Nostr notes by James Baker

Stop Killing the Internet is doing its second state of play event ...

2026-10-30T10:09:37Z

Stop Killing the Internet is doing its second state of play event on the discord server tonight at 19:00 UTC. Everyone is welcome to come learn about the campaign, how things are doing then to join in some Halloween themed games
https://discord.gg/H7rdpCQE #stopKillingInternet

but the companies running the age gates would rather you do it ...

2026-10-29T11:36:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…5fkk
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but the companies running the age gates would rather you do it multiple times for each different platform and they ofc argue people should be ‘re-checked’ to prevent account sharing or device sharing. Because that’s their racket that drives up their profits and everyone’s cost of living and cost of doing business

I kind of think more choice and options is likely better than ...

2026-10-29T11:34:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…uzez
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I kind of think more choice and options is likely better than fewer.
So it would be better if someone was able to use say the Applie age range API to establish their age, or if not you had a choice of your own preferred providers you could use with a platform.

There might be arguments their better or more reliable l. ...

2026-10-29T11:33:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ze87
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There might be arguments their better or more reliable l. Certainly far more people will have a credit card already registered with Microsoft, Google or Apple and therefore that is already their proof of age. Although of course there is a market competion issue if it were the only way. For example Linux users would still need another way to be able to access platforms

Ofcom is silent on this all they say stuff must be privacy ...

2026-10-29T11:30:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…3za7
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Ofcom is silent on this all they say stuff must be privacy friendly but then it’s the ICO that enforces U.K. GDPR. There is no regulated or approved list of age verification providers, which creates a bit of a Wild West with only industry self-regulatory schemes in place.

It features more in the EU Kids Act as it states it as a ...

2026-10-29T11:29:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…3za7
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It features more in the EU Kids Act as it states it as a requirement. My take on this though is what Bellovin wrote about in this paper - cryptographic unlinkability does not mean untrackable using correlation and other metadata within the entire system required around that ZKP. https://www.cs.columbia.edu/~smb/papers/age-verify.pdf

So what should Digtial rights campaigners do? Argue that Apple, ...

2026-10-29T11:14:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…gc4x
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So what should Digtial rights campaigners do? Argue that Apple, Microsoft, Google age signals should be acceptable as HEAA. After all how are they different than existing Mobile Network Operator Checks? In meantime I think we need to highlight children are being pushed towards the more privacy invasive ways of establishing their age at a younger age. Additionally with only some platforms being banned the web will become a lot more decentralised as people avoid ID-gates and move to alt platforms

But the only way someone not of age could use an app downloaded ...

2026-10-29T11:12:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…ctqy
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But the only way someone not of age could use an app downloaded to an age-assured OS environment is if the device is shared. That could happen but likewise it’s perhaps easier to share log-in and account credentials for platforms then it is to share a physical device. I read this as AVPA lobbying in favour device checks + platform checks being successful. This puts the U.K. on quite a different tack from EU where age signals seem more built into the EU Kids Act proposal

Where they talk about the Microsoft and Apple type age gates are ...

2026-10-29T11:10:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…eycx
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Where they talk about the Microsoft and Apple type age gates are in their paper about app stores https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/online-safety/protecting-children/report-on-the-use-of-app-stores-by-children.pdf?v=427158 again perhaps a worry here is how they place ‘use’ in Red and try to make it clear that even if you are age checked to download an app that dosent mean its use has been cleared

Secondly 16-18 years olds aren’t able to access more privacy ...

2026-10-29T11:05:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…ewnj
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Secondly 16-18 years olds aren’t able to access more privacy friendly options such as credit card checks. Instead they get funnelled towards having to use Digtial ID and passports or age estimation. This is bad as with age estimation you have to appear older than 19. If not then in addition to having already handed over your biometrics you then need to do another method. #privacy

Some thoughts on the Ofcom announcement. Firestorm there appears ...

2026-10-29T11:01:48Z

Some thoughts on the Ofcom announcement. Firestorm there appears no age signals as a method. This rules out things like Apple’, Microsoft or Google’s Age Range API. That deserves some questioning as if you have gone through a process with them it’s more privacy friendly then handing over more data. #Ofcom #Safety

While the rise of social media is blamed for all of societies ...

2026-10-23T11:13:21Z

While the rise of social media is blamed for all of societies ills is worth reminding ourselves that crime has fallen dramatically during this same period https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/lawless-britain-latest-violence-hits-record-low-410821/ I’m not saying these things are linked but the narrative everything is getting worst due to modernity and technology needs challenging. #crime #internet

The report essentially shows the online safety act has had little ...

2026-10-22T19:54:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…j8xl
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The report essentially shows the online safety act has had little or no impact on the amount of content deemed harmful to children that is being seen. A sensible approach would now be to look at other interventions such as education, user controls, interoperability, tackling use of personal data in harmful surveillance driving advertising business models.

It seems like Ofcom want to make ‘depression content’ a ...

2026-10-22T19:52:56Z

It seems like Ofcom want to make ‘depression content’ a priority offence which is itself depressing. The define this as including as “content which glamourises glorifies or romanticises depression, hopeleness or despair. “ see https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/online-safety/protecting-children/content-harmful-to-children/report-on-content-harmful-to-children.pdf

Later today at 5pm BST I’m speaking about threats to VPNs as ...

2026-10-21T10:13:32Z

Later today at 5pm BST I’m speaking about threats to VPNs as part of the Encryption day summit https://www.globalencryption.org/2026/09/global-encryption-day-summit-2026/ #E2EE #Privacy #VPN

That is something at least. I do still worry Ofcom are being ...

2026-10-06T11:47:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…9pe8
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That is something at least. I do still worry Ofcom are being pressured not to accept age signals from the likes of Apple’s age range API as being ‘highly effective’. More choice and options for users is I think better than fewer.

Reports in Times that government will go for ‘tough’ form of ...

2026-10-05T08:13:18Z

Reports in Times that government will go for ‘tough’ form of age verification. I read that as successful AVPA lobbying for verification rather age signals from things like Apple age range API range allowed. Secondly seems clear government is going to use threats of ban to try and get private entities to change their code and features to their liking.

That’s great we are trying to build a wide camp. Rather than ...

2026-10-04T10:33:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…gcmn
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That’s great we are trying to build a wide camp. Rather than try and get everyone to agree. But if if the ECI succeeeds we get a debate and then I’d love people to be making these stronger cases and arguments. I had this same kind of conversation with the authors and they did also say that the wording has to go through a process with the commission to be checked for being in scope and acceptable which changes things. Especially when they can argue member states have Digital ID already

The ECI is also just a way to get attention for an issue, athat ...

2026-10-04T09:38:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…gd87
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The ECI is also just a way to get attention for an issue, athat alone it won’t change things. So we are building a wider network of organisations fighting things that harm the open internet around the world. In years of politics I’ve seen many petitions that I don’t 100% agree with, but support because the general thrust and intention. What they do is generate debate and discussion. So I hope you do support it, even while pointing out such arguments for that reason.

Great article. I know both Paul and Daniel who drafted the ECI ...

2026-10-04T09:33:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…5689
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Great article. I know both Paul and Daniel who drafted the ECI text. They are aware of the arguments that it can’t be voluntary or privacy preserving. Their intention was to build a wider coalition of people who could sign it so that these points could be raised in the debate and to raise the same point you do that even if a perfect credential to exist it would still create a permission gate on lawful information and participation. #stopKillingInternet

It’s a shame the Commuson’s proposals within the EU Kids Act ...

2026-09-30T21:33:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…q9n7
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It’s a shame the Commuson’s proposals within the EU Kids Act would do so much to hurt gaming. It’s hard to feel the commission is supporting gamers at all currently.

Do check out this video from Ross about how the EU Kids Act will ...

2026-09-30T20:51:30Z

Do check out this video from Ross about how the EU Kids Act will impact gaming. #SKGaming #Stopkillinginternet https://youtu.be/mQRcK9nYg9g?is=PhJbPLfpwqt0-GPy

Perfectly normal behaviour from a peer that has now started ...

2026-09-30T09:37:37Z

Perfectly normal behaviour from a peer that has now started working for Palantir https://www.thenerve.news/p/clive-lewis-tom-watson-palentir-letter-labour-conference-citizens-event #clivelewismp #palantir

When platform level age gates came in for pornography sites, I ...

2026-09-26T10:40:43Z

When platform level age gates came in for pornography sites, I did a few interviews warning it could lead to users going to less regulated sites where they encounter more extreme content. This paper beings ‘novel evidence that some non-mainstream platforms that host more extreme or likely less moderated content gain more searches’ since the online safety act was introduced https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7513022 . #onlinesafety

Nostr event nevent1qqsg7px9psadw252telusglg3s784h7yds7epzysp40m3lq43ap8llqzyrqzal3jrcvj9720g6y70rz99uwwku64atuvtleuwzx2720ngt0lsfv0qzn

2026-09-24T06:08:18Z

RE: https://social.openrightsgroup.org/@openrightsgroup/117321390985757804

Here is another story here about the Discord ban Filipinos are now facing https://technology.inquirer.net/149413/oped-the-discord-ban-affects-freelancers-students-remote-workers totally blocking an entire platform is not a proportionate response. One lesson communities beed back up plans for when governments try and censor their communications. Self-hosting services and fediverse and alternative tech is one option. In a global information war you need a shelter move into when you get bombed #fediverse #discord #phillippines

quoting
note1pj2…whk5

'Reports that Discord is being blocked by some ISPs in the Philippines are deeply concerning. Cutting people off from a communications platform is a sweeping response to concerns about harmful content. Measures to protect children should be targeted and proportionate, rather than disrupting lawful communications. #Discord #StopKillingtheInternet https://unbox.ph/news/globe-gomo-discord-blocked/

Nostr event nevent1qqst2xwrmguuq2pd02srwdsnk2kjhvtxrpendqwmpqks938peg9ff4gzyrqzal3jrcvj9720g6y70rz99uwwku64atuvtleuwzx2720ngt0lskfz05a

2026-09-22T17:21:27Z

RE: https://social.openrightsgroup.org/@openrightsgroup/117313755598057576

If you are around Manchester then why not come along to this event, and you can say hi to me at the same time!

quoting
note1e3p…fedl

THIS THURSDAY ⏰

The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition is coming to Manchester for the next townhall event.

Find out about how Greater Manchester Police is using AI and live facial recognition, such as recently at Manchester Carnival.

🗓️ 24 Sep
🕧 6-9pm
📍 Central Hall

Sign up ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/events/safety-not-surveillance-manchester-townhall/

#facialrecognition #predictivepolicing #precrime #ai #policing #manchester #event

Among the doom and gloom this is something to be cheery about. A ...

2026-09-22T17:14:17Z

Among the doom and gloom this is something to be cheery about. A great article on why England’s schools are doing so well at the moment. #education https://samf.substack.com/p/why-englands-schools-are-doing-so

Looks like the strict BT filter is blocking it ...

2026-09-22T08:10:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…qn9t
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Looks like the strict BT filter is blocking it https://www.blocked.org.uk/site/http://www.archive.com?expand=1

Yes I have to use a VPN to access it from the U.K. so thet have ...

2026-09-22T06:51:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…a0x5
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Yes I have to use a VPN to access it from the U.K. so thet have something up with it. Could be their cloudflare settings. Seems increasingly common for some government sites to block like that. My own local council blocks all non-UK IPs for example

urgh, there is a Reddit thread about it ...

2026-09-22T06:29:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…r9az
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urgh, there is a Reddit thread about it https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/s/2MWvSR1C8h

The Philippines is looking to ban Discord and Reddit unless they ...

2026-09-22T06:23:44Z

The Philippines is looking to ban Discord and Reddit unless they setup offices in just 24hrs. As CICC seek to blame platforms for school shoppings. There is a pattern globally of internet access facing restrictions as the web gets the blame for social problems with multiple complex causes. #philippines #discord #reddit https://cicc.gov.ph/news/cicc-demands-reddit-discord-to-establish-ph-presence-within-24-hours/

BBC removing sketches from That Mitchel and Webb look raises the ...

2026-09-21T16:35:12Z

BBC removing sketches from That Mitchel and Webb look raises the issue of preservation in the digital age. At least physical media can’t be censored for not fitting in with a broadcasters modern day political sensibilities. #BBC https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/bbc-removes-mitchell-webb-show-37683351

The U.K. faces a number of really complicated problems and it ...

2026-09-20T12:21:25Z

The U.K. faces a number of really complicated problems and it seems all anyone can do is either offer a minor tax raise or minor tax cut on different products or services. The political class seems out of ideas.

The fact you are thinking that shows how people will likely ...

2026-09-18T18:50:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…8r5w
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The fact you are thinking that shows how people will likely trying and create new technologies the moment it isn’t

I’ve just seen a leaked draft of the EU Kids act. It’s really ...

2026-09-15T17:13:33Z

I’ve just seen a leaked draft of the EU Kids act. It’s really bad and will be a disaster for the fediverse and any small community web project. #EU #onlinesafety more details to follow.

That is possible! I can also imagine not getting a reply at all.

2026-09-15T09:21:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…99sj
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That is possible! I can also imagine not getting a reply at all.

I was up late last night adding various threats to the open ...

2026-09-15T08:26:19Z

I was up late last night adding various threats to the open internet onto the #StopKillingTheInternet map https://www.stopkillingtheinternet.com/map. There is a lot to go to get a complete picture but should be a useful resource for campaigns, information and actions around the world. #surveillance #privacy

I’ve reached out to Baroness Benjamin to explain how her Bill ...

2026-09-14T12:59:14Z

I’ve reached out to Baroness Benjamin to explain how her Bill that would require anyone running a social media platforms obtains a license from Ofcom, would impact someone running aMastodon instances in the UK https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/67647/documents/8738 . Will keep you posted if she replies. #Ofcom #mastodon #socialmedia #regulation

My son was telling me how his school have tightened up their web ...

2026-09-12T06:58:11Z

My son was telling me how his school have tightened up their web filters in response to worries about online harms. Apparently you can’t now look U.K. the assassination of JFK because it contain references to guns or Charlie Kirk’s page as it contains references to abortion. #censorship #moralpanic

Ok well this is terrifying. Clearview are testing a police tool ...

2026-09-12T06:52:22Z

Ok well this is terrifying. Clearview are testing a police tool that links your facial recognition scan to an entire online persona for surveillance purposes. This massive increases how valuable facial recognition data is and even not having a profile becomes ‘suspicious’ https://www.wired.com/story/clearview-ai-is-testing-an-ai-tool-that-lets-cops-instantly-unearth-your-online-activity/ #clearviewAI #surveillance #facialrecogntion

Computer Weekly habe a good write up on the U.K. plans to place ...

2026-09-11T10:17:25Z

Computer Weekly habe a good write up on the U.K. plans to place constant nudity surveillance on your own phone and device unless you submit to a Digtial ID check point https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366649187/Government-to-force-tech-companies-to-verify-age-of-users-to-protect-children #UK #authoritarianism

It forces software onto your device that reduces the capacity of ...

2026-09-09T10:25:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…h2ul
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It forces software onto your device that reduces the capacity of a device unless to go through a Digtial ID gate. I’d describe that as bricking your phone or turning it into a heavily locked down version of what you purchased.

This statement ...

2026-09-09T10:18:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…w7k3
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This statement https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/lisa-nandys-statement-on-protecting-children-online I’ll do a video talking about it later today that will get up on Open Rights Group (npub1p2p…hjzg) peer tube and all disreputable social media sites

Legislation to force software providers to brick people’s ...

2026-09-09T09:11:30Z

Legislation to force software providers to brick people’s phones with blocking software is really worrying development in the U.K. Any content blocking software should be a parental choice and even then freedom of expression rights of teenagers need respecting.

I caught up with some former colleagues who are still councillors ...

2026-08-29T21:46:07Z

I caught up with some former colleagues who are still councillors in Calderdale. Hearing their stories about the new Reform administration was quite something. Including a Councillor who expressed that they were struggling with the geography and understanding what was or wasn’t within their ward. Sadly it seems Reform will also undo the Ward forum community grants which was something I was quite proud to have implemented in my time in the Council. #Calderdale #Reform

In a UK poll of 2,000 people 90% thought people should have the ...

2026-08-27T13:51:09Z

In a UK poll of 2,000 people 90% thought people should have the right to private conversations online #E2EE #privacy #encryption https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366649780/Public-wary-of-UK-government-backdoor-surveillance-following-Apple-row-poll-reveals

Brazil moves to destroy the fun of millions of gamers by banning ...

2026-08-14T09:10:54Z

Brazil moves to destroy the fun of millions of gamers by banning live streaming in discord https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/brazil-agency-orders-discord-platform-suspend-livestreaming-over-child-safety-2026-08-12/ #gaming #discord #streaming

Sometimes I wonder if all the energy and effort put into online ...

2026-08-10T08:16:31Z

Sometimes I wonder if all the energy and effort put into online safety was spent on trying to secure climate safety.

Gutted to learn that William Orbit has passed. Strange Cargo III ...

2026-08-07T19:42:48Z

Gutted to learn that William Orbit has passed. Strange Cargo III is one of my favourite EDM albums.

I’ll be making a start on this w/c 10th August when I’m back ...

2026-07-31T10:28:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…05p0
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I’ll be making a start on this w/c 10th August when I’m back at work. If there are any key points feel free to DM or email me

Groudle Glen terrace on the Rochdale canal outside of Hebden ...

2026-07-31T10:24:26Z

Groudle Glen terrace on the Rochdale canal outside of Hebden Bridge this morning #Calderdale #canal

I registered a washing machine simply for the 10 years part ...

2026-07-27T13:27:09Z

I registered a washing machine simply for the 10 years part guarantee. After 20 min dealing with an AI voice assistant it turns out that the parts guarantee is only a thing if you had taken out a rip off £8 a month scammy warranty. Of course the plastic fixtures snap after a while. Everything feels built like a scam these days. #hoover #fakeguarantee

Was at Deer Shes festival this weekend. The entire site was ...

2026-07-27T13:25:16Z

Was at Deer Shes festival this weekend. The entire site was cashless. I managed to find some traders who did accept cash. So sad cash is now like some fringe payment method in certain locations. #cash

It seems Digital ID scrapped is being ditched by Burnham and ...

2026-07-18T21:58:36Z

It seems Digital ID scrapped is being ditched by Burnham and England are 4-0 up at half time vs the French. This is turning out to be a good Saturday night 😁#Eng #DigtialID #burnham

You can listen in from 14:00 UTC today at this global event ...

2026-07-16T09:43:57Z

You can listen in from 14:00 UTC today at this global event hosted by SFLC.in on the impact on rights of Digital ID gates on internet access https://www.youtube.com/live/euSkCvhzweQ #DigtialID #stopkillingtheinternet #socialmedia

The 16-17 curfew being optional seems like a bit of a climb down ...

2026-07-15T06:30:41Z

The 16-17 curfew being optional seems like a bit of a climb down or like DSIT officials managed to persuade ministers it was unworkable.

Alternatively is it salami slicing like the smoking ban. Gradually normalising redirection? The lack of VPN age restrictions also seems like some reason, and arguments put to government against this having won out for the time being. #VPN #Socialmedia

More evidence Australia’s social media ban isn’t working ...

2026-07-08T17:15:53Z

More evidence Australia’s social media ban isn’t working https://www.itnews.com.au/news/australias-teen-social-media-ban-fails-to-clear-first-hurdle-in-age-checks-627213 #socialmedia #stopkillingtheinternet

It’s funny Smartphone Free Childhood now idolise 1990s video. ...

2026-07-07T21:29:06Z

It’s funny Smartphone Free Childhood now idolise 1990s video. At the time there was a full on moral panic about video nasties https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_nasty many teenagers would ‘stumble upon’ a VHS of porn under their parents bed… #VHS #Nostalgia #moralpanics

The sad thing about Trump intervening to help the US football ...

2026-07-06T17:49:14Z

The sad thing about Trump intervening to help the US football team is before that the World Cup was helping to repair the US’ reputation and people were even rooting for them. It’s a shame for ordinary Americans to have a leader that hurts their global reputation so badly. #Trump #worldcup

The UK does authority in a deceptive manner. Do you want ...

2026-07-06T11:11:18Z

The UK does authority in a deceptive manner. Do you want Government to control your information sources always, sometimes, or are you unsure? #UK #authority #control #stopkillingtheinternet

I wrote an article for Green Isles about the concept of ...

2026-07-03T10:19:02Z

I wrote an article for Green Isles about the concept of ecological digtial sovereignty. ‘From monoculture to ecosystems’ #ecology #software #digitalsovereignty

https://www.greenisles.uk/ecological-digital-sovereignty-monocultures-to-ecosystems/

NO2ID explain why they are supporting #stopKillingInternet ...

2026-07-03T09:56:00Z

NO2ID explain why they are supporting #stopKillingInternet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3dBA6iubM they are one of 21 organisations around the world backing this movement

Thanks will aim to get that sorted. We are volunteer organised ...

2026-07-02T13:05:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…34h6
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Thanks will aim to get that sorted. We are volunteer organised and run atm, with some time from partner organisations being donated too. So not as slick from launch as could be! But appreciate the feedback

Yes that’s a great example of unforeseen impact on behaviour. ...

2026-07-02T07:43:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…aqsv
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Yes that’s a great example of unforeseen impact on behaviour. Maybe my
Sceptical around bans will be proved wrong and an unforeseen consequence will be all young people creating Mastodon accounts (as the Fediverse isn’t banned) 🤷

and a final complexity if you will indulge me thinking out loud ...

2026-07-02T07:22:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…f9ph
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and a final complexity if you will indulge me thinking out loud about this. The impacts will be different for different individuals. For example people with cystic fibrosis are advised not to be in close proximity. So the calculus as to benefits and risks of screen time and social media are different depending on someone’s state of health either mentally or physically and their individual needs.

For example as A though experiment Roblox has 132M daily users. ...

2026-07-02T07:14:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…mc08
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For example as
A though experiment Roblox has 132M daily users. If instead of playing Roblox that day everyone went on a car jounrney to have a hike in nature then given the road accident rate staticatically some likely would be involved in a fatal accident. But maybe the overall health benefit would justify that? Those type of questions become ethical and utilitarian about where the greatest harm lies and seemingly almost impossible to calculate

Yea even the impacts of more time spent outside are mixed (if ...

2026-07-02T07:10:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…0tc8
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Yea even the impacts of more time spent outside are mixed (if more people do spend time outside). There is much focus socially on the mental health, social and physical benefits of such pursuits. They all also come with much higher accident and injury risks. How many more drownings, car accidents and fatalities.

It certainly needs an FAQ page and much more. The volunteer team ...

2026-07-02T06:11:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…pkyr
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It certainly needs an FAQ page and much more. The volunteer team will be working on all of that. We aren’t a mega corp so some stuff will be unpolished and raw as it develops. But we a global movement of now more than 23 organisations around the world and expanding rapidly. One of the first events we will be highlighting is a talk about the situation in India.

The purpose is to ensure organisations and partners around the ...

2026-07-02T06:05:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…hkzf
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The purpose is to ensure organisations and partners around the world work in solidarity to try and maintain an open Internet. So it will be opposing measures that harm human rights and restrict open accesss and supporting measures that are rights-respecting. It will do this by promoting work of the partners in different countries, many for example have highlighted fediverse as solution to problems of big tech.

Maube there is an academic who has looked at this area and the ...

2026-07-01T07:15:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…efx0
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Maube there is an academic who has looked at this area and the data more than my speculation and cursory look at some accident figures. Really though I don’t think the impact of the ban will be much as most young people will ignore it if the early Oz data is correct.

But there are certainly some online trends that have also caused ...

2026-07-01T07:13:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…5kwq
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But there are certainly some online trends that have also caused accidents as people do things for views and likes. But young people showing off also existed before the internet as did dangerous trends that swept through schools.

I’m not sure. The accident data shows injury rates have been ...

2026-07-01T07:12:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…llvj
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I’m not sure. The accident data shows injury rates have been decreasing whike screen time increases but that doesn’t mean causation. But given it’s hard to injure yourself sat at a screen compared to doing most other things with your time it’s a plausible hypothesis to be tested that forced reduction in screen time would mean more accidental injury and deaths.

I just watched a video on social media warning about someone who ...

2026-06-30T18:49:10Z

I just watched a video on social media warning about someone who dived into a pool off a roof and tragically died. It struck me exactly the sort of thing a teenager would do if banned from social media and made to hang about outside + they also then wouldn’t have seen the warning video on social media. #risk #accidents #socialmedia

We are now up to 19 organisations around the world who are a part ...

2026-06-29T16:39:07Z

We are now up to 19 organisations around the world who are a part of https://www.stopkillingtheinternet.net/ it’s been a huge amount of work helping to found this organisation. Also so exciting as it seems to be resonating with people that there is a need for a global movement to push for Internet freedoms + solutions to problems with big tech that respect human rights #stopkillingtheinternet #stopKillingInternet

My evenings this week have been very busy with ...

2026-06-26T21:35:56Z

My evenings this week have been very busy with #stopkillingtheinternet we have about 12 organisations from EU, Canada, US, UK and India involved so far.

A drug is a chemical substance and object. A social media ...

2026-06-26T12:10:57Z

A drug is a chemical substance and object.

A social media platform is a complicated system of speech and communication.

Using anaology that conflate the two is at best lazy thinking, at worst prohibitionist propaganda from people with authoritarian personality types.

The same is true of offline spaces too. Walk through any major ...

2026-06-25T18:54:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…lmua
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The same is true of offline spaces too. Walk through any major city and there are scammers and risks of crime.

Yes! when my town flooded it was the only way to find out what ...

2026-06-25T13:11:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…hpua
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Yes! when my town flooded it was the only way to find out what was happening. All the authorities and Councillors and community self-organised on social media to respond to the disaster.

I think promoting good ways for people to access quality news is ...

2026-06-25T10:06:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…xasj
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I think promoting good ways for people to access quality news is important . Really teaching critical thinking skills so people can judge what is or isn’t a good source. Using state power to restrict news is a bad idea and will totally be misused by people in power.

A new study in the BMJ concludes the social media ban in ...

2026-06-25T08:07:35Z

A new study in the BMJ concludes the social media ban in Australia has had little impact https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-363695 #socialmedia

I play games with my son and enjoy it as an activity. I don’t ...

2026-06-16T14:19:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…nc7d
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I play games with my son and enjoy it as an activity. I don’t think we should be overpathologizing everyday life by calling all sorts of behaviors ‘addictions’. I don’t support prohibition as a means to change platforms either. I support user tools, empowerment and education.

Video gaming. Yes every human activity can be harmless or harmful ...

2026-06-16T13:48:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…626m
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Video gaming. Yes every human activity can be harmless or harmful depending how you do it.

But it seems we are both worried about the power of those ...

2026-06-16T11:38:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…p9n7
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But it seems we are both worried about the power of those platforms

I worry it will entrench their power and obscure meaningful ...

2026-06-16T11:38:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…25jh
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I worry it will entrench their power and obscure meaningful policies that would tackle the root causes. For example how going through Reddit ID process meant Reddit then got you year of birth data to better target people with adds. Millions of people’s personal ID data will go into these systems and much will end up being used by ad tech and reinforce power structures

The billionaires will get your face. Peter Thiel is a major ...

2026-06-16T11:31:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…tvx7
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The billionaires will get your face. Peter Thiel is a major investor in Persona doing the facial biometric scanning.

And also on device scanning so if you want a phone that it’s ...

2026-06-16T11:27:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…dm3v
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And also on device scanning so if you want a phone that it’s capable of recording your own body or seeing a biological image of our species you are also forced into the ID funnel

It’s not just social media but gaming platforms too. So if you ...

2026-06-16T11:26:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…ag2d
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It’s not just social media but gaming platforms too. So if you enjoy playing games you are stuck.

When it applies to gaming platforms it’s not as simple for many ...

2026-06-16T11:10:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…ehwv
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When it applies to gaming platforms it’s not as simple for many people as just ditching X for Mastodon. Although the later would be a silver lining

It applies to gaming platforms as well. So for literally millions ...

2026-06-16T11:06:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…s23y
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It applies to gaming platforms as well. So for literally millions of people an entire past-time comes under it, even if you avoided social media

This is really excellent from Defend Digtial Me. I suggest people ...

2026-06-16T05:03:55Z

This is really excellent from Defend Digtial Me. I suggest people read and ask these questions to people in power https://defenddigitalme.org/the-uk-under-16s-social-media-ban-questions-answers-faq/ #stopkillingtheinternet #stopKillingInternet #socialmedia

This petition against the social media ban is taking off ...

2026-06-15T22:46:45Z

This petition against the social media ban is taking off https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/757233 #stopkillingtheinternet #socialmedia please do sign and share under the #stopkillinginternet even if it’s a Gov one!

Age verification addresses the symptoms not the cause – and ...

2026-06-15T10:36:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…p5z4
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Age verification addresses the symptoms not the cause – and even feeds back into the harmful business model. The data shared for age verification can also be used by platforms and the wider data broker ecosystem to send you ads and customised content, fuelling the harmful business model. #socialmedia

Major social media platforms rely on extensive collection of ...

2026-06-15T10:34:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…vdpm
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Major social media platforms rely on extensive collection of personal data to target advertising and maximise user engagement. Their business models are designed to keep users online for longer, using algorithms that prioritise content most likely to capture attention and drive interaction. This contributes to the spread of harmful, polarising and addictive content, with consequences for both individual wellbeing and democratic discourse.

In less than a year, the government has expanded age verification ...

2026-06-15T10:33:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…tvu4
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In less than a year, the government has expanded age verification to such an extent so that soon it will be virtually impossible to be online in the UK without handing over identity documents or biometric data to unregulated companies.

Forcing people to prove their identity in this way puts adults and 16- 17 year olds at risk of their personal data being hacked. Discord is one example of a platform that suffered a major data-leak as a result of the introduction of age-assurance.

These headline-grabbing proposals by a Prime Ministers on his way ...

2026-06-15T10:30:51Z

These headline-grabbing proposals by a Prime Ministers on his way out fail to address the root causes on online harms – business models that reward harmful content.

The government is on a policy failure ratchet, of policy failures that are followed by more and more censorship and surveillance measures that also fail, because safety is never delivered this way.

Over the past week I’ve been working with a group of ...

2026-06-15T10:25:29Z

Over the past week I’ve been working with a group of organisations from the world. Plans are underway to launch a new global movement to oppose restrictions such as bans or device scanning that harm the open net. Formal Announcements we can expect tomorrow in the meantime https://www.stopkillingtheinternet.com/ #stopKillingInternet

I haven’t commented much about the social media ban. That’s ...

2026-06-14T16:05:08Z

I haven’t commented much about the social media ban. That’s because I’ve been very busy working on a project related to it. Looking forward to being able to talk about that more tomorrow! #socialmedia #ban #politics

Online safety begins at home with the family says Phil Booth of ...

2026-06-14T16:04:01Z

Online safety begins at home with the family says Phil Booth of NO2ID https://youtu.be/q1KT0GUJygI #onlinesafety #socialmedia #DigtialID

iF you hAvE dOne nOtHiNg wrong ...

2026-06-13T09:42:56Z

iF you hAvE dOne nOtHiNg wrong https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/06/man-jailed-due-to-faulty-face-recognition-says-florida-cops-ignored-other-evidence/ #AI #PreCrime #surveillance

What about certain context. Say false statement of fact about a ...

2026-06-11T07:42:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…yxuq
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What about certain context. Say false statement of fact about a candidate as an offence or using an algorithm to push a bot net that targets an individual journalist or politician. That was what I was suggesting but if you think not?