Podcasts about online safety act

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Best podcasts about online safety act

Latest podcast episodes about online safety act

Galaxy Brains
Defending Free Speech on the Web with Preston Byrne

Galaxy Brains

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 51:15


Alex Thorn talks with Preston Byrne (Arkham Intel, Byrne Storm) about the United Kingdom's attempts to enforce the “Online Safety Act” on American companies, the need for the 1st Amendment to defend against censorship, and the future of the internet in an increasingly fractured world. Alex and Preston also discuss on-chain analytics and the growth of blockchain information providers. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, November 25, 2025.  Participants, along with Galaxy Digital, hold a financial interest in Bitcoin. Galaxy Digital regularly engages in buying and selling Bitcoin, including hedging transactions, for its own proprietary accounts and on behalf of its counterparties. Galaxy Digital also provides services to vehicles that invest in Bitcoin.  If the value of such assets increases, those vehicles may benefit, and Galaxy Digital's service fees may increase accordingly. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/disclaimer-galaxy-brains-podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tech Mirror
Part 5: Next Steps

Tech Mirror

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 35:47


This is the final episode of TPDi’s 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we turn our attention to the future, looking at policy priorities for the Government going forward, including privacy law reform, a prohibition on unfair trading practices, competition codes, and the introduction of a digital duty of care. We also call on the Tech Mirror community to get involved and help shape Australian tech policy to make sure that it works well for everyone. Featured experts in this episode include Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, Lizzie O’Shea from Digital Rights Watch, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein. Links: PM Press Conference at Parliament House (30 July 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-ZQ6jyLxw Children’s Online Privacy Code, via the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes/childrens-online-privacy-code Age appropriate design: a code of practice for online services, Information Commissioner’s Office (UK) https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/age-appropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services/ Regulatory reform in digital platform markets is needed to improve competition and consumer outcomes, via the ACCC (June 2025) https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/regulatory-reform-in-digital-platform-markets-is-needed-to-improve-competition-and-consumer-outcomes Minister for Communications announcement of duty of care obligations (November 2024) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/new-duty-care-obligations-platforms-will-keep-australians-safer-online Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021, led by Delia Rickard, released February 2025 https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/report-online-safety-act-review-released Minister for Communications Press Conference regarding digital duty of care survey (November 2025): https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-canberra-0 Minister for Communications media release on commitment to digital duty of care (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/government-continues-commitment-online-safety Government survey on digital duty of care online (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/government-continues-commitment-online-safety Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech Mirror
Part 3: The Law

Tech Mirror

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2025 38:48


This is episode 3 of a 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we make sense of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation, explaining the limits of the law and what it actually requires of social media companies, young people, parents, and the community. We also unpack how this new law interrelates with other existing online safety measures, including industry codes. We speak with Cam Wilson from Crikey, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Australia's Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, and Deputy Program Director of the Age Assurance Technology Trial Andrew Hammond. Links: Minister Wells Press Conference (16 September 2025), supplied. Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Government announces plans to introduce the minimum age legislation (8 November 2024), Minimum age for social media access to protect Australian kids https://www.pm.gov.au/media/minimum-age-social-media-access-protect-australian-kids & https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/social-media-ban Social media reforms to protect our kids online pass Parliament (29 November 2024) https://alp.org.au/news/social-media-reforms-to-protect-our-kids-online-pass-parliament/ eSafety Commissioner Advice to the Minister for Communications on draft Online Safety Rules (June 2025) https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/esafety-commissioner-advice-minister-communications-draft-online-safety-rules Albanese Government protecting kids from social media harms (July 2025) https://www.pm.gov.au/media/albanese-government-protecting-kids-social-media-harms Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference, Canberra (July 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wellseSaeft/transcript/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00889/latest/text eSafety Commissioner’s regulatory guidance https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/regulatory-guidance#social-media-minimum-age Minister for Communications and eSafety Commissioner’s media conference (September 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-sydney Privacy Guidance on Part 4A (Social Media Minimum Age) of the Online Safety Act 2021 (October 2025) https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/related-legislation/social-media-minimum-age Platforms on notice to comply with Social Media Minimum Age, via eSafety Commissioner (November 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/platforms-on-notice-to-comply-with-social-media-minimum-age Social media minimum age platform assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/social-media-minimum-age-platform-assessments & https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-canberra-0 Press Conference: Social Media minimum Age Platform Assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9CIZK_12Zc Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s industry codes and standards https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes Age Assurance Technology Trial https://ageassurance.com.au/ Age Assurance Technology Trial— Final Report https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/age-assurance-technology-trial-final-report Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Furthermore with Amanda Head
Can Virginia limit teens' social media use? NetChoice argues new law violates First Amendment rights

Furthermore with Amanda Head

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 29:16


On this episode of the podcast, NetChoice's Director of Policy Patrick Hedger details why they launched a new lawsuit against the State of Virginia for passing a new law that would require minors younger than 16 years of age to undergo age-verification, receive parental consent, and be limited to just one hour per day of use on social media platforms. Hedger argues that this regulation represents a direct assault on free speech and privacy, comparing it to forcing you to read a book only one hour at a time or verifying your identity just to watch a documentary. Hedger contrasts Virginia's approach with similar efforts, such as Texas' SB814 which targeted minors' access to pornographic content, and highlights a worrying trend of regulatory models being adopted from abroad, including the UK's Online Safety Act and the proposed Kids Online Safety Act in Congress. You can learn more about NetChoice by visiting their website: NetChoice.org. You can also follow Patrick Hedger, Amanda Head and this podcast on X by searching for the respected handle: @Pat_Hedger, @AmandaHead, @FurthermorePod.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tech Mirror
Part 2: The Politics

Tech Mirror

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025 35:11


This is episode 2 of a special 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we discuss how the issue of social media harms and the idea of a minimum age restriction became such a political hot topic in the lead up to the 2024 Federal election. We explore the political, social and media forces that lead to the law passing Parliament, notwithstanding reservations of experts. We speak to Cam Wilson, a technology reporter from Crikey, Lizzie O’Shea (founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch), Professor Amanda Third (co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University), Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and Australia's Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind. Links: Cam Wilson, Crikey https://www.crikey.com.au/author/cam-wilson/ Lizzie O’Shea https://lizzieoshea.com/ Digital Rights Watch https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/ Amanda Third https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/people/directors/amanda_third Julie Inman Grant https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/about-the-commissioner Carly Kind https://www.oaic.gov.au/ Minister Wells Speaking during Parliament House Question Time (31 July 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcLpm9SbOrk ABC News Breakfast (29 November 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niaeYxdlvkw The Project, 10X Media Group/Network Ten (19 May 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=525CiA19WPI 36 Months campaign https://www.36months.com/ Let Them Be Kids campaign https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/topics/let-them-be-kids Social Media Summit, NSW & South Australia, October 2024 https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/social-media-summit & https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/social-media-summit Report by Chief Justice Robert French, Legal Examination into Social Media Access for Children https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/banning-social-media-for-children Government response to the Privacy Act Review Report (September 2023) https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/publications/government-response-privacy-act-review-report eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s speech at the Royal Society of NSW, W x 3 — The World Wide Web (we weaved)! (July 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSFVrIugy3E Laws not bans can make kids safer online, Carly Kind, Privacy Commissioner (November 2024) https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/laws-not-bans-can-make-kids-safer-online Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference (November 2024) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/speech/press-conference-parliament-house Social Media Age Limit, Office of Impact Analysis (November 2024) https://oia.pmc.gov.au/published-impact-analyses-and-reports/social-media-age-limit Social media: the good, the bad, and the ugly – Final report, from the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society (November 2024) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Social_Media_and_Australian_Society/SocialMedia Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021, led by Delia Rickard, released February 2025 https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/report-online-safety-act-review-released Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiry into the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (November 2025) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SocialMediaMinimumAge Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Future Of
Social Media: Australia's ban, AI and young people online

The Future Of

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025 35:42


Australia is banning social media for children 16 and under – but will it actually keep them safe or only spark new problems?In this episode, hosts David Karsten and Celeste Fourie are joined by Professor Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University, to discuss Australia's proposed ban on social media for children under 16.We explore what the Ban aims to achieve, who it will affect, and whether it could reshape the relationship between government and big tech.The discussion also ventures into what social media will look like when the ban comes into play, and how AI is creating a new internet for the next generation.The ban: Purpose, platforms and rollout [01:15]Consultation and youth input [04:40]How social platforms shape teens' social lives [06:20]Will the ban protect young people? [11:12]Generative AI and youth [16:30]Industry and global response [22:00]Digital literacy and misinformation [16:50]The path forward: advice on supporting teens as the ban takes effect [33:10]Learn moreeSafety CommissionerDigital ChildConnect with our guestsProfessor Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin UniversityTama is a regular media commentator, Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and former president of the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR).Follow Tama on LinkedInJoin Curtin UniversityThis podcast is brought to you by Curtin University. Curtin is a global university known for its commitment to making positive change happen through high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and practical teaching.Work with usStudy a research degreeStart postgraduate educationGot any questions, or suggestions for future topics?Email thefutureof@curtin.edu.auSocial mediaXFacebookInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTranscriptRead the transcriptBehind the scenesHosts: Celeste Fourie and David KarstenContent Creators: Zoe Taylor and Caitlin Crowley Recordist: Caitlin CrowleyProducer: Emilia JolakoskaExecutive Producers: Anita Shore and Natasha WeeksFirst Nations AcknowledgementCurtin University acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the First Peoples of this place we call Australia, and the First Nations peoples connected with our global campuses. We are committed to working in partnership with Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations' voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future.Curtin University supports academic freedom of speech. The views expressed in The Future Of podcast may not reflect those of Curtin University.

Hacker News Recap
October 25th, 2025 | Meet the real screen addicts: the elderly

Hacker News Recap

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2025 14:36


This is a recap of the top 10 posts on Hacker News on October 25, 2025. This podcast was generated by wondercraft.ai (00:30): Meet the real screen addicts: the elderlyOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45701305&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(01:53): React vs. Backbone in 2025Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45702558&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(03:16): I'm drowning in AI features I never asked for and I hate itOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45708066&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(04:39): A worker fell into a nuclear reactor poolOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45708292&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(06:02): California invests in battery energy storage, leaving rolling blackouts behindOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45706527&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(07:25): Key IOCs for Pegasus and Predator Spyware Removed with iOS 26 UpdateOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45700946&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(08:49): We do not have sufficient links to the UK for Online Safety Act to be applicableOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45705381&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(10:12): The Journey Before main()Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45706380&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(11:35): What is intelligence? (2024)Original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45700663&utm_source=wondercraft_ai(12:58): Tell HN: OpenAI now requires ID verification and won't refund API creditsOriginal post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45702363&utm_source=wondercraft_aiThis is a third-party project, independent from HN and YC. Text and audio generated using AI, by wondercraft.ai. Create your own studio quality podcast with text as the only input in seconds at app.wondercraft.ai. Issues or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: team@wondercraft.ai

S2 Underground
The Wire - October 23, 2025

S2 Underground

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 5:15


//The Wire//2300Z October 23, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: UNREST CONTINUES IN IRELAND AS CENSORSHIP CRACKDOWN INTENSIFIES. ILLEGAL MIGRANT FROM INDIA CAUSES FATAL CRASH IN CALIFORNIA. MIGRANT WOES CONTINUE THROUGHOUT EUROPE.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: The war continues as before. Following Israeli strikes in Lebanon a few days ago, more significant airstrikes were reported in southern Lebanon overnight. Yesterday evening the Israeli Knesset voted to annex the West Bank, a move which has drawn slight criticism from the United States due to the war continuing to widen after the ceasefire was broken last week. SECSTATE Marco Rubio condemned this vote and VP Vance stated that Israel will not be allowed to annex the West Bank.Italy: A man was arrested on Tuesday after attempting to kidnap a child from a stroller near the train station in Bologna. Local authorities state that the man, who is an illegal immigrant from Gambia, approached a family on the sidewalk and attempted to grab their newborn child from their stroller. After local citizens fought back against him, he fled the scene before being arrested later in an adjacent park. The suspect has not been identified due to allegedly being a juvenile, but locals did state that he was an asylum seeker living at the local migrant housing complex near the attack site.-HomeFront-California: The driver of a semi truck who caused a fatal pileup on I-10 yesterday has been arrested. Jashanpreet Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, was arrested on multiple counts after the crash, including DUI. 3x people were killed during the crash, and 4x others wounded.Analyst Comment: Singh was illegally in the United States after walking over the southern border in 2022. After being initially detained, he was released into society by Customs and Border Patrol due to the catch-and-release open-border policy at the time.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In Ireland, the situation remains as tense as expected. One of the major issues with discerning the truth regarding events on the ground is the now-infamous Online Safety Act, which has been adopted by the European Union as the Digital Services Act (DSA) This is more or less the EU copying Starmer's homework and bringing the Online Safety Act to most of Europe. The DSA and the local regulations put into effect by the Irish government (most notably the chairman of the media commission Jeremy Godfrey) have resulted in a lot of the footage of protest activity being banned from being seen from Irish IP addresses. Users on X for example, have noted that their content is banned from view in Ireland, even content that is benign in nature but related to protest activity. This means that either the Irish government and/or the European Commission itself has ordered X to remove certain content by flagging it as "adult content" and thus subject to the Digital Services Act.In other words, exactly what everyone thought would happen, has happened. And not only happened once, but has been industrialized. Content which makes government agencies look bad, or otherwise highlights the crimes of violent migrants gets flagged as "adult content" and therefore is subject to censorship via the Online Safety Act and requires a photo ID (or a digital ID) to see. Right now, there are probably a lot of people in Ireland that have no understanding of the scale of protests and demonstrations (or even what the issue is all about) due to this censorship. This has been made worse by other larger issues that have actually made it into the mainstream press.Yesterday, the family of Josef Puska was sentenced for their various roles in the murder of Ashling Murphy. These sentences have inflamed tensions once more due to the nature of the crime itself, and the systemic coverup of the incident. While walking on a hiking path back in 20

Pod Save the UK
Pod Save the Truth w/ Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales

Pod Save the UK

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 59:53


Enough is enough! Nish stages an intervention with Coco about her troubling relationship with Chat GPT. Or as Coco puts it: her mate “Chatty G”.  But Coco's not the only one embracing generative AI - it's creeping into politics. From MPs using it in their daily work to the Swedish prime minister turning to it for a second opinion on running the country. Is AI a useful and harmless political tool or will it erode trust even further? Despairing, Nish catches up with internet pioneer and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. What can our increasingly polarised and trust-depleted world learn from the man who turned a crazy idea into one of the most popular websites in the world? Nish and Jimmy cover Musk's “Wokepedia” attacks, the rise of AI and the Online Safety Act.  And Nish and Coco check in on some other questionable distortions of reality - featuring everyone's favourite charlatan Nigel Farage and Prince Andrew's infamous inability to sweat. CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS CALM https://www.calm.com/PSTUK  SPOTIFY https://www.shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk  GUESTS Jimmy Wales CREDITS Al Arabia BBC The Sun  Reform UK Donald Trump Bloomberg Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grumpy Old Geeks
718: Net Unhelpful

Grumpy Old Geeks

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 76:06


This week, Guest Host Donovan Adkisson joins Jason DeFilippo to wade through the usual tech chaos; California is attempting to regulate the inevitable AI companion chatbots, which is timely, considering ChatGPT is about to launch erotica (with age verification, natch). Turns out, most of the world is less stoked about our algorithmic future than Silicon Valley is. Speaking of chaos, Elon Musk's Boring Company racked up nearly 800 environmental violations in Vegas, and his Starlink satellites are burning up the atmosphere, validating the Kessler Syndrome predictions (and ruining backyard astronomy). On the ground, Georgia Tech is deploying drone first responders, ensuring campus security is instantly airborne, while the UK's Online Safety Act slapped 4chan with a hefty fine. We also mourn a Crypto Kingpin who met his end in a Lamborghini following a market crash. Finally, beware that "perfect" house listing, as the owner likely used AI to virtually enhance that curb appeal.It seems even the guy who coined the term "Vibe Coding" admits that relying on AI for complex software is "Net Unhelpful," proving that humans still have to do the heavy lifting—a fact Uber might ignore, as they plan to pay drivers to train AI between rides. Speaking of dumb human stunts, some genius launched the "World's First Waymo DDoS" by summoning 50 robotaxis to a dead end. On the entertainment side, it's time to binge Gen V before Season 5 of The Boys drops; also, why did Apple rename Apple TV+ to Apple TV? The guys also discuss the eternal cultural resonance of Idiocracy and the perfection of Galaxy Quest (and its fantastic documentary, Never Surrender). On the work front, Jason switched back to Things 3 because life is too short for ugly software, even as Windows 10's impending end-of-life threatens to create an e-waste disaster. Also, Wi-Fi 8 is coming soon, because the recently ratified Wi-Fi 7 just wasn't cutting it.Finally, the Grumpy Old Geeks wish a happy birthday to friends of the show and offer remembrance for the recently deceased, including screen icon Diane Keaton and KISS founding member Ace Frehley (though, honestly, no one here watched KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park). Tune in next time, and always remember to check out Anonymous: Real Stories of Alcoholism, Addiction, and Recovery; and go get some of that GOG Merch... when it becomes available.Sponsors:MasterClass - Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at MASTERCLASS.com/GRUMPYOLDGEEKSPrivate Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/718FOLLOW UPGuest Host: Donovan AdkissonCalifornia becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbotsChatGPT erotica coming soon with age verification, CEO saysInternational Polling Shows Fear of AI Across the WorldIN THE NEWSGeorgia Tech's drone first responder program cuts emergency response time to 90 seconds or lessCrypto Kingpin Turns Up Dead in Lamborghini After Market CrashConcerns grow after spate of social media posts showing SpaceX Starlink satellites burning in the sky — we are currently seeing a ‘couple of satellite re-entries a day,' says respected astrophysicist4chan fined $26K for refusing to assess risks under UK Online Safety ActElon Musk's Boring Company Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas ProjectThat perfect-looking house for sale may have an owner using AI to virtually enhance the listingEven the Inventor of 'Vibe Coding' Says Vibe Coding Can't Cut ItMan Launches “World's First Waymo DDoS” by Ordering 50 Robotaxis to Dead End StreetMEDIA CANDYGEN VApple's streaming service gets harder to tell apart from its streaming app, boxThe Celebrity TraitorsThe Fortune HotelIdiocracyNever Surrender: A Galaxy Quest DocumentaryThe Missi & Brooke ShowAnonymous - Real Stories of Alcoholism, Addiction, and RecoveryMinecraft Movie 2 ReleaseAPPS & DOODADSThings 3TP-Link confirms successful Wi-Fi 8 trials — next-gen wireless standard to usher in advances in reliability and latencyThe End of Windows 10 Support Is an E-Waste Disaster in the MakingCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSDiane Keaton dead at age 79Kiss Meets the Phantom of the ParkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Data Chronicles
Age gating the internet | Can we really protect kids online?

The Data Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 44:50


Across the globe, governments are rethinking how to keep kids safe online. New laws in the UK and the U.S. are driving a wave of age verification and content regulation measures that could reshape how young people experience the internet and how platforms operate. In this episode of The Data Chronicles, host Scott Loughlin is joined by Hogan Lovells associates, Rob Fett and Georgia Crawford from London, and Sophie Bohm from Colorado, to unpack the UK's Online Safety Act, the growing patchwork of U.S. state laws, and the complex balance between safety, privacy, and free expression. Together, they explore whether these new rules truly protect children or simply shift the burden to users and platforms.

CapX presents Free Exchange
Ofcom faces legal action over online safety

CapX presents Free Exchange

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 27:41


Can a British regulator really fine an overseas website under the banner of the Online Safety Act? In today's edition of The Capitalist, host Marc Sidwell is joined by free speech lawyer Preston Byrne and journalist Harry Phibbs to discuss Ofcom's £20,000 penalty against 4chan — and what it means for free expression in the digital age.The conversation then turns to calls for a one-off wealth raid to patch Britain's public finances, and to Marc's own argument that Margaret Thatcher's unfinished revolution still offers Britain a blueprint for national renewal.From digital censorship to tax grabs and the battle for Britain's economic soul, this is a sharp, timely look at what freedom really means in 2025.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Engadget
NVIDIA's DGX Spark AI developer PC is now for sale, a UK regulator fined 4chan, and Slack is transforming its Slackbot into a 'personalized AI companion'.

Engadget

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 10:31


-NVIDIA revealed its DGX Spark AI computer earlier this year and today is officially on for $3,999. Though relatively tiny, it hosts the company's entire AI platform including GPUs and CPUs, along with NVIDIA's AI software stack "into a system small enough for a lab or an office.” -Ofcom has slapped 4chan with a £20,000 fine, that's the equivalent of $26,700 here in the states, for failing to comply with the internet and telecommunications regulator's request for information under the UK's Online Safety Act of 2023. -Slack's new Slackbot is basically an AI chatbot like all the rest, but this one has been purpose-built to help with common work tasks. Folks can use natural language to converse with the bot and it can do stuff like whip up project plans, flag daily priorities and analyze reports. It can also help people find information when they only remember a few scant details. The company says it will "give every employee AI superpowers" so they can "drive productivity at AI speed." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Winston Marshall Show
Silkie Carlo - Exposing Britain's Digital ID Plan and What's Coming Next…

The Winston Marshall Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 64:02


In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch, to discuss Keir Starmer's announcement of mandatory digital IDs and what it means for the future of Britain's freedoms.Silkie explains how this scheme, coupled with new laws like the Online Safety Act, risks creating a surveillance state where every transaction, message, and movement can be tracked. From facial recognition on the streets to secretive “non-crime hate incidents,” she warns that Britain is sleepwalking into authoritarianism under the guise of safety and security.We explore the role of tech giants and AI-driven censorship, the government's appetite for mass data collection, and how ordinary people are being criminalised for speech once protected by law. Silkie argues that privacy is not a luxury — it's the foundation of a free society.A chilling but vital conversation about digital IDs, mass surveillance, and the urgent fight to reclaim our liberties before it's too late.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Watch the extended ad-free conversation here https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Digital ID and Its Implications 7:04 Arguments Against Digital ID10:06 Historical Context and Previous Attempts 19:27 Surveillance and Control 30:55 Facial Recognition 48:21 Public Opposition and Political Support55:44 Future of Digital IDs and Resistance1:01:34 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Winston Marshall Show
Mike Benz - Exposing The EU's Plot To Destroy Free Speech in America

The Winston Marshall Show

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 73:12


In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Mike Benz, former State Department official and leading critic of the Censorship Industrial Complex, to expose how governments and NGOs are working hand-in-glove with Big Tech to police free speech across the West.Mike explains how the EU's Digital Services Act and Britain's Online Safety Act are being used to impose AI-driven censorship, threatening not only European citizens but also Americans posting from within the US. We explore how these laws function as a “digital censorship regime,” backed by crippling fines and international coordination.From USAID funding NGOs to shut down cross-border political movements, to the Hate Lab in Cardiff feeding real-time speech data to UK police, Benz reveals how censorship has become industrialised — and how Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter briefly broke the system. We also discuss the Biden administration's role, the UK's crackdown on comedians and dissidents, and the disturbing reality of AI censorship ‘Death Stars' designed to silence debate on elections, COVID, climate, and more.A deep dive into the machinery of modern censorship — and what it means for the future of free speech in the West.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:32 What Is the Censorship Industrial Complex?06:10 How the Government Outsources Censorship to NGOs11:45 The EU's Role in Exporting Censorship to the US17:30 AI-Powered Censorship & The Death of Free Speech22:05 Twitter Files & the Exposure of Government Pressure28:40 How “Trust & Safety” Became a Weapon35:15 The Role of the National Security State41:10 Elon Musk vs The Censorship Machine47:35 How the Online Safety Bill Extends UK Censorship53:20 The Global Coordination of Digital Repression1:00:45 How NGOs Control the Narrative Across Borders1:07:12 Mike Benz's Plan to Dismantle the Censorship Network1:12:40 Final Thoughts & A Warning for the West Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Masters of Privacy
Robert Bateman: AI watermarking, recognized legitimate interests and age verification in the UK

Masters of Privacy

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2025 29:58


Robert Bateman is a Senior Partner at Privacy Partnership, which provides consultancy and training on data protection and AI regulation, as well as legal advice via its associated law firm, Privacy Partnership Law. He also hosts The Privacy Partnership Podcast.This is Robert's third appearance on the show. We have covered three hot topics:* How far do we take watermarking of AI-generated content under article 50 of the AI Act?* How do pre-defined legitimate interest scenarios work under the UK Data (Use and Access) Act?* What is the tension between the Online Safety Act and the new data protection framework in the UK?References:SIGN UP NOW for the Masters of Privacy NYC LIVE recording and networking event on Nov 6 (if you happen to be in town)* Robert Bateman on LinkedIn* Robert Bateman on Bluesky* The Privacy Partnership Podcast* AI Act (EU Commission's resources)* Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: data protection and privacy changes* The EU approach to age verification (EU Commission)* EU follows UK with age verification in 2026 (PPC Land)* Wikipedia loses challenge against Online Safety Act verification rules (BBC)* Robert Bateman: the EDPB's Opinion on auditing subprocessors and the future of Meta's unskippable ads (Masters of Privacy, Nov 2024)* Robert Bateman: Consent or Pay (Masters of Privacy, Oct 2023) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mastersofprivacy.com/subscribe

The Money Podcast
The Digital ID Is Here: What They're NOT Telling You....

The Money Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 16:18


This urgent broadcast is a stark warning to say no to the new digital ID being pushed by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, a program which Rob argues was never voted for and could lead to extreme population control.  Rob presents five major downsides, including increased control through connecting systems like a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), ULEZ cameras, and the Online Safety Act, and warns that this could lead to the freezing of accounts, travel restrictions, fines, penalties at source, and massive data breaches, ultimately limiting freedom and financial sovereignty BEST MOMENTS "Warning! Say no to the new digital ID. Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK, leader of Labour, is trying to force us all to have a digital ID." "What if they don't like anything you post on social media? Well, they don't have to arrest you. They don't have to imprison you. They can just freeze and red flag and cancel your digital ID. You are no longer a citizen. You do not have any rights." "The only solution now for your personal freedom is building financial freedom, even better than that, financial fluidity." Exclusive community & resources:   For more EXCLUSIVE & unfiltered content to make, manage & multiply more money, join our private online education platform: Money.School →⁠ ⁠⁠https://money.school⁠   And if you'd like to meet 7 & 8 figure entrepreneurs, & scale to 6, 7 or 8 figures in your business or personal income, join us at our in-person Money Maker Summit Event (including EXCLUSIVE millionaire guests/masterminds sessions)  →⁠ ⁠⁠https://robmoore.live/mms⁠ 

CDT Tech Talks
Talking Tech with Zeve Sanderson, Michal Luria, and Aliya Bhatia on Age Verification

CDT Tech Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 29:40


In this episode of Tech Talks, we dive into the growing debate over online age verification. While often framed as a way to protect children, these policies carry major implications for how everyone, adults and children alike, accesses the internet. Unlike showing an ID at a bar, online age checks can require the collection and even long-term storage of sensitive personal data, raising serious privacy and security concerns. The UK's Online Safety Act has already pushed millions of users to prove their age across thousands of sites, from adult content to everyday topics like current affairs and even knitting. In the U.S., states including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are rolling out their own requirements, while federal lawmakers weigh new proposals that could expand these mandates even further. Joining this conversation are Zeve Sanderson of NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics, CDT Research Fellow Michal Luria, and guest host Aliya Bhatia, CDT Senior Policy Analyst. Together, they explore what users really think about age verification, how it changes online behavior, and what's at stake for balancing child safety with privacy and free expression.

In Touch
Leaving the Macular Society, Age Verification Help

In Touch

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 18:46


Since the spring, we have been receiving a steady stream of emails from people who are deeply concerned about developments at the Macular Society. The concerns have primarily been over the plans to make a number of the Society's regional managers redundant. In the background, there have been events evolving based around a WhatsApp group chat, which included a number of the regional managers who were told they could be made redundant. In Touch speaks to one of the regional managers, following her dismissal from the charity over the WhatsApp group chat.A few months ago, age verification checks became a requirement on certain websites under the Online Safety Act. The aim of the Act is to protect children and young people from content that is deemed to be harmful. But, In Touch heard from listeners that they are having issues with the accessibility of these age verification measures, and subsequently are struggling to access content they should be entitled to view as adults. Since we discussed this on the programme, we have heard from the The Age Verification Providers Association who offered to provide some advice on how people with visual impairments can navigate these systems. Their Executive Director Iain Corby gives some pointers. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Paul Holloway Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word ‘radio' in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

Cybercrime Magazine Podcast
Cybercrime Magazine Update: UK Online Safety Act Impacting Gamers. All Platforms Affected.

Cybercrime Magazine Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 4:26


Microsoft recently shared details about how the UK Online Safety Act (OSA) will impact Xbox's social features, which will now require age verification. Charlie Osborne, our London-based Editor-at-Large, recently came on the Cybercrime Magazine Podcast to discuss the news, sharing how it will affect all gaming platforms, including consoles, PC-based systems, and Mobile gaming apps. In this episode, 'CTRL, ALT, HACKED' host Paul John Spaulding is joined by Steve Morgan, Founder of Cybersecurity Ventures and Editor-in-Chief at Cybercrime Magazine, to discuss. The Cybercrime Magazine Update airs weekly and covers the latest news, interviews, podcasts, reports, videos, and special productions from Cybercrime Magazine, published by Cybersecurity Ventures. For more on cybersecurity, visit us at https://cybersecurityventures.com

Herbert Smith Freehills Podcasts
Public Law Podcast EP22: Back to school - wrap up of key developments

Herbert Smith Freehills Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 16:37


In this "Back to school" edition of the public law podcast, Jasveer Randhawa is joined by HSF Kramer partners Nusrat Zar and James Wood. Together, they discuss recent developments in the duty to consult in the cases of Liberty and Possible (The 10:10 Foundation) before delving into human rights challenges in Shvidler and Wikimedia Foundation. To conclude, they explore judicial approaches in complex areas and reflect on the balance between discretion and accountability in high policy contexts. Speakers: Jasveer Randhawa (Knowledge Counsel), Nusrat Zar (Partner), and James Wood (Partner). You can find out more about the cases covered in this podcast on our blog at the following links: Another twist in the consultation case law – so just what is a consultation? https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/another-twist-in-the-consultation-case-law Challenges to the Jet Zero Strategy grounded as Administrative Court dismisses claims based on consultation and policy concerns https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/challenges-to-the-jet-zero-strategy-grounded Supreme Court decides on the correct standard of review for proportionality https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/supreme-court-decides-on-the-correct-standard-of-review-for-proportionality High Court dismisses Wikimedia's challenge to Online Safety Act thresholds—but leaves the door open for future challenges https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/high-court-dismisses-wikimedias-challenge-to-online-safety-act-thresholds-but-leaves-door-open-for-future-challenges High Court gives guidance on regulator's interpretation of legislation and codes https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/high-court-gives-guidance-on-regulators-interpretation-of-legislation-and-codes Procedural flaw under the National Security and Investment Act regime insufficient to invalidate decision https://www.hsfkramer.com/notes/publiclaw/2025-posts/procedural-flaw-under-the-national-security-and-investment-act-regime-insufficient-to-invalidate-decision

S2 Underground
The Wire - September 19, 2025

S2 Underground

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 3:39


//The Wire//2300Z September 19, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT INCURSION REPORTED IN ESTONIA. POCKETS OF CIVIL UNREST BECOME SOLIDIFIED IN CHICAGO AS LOCALS CONTINUE TO OPPOSE ICE.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Europe: Controversy has continued over the past few days regarding the Online Safety Act. Details are hard to verify, however users noted that they could not access the Bible Gateway app from a British or European IP address yesterday afternoon. In a statement posted to their website, the app was reportedly offline due to "technical issues". Some time after this notice was posted, the main support website was taken down completely.Analyst Comment: It's not clear as to if this is a technical problem unrelated to censorship efforts, or if this website was taken offline due to noncompliance with the Online Safety Act. Either way, this app has a very large userbase, so answers will be sought regarding what is going on.Estonia: This morning several Russian fighter aircraft reportedly violated Estonian airspace. Estonia stated that 3x Russian MiG-31 fighters entered their airspace, remaining inside Estonia for 12 minutes before departing. 3x Italian F-35's were scrambled to respond to the incursion, though it is unclear as to if the Russian aircraft were actually intercepted. This morning Estonia enacted Article 4 of the NATO charter, which mandates a meeting of NATO to discuss the incident.This afternoon, Polish authorities reported that 2x Russian fighter aircraft conducted a low-pass flyover of a Polish oil rig platform in the Baltic Sea.-HomeFront-Utah: A truck driver was arrested yesterday after a minor traffic incident led to the discovery of two children in the back of his truck. Jacob Ortell Scott was arrested after two girls (aged 12 and 14) were found in the refrigerated trailer he was hauling, which turned out to be his sisters.Analyst Comment: Very few details have become public regarding this strange case, but local journalists are set on this not being a human trafficking case, simply because the driver was related to the children in his trailer. This is not a certainty, and the mere act itself is exceptionally suspicious; this could have been trafficking or attempted murder, or anything in between.Illinois: This morning local tensions flared in Chicago as activists have intensified operations to disrupt ICE, with local politicians urging resistance to deportations as well. Various ICE facilities around the city have been targeted by demonstrators attempting to prevent access to the facilities. Several federal vehicles have been attacked and the tires slashed by rioters, and a few dozen protesters (mostly led by local politicians or political candidates) remained demonstrating outside federal facilities throughout the day.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Violating Estonia's airspace is a classic Russian pastime, so even though Estonia is (understandably) freaking out about it, this incident is the fourth time airspace violations have been reported this year alone. This is mostly due to where the airspace violations are taking place...over the Gulf of Finland. Due to the very tight geography of the region, Russia can very easily violate Estonia's airspace by flying across the east-west corridor over the Gulf. Most of the time, Russia uses this as a way of poking Estonia and thus conveying their regional power to NATO. In this case, Russia chose to "poke" this time using MiG-31s...a platform that was a powerhouse during the Cold War, but is a bit dated today and is in the process of being phased out. This is probably an attempt to bully Estonia (again, as Russia is known to do), but in such a manner that is "softer" than sending Su-35's or another more modern platform. Nevertheless, the Cold War antics will continue to escalate as diplomatic effort

Ctrl-Alt-Speech
It's a Banned, Banned, Banned, Banned World

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 53:35 Transcription Available


In this week's round-up of the latest news in online speech, content moderation and internet regulation, Mike and Ben cover:Nepal to block some social media including Facebook (Reuters)Why Nepal Banned 26 Social Media Platforms And What It Means (Medianama)A parliament in flames, a leader toppled. Nepal's Gen-Z protesters ask: What comes next? (CNN)When Trolls Take On Tyrants: 4chan and Kiwi Farms Sue the UK Over Extraterritorial Censorship (Techdirt)Wikipedia is resilient because it's boring (The Verge)Former Meta employees say they saw child abuse in VR before company blocked research (NBC News)Mark Zuckerberg sues Mark Zuckerberg (Techcrunch) Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast from Techdirt and Everything in Moderation. Send us your feedback at podcast@ctrlaltspeech.com and sponsorship enquiries to sponsorship@ctrlaltspeech.com. Thanks for listening.

The Quicky
Fugitive's Children Located In NZ Wilderness & What The New Crime Report Reveals About Australia

The Quicky

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 18:32 Transcription Available


New crime data shows more than 40,000 victim-survivors of sexual assault were reported in the past year, the highest rate in over two decades. We break down what these alarming numbers mean for Australia, and why experts say this is just the tip of the iceberg. And in headlines today The three missing children of a fugitive in New Zealand, have been found after their father was shot and killed by police; The identity of a man dubbed the Moore Park rapist or Sydney’s Night Stalker has finally been revealed, more than 30 years after the attacks; The Australian eSafety commissioner has added 6 new codes to the Online Safety Act that will limit the ability of children to speak to AI chatbots; The man who was arrested last year for an alleged assassination attempt on then presidential candidate Donald Trump, has begun his trial; Actors Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem and Aimee Lou Wood are among more than 1300 film workers who have signed a pledge refusing to work with Israeli film institutions; A small group of family members, colleagues and close friends have attended a private funeral for legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died last week at the age of 91THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here Listen to Morning Tea celebrity headlines here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guest: Audio Producer: Lu HillBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Winston Marshall Show
Greg Lukianoff - Uncovering Britain's Free Speech Crisis...It's Worse Than You Know

The Winston Marshall Show

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2025 75:01


Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, joins The Winston Marshall Show for a sweeping conversation on free speech, censorship, and the dangers of state overreach.Lukianoff warns that Britain is sliding into authoritarianism with the Online Safety Act, the arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for “offensive tweets,” and thousands of citizens detained each year for speech crimes. He explains why Americans should be alarmed—not only because of cultural ties, but because UK and EU laws like the Digital Services Act now risk exporting censorship to the United States.They discuss the chilling effect of “non-crime hate incidents,” the hypocrisy of politicians who ignore Islamist extremism while cracking down on online speech, and why Big Tech is tripping over itself to appease Brussels bureaucrats. Lukianoff contrasts this with the Trump administration's free speech battles on university campuses, where anti-Semitism and harassment rationales are being used to justify speech codes.They also dive into the deeper history—Lenin, Marx, communism, and why the West never reckoned with the crimes of socialism—leaving us vulnerable to a new wave of ideological totalitarianism.All this—Britain's speech crisis, EU overreach, Trump and the universities, and the global struggle to preserve freedom of expression in the 21st century…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Welcome 02:49 - Graham Linehan's Arrest and Free Speech in the UK 05:08 - Arrests for Offensive Speech in the UK 07:34 - Non-Crime Hate Incidents and Social Attitudes 10:03 - Malcolm Gladwell, Trans Issues, and Chilling Effects 14:03 - The Online Safety Act and Censorship of Americans 17:04 - Why Americans Care About British Free Speech 19:14 - The EU Digital Services Act and Global Censorship 22:20 - Protecting Children Online: Policy and Parental Controls 28:41 - Free Speech in America: Trump, Wokeism, and Ideology 32:31 - Communism, Fascism, and Totalitarianism: Historical Parallels 36:30 - Reckoning with Socialism and Communism 39:30 - Karl Popper, Tolerance, and Hate Speech Laws 42:30 - Trump Administration, Campus Speech Codes, and Harassment 45:32 - Political Correctness and Speech Codes in Higher Ed 51:02 - Harvard, Civil Rights Act, and Federal Oversight 55:56 - The Right Way to Reform University Funding 58:52 - Free Speech for Pro-Palestinian Students and Deportation 1:10:19 - Why Harvard Ranks Lowest for Free Speech 1:13:21 - FIRE's New Books and Campus Free Speech Rankings 1:13:56 - Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rest Is Politics
444. Question Time: Can Labour Reinvent Itself?

The Rest Is Politics

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 47:21


Why is Gaza the deadliest place for journalists? Is Farage copying Trump by silencing the press?And, Is Britain's Online Safety Act censorship or protection? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair's miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members' newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away FREE TRIP+ membership for all of 2025 to new sign ups

This Week in Tech (Audio)
TWiT 1047: Nerd Harder! - From Cloudflare's Internet Gatekeeping to AI's Labor Threat

This Week in Tech (Audio)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 174:51 Transcription Available


Cloudflare's latest moves to police who can access the internet and governments' push for age verification set off alarms for the future of the open web, as panelists debate the hidden costs of centralization and regulation. Microsoft fires four workers for on-site protests over company's ties to Israel Taco Bell rethinks AI drive-through after man orders 18,000 water Nvidia says two mystery customers accounted for 39% of Q2 revenue FBI cyber cop: Salt Typhoon pwned 'nearly every American Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification law UK's Online Safety Act censors the internet — a preview of US proposal Meta updates chatbot rules to avoid inappropriate topics with teen user Meta reportedly allowed unauthorized celebrity AI chatbots on its service UK's demand for Apple backdoor may have been broader than previously though Bluesky now platform of choice for science community SpaceX's giant Starship Mars rocket nails critical 10th test flight in stunning comeback FCC rejects calls for cable-like fees on broadband providers The web does not need gatekeepers Intel warns a US equity stake could trigger "adverse reactions" US firms are racing through a $1 trillion buyback spree in record time Microsoft reveals two in-house AI models Authors celebrate "historic" settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action A rule exempting small packages from tariffs is ending today Framework is working on a giant haptic touchpad, Trackpoint nub, and eGPU for its laptops Germany fines economist Thomas Vierhaus €16,100 for sarcastic X posts Google wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers' identities South Korea bans smartphones in all middle and elementary school classrooms Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Shoshana Weissmann, Cory Doctorow, and Louis Maresca Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: shopify.com/twit ZipRecruiter.com/twit NetSuite.com/TWIT zscaler.com/security smarty.com/twit

This Week in Tech (Video HI)
TWiT 1047: Nerd Harder! - From Cloudflare's Internet Gatekeeping to AI's Labor Threat

This Week in Tech (Video HI)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 174:51 Transcription Available


Cloudflare's latest moves to police who can access the internet and governments' push for age verification set off alarms for the future of the open web, as panelists debate the hidden costs of centralization and regulation. Microsoft fires four workers for on-site protests over company's ties to Israe Taco Bell rethinks AI drive-through after man orders 18,000 water Nvidia says two mystery customers accounted for 39% of Q2 revenu FBI cyber cop: Salt Typhoon pwned 'nearly every American Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification law UK's Online Safety Act censors the internet — a preview of US proposal Meta updates chatbot rules to avoid inappropriate topics with teen user Meta reportedly allowed unauthorized celebrity AI chatbots on its service UK's demand for Apple backdoor may have been broader than previously though Bluesky now platform of choice for science communit SpaceX's giant Starship Mars rocket nails critical 10th test flight in stunning comeback FCC rejects calls for cable-like fees on broadband providers The web does not need gatekeepers Intel warns a US equity stake could trigger "adverse reactions" US firms are racing through a $1 trillion buyback spree in record time Microsoft reveals two in-house AI models Authors celebrate "historic" settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action A rule exempting small packages from tariffs is ending today Framework is working on a giant haptic touchpad, Trackpoint nub, and eGPU for its laptops Germany fines economist Thomas Vierhaus €16,100 for sarcastic X posts1 Google wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers' identities South Korea bans smartphones in all middle and elementary school classrooms Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Shoshana Weissmann, Cory Doctorow, and Louis Maresca Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: shopify.com/twit ZipRecruiter.com/twit NetSuite.com/TWIT zscaler.com/security smarty.com/twit

All TWiT.tv Shows (MP3)
This Week in Tech 1047: Nerd Harder!

All TWiT.tv Shows (MP3)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 174:51 Transcription Available


Cloudflare's latest moves to police who can access the internet and governments' push for age verification set off alarms for the future of the open web, as panelists debate the hidden costs of centralization and regulation. Microsoft fires four workers for on-site protests over company's ties to Israe Taco Bell rethinks AI drive-through after man orders 18,000 water Nvidia says two mystery customers accounted for 39% of Q2 revenu FBI cyber cop: Salt Typhoon pwned 'nearly every American Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification law UK's Online Safety Act censors the internet — a preview of US proposal Meta updates chatbot rules to avoid inappropriate topics with teen user Meta reportedly allowed unauthorized celebrity AI chatbots on its service UK's demand for Apple backdoor may have been broader than previously though Bluesky now platform of choice for science communit SpaceX's giant Starship Mars rocket nails critical 10th test flight in stunning comeback FCC rejects calls for cable-like fees on broadband providers The web does not need gatekeepers Intel warns a US equity stake could trigger "adverse reactions" US firms are racing through a $1 trillion buyback spree in record time Microsoft reveals two in-house AI models Authors celebrate "historic" settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action A rule exempting small packages from tariffs is ending today Framework is working on a giant haptic touchpad, Trackpoint nub, and eGPU for its laptops Germany fines economist Thomas Vierhaus €16,100 for sarcastic X posts1 Google wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers' identities South Korea bans smartphones in all middle and elementary school classrooms Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Shoshana Weissmann, Cory Doctorow, and Louis Maresca Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: shopify.com/twit ZipRecruiter.com/twit NetSuite.com/TWIT zscaler.com/security smarty.com/twit

Daily Tech Headlines
Online Safety Act Implementation Brings Unintended Consequences – DTH

Daily Tech Headlines

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025


The UK’s Online Safety Act implementation creates unintended consequences for adult site traffic, OpenAI seeks to build data center in India with 1-gigawatt capacity, and a new AI stethoscope can detect heart issues in 15 seconds. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or get DTNS Live ad-free. A special thanks to all our supporters–without you,Continue reading "Online Safety Act Implementation Brings Unintended Consequences – DTH"

Radio Leo (Audio)
This Week in Tech 1047: Nerd Harder!

Radio Leo (Audio)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 174:51 Transcription Available


Cloudflare's latest moves to police who can access the internet and governments' push for age verification set off alarms for the future of the open web, as panelists debate the hidden costs of centralization and regulation. Microsoft fires four workers for on-site protests over company's ties to Israe Taco Bell rethinks AI drive-through after man orders 18,000 water Nvidia says two mystery customers accounted for 39% of Q2 revenu FBI cyber cop: Salt Typhoon pwned 'nearly every American Mastodon says it doesn't 'have the means' to comply with age verification law UK's Online Safety Act censors the internet — a preview of US proposal Meta updates chatbot rules to avoid inappropriate topics with teen user Meta reportedly allowed unauthorized celebrity AI chatbots on its service UK's demand for Apple backdoor may have been broader than previously though Bluesky now platform of choice for science communit SpaceX's giant Starship Mars rocket nails critical 10th test flight in stunning comeback FCC rejects calls for cable-like fees on broadband providers The web does not need gatekeepers Intel warns a US equity stake could trigger "adverse reactions" US firms are racing through a $1 trillion buyback spree in record time Microsoft reveals two in-house AI models Authors celebrate "historic" settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action A rule exempting small packages from tariffs is ending today Framework is working on a giant haptic touchpad, Trackpoint nub, and eGPU for its laptops Germany fines economist Thomas Vierhaus €16,100 for sarcastic X posts1 Google wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers' identities South Korea bans smartphones in all middle and elementary school classrooms Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Shoshana Weissmann, Cory Doctorow, and Louis Maresca Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: shopify.com/twit ZipRecruiter.com/twit NetSuite.com/TWIT zscaler.com/security smarty.com/twit

System Update with Glenn Greenwald
Minnesota Shooting Exploited to Impose AI Mass Surveillance; Taylor Lorenz on Dark Money Group Paying Dem Influencers, and the Online Safety Act

System Update with Glenn Greenwald

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 81:39


A former Israeli special forces agent promotes his AI mass surveillance program on Fox News in the wake of the Minnesota shooting, exploiting Americans' fears. Plus: journalist Taylor Lorenz discusses her WIRED article exposing the dark money group paying Dem influencers. Taylor and Glenn also discuss the dangers of the UK's Online Safety Act and the threat of censorship worldwide.  ------------------ Watch full episodes on Rumble, streamed LIVE 7pm ET. Become part of our Locals community Follow System Update:  Twitter Instagram TikTok Facebook Read Taylor Lorenz's article here Watch Taylor Lorenz on YouTube 

The Highwire with Del Bigtree
FREE SPEECH UNDER SIEGE

The Highwire with Del Bigtree

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 11:36


Basic freedoms are under threat in the Western world, as the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act raise concerns about Orwellian-style censorship—regulations that could extend across the Atlantic, impacting American citizens and businesses alike.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-highwire-with-del-bigtree--3620606/support.

The Tara Show
The Last Bastion of Freedom? Why Elon Musk's X is America's Last Hope

The Tara Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 10:44


This broadcast argues that the United States' continued freedom and the political gains of conservatives are entirely dependent on the existence of Elon Musk's social media platform, X. The speaker presents a series of "jaw-dropping" statistics showing a massive exodus of young and male voters from the Democratic party, a shift that they claim is a direct result of X's commitment to free speech. The broadcast warns of a terrifying future where a "world speech dragnet" is being built by European totalitarian regimes and could be used against Americans. It highlights the efforts of figures like Tulsi Gabbard and J.D. Vance to fight back against this surveillance, including a recent win against the UK's Online Safety Act, which would have mandated a backdoor on all Apple devices. The segment also touches on the vulnerability of this newfound freedom, questioning whether Musk will continue to fight for it given the immense personal and financial pressure he is under.

The WorldView in 5 Minutes
Trump hopes to get in Heaven by saving Russian/Ukrainian lives; Surge of young Brits trusting in God; 5 VA schools lose federal funding over pro-transgender policies

The WorldView in 5 Minutes

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025


It's Thursday, August 21st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Muslims beat Christian convert and take his wife and six kids An Islamic teacher in Uganda, who converted to Christianity, suffered persecution from his own family recently. Thirty-nine-year old Wambuzi Maka Uthman was at a mosque earlier this month when he received a vision about repentance. On his way home, he met a pastor and learned about Jesus.  Uthman told Morning Star News, “I then understood that it was [Jesus] Who had sent me to my fellow Muslims to repent. … I was so happy beyond expectations as I developed a deeper love for Jesus.”  Uthman began telling his family and neighbors about the Gospel.  In response, his extended family beat him and destroyed his house.  While he received treatment at the hospital, his wife took their six children with her to live with relatives. Such persecution is common for Muslims who turn to Christ in Uganda.  In Luke 18:29-30, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” State Department: Human rights in United Kingdom have worsened Last Tuesday, the U.S. State Department released its “2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.” The report noted that the human rights situation in the United Kingdom worsened last year. For example, the U.K. restricts free speech near abortion mills. Citizens have faced arrest simply for silent prayer inside such “buffer zones.” = Lorcan Price with Alliance Defending Freedom International said, “It's plain to see that the censorship crisis is worsening in the UK – from citizens being arrested and prosecuted just for praying in their heads, to the Online Safety Act clamping down on free expression online.” Surge of young Brits trusting in God Speaking of England, the country is witnessing a surge in the number of young adults who believe in God.  A new YouGov poll found 37% of Brits, between the ages of 18 and 24, believe in God. That's up from 22% in 2019, and it's higher than any other age group.  A YouGov study from earlier this year found that young adults are also attending church more. Sixteen percent attend at least once per month now, up from 4% in 2018. 5 VA schools lose federal funding over pro-transgender policies In the United States, the Trump administration is cutting federal funding to five northern Virginia school districts over their transgender bathroom policies, reports the Associated Press.  U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon  said the districts are “choosing to abide by woke gender ideology in place of federal law. … Today's accountability measures are necessary because they have stubbornly refused to provide a safe environment for young women in their schools.” Shockingly,  Life News reports that one of the school districts even arranged and bankrolled abortions for girls without their parents' knowledge.  Trump hopes to get in Heaven by saving Russian/Ukrainian lives President Donald Trump gave a phone interview to “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday. Trump said he wants to save thousands of lives by helping to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. He even said he hopes that will help him get to Heaven.  Listen.   TRUMP: “If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's a pretty, I want to try and get to Heaven, if possible. I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I'm really at the bottom of the totem pole. If I can get to Heaven, this will be one of the reasons.” While some initially concluded that President Trump was revealing a physical health crisis when he said, “I hear I'm not doing well.”  It becomes clear that he is referring to his spiritual health Evangelist Franklin Graham responded on Facebook. He wrote, “We do get to Heaven by good works—not by our own good works, but by the perfect work of God's Son, Jesus Christ. … That's how one gets to Heaven—not by our good works, but by His.” In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” In other words, no matter how many lives President Trump might save by helping to end the Russian-Ukrainian War, his lifesaving action will not save him from Hell.   He can only be assured of an eternal address in Heaven if he confesses his sins and trusts Jesus Christ as Savior. (Romans 10:9) Texas House passes Trump redistricting plan On Wednesday, the Texas House passed a new congressional map  that stands to boost Republicans' power in Congress, overcoming weeks of protests from Texas House Democrats who fled the state to stall a vote on the mid-cycle redistricting, reports the San Antonio Express-News. The new map, ordered up by President Donald Trump and endorsed by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, would wipe out five Democratic-held congressional districts in Austin, Dallas, Houston and South Texas. It passed the chamber, 88-52, along party lines. Texas State Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi Republican and the bill's author, said, “The Supreme Court says we can use political partisanship to do congressional redistricting. We will push forward." The vote came after Republicans took extraordinary steps to push the bill over the finish line. On Monday, when dozens of quorum-busting Democrats returned to the Capitol in Austin, Republican House leadership refused to let them leave without state trooper escorts who would “ensure their return” for Wednesday's votes. On Wednesday, Democrats offered up a dozen amendments seeking to kill or amend the bill, all of which were unsuccessful. The map now heads to the Texas Senate, which is expected to quickly pass it, and then to Texas Governor Greg Abbott who will sign it.  Bible-based character education comes to 34 states And finally, a record number of students will receive Bible-based character education during public school hours this coming year. LifeWise Academy is providing the Bible programs under religious release time laws in 34 states. The ministry estimates it will serve nearly 100,000 students in the 2025-26 school year. Joel Penton is the CEO of LifeWise Academy. He said, “Demand for LifeWise is surging, and we couldn't be more excited to see families taking advantage of our programming, from urban areas to remote towns.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, August 21st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

The Tara Show
The New Global Power Play: Trump's Diplomatic Gamble and the Rise of European Authoritarianism

The Tara Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 11:14


An extraordinary meeting in the Oval Office brings together top European leaders and President Donald Trump to discuss the Ukraine conflict. The host questions the motivations behind this historic gathering, especially in light of recent actions by European governments, including Germany's move to outlaw an opposition party and the UK's Online Safety Act. The episode analyzes a new statement from President Trump on a potential Ukraine peace deal and the lingering question of whether a "security guarantee" would involve American troops on the ground. The discussion also highlights the growing political and cultural divide between the U.S. and its European allies

The Tara Show
H4: The American Trap: Trump's Assurance, European Dictators, and the Fight to Prevent World War III

The Tara Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 30:31


The host discusses Donald Trump's appearance on Fox News and the question of whether a security guarantee for Ukraine will require American troops on the ground. Despite Trump's assurance, the host expresses concern that European leaders, whom he characterizes as "dictators" with a hidden agenda to pull the U.S. into a larger conflict, are not to be trusted. The episode delves into what he sees as rising authoritarianism in Europe, citing the German government's actions against an opposition party, the UK's Online Safety Act, and France's investigation into Elon Musk's X. He also connects these global issues to a local one, analyzing a Loudoun County school incident to demonstrate what he believes is a Marxist ideology at play in both domestic and foreign affairs. The host concludes by stating that Trump's primary motivation is to save lives and prevent a world war, a goal he says is at odds with the "evil" European establishment.

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast
3388: The Case for Digital IDs in Recruitment, Renting, and Beyond

The Tech Blog Writer Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2025 48:20


What if proving your right to work, rent, or even open a bank account didn't require digging out your passport or waiting weeks for manual verification? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Hamraj Gulamali, Head of Legal and Compliance at Zinc, to talk about how digital identities are changing the way we think about employment, data ownership, and trust. Hamraj brings a unique perspective to the conversation. A barrister-turned-startup leader, he now sits at the centre of one of the UK's most forward-thinking background check platforms. Zinc's mission is simple but ambitious: to make employment identity verification faster, safer, and fairer. But as Hamraj points out, this shift isn't just about convenience. It's about control. We discuss how digital IDs are already helping automate background checks, reduce onboarding delays, and improve accuracy in high-volume hiring environments. Hamraj explains why placing ownership of work identity back in the hands of individuals has the potential to unlock wider applications—from renting a home to streamlining banking processes. But there's also friction. Some industries face structural and cultural resistance. Others fear the cost of digital transformation or worry about public trust. Hamraj unpacks why regulators have both helped and hindered progress. He shares his view on the UK's Trust Framework, the Online Safety Act, and why transparency, retention policies, and robust cybersecurity are essential for building public confidence. As we look ahead, Hamraj offers a clear vision for how verified digital IDs could simplify everyday tasks, slash manual admin, and reduce the compliance burden across multiple sectors. This episode cuts through the noise to offer a calm, informed, and practical take on one of the most overlooked shifts in how we live and work. Whether you're in HR, tech, compliance, or just tired of carrying your passport across town on your first day of work, this conversation will get you thinking about what needs to happen next.

Offline with Jon Favreau
AI's Threat to Gen Z's Jobs, the FartCoin Economy, and Why the Internet Wants to Check Your ID

Offline with Jon Favreau

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 66:19


Kyla Scanlon, author and economic commentator, joins Offline to explain why our economy feels so weird. She and Jon talk about the ways AI — and Labubus — have taken over the markets, whether big tech has become overly reliant on the attention economy, and why Gen Z is feeling so down about their longterm economic prospects. But first! Jon sits down with The New Yorker's Kyle Chayka to talk about internet age verification laws, whether we all have posting ennui, and why people are mourning the end of ChatGPT-4 like the loss of a close friend.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Bitcoin Magazine
The UK's Orwellian Future: Bitcoin as the Escape Hatch w/ Freddie New | Bitcoin Politics Ep. 5

Bitcoin Magazine

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 53:07


The UK's Orwellian Future: Bitcoin as the Escape Hatch w/ Freddie New | Bitcoin Politics Ep. 5UK citizens are facing unprecedented restrictions under the new Online Safety Act — but what does this mean for privacy, Bitcoin, and the future of freedom tech? In this episode of Bitcoin Politics Weekly, host Frank Corva speaks with Freddy New, Chief Policy Officer & Co-Founder at Bitcoin Policy UK, about government overreach, hypocrisy in Parliament, and how individuals can defend their rights. They discuss privacy tools, Nostr, self-custody, and the importance of grassroots political action. Don't miss this deep dive into the intersection of Bitcoin and policy. Connect with Freddie New on X: https://x.com/freddienew Connect with Frank Corva on X: https://x.com/frankcorva Learn more about Bitcoin Policy UK: https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/ SIGN UP WITH DUELBITS TODAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN UP TO 2 BTC  https://bm.b.tc/YT-Duelbits #adChapters:00:00 - Introduction and Context of the Online Safety Act02:17 - Overview and Critique of the Online Safety Act06:23 - Public Reaction and Hypocrisy Around VPN Usage08:08 - Impact on Bitcoin and Freedom Technologies like Noster09:52 - Challenges of Protocols and Front-End Interfaces10:53 - Privacy Advocacy and Practical Steps to Improve Privacy15:01 - Bitcoin as Digital Cash and Engaging Policymakers on Privacy16:15 - Legal Analysis of the Roman Storm and Samurai Cases20:03 - Further Legal Details and Prosecutorial Conduct21:29 - Frustration with Legal and Political Environment22:56 - Strategies and Philosophical Foundations for Privacy Advocacy25:25 - Individual Privacy Actions and Societal Contributions26:26 - Civics Lessons and the Need for Courage in Privacy Tech Adoption28:38 - Risks of Data Collection and the Rise of Privacy Awareness30:48 - Government Overreach and the Creation of Privacy Advocates32:00 - Challenges in Educating UK Policymakers and Public on Bitcoin34:12 - Bitcoin's Role in PayTech and Alternative Payment Systems34:50 - Political Landscape and Bitcoin Support in the UK37:00 - Mobilizing Bitcoin Supporters for Political Influence39:28 - Tools and Tactics for Grassroots Political Engagement40:56 - Building Alliances Between Bitcoin and Crypto Communities42:19 - Risk Profiles and Distinctions Between Bitcoin and Other Crypto Assets43:52 - Regulatory Perspectives on Meme Coins and Investment Risks46:33 - Humor and Realism in Crypto Investment Culture47:03 - Everyday Privacy Actions and Becoming a Bitcoiner51:04 - Emotional and Educational Aspects of Bitcoin Ownership52:29 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information#Bitcoin #Privacy #UKPolitics #OnlineSafetyAct #FreeSpeech #FinancialFreedom #Nostr #SelfCustody #BitcoinPolicy #UKLaw #FreedomTech #VPN #InternetCensorship #BitcoinAdvocacy #Cypherpunk #BitcoinUK #BitcoinMagazine #BitcoinPolitics #DigitalRights #UKBitcoin #BitcoinFreedom #BitcoinPrivacyX (formerly Twitter)Freddie New (@freddienew) on X| Head of Policy, @bitcoinpolicyuk |#npub1wl39ydk5rpecvtrzhq67afl9ykn2ty2xdxdkfmyan0rss3f3ma5sndznlxX (formerly Twitter)Frank Corva (@frankcorva) on XWhite House and political correspondent at @bitcoinmagazine | Contributor at @forbescrypto | Advisor at @heatbit | Founder at @newrencapbitcoinpolicy.ukBitcoin Policy UKWe champion good policies that will benefit all those in the UK who hold, use and mine Bitcoin

The Chris Stigall Show
Why Trump's D.C. Takeover Really Upsets Them

The Chris Stigall Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 101:41


Tucked away today at the Hill.com - Stigall noticed a story that explains a whole lot about the Democrats you're hearing on TV screeching that Trump's federal policing of D.C. is authoritarian and vowing to fight him over it if it comes to cities in their states. Also, more bombshell reporting on the Russia hoax - specifically related to the media leaks from former FBI Director James Comey. Prosecution must happen after all we've learned this week. Are universities complying with the Trump administration's demands they scrap DEI? Adam Gillette from Accuracy In Media says even in red-state Iowa, you'll be surprised how they're trying to ignore it. And we break out the left-winger montage of censorship many who listen to this podcast request - as Patrick Hedger of NetChoice.org explains the chilling new law in the UK called the "Online Safety Act" which, as you can imagine isn't about safety at all. It's about speech. Remember - all the bad ideas that start in Europe wind up in the United States if we don't keep our head on a swivel. Plus, Stigall previews a new podcast project and he'd like your input.-For more info visit the official website: https://chrisstigall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstigallshow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStigallFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.stigall/Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/StigallPodListen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/StigallShow-Help protect your wealth with real, physical gold and silver. Texas Bullion Exchange helps everyday Americans diversify with tailored portfolios, IRA rollovers, and expert support every step of the way.

The Tara Show
Political Bombshells, Global Censorship, and a Warning to Parents

The Tara Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 14:48


The host begins by claiming "bombshell after bombshell" revelations are breaking, asserting that Democrats, including Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, openly committed felonies by leaking classified information. He alleges that Paul Sperry, an investigative reporter, was banned from Twitter at the demand of Adam Schiff's staff for his truthful reporting. This, he says, is part of a broader, international censorship effort orchestrated by figures like John Brennan. The host cites the UK's Online Safety Act as an example, claiming it is being used to silence dissent and force websites like Wikipedia to demand personal identification from users, a practice he compares to China's social credit system. In an abrupt shift, the host then shares a grave warning to parents about child predators. He highlights recent arrests of individuals in trusted community roles—a teacher, a state legislator, and a school board member—and, drawing on his personal experience from attending sex offender counseling, urges parents to be hyper-vigilant and not to trust anyone, particularly those who seek close mentorships with children in places like churches and sports teams

The Tara Show
H3: Unmasking Reality: From Political Conspiracy and Economic Success to a Warning on Child Predators

The Tara Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 30:22


The host presents a multifaceted critique of what he calls a "fake reality," alleging a grand conspiracy and cover-up while celebrating what he sees as genuine successes. He claims that "bombshell" declassified documents prove Democrats, including Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, committed felonies by leaking classified information and that Adam Schiff abused his power to have a journalist censored on social media. The host connects these actions to a broader global censorship effort, citing the UK's Online Safety Act as an example of an attempt to control the public narrative. In stark contrast, he highlights what he considers a successful economic policy, pointing to record blue-collar wage increases, unions shifting their support to Republicans, and low inflation as evidence that a positive economic reality is emerging. The broadcast concludes with an abrupt shift to a strong warning for parents about child predators. Citing recent arrests of adults in trusted positions and his own research, he urges parents to be hyper-vigilant and not to trust community leaders or mentors who seek to befriend their children, regardless of a clean background

The David Knight Show
Mon Episode #2070: RFK Jr's Vaccine Limited Hangout

The David Knight Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 181:40 Transcription Available


01:03:08 – CDC Shooting Over Vaccine InjuryDetails emerge on a gunman attacking CDC headquarters after blaming a COVID vaccine for his illness, killing a police officer. 01:06:33 – Kennedy Halts Some mRNA ContractsRFK Jr. announces BARDA is canceling $500 million in respiratory virus mRNA projects, citing mutation risks—but funding shifts to other vaccines. 01:17:16 – Safe Vaccine MythHost argues “safe vaccines” don't exist, citing the Supreme Court's “unavoidably unsafe” ruling and flaws in vaccine efficacy testing. 01:21:20 – MAGA Media's Blind SpotDiscussion on Trump's refusal to disavow Warp Speed and MAGA supporters' willingness to overlook vaccine harm for political loyalty. 01:33:35 – UK's Political Violence WarningOne in five Britons say political violence may be necessary to stop national decline, reflecting deep disaffection with government. 01:36:06 – Britain's Speech CrackdownUK's Online Safety Act and “non-crime hate incidents” lead to 30 arrests per day for speech, signaling authoritarian censorship. 01:43:12 – Wisconsin Bill for Vaccine Opt-Out NoticesA state lawmaker pushes to require schools to inform parents of their vaccine exemption rights, calling current procedures vague and restrictive. [01:48:32] – ADL CEO Greenblatt on Intermarriage & Jewish IdentityJonathan Greenblatt laments rising intermarriage rates among Jews, calling for a “revolution” in Jewish life to preserve identity. Criticism follows, pointing out the ADL's double standard—supporting intermarriage for others but not for Jews—and highlighting the group's racial hypocrisy. [02:06:26] – Netanyahu's Gaza War for Political SurvivalNetanyahu pushes for the capture of Gaza City and permanent control, aligning with hardline ministers. Analysts argue the war serves as both a settler expansion plan and a means to hold his fragile coalition together, even as international backlash grows and humanitarian conditions worsen. [02:32:26] – Zelensky Rejects Land Concessions in Peace TalksDespite an upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Zelensky refuses any territorial concessions, including Crimea. Critics accuse him of prolonging the war for personal enrichment while public opinion in Ukraine shifts heavily toward negotiating peace rather than pursuing total victory. 03:08:45 – Trump Orders DC Crime SurgeFollowing a violent carjacking incident, Trump calls for increased federal law enforcement in DC. While praising heroism, the host warns this could morph into martial law and further centralization of power. 03:14:09 – Maxwell ‘Has Dirt on Trump' ClaimA former cellmate alleges Ghislaine Maxwell bragged about having damaging information on Trump. The discussion raises questions about possible leverage and political deals. 03:16:34 – FOIA Stonewalling on OKC BombingDecades-old Freedom of Information Act requests for surveillance tapes remain blocked. The host accuses the DOJ and FBI of deliberate cover-ups to protect operatives. 03:26:10 – Epstein's Butler Breaks SilenceEpstein's longtime Paris butler insists his boss didn't kill himself, noting future plans and upbeat demeanor before arrest. His extensive work at Epstein's other properties fuels skepticism. 03:46:03 – Trump's Cartel Policy Bypasses CongressTrump secretly authorizes military operations against Latin American cartels labeled as terrorist groups. The segment warns this could be a pretext for unauthorized wars. 03:54:18 – Abbott's Arrest Threat for Fleeing DemsTexas Governor Greg Abbott vows to keep calling special sessions indefinitely, ensuring Democrats who fled the state face arrest if they return, framing it as upholding constitutional duty. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

The REAL David Knight Show
Mon Episode #2070: RFK Jr's Vaccine Limited Hangout

The REAL David Knight Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 181:40 Transcription Available


01:03:08 – CDC Shooting Over Vaccine InjuryDetails emerge on a gunman attacking CDC headquarters after blaming a COVID vaccine for his illness, killing a police officer. 01:06:33 – Kennedy Halts Some mRNA ContractsRFK Jr. announces BARDA is canceling $500 million in respiratory virus mRNA projects, citing mutation risks—but funding shifts to other vaccines. 01:17:16 – Safe Vaccine MythHost argues “safe vaccines” don't exist, citing the Supreme Court's “unavoidably unsafe” ruling and flaws in vaccine efficacy testing. 01:21:20 – MAGA Media's Blind SpotDiscussion on Trump's refusal to disavow Warp Speed and MAGA supporters' willingness to overlook vaccine harm for political loyalty. 01:33:35 – UK's Political Violence WarningOne in five Britons say political violence may be necessary to stop national decline, reflecting deep disaffection with government. 01:36:06 – Britain's Speech CrackdownUK's Online Safety Act and “non-crime hate incidents” lead to 30 arrests per day for speech, signaling authoritarian censorship. 01:43:12 – Wisconsin Bill for Vaccine Opt-Out NoticesA state lawmaker pushes to require schools to inform parents of their vaccine exemption rights, calling current procedures vague and restrictive. [01:48:32] – ADL CEO Greenblatt on Intermarriage & Jewish IdentityJonathan Greenblatt laments rising intermarriage rates among Jews, calling for a “revolution” in Jewish life to preserve identity. Criticism follows, pointing out the ADL's double standard—supporting intermarriage for others but not for Jews—and highlighting the group's racial hypocrisy. [02:06:26] – Netanyahu's Gaza War for Political SurvivalNetanyahu pushes for the capture of Gaza City and permanent control, aligning with hardline ministers. Analysts argue the war serves as both a settler expansion plan and a means to hold his fragile coalition together, even as international backlash grows and humanitarian conditions worsen. [02:32:26] – Zelensky Rejects Land Concessions in Peace TalksDespite an upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Zelensky refuses any territorial concessions, including Crimea. Critics accuse him of prolonging the war for personal enrichment while public opinion in Ukraine shifts heavily toward negotiating peace rather than pursuing total victory. 03:08:45 – Trump Orders DC Crime SurgeFollowing a violent carjacking incident, Trump calls for increased federal law enforcement in DC. While praising heroism, the host warns this could morph into martial law and further centralization of power. 03:14:09 – Maxwell ‘Has Dirt on Trump' ClaimA former cellmate alleges Ghislaine Maxwell bragged about having damaging information on Trump. The discussion raises questions about possible leverage and political deals. 03:16:34 – FOIA Stonewalling on OKC BombingDecades-old Freedom of Information Act requests for surveillance tapes remain blocked. The host accuses the DOJ and FBI of deliberate cover-ups to protect operatives. 03:26:10 – Epstein's Butler Breaks SilenceEpstein's longtime Paris butler insists his boss didn't kill himself, noting future plans and upbeat demeanor before arrest. His extensive work at Epstein's other properties fuels skepticism. 03:46:03 – Trump's Cartel Policy Bypasses CongressTrump secretly authorizes military operations against Latin American cartels labeled as terrorist groups. The segment warns this could be a pretext for unauthorized wars. 03:54:18 – Abbott's Arrest Threat for Fleeing DemsTexas Governor Greg Abbott vows to keep calling special sessions indefinitely, ensuring Democrats who fled the state face arrest if they return, framing it as upholding constitutional duty. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

Attitudes!
UK's Online Safety Act, Ryan Walters, Rhode Island Workplace Accommodations, Edinburgh and Tap Shoes

Attitudes!

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 59:30


Happy Birthday to Bryan! Fresh off his first week at the Edinburgh Fringe, Bryan tells us about the hustle it takes to perform at the world's largest performing arts festival. Erin saw the musical Some Like It Hot and has now been inspired to sign up for tap classes. Bryan explains the UK's Online Safety Act which now requires people to upload personal documents in order to view adult websites. Erin calls out Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters for watching porn during a work meeting, and celebrates Rhode Island for being the first state to provide workplace accommodations for menopause. For tickets to Bryan's show visit www.bryansafi.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pod Save the UK
Is criticism of the Online Safety Act actually right wing?

Pod Save the UK

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 60:07


This week - we're talking about the internet, Coco's proclivities toward the disembodied voice of Pedro Pascal and Nish's struggles to find any time to work on himself. Strap in - it's a juicy one.  Nish and Coco are joined by technology journalist Chris Stokel-Walker to make sense of the UK's new online safety laws - which restrict access to harmful and inappropriate content for young people - while simultaneously clamping down on free speech and digital privacy. The conversation is becoming a culture war topic - but are the political class actually having a sensible discussion about this seismic, world's-first legislation?  And - guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission could see trans people excluded from public life. And now it might become law - with no debate, no scrutiny and no vote. We'll be speaking to journalist Freddy McConnell about the risk to all of our rights and how we can fight back. And later - we're getting Jezzy with it - we dive into the mailbag to hear your thoughts on the party definitely not called “your party”.  CHECK OUT THIS DEAL FROM OUR SPONSOR https://www.shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk  USEFUL LINKS  See us Live in London!  https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/pod-save-the-uk/ Write to your MP  https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ Trans Solidarity Alliance https://www.transsolidarityalliance.com/ehrc-code Freddy's latest article https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/31/transgender-rights-ehrc-guidance-single-sex-spaces  Guardian article about Lord Dannet https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/05/lord-dannatt-urged-ministers-to-crack-down-on-palestine-action-at-request-of-us-firm  GUESTS Chris Stokel-Walker  Freddy McConnell AUDIO CREDITS  Sky News Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheuk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doc Thompson's Daily MoJo
Ep 080725: Gerrymandering Smoke | The Daily MoJo

Doc Thompson's Daily MoJo

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 120:08 Transcription Available


August 7, 2025Have you had your dose of The Daily MoJo today? Download The Daily MoJo App! "Ep 080725: Gerrymandering Smoke | The Daily MoJo"The narrative covers a range of societal issues, including childhood cultural experiences, a cigarette incident at a memorial, and a shooting at Fort Stewart. It discusses ICE recruitment strategies, personal reflections on loneliness, and the implications of gerrymandering. The content also touches on microphone usage, critiques of AI, and the impact of the Online Safety Act. Additionally, it highlights the permanence of internet information, updates on mRNA vaccines, and the history of drug advertising.Phil Bell's Morning Update Why does Colorado hate hourly wage workers?:  HEREJeff Fisher - Host of Chewing The Fat Podcast - Hides a thumb drive.  Jeff Fisher LinktreeBrandon Morse - Redstate Author & host of The Brandon Morse YouTube channel- Has a great idea - bring back smoking!Brandon's LinktreeOur affiliate partners:Be prepared! Not scared. Need some Ivermection? Some Hydroxychloroquine? Don't have a doctor who fancies your crazy ideas? We have good news - Dr. Stella Immanuel has teamed up with The Daily MoJo to keep you healthy and happy all year long! Not only can she provide you with those necessary prophylactics, but StellasMoJo.com has plenty of other things to keep you and your body in tip-top shape. Use Promo Code: DailyMoJo to save $$Take care of your body - it's the only one you'll get and it's your temple! We've partnered with Sugar Creek Goods to help you care for yourself in an all-natural way. And in this case, "all natural" doesn't mean it doesn't work! Save 15% on your order with promo code "DailyMojo" at SmellMyMoJo.comCBD is almost everywhere you look these days, so the answer isn't so much where can you get it, it's more about - where can you get the CBD products that actually work!? Certainly, NOT at the gas station! Patriots Relief says it all in the name, and you can save an incredible 40% with the promo code "DailyMojo" at GetMoJoCBD.com!Romika Designs is an awesome American small business that specializes in creating laser-engraved gifts and awards for you, your family, and your employees. Want something special for someone special? Find exactly what you want at MoJoLaserPros.com  There have been a lot of imitators, but there's only OG – American Pride Roasters Coffee. It was first and remains the best roaster of fine coffee beans from around the world. You like coffee? You'll love American Pride – from the heart of the heartland – Des Moines, Iowa. AmericanPrideRoasters.com   Find great deals on American-made products at MoJoMyPillow.com. Mike Lindell – a true patriot in our eyes – puts his money where his mouth (and products) is/are. Find tremendous deals at MoJoMyPillow.com – Promo Code: MoJo50  Life gets messy – sometimes really messy. Be ready for the next mess with survival food and tools from My Patriot Supply. A 25 year shelf life and fantastic variety are just the beginning of the long list of reasons to get your emergency rations at PrepareWithMoJo50.comStay ConnectedWATCH The Daily Mojo LIVE 7-9a CT: www.TheDailyMojo.com (RECOMMEDED)Rumble: HEREFacebook: HEREMojo 5-0 TV: HEREFreedomsquare: HEREOr just LISTEN:The Daily MoJo Channel Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-daily-mojo-with-brad-staggs--3085897/support.

Castle Super Beast
CSB331: No Autism Yet!

Castle Super Beast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 218:31


Download for Mobile | Podcast Preview | Full Timestamps Woolz In The Lab Plushie coming August 1st! https://www.makeship.com/products/woolz-in-the-lab Older Twitch VODs are now being uploaded to the new channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CastleSuperBeastArchive Baby on Board, Thanks Child-safe Purification Acid Australian Payment Processor Moral Panic Proselytism Beelining: New LP Tech With Unprecedented Results Deppo Baby Needs to be Peak Horizon Zero Originality Watch live: twitch.tv/castlesuperbeast Go to http://shopify.com/superbeast to sign up for your $1-per-month trial period. - Eat smart at http://FactorMeals.com/castle50off and use code castle50off to get 50% off plus FREE shipping on your first box. - Protect your online privacy today by visiting http://expressvpn.com/superbeast for an extra four months free - Go to http://ridge.com and use code SUPERBEAST for 10% off Australian anti-porn group claims responsibility for Steam's new censorship rules in victory against 'porn sick brain rotted pedo gamer fetishists', and things only get weirder from there Visa and Mastercard pressuring Itch.io and Valve does 'nothing to protect' women, and shock games will just be 'side-stepping the ban entirely', say affected indie devs Brits can get around Discord's age verification thanks to Death Stranding's photo mode, bypassing the measure introduced with the UK's Online Safety Act. We tried it and it works—thanks, Kojima ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN | Two Player Mode Trailer Generic Fighter Maybe - Announcement Trailer Horizon Zero Originality Sony Suing Tencent Over Upcoming Game It Calls A 'Slavish Clone' Of Horizon: Zero Dawn Concept art from an unrealized Spice Girls anime by Production IG Sony Interactive Entertainment fight stick officially named FlexStrike The first art from Avatar: Seven Havens reveals the new animated show's earthbending heroes  

Let's Know Things
Age-Gating

Let's Know Things

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 15:45


This week we talk about lobbying, Steam, and adult-themed games.We also discuss cultural influence, extreme ideologies, and itch.io.Recommended Book: Limitarianism by Ingrid RobeynsTranscriptIn mid-July of 2025, Valve, the company behind the gaming platform Steam, announced that it was tightening its adult-only content guidelines, its not-safe-for-work content, basically, following pressure by the payment processing companies it works with.Its new policy even says that “content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam's payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers” is not allowed on Steam's network, which in practice means these games will be more difficult to find and purchase, because of Steam's prominence in the non-console gaming space.About a week later, the founder of Itch.io, another gaming marketplace that's similar in some ways to Steam, as it allows creators to sell their games to folks who use the platform, but which is a bit smaller and more focused on indie games, said that itch.io would likewise be removing NSFW, adult-themed games from its catalog, due to concerns that the payment processors they work with have communicated to their company.In no uncertain terms, he said itch.io wouldn't be able to operate without these payment processors, so they had to “prioritize our relationships with our payment partners and take immediate steps toward compliance.”The folks whose games were removed from itch.io as part of this purge were given no warning, and many critics of the decision have pointed to similarities between this gaming-world censorship, as they see it at least, and what happened back in 2018, when social platform Tumblr banned pornographic content, the company's owner citing pressure from credit card companies as the rationale for that decision—a decision that led to a huge exodus of users from the platform and a whole lot of criticism from creators, users, and folks who keep tabs on censorship-related issues.There's been a lot of the same in response to these moves by itch.io, Steam, and similar platforms which have recently decoupled themselves from certain types of adult content, and statements from these companies seems to be illustrative of what's happening here: they're completely reliant on these payment processing companies to exist, because without them they can't easily accept money for what they're selling. Thus, they'd better comply with what these companies tell them to do, or else.There have been claims from some folks who have watched this sort of purge occur in other corners of the web over the years that credit card companies are anti-porn and anti-anything-NSFW because the chargeback rate is huge in these spaces—something like 10-times the number of chargebacks, which is what happens when customers say they didn't buy something, and in some cases then get their money back, after the fact, compared to the next-highest facet of the payment processing industry. And that's both a pain and potentially expensive.Others have pointed out that these sorts of purges tend to be political in nature: the groups that push payment processors to adopt these stances are typically vehemently anti-porn, either ultra-conservative or radical-feminist in nature—two ideologies that are oppositional in many ways, but they loop back around when it comes to some topics and have similar, burn it all down ideas about adult content; we don't approve, so let's get rid of all this stuff that we don't approve of by whatever means necessary.In most cases this means lobbying to get influence in various political spheres, including with politicians who control various governments' relationships with these payment processors. If they can get the ear of those who make the rules to which these payment processors must adhere, they can then threaten the payment processors—who in many countries, though especially the United States, have pretty sweet deals that allow them to more or less collect a tax on every payment made for everything across every sector—saying, well, we can push our friends in the government to take those sweetheart deals away. So unless you want to suffer that consequence, push these customers of yours to take down this stuff we don't like.What I'd like to talk about today are some similar and overlapping movements that are beginning to see censorship-related success across these and other aspects of the web, and the seeming purpose behind these pushes to censor and purge and create the apparatuses by which censorship and purges can be more thoroughly performed.—One of the big concerns about banning certain types of games is that games are just content, and if you're able to find a reliable means of banning one type of content, you can then, in theory at least, using that same lever to ban other types of content, like books, articles, films, and so on. Some of the stuff banned on itch.io were essentially just books, in fact.If you can reliably ban any type of content, you can shape the information ecosystem to reflect one world view, and that's the sort of thing that tends to distort entire societies, creating an artificial, unreflective view of the world that adheres to the beliefs, values, and perspectives of one group while ignoring or putting down, or even outlawing the beliefs, values, and perspectives of others.It's easy to miss that when talking about the banning of adult-themed video games, and many of the games that were banned on Steam and itch.io contained themes like incest and rape—taboo themes that many people have ideological issues with, not just standard-fair pornography, whatever that even means these days.That said, this same general approach has been used to great effect by interest groups using the same general language, that we need to protect women, or we need to protect the children, won't someone think of the children, to ban books that feature any kind of queer content, or adult-adjacent themes; nothing pornographic, but themes that don't line up, often, with a particularly conservative, Christian, no-sex-before-marriage ideology.So if you're in that interest group and have those beliefs, these sorts of bans make a certain kind of sense if you want to enforce those beliefs on others and ensure the media ecosystem reflects your beliefs and nothing else, but if you don't share those beliefs, well, this lever could be used to ban all the stuff you want to see and learn about and consider, and can be very oppressive.The group behind the recent Steam and itch.io bans, Collective Shout, is run by an Australian political activist named Melinda Tankard Reist who describes herself as an advocate for women and girls and a pro-life feminist. And she's dedicated herself, among other things, to banning adult films, blocking musical artists from performing in Australia if their work contains lyrics she doesn't approve of, and to removing pornographic games from platforms like Steam, alongside games that contain LGBTQ characters or have references to domestic violence, including those that present content meant to help people who have suffered domestic violence recover from that experience.A very specific ideology, then, that she has dedicated her life to enforcing on the larger media ecosystem, and thus, society as a whole.There's a parallel and in some cases interrelated movement happening globally right now, especially in the UK and US, but in some other countries, too, to varying degrees, oriented around age-gating online content.The British government, for instance, recently approved the Online Safety Act of 2023, which they've said is intended to protect children from pornographic content on the internet.This law is enforced by an age-gate, which means requiring that people who want to access such content prove they are old enough to access it, usually by uploading their government issued ID, taking a selfie, which is then assessed to see if they're obviously old enough, or uploading something like a bank card that a child wouldn't have.This law punishes online platforms that don't implement these sorts of age-gate systems, though apparently they're incredibly ineffective and easy to bypass, as all you have to do is use a VPN to make it look like you're in another country, and the age-gates go away; that loophole might eventually disappear, as this is something that is still being rolled out, but that's the general concept and intention here.The problem with these sorts of age-gates, as noted by all sorts of activists across the political spectrum, is that what's appropriate and not appropriate is often being determined by people with views and beliefs that are in some way radical and different from that of the average person where these laws are being passed—usually those with more conservative, and thus constrictive ideas about what should be allowed—and that means, again, the informational ecosystems in these places are being reshaped to match that of these extremist people, who either found themselves in the right political positions, or who have over time purchased influenced with the politicians who are helping to make these laws.The situation is similar in some parts of the US, where age-gating laws are beginning to see implementation in conservative states like Texas, where First Amendment challenges to a recently passed age-gate law were rebuffed by the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of those passing the law; the US Supreme Court has a large conservative majority right now, and relationships with some of the folks pushing these laws, so this isn't terribly surprising.That law, HB1181, which is one of many currently in the works or recently passed in the US, 21 states have a law similar to this, as of mid-2025, and it will require websites with adult content implement age-gating filters to prove users are 18 or older, or, as in the UK, they will be punished.Also as in the UK, there are relatively simple workarounds to all of these age verification requirements, but there are fears that these sorts of rulings will mostly fail to protect children from anything, and will predominantly be used by radicals with control over aspects of the government to reshape the media and culture in their ideological image.The folks behind the ultra-conservative Project 2025 plan, the Heritage Foundation, for instance, have said that this is exactly what they intend; by age-gating content they don't like, they can shape the next generation, and as a nice side benefit, these sorts of filters becoming common makes online identity verification the default, not the exception. And that means it's easier to track everyone, adult and non-adult, online, attaching their real identity to their behaviors, which can make it easier to pressure or punish folks who do things they don't like in the otherwise anonymized online world.This has raised all kinds of alarm bells with First Amendment and freedom of speech activists, but it's of-a-kind with those aforementioned efforts by folks trying to ban certain types of content in video games and books; if the idea is to reshape everything so that your views are the only ones people see, and anything else is taken down or outlawed, this is one way to accomplish that, even if at first it might simply seem like an attempt to ensure children don't see nude bodies or sexual acts in their video games.Similar filters are being tested, both in the practical sense and the legal and political sense, in five EU nations, and a bunch of other countries around the world right now, often by people with the same conservative political slant as in the US and UK, but in some cases by other characters who have similar ambitions with a slightly different ideological tinge.There is some evidence that pornographic content influences children in negative ways, and there's some evidence that porn, in general, is not super great for relationships, societies, and individuals.That said, almost all of these cases have been brought by people or groups with larger interests in shutting down all sorts of content; so calls to protect the children, while perhaps sometimes true, also seem to almost always be a legal foot in the door that then allows for more, next-step censorship, of things and ideas they don't like and want to ensure no else can access, in subsequent years.Show Noteshttps://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-bills/https://www.theverge.com/internet-censorship/686042/supreme-court-fsc-paxton-porn-age-verification-rulinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Tankard_Reisthttps://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0704/1521746-meta-eu/https://web.archive.org/web/20250719204151/https://www.vice.com/en/article/group-behind-steam-censorship-policies-have-powerful-allies-and-targeted-popular-games-with-outlandish-claims/https://www.readtangle.com/porn-age-verification-law-upheld-by-supreme-court/https://archive.is/20250715004830/https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/five-eu-states-test-age-verification-app-protect-children-2025-07-14/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2dohttps://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/enforcement-programme-to-protect-children-from-encountering-pornographic-content-through-the-use-of-age-assurancehttps://archive.is/20250725221633/https://www.theverge.com/analysis/713773/uk-online-safety-act-age-verification-bypass-vpnhttps://www.polygon.com/news/615910/itchio-steam-sex-adult-games-delisting-pulled-vice-controversyhttps://www.theverge.com/news/712890/itch-removes-adult-nsfw-games-steam-payment-providershttps://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-contenthttps://www.ign.com/articles/valve-pulls-adult-only-games-from-steam-as-it-tightens-rules-to-appease-payment-partnershttps://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23377446/tumblr-matt-mullenweg-post-nsfw-porn-internet-service-moderation-policieshttps://www.gamesradar.com/games/it-might-be-porn-games-now-but-they-wont-stop-there-game-devs-join-players-and-artists-rallying-against-credit-card-companies-after-mass-nsfw-game-delisting/https://www.seamlesschex.com/blog/chargeback-rates-by-industry This is a public episode. 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