driving the AI gold rush, but there’s no collective framework to use it for research in the public interest.
➡️ Why this is needed: public data is driving the AI gold rush, but there’s no collective framework to use it for research in the public interest.
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
📣 New series alert: @knightgtown.bsky.social + @techpolicypress.bsky.social teamed up to unpack the state of access to public platform data.
➡️ Why this is needed: public data is driving the AI gold rush, but there’s no collective framework to use it for research in the public interest.
➡️ Why this is needed: public data is driving the AI gold rush, but there’s no collective framework to use it for research in the public interest.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
India's IT Act Amendments expand state control over online discourse, imposing vague duties on intermediaries without clear limits, writes Sarthak Gupta. What’s framed as a check on misinformation risks becoming a tool for preemptive censorship.
India’s New IT Rules on Deepfakes Threaten to Entrench Online Censorship | TechPolicy.Press
The IT Act Amendments, by design and scope, extend the State's regulatory arm into online discourse, Sarthak Gupta writes.
www.techpolicy.press
November 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
India's IT Act Amendments expand state control over online discourse, imposing vague duties on intermediaries without clear limits, writes Sarthak Gupta. What’s framed as a check on misinformation risks becoming a tool for preemptive censorship.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Europe’s data center push could deepen inequality and strain already fragile energy systems. Tech Policy Press fellow William Burns asks why energy is devoted to data centers when it’s needed so desperately elsewhere.
Europe Promotes Energy Use in Data Centers While Millions Go Cold | TechPolicy.Press
Data centers strain energy, raising questions of fairness, sustainability, and survival in a continent already struggling with scarcity, writes William Burns.
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Europe’s data center push could deepen inequality and strain already fragile energy systems. Tech Policy Press fellow William Burns asks why energy is devoted to data centers when it’s needed so desperately elsewhere.
"OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues. The lawsuits filed Thursday in California state courts allege wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter and negligence."
OpenAI faces 7 lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide, delusions
OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM
"OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues. The lawsuits filed Thursday in California state courts allege wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter and negligence."