Dhanaraj Thakur
@thakurdhanaraj.bsky.social
Research Director, Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org
Board Member: #shepersisted and the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition.
Member: Global Majority Research Committee (Trust and Safety Foundation).
Board Member: #shepersisted and the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition.
Member: Global Majority Research Committee (Trust and Safety Foundation).
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Horrific and illegal activities are playing out across livestreaming platforms. Research by the Center for Democracy & Technology shows that platforms use three major approaches to address the problem, writes Dhanaraj Thakur. But do they work? Platforms must provide proof of their efficacy, he says.
Livestreaming Platforms Must Demonstrate Their Safety Measures' Effectiveness | TechPolicy.Press
Research by the Center for Democracy & Technology shows that platforms use three major approaches to address this problem, writes Dhanaraj Thakur.
www.techpolicy.press
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Horrific and illegal activities are playing out across livestreaming platforms. Research by the Center for Democracy & Technology shows that platforms use three major approaches to address the problem, writes Dhanaraj Thakur. But do they work? Platforms must provide proof of their efficacy, he says.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
POV: you are a young woman celebrating a recent academic success
November 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
POV: you are a young woman celebrating a recent academic success
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
'Darkfakes,' 'Foefakes,' 'Fanfakes,' and 'Glowfakes': Morgan Wack, Christina Walker, Alena Birrer, Kaylyn Jackson Schiff, Daniel Schiff, and JP Messina systematically analyzed political deepfakes and developed a classification that categorizes them along key dimensions.
Scrutinizing the Many Faces of Political Deepfakes | TechPolicy.Press
Morgan Wack, Christina Walker, Alena Birrer, Kaylyn Jackson Schiff, Daniel Schiff, and JP Messina systematically analyzed political deepfakes.
www.techpolicy.press
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
'Darkfakes,' 'Foefakes,' 'Fanfakes,' and 'Glowfakes': Morgan Wack, Christina Walker, Alena Birrer, Kaylyn Jackson Schiff, Daniel Schiff, and JP Messina systematically analyzed political deepfakes and developed a classification that categorizes them along key dimensions.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
CDT’s @kateruane.bsky.social in @404media.co: “Providing tech services to supercharge ICE operations while blocking tools that support accountability of ICE officers is entirely backwards.”
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group. “It is time to choose sides; fascism or morality? Big tech has made their choice.”
www.404media.co
November 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
CDT’s @kateruane.bsky.social in @404media.co: “Providing tech services to supercharge ICE operations while blocking tools that support accountability of ICE officers is entirely backwards.”
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
New in @theverge.com - half of US scams originate on a Meta property. The company must do more. @lanalanalana.bsky.social and I weigh in www.theverge.com/tech/820906/...
Meta must rein in scammers — or face consequences
Scams are ruinous to users — but, reportedly, big business to Meta.
www.theverge.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 PM
New in @theverge.com - half of US scams originate on a Meta property. The company must do more. @lanalanalana.bsky.social and I weigh in www.theverge.com/tech/820906/...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Google has moved from moral cowardice (removing ICE tracking apps) to direct complicity in the violent, unconstitutional abuse of vulnerable people.
As a civil liberties lawyer who worked at Google for ten years, this one hits me in the gut.
As a civil liberties lawyer who worked at Google for ten years, this one hits me in the gut.
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
November 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Google has moved from moral cowardice (removing ICE tracking apps) to direct complicity in the violent, unconstitutional abuse of vulnerable people.
As a civil liberties lawyer who worked at Google for ten years, this one hits me in the gut.
As a civil liberties lawyer who worked at Google for ten years, this one hits me in the gut.
On the implications of #AIagents: www.reuters.com/business/ret...
Amazon sues Perplexity over 'agentic' shopping tool
Amazon accused Perplexity of covertly accessing private Amazon customer accounts through its Comet browser and associated AI agent.
www.reuters.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
On the implications of #AIagents: www.reuters.com/business/ret...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
I'm attending a workshop hosted by @techpolicypress.bsky.social tomorrow. They invited me to write a "provocation" about the state of technology and democracy right now.
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
The Dance with Big Tech is Different under Trump 2.0 | TechPolicy.Press
If we are going to repair democratic institutions, we are going to have to do it ourselves, writes Dave Karpf.
www.techpolicy.press
November 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I'm attending a workshop hosted by @techpolicypress.bsky.social tomorrow. They invited me to write a "provocation" about the state of technology and democracy right now.
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
I think I wrote something appropriately dark and foreboding.
www.techpolicy.press/the-dance-wi...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
TOMORROW: How can civil society researchers produce work that’s both rigorous + high-impact? Join CDT, @datasociety.bsky.social & Society, & @aclu.org for “Advocating with Evidence: Lessons for Tech Researchers in Civil Society."
📅 Nov 13 | 10–11 AM ET | Online
REGISTER: cdt.org/event/advoca...
📅 Nov 13 | 10–11 AM ET | Online
REGISTER: cdt.org/event/advoca...
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
TOMORROW: How can civil society researchers produce work that’s both rigorous + high-impact? Join CDT, @datasociety.bsky.social & Society, & @aclu.org for “Advocating with Evidence: Lessons for Tech Researchers in Civil Society."
📅 Nov 13 | 10–11 AM ET | Online
REGISTER: cdt.org/event/advoca...
📅 Nov 13 | 10–11 AM ET | Online
REGISTER: cdt.org/event/advoca...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
AI is not a climate solution. With #COP30 underway, we stand in solidarity with indigenous peoples and frontline communities in rejecting centralized tech power and the extractive practices of AI — and affirming that technology must serve people. #TheAnswerIsUs greenscreen.network/en/blog/cop30/
The Answer is Not AI! Statement of Solidarity with The Answer Is Us campaign
Sign the solidarity statement The Answer is Not AI – The Answer Is Us! Support The Answer is Us! campaign Leia a versão em português da declaração de solidariedade.
In support of The Answer Is Us camp...
greenscreen.network
November 12, 2025 at 4:14 PM
AI is not a climate solution. With #COP30 underway, we stand in solidarity with indigenous peoples and frontline communities in rejecting centralized tech power and the extractive practices of AI — and affirming that technology must serve people. #TheAnswerIsUs greenscreen.network/en/blog/cop30/
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
This journey begins with inclusivity and participation, engaging stakeholders across regions and countries to understand unique challenges and aspirations.
The AI divide: Can the West foster a fair and democratic process for AI governance?
...AI is forecast to contribute USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with the majority of benefits going to high-income nations. This disparity underscores the need for inclusive AI development and governance.
globalvoices.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This journey begins with inclusivity and participation, engaging stakeholders across regions and countries to understand unique challenges and aspirations.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
flat out lies. these tech ceos take regulators and the masses for fools
![“If you want to know how a model will behave, the only way of doing it is to run it,” Mensch also suggested. “You do need to have some empirical testing, what’s happening. Knowing the input data that has been used for training is not going to tell you whether your model is going to behave well in [a healthcare use-case], for instance. You don’t really care about what’s in the training data. You do care about the empirical behaviour of the model. So you don’t need knowledge of the training data. And if you had knowledge of the training data, it wouldn’t even teach you whether the model is going to behave well or not. So this is why I’m saying it’s neither necessary nor sufficient.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:26hkfmtr7jrchexamh7hk6rz/bafkreibp7oaeovg7xt43dlk3qtmkft6irldgf44tz75sbaiqvoqdq4kpjy@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
flat out lies. these tech ceos take regulators and the masses for fools
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Today's decision in GEMA v. OpenAI by a German court holds that ChatGPT infringes copyright when it memorizes song lyrics. The opinion cites my paper with @afedercooper.bsky.social on memorization in generative models, and its analysis tracks ours.
drive.google.com/file/d/1dUaD...
drive.google.com/file/d/1dUaD...
42-O-14139-24-Endurteil.pdf
drive.google.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Today's decision in GEMA v. OpenAI by a German court holds that ChatGPT infringes copyright when it memorizes song lyrics. The opinion cites my paper with @afedercooper.bsky.social on memorization in generative models, and its analysis tracks ours.
drive.google.com/file/d/1dUaD...
drive.google.com/file/d/1dUaD...
This Thursday Nov 13 at 10 ET. Please join us!
Advocating with Evidence: Lessons for Tech Researchers in Civil Society.
Join us on November 13 for an online discussion featuring @alicetiara.bsky.social @mkgerchick.bsky.social @jordanaut.bsky.social and me.
Organized by @cdt.org @datasociety.bsky.social @aclu.org
cdt.org/event/advoca...
Join us on November 13 for an online discussion featuring @alicetiara.bsky.social @mkgerchick.bsky.social @jordanaut.bsky.social and me.
Organized by @cdt.org @datasociety.bsky.social @aclu.org
cdt.org/event/advoca...
November 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
This Thursday Nov 13 at 10 ET. Please join us!
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Interested in #TechPolicy #internships? Join us at @cdt.org next summer! Several options: Legal, research, comms, etc.
cdt.org/careers/
cdt.org/careers/
Careers
Current Openingsfind yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? Are you yearning to put your expertise to work on internet neutrality legislation? If so, you might be a great f...
cdt.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Interested in #TechPolicy #internships? Join us at @cdt.org next summer! Several options: Legal, research, comms, etc.
cdt.org/careers/
cdt.org/careers/
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
This Thursday, 11/13! D&S Director of Research @alicetiara.bsky.social will take part in a panel discussion about the opportunities and challenges of using research to support tech policy and advocacy, and share strategies for ethical, effective research that centers marginalized communities.
Advocating with Evidence: Lessons for Tech Researchers in Civil Society.
Join us on November 13 for an online discussion featuring @alicetiara.bsky.social @mkgerchick.bsky.social @jordanaut.bsky.social and me.
Organized by @cdt.org @datasociety.bsky.social @aclu.org
cdt.org/event/advoca...
Join us on November 13 for an online discussion featuring @alicetiara.bsky.social @mkgerchick.bsky.social @jordanaut.bsky.social and me.
Organized by @cdt.org @datasociety.bsky.social @aclu.org
cdt.org/event/advoca...
November 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This Thursday, 11/13! D&S Director of Research @alicetiara.bsky.social will take part in a panel discussion about the opportunities and challenges of using research to support tech policy and advocacy, and share strategies for ethical, effective research that centers marginalized communities.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Another good Verge article that I might add to class readings.
www.theverge.com/features/664...
www.theverge.com/features/664...
Indigenous scientists are fighting to protect their data — and their culture
They’re worried about the loss of their research.
www.theverge.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Another good Verge article that I might add to class readings.
www.theverge.com/features/664...
www.theverge.com/features/664...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Same here. I’ve never even seen a group of friends.
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Same here. I’ve never even seen a group of friends.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
New report from CDT’s Hannah Quay-de la Vallee + @thakurdhanaraj.bsky.social, & guest author Morgan Badurak introduces a rubric to evaluate transparency from edtech vendors. cdt.org/insights/ope...
November 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
New report from CDT’s Hannah Quay-de la Vallee + @thakurdhanaraj.bsky.social, & guest author Morgan Badurak introduces a rubric to evaluate transparency from edtech vendors. cdt.org/insights/ope...
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Student surveillance companies cash in on the ai grift by promising schools and parents their tech will keep students safe from the harms of ai.
Chatbots Are Sparking a New Era of Student Surveillance
As US educators embrace AI in the classroom, firms are selling software to flag mentions of self-harm, raising concerns over privacy and control.
www.bloomberg.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Student surveillance companies cash in on the ai grift by promising schools and parents their tech will keep students safe from the harms of ai.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
“Some of the easiest, most lucrative places for TikTok to make money were wealthy markets like the Gulf that were unburdened by Western norms about privacy, human rights, and democratic self-governance.”
https://restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-saudi-uae-investors-us-ban/
https://restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-saudi-uae-investors-us-ban/
How TikTok cozied up to wealthy investors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
In her new book, Every Screen on the Planet: The War Over TikTok, journalist Emily Baker-White charts the Chinese app’s rise to becoming a global juggernaut. Here is an excerpt on the company’s courts...
restofworld.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
“Some of the easiest, most lucrative places for TikTok to make money were wealthy markets like the Gulf that were unburdened by Western norms about privacy, human rights, and democratic self-governance.”
https://restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-saudi-uae-investors-us-ban/
https://restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-saudi-uae-investors-us-ban/
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
Should women be hated as witches or patronized as overgrown children? The paper of record debates the two available options.
November 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Should women be hated as witches or patronized as overgrown children? The paper of record debates the two available options.
Reposted by Dhanaraj Thakur
A.I. is already raising concerns for its ability to mimic real voices in service of scams or to produce deepfake pornography without a subject’s permission. Now, the technology is also being used for violent threats — priming them to maximize fear by making them far more personalized.
A.I. Is Making Death Threats Way More Realistic
Online harassers are generating images and sounds that simulate their victims in violent situations.
nyti.ms
October 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
A.I. is already raising concerns for its ability to mimic real voices in service of scams or to produce deepfake pornography without a subject’s permission. Now, the technology is also being used for violent threats — priming them to maximize fear by making them far more personalized.