Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
@nathaliemarechal.net
Human rights & democracy advocate in 🇺🇸 & the 🌍. Privacy & data @ CDT. She/her. Opinions personal, etc. ❌👑
Free research question for an enterprising economist!
Has anyone computed the cost to the economy of repeatedly verifying you're human?
I would gladly install a browser plugin to find out how much time I lose each week to this and what the cost to my employer is.
I would gladly install a browser plugin to find out how much time I lose each week to this and what the cost to my employer is.
December 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Free research question for an enterprising economist!
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
All the 60 Minutes hooplaaside, I’ve now actually watched the segment that Bari Weiss tried to bury, and here’s what’s clear:
The Trump Administration knowingly sent migrants to a concentration camp to be beaten and tortured.
Once the drama settles, let us remember that THAT is the story here.
The Trump Administration knowingly sent migrants to a concentration camp to be beaten and tortured.
Once the drama settles, let us remember that THAT is the story here.
December 23, 2025 at 12:16 AM
All the 60 Minutes hooplaaside, I’ve now actually watched the segment that Bari Weiss tried to bury, and here’s what’s clear:
The Trump Administration knowingly sent migrants to a concentration camp to be beaten and tortured.
Once the drama settles, let us remember that THAT is the story here.
The Trump Administration knowingly sent migrants to a concentration camp to be beaten and tortured.
Once the drama settles, let us remember that THAT is the story here.
Every so often, the old truisms come true again (broken clocks, etc).
Today, (the people of) the internet treated censorship as damage and routed around it.
Today, (the people of) the internet treated censorship as damage and routed around it.
here's the 60 minutes cecot video part 1 of 5 - recorded/uploaded by and all credit to @jasonparis.bsky.social
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
December 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Every so often, the old truisms come true again (broken clocks, etc).
Today, (the people of) the internet treated censorship as damage and routed around it.
Today, (the people of) the internet treated censorship as damage and routed around it.
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
This is a key dysfunction in the general discourse, which has been so heavily shaped by the way this stuff is marketed.
I can’t help but think it’s intentional for sellers. Conflation lets their new tech ride the coattails ML etc & give impression that it is just as reliable but way better.
I can’t help but think it’s intentional for sellers. Conflation lets their new tech ride the coattails ML etc & give impression that it is just as reliable but way better.
This is why @emilymbender.bsky.social @alexhanna.bsky.social say to name the specific thing rather than calling it "AI".
Right now, ChatGPT is bucketed under the same term as a model train to translate one specific language into another and which is carefully trained through curated data.
Right now, ChatGPT is bucketed under the same term as a model train to translate one specific language into another and which is carefully trained through curated data.
December 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
This is a key dysfunction in the general discourse, which has been so heavily shaped by the way this stuff is marketed.
I can’t help but think it’s intentional for sellers. Conflation lets their new tech ride the coattails ML etc & give impression that it is just as reliable but way better.
I can’t help but think it’s intentional for sellers. Conflation lets their new tech ride the coattails ML etc & give impression that it is just as reliable but way better.
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
Across the country, communities are fighting back against Big Tech and preventing construction of power-hungry AI data centers in their backyards.
In response, Big Tech is launching an all-out lobbying blitz. https://youtu.be/imtkNL4v2ks?si=OabmXBYpoINwEDPD
In response, Big Tech is launching an all-out lobbying blitz. https://youtu.be/imtkNL4v2ks?si=OabmXBYpoINwEDPD
Big Tech's AI Power-Grab
Robert Reich
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Across the country, communities are fighting back against Big Tech and preventing construction of power-hungry AI data centers in their backyards.
In response, Big Tech is launching an all-out lobbying blitz. https://youtu.be/imtkNL4v2ks?si=OabmXBYpoINwEDPD
In response, Big Tech is launching an all-out lobbying blitz. https://youtu.be/imtkNL4v2ks?si=OabmXBYpoINwEDPD
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
Professor Warns That the Wealthy Are Trying to Use AI to Seize Control of Everything
Renowned sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom says that AI is a tool for the rich to cement control over society.
futurism.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
my latest piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social focuses on how #surveillance tech can chill the first amendment-protected rights of disabled people to engage in protest.
protest is a vital check on authoritarianism, and everyone should be able to access it.
www.techpolicy.press/surveillance...
protest is a vital check on authoritarianism, and everyone should be able to access it.
www.techpolicy.press/surveillance...
Surveillance Tech Heightens Chilling Effects for Disabled Protestors | TechPolicy.Press
AI surveillance, mask bans, and biometrics threaten disabled people’s ability to exercise their right to assemble peaceably, argues Ariana Aboulafia.
www.techpolicy.press
December 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
my latest piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social focuses on how #surveillance tech can chill the first amendment-protected rights of disabled people to engage in protest.
protest is a vital check on authoritarianism, and everyone should be able to access it.
www.techpolicy.press/surveillance...
protest is a vital check on authoritarianism, and everyone should be able to access it.
www.techpolicy.press/surveillance...
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
This is a surgical dismantling of yet another dumb Matt Yglesias argument by a former clean energy exec and current Representative. This is the sort of thing that should make people stop listening to people like Yglesias.
Read the whole thing.
Read the whole thing.
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This is a surgical dismantling of yet another dumb Matt Yglesias argument by a former clean energy exec and current Representative. This is the sort of thing that should make people stop listening to people like Yglesias.
Read the whole thing.
Read the whole thing.
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
Tech Policy Press Fellow Ariana Aboulafia highlights the perspectives of four professors teaching at the intersection of disability rights and technology on their experiences under the Trump Administration’s policies targeting higher education, including lost research support and chilled classrooms.
Ask The Experts: Teaching Disability Rights and Technology in 2025 | TechPolicy.Press
Ariana Aboulafia spoke to experts about how Trump’s policies are chilling the the academic study of tech's impact on society.
www.techpolicy.press
December 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Tech Policy Press Fellow Ariana Aboulafia highlights the perspectives of four professors teaching at the intersection of disability rights and technology on their experiences under the Trump Administration’s policies targeting higher education, including lost research support and chilled classrooms.
What Eric said 👇🏻
Also, TRUMP AMERICA AI Act may be the most preposterous backcronym yet, in a cursed year that has been chock full of preposterous backcronyms. (Don’t get me started on the hearing titles, either.)
Also, TRUMP AMERICA AI Act may be the most preposterous backcronym yet, in a cursed year that has been chock full of preposterous backcronyms. (Don’t get me started on the hearing titles, either.)
Friday news dump: Sen. Blackburn has released a section-by-section for an upcoming AI framework bill that is apparently designed to break the logjam on AI legislation and preemption.
www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/fil...
www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/fil...
December 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
What Eric said 👇🏻
Also, TRUMP AMERICA AI Act may be the most preposterous backcronym yet, in a cursed year that has been chock full of preposterous backcronyms. (Don’t get me started on the hearing titles, either.)
Also, TRUMP AMERICA AI Act may be the most preposterous backcronym yet, in a cursed year that has been chock full of preposterous backcronyms. (Don’t get me started on the hearing titles, either.)
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
The end goal is eugenicist. RFK and his ilk know that this will make vaccines more expensive and time-consuming — and therefore marginalized children are most likely to fall through the cracks.
This is about killing kids who aren't born to privilege.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
This is about killing kids who aren't born to privilege.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The end goal is eugenicist. RFK and his ilk know that this will make vaccines more expensive and time-consuming — and therefore marginalized children are most likely to fall through the cracks.
This is about killing kids who aren't born to privilege.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
This is about killing kids who aren't born to privilege.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
They think writers can be replaced because they don't understand what writing is effective, yes, but don't discount the desire to cut human labor out of the process entirely, not just for "cost savings" but because the management class and especially the investor class just fucking hate humans.
Is that why people think that ChatGPT and other AI(?) could replace authors - the people in management can't recognize good writing and so assume that no one else can, either? It seems like that would quickly be dismissed witjh any sort of beta readership, but.
December 19, 2025 at 10:30 PM
They think writers can be replaced because they don't understand what writing is effective, yes, but don't discount the desire to cut human labor out of the process entirely, not just for "cost savings" but because the management class and especially the investor class just fucking hate humans.
Our government remains intent on letting American children die of preventable infectious diseases.
I’m not sure what they’d be doing differently if they were actively trying to destroy this country.
I’m not sure what they’d be doing differently if they were actively trying to destroy this country.
BREAKING: The U.S. is preparing to stop recommending most childhood vaccines and defer to doctors instead.
The plan, which is not finalized, marks a fundamental shift in the U.S. vaccine strategy, @lenasun.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report.
Gift link: wapo.st/4aXfzn5
The plan, which is not finalized, marks a fundamental shift in the U.S. vaccine strategy, @lenasun.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report.
Gift link: wapo.st/4aXfzn5
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
wapo.st
December 19, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Our government remains intent on letting American children die of preventable infectious diseases.
I’m not sure what they’d be doing differently if they were actively trying to destroy this country.
I’m not sure what they’d be doing differently if they were actively trying to destroy this country.
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
Eric says it will "mess w/" the internet because he is too polite to say "totally fuck up."
I am once again imploring Congress to stop messing with #Section230, which will mess w/the internet and cement Big Tech's power (1A still exists!), and to pass meaningful #privacy legislation that'll actually protect people.
Children are being exploited and abused because Big Tech consistently prioritizes profits over people.
Enough is enough. Time to sunset Section 230.
Enough is enough. Time to sunset Section 230.
December 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Eric says it will "mess w/" the internet because he is too polite to say "totally fuck up."
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
The Real Race for an AI Moratorium: Stopping Data Centers | TechPolicy.Press
Cities and counties across the US are pulling the emergency brake on data center development, writes Jenna Ruddock.
www.techpolicy.press
December 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
In partnership with the Wharton School, we have an awesome opening for a Knight Postdoctoral Fellow at UPenn, focused on media, censorship, marketing and tech.
Amazing supervisors, data access, a cohort of like-minded scholars, and good pay/benefits. Apply by 1/11:
infodem.upenn.edu//wharton-pos...
Amazing supervisors, data access, a cohort of like-minded scholars, and good pay/benefits. Apply by 1/11:
infodem.upenn.edu//wharton-pos...
Wharton-Postdoc - Center on Media, Technology and Democracy
infodem.upenn.edu
December 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
In partnership with the Wharton School, we have an awesome opening for a Knight Postdoctoral Fellow at UPenn, focused on media, censorship, marketing and tech.
Amazing supervisors, data access, a cohort of like-minded scholars, and good pay/benefits. Apply by 1/11:
infodem.upenn.edu//wharton-pos...
Amazing supervisors, data access, a cohort of like-minded scholars, and good pay/benefits. Apply by 1/11:
infodem.upenn.edu//wharton-pos...
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
The Trump promise: a foreign policy you need a massive stroke to appreciate
Fetterman expresses support for Trump's bonkers Truth Social post and aggression toward Venezuela: "It makes it that Iran is involved on that, and Russia is involved on that, and China as well too. That's sanctioned oil right now ... it makes a lot of sense."
December 17, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The Trump promise: a foreign policy you need a massive stroke to appreciate
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
The University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public is looking to bring on new postdoctoral scholars to join our research community starting in 2026-2027. Come collaborate w/ our amazing, interdisciplinary team working to understand & help people navigate our complex information ecosystem!
We're currently accepting applications to hire up to two @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholars to join our team in Seattle. The priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public is looking to bring on new postdoctoral scholars to join our research community starting in 2026-2027. Come collaborate w/ our amazing, interdisciplinary team working to understand & help people navigate our complex information ecosystem!
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
"Meta calculated that about 19% of that money – more than $3 billion – was coming from ads for scams, illegal gambling, pornography and other banned content, according to internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Meta tolerates rampant ad fraud from China to safeguard billions in revenue
A Reuters investigation reveals the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp decided to accept high levels of fraudulent advertisements from China. Internal company documents show Meta wanted to mini...
www.reuters.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"Meta calculated that about 19% of that money – more than $3 billion – was coming from ads for scams, illegal gambling, pornography and other banned content, according to internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
As protests surge nationwide, AI surveillance tools, biometric identification, and mask bans are creating new barriers for disabled people seeking to safely exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble, argues Tech Policy Press Fellow Ariana Aboulafia.
Surveillance Tech Heightens Chilling Effects for Disabled Protestors | TechPolicy.Press
AI surveillance, mask bans, and biometrics threaten disabled people’s ability to exercise their right to assemble peaceably, argues Ariana Aboulafia.
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
As protests surge nationwide, AI surveillance tools, biometric identification, and mask bans are creating new barriers for disabled people seeking to safely exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble, argues Tech Policy Press Fellow Ariana Aboulafia.
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
CDT President & CEO @alexreevegivens.bsky.social: “This executive order is designed to chill state-level action to provide oversight and accountability for the developers and deployers of #AI systems, while doing nothing to address the real and documented harms these systems can create.”
Text of the EO now live on the White House site: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
December 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
CDT President & CEO @alexreevegivens.bsky.social: “This executive order is designed to chill state-level action to provide oversight and accountability for the developers and deployers of #AI systems, while doing nothing to address the real and documented harms these systems can create.”
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
I understand that these things are confusing but I’m begging non-immigration reporters to take some time parsing the details. This piece refers to them both having visas and being green card holders, but those are *not* the same thing. Green cards aren’t visas and it’s a pretty important distinction
SCOOP: The Trump administration may revoke the visas of critics of Elon Musk's Twitter.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
The move would mark one of the admin's first attempts to revoke the visas of people they deem to be engaging in the “censorship” of Americans.
SCOOP: Trump Admin Is Preparing to Revoke Visas of Critics of Elon Musk’s Twitter
Trump officials are considering revoking the visas of former European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton and Imran Ahmed, of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
zeteo.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I understand that these things are confusing but I’m begging non-immigration reporters to take some time parsing the details. This piece refers to them both having visas and being green card holders, but those are *not* the same thing. Green cards aren’t visas and it’s a pretty important distinction
Reposted by Nathalie Maréchal, PhD
this is the dumbest idea I've ever heard and an absolute disservice to the incredible journalists still at The Washington Post
The Washington Post is launching a personalized AI podcast, saying users will be able to "shape their own briefing, select their topics, set their lengths, pick their hosts and soon even ask questions using our Ask The Post AI technology."
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
this is the dumbest idea I've ever heard and an absolute disservice to the incredible journalists still at The Washington Post