Anna Lenhart
@annalenhart.bsky.social
Tech Policy (University of Maryland & George Washington). data scientist. anti-monopolist. consumer advocate. former hill staffer.
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Folks who care about social media research, data access, and data ethics issues should be sure to check out this new report on research use of data from high-reach individuals from @annalenhart.bsky.social Lenhart and Brandon Silverman.
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
Performing in Autonomy Theater | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Balancing the needs of social media researchers with perspectives of high profile figures.
iddp.gwu.edu
November 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Folks who care about social media research, data access, and data ethics issues should be sure to check out this new report on research use of data from high-reach individuals from @annalenhart.bsky.social Lenhart and Brandon Silverman.
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Publicly available social media data may appear low-risk, but it raises complex privacy questions, writes @annalenhart.bsky.social. A new report, “Performing in Autonomy Theater: Perspectives of High Profile Figures,” explores this issue and outlines ethical guidelines for researchers to follow.
Balancing the Needs of Social Media Research with the Perspectives of High-Profile Figures | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart discusses ethical guidance for researchers using public social media data to study high-profile figures, balancing access and privacy.
www.techpolicy.press
November 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Publicly available social media data may appear low-risk, but it raises complex privacy questions, writes @annalenhart.bsky.social. A new report, “Performing in Autonomy Theater: Perspectives of High Profile Figures,” explores this issue and outlines ethical guidelines for researchers to follow.
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
🖥️ 📈 The SMM market thrives on secrecy. Some tools have privileged access, most scrape, few disclose. We need standards that put the public interest first. Read the report by @cmilez.bsky.social, @brandonsilverman.bsky.social, and @annalenhart.bsky.social
at iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-data-acquisition
at iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-data-acquisition
From Dashboard to Data Acquisition | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Researchers increasingly require data from social media companies to better understand the information environment, technology product design, & social issues.
iddp.gwu.edu
September 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
🖥️ 📈 The SMM market thrives on secrecy. Some tools have privileged access, most scrape, few disclose. We need standards that put the public interest first. Read the report by @cmilez.bsky.social, @brandonsilverman.bsky.social, and @annalenhart.bsky.social
at iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-data-acquisition
at iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-data-acquisition
New @gwiddp.bsky.social report: 250+ tools track what we see online. Big brands pay $$$ for insights, but researchers & the public are less considered. That imbalance has to change. #DataTransparency
iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-da...
iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-da...
From Dashboard to Data Acquisition | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Researchers increasingly require data from social media companies to better understand the information environment, technology product design, & social issues.
iddp.gwu.edu
September 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
New @gwiddp.bsky.social report: 250+ tools track what we see online. Big brands pay $$$ for insights, but researchers & the public are less considered. That imbalance has to change. #DataTransparency
iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-da...
iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-da...
This spring we (IDDP) hosted workshops on designing a new digital regulator ('FDA for AI'), it was really fun and generative. The Summary Report is here iddp.gwu.edu/designing-ne...
August 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This spring we (IDDP) hosted workshops on designing a new digital regulator ('FDA for AI'), it was really fun and generative. The Summary Report is here iddp.gwu.edu/designing-ne...
For now…
Looks like US-EU trade deal leaves tech regulation off the bargaining table for now. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
July 28, 2025 at 12:16 AM
For now…
GWU IDDP organized a Council to reflect on the comments submitted to NTIA’s Request For Comment (RFC) regarding Ethical Guidelines for Research Using Pervasive Data. Check out the findings here: iddp.gwu.edu/ethical-use-...
Ethical Use of Pervasive Data for Research | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
The IDDP Council for Pervasive Data Ethics - Next Steps for the U.S convened to chart a set of actions to advance ethical practices in computing research.
iddp.gwu.edu
July 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
GWU IDDP organized a Council to reflect on the comments submitted to NTIA’s Request For Comment (RFC) regarding Ethical Guidelines for Research Using Pervasive Data. Check out the findings here: iddp.gwu.edu/ethical-use-...
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
stop 👏 anthropomorphizing 👏 the 👏 chatbot 👏
July 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
stop 👏 anthropomorphizing 👏 the 👏 chatbot 👏
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
The next digital frontier: Europe must decide how to respond to America’s “Tech Right.” Understand the risks to democracy so we can shape a stronger, fairer digital future together. 🌍📢 Register now for our event in one week with @annalenhart.bsky.social! 👇
calendar.boell.de/en/event/ris...
calendar.boell.de/en/event/ris...
US Briefings: The rise of the U.S. “Tech Right” and its implications for Europe
Front row to President Donald Trumps inauguration were the leading tech billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jeff Bezos. Their attendance was largely symbolic of a new alliance b...
calendar.boell.de
July 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The next digital frontier: Europe must decide how to respond to America’s “Tech Right.” Understand the risks to democracy so we can shape a stronger, fairer digital future together. 🌍📢 Register now for our event in one week with @annalenhart.bsky.social! 👇
calendar.boell.de/en/event/ris...
calendar.boell.de/en/event/ris...
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
HERE’S WHERE WE ARE WITH THE AI MORATORIUM:
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
July 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
HERE’S WHERE WE ARE WITH THE AI MORATORIUM:
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
They put the amendment in.
They took the amendment out.
They put the amendment in and they shook it all about.
They did the Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around.
That’s what the Senate’s all about.
Spread the word! 3rd and final New Digital Regulator Workshop (Virtual, July 17th). Let your recent civil servant friends know! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
iddp.gwu.edu
June 24, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Spread the word! 3rd and final New Digital Regulator Workshop (Virtual, July 17th). Let your recent civil servant friends know! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop. IDDP is hosting a series of workshops. The first one was really fun, generative and fostered several new connections. Next workshop on June 13th, please share with your DC networks! gsl.one/mICCpNd
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
iddp.gwu.edu
June 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop. IDDP is hosting a series of workshops. The first one was really fun, generative and fostered several new connections. Next workshop on June 13th, please share with your DC networks! gsl.one/mICCpNd
Agree with Dr. Roberts —Harvard has been surprising me. More of this please!
Never thought I’d be out here stumping for Harvard but these are strange times and I see you! I’ll take it.
May 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Agree with Dr. Roberts —Harvard has been surprising me. More of this please!
States are and will reference international standards. We should think about building infrastructure so states (and civil society) can make those standards stronger…instead of erasing state “AI laws”. techpolicy.press/do-we-need-a...
Do We Need a ‘NIST for the States’? And Other Questions to Ask Before Preempting Decades of State Law | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart proposes interstate collaboration on standards and says dismantling states' progress on AI regulation is a lazy and dangerous approach.
techpolicy.press
May 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
States are and will reference international standards. We should think about building infrastructure so states (and civil society) can make those standards stronger…instead of erasing state “AI laws”. techpolicy.press/do-we-need-a...
“AI is new” has been a dangerous narrative since lawmakers embraced it—first it led to silly insight forums and erasure of Congressional efforts, now it is being used to attempt to erase state consumer protection laws. Fight this narrative!
Anna Lenhart proposes interstate collaboration on standards and says dismantling states' progress on AI regulation is a lazy and dangerous approach.
Do We Need a ‘NIST for the States’? And Other Questions to Ask Before Preempting Decades of State Law | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart proposes interstate collaboration on standards and says dismantling states' progress on AI regulation is a lazy and dangerous approach.
www.techpolicy.press
May 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
“AI is new” has been a dangerous narrative since lawmakers embraced it—first it led to silly insight forums and erasure of Congressional efforts, now it is being used to attempt to erase state consumer protection laws. Fight this narrative!
What is extra frustrating about this is that the people who will most struggle with increased energy costs are the people least likely to be using or benefiting from generative AI tools. Sigh.
"This is not a theoretical dilemma for utilities and the state officials who oversee their operations and approve or reject their rates. Electricity demand is expected to grow substantially over the next several decades as technology companies build large data centers for their AI businesses."
Data Centers’ Hunger for Energy Could Raise All Electric Bills
www.nytimes.com
May 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
What is extra frustrating about this is that the people who will most struggle with increased energy costs are the people least likely to be using or benefiting from generative AI tools. Sigh.
Recent civil servants! IDDP still has space at our upcoming 'New Digital Regulator' idea workshop/networking activity. Join us! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-... #GovTech #DigitalGov #TechPolicy
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
iddp.gwu.edu
May 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Recent civil servants! IDDP still has space at our upcoming 'New Digital Regulator' idea workshop/networking activity. Join us! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-... #GovTech #DigitalGov #TechPolicy
Hi Friends, I could use help circulating this workshop among recent civil servants. IDDP wants to engage civil servant's unique expertise into designing a 'New Digital Platform Regulator' (we are imagining a brighter future one afternoon at a time): iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
iddp.gwu.edu
May 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Hi Friends, I could use help circulating this workshop among recent civil servants. IDDP wants to engage civil servant's unique expertise into designing a 'New Digital Platform Regulator' (we are imagining a brighter future one afternoon at a time): iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Tech companies are talking about the need to protect the welfare and rights of the AI models they are creating...while at the same time pushing back against any meaningful legislation to protect the welfare and rights of actual humans affected by their AI models.
www.axios.com/2025/04/29/a...
www.axios.com/2025/04/29/a...
Anthropic sparks debate over AI rights
Skeptics say we're a long way from conscious LLMs.
www.axios.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Tech companies are talking about the need to protect the welfare and rights of the AI models they are creating...while at the same time pushing back against any meaningful legislation to protect the welfare and rights of actual humans affected by their AI models.
www.axios.com/2025/04/29/a...
www.axios.com/2025/04/29/a...
Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Researchers who have had grants terminated--tell your story! The #DefendResearch team is collecting testimonials about this impact of #censorship on research that we will use as part of a toolkit for contacting elected officials. #NSF, #NEH, #NIH www.defendresearch.org/testimonials
Testimonials
In support of protecting free and open scientific inquiry and publication, we are collecting short testimonials from researchers on the impact of censorship on their work and the broader community.
T...
www.defendresearch.org
April 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Researchers who have had grants terminated--tell your story! The #DefendResearch team is collecting testimonials about this impact of #censorship on research that we will use as part of a toolkit for contacting elected officials. #NSF, #NEH, #NIH www.defendresearch.org/testimonials
Amidst some very dark news, we must hold hope for a time when we are able to build thoughtful, trusted government institutions including a new digital regulator! I’m excited for this conversation:
Make sure to mark your calendars! On April 28 at 1:30pm EDT, join us for the panel "Designing the Digital Platform Commission" where we'll present and discuss this latest paper before a panel of experts for feedback and next steps. Grab your spot today!
www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-...
www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-...
April 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Amidst some very dark news, we must hold hope for a time when we are able to build thoughtful, trusted government institutions including a new digital regulator! I’m excited for this conversation:
As an AmeriCorps Alum and active longtime DC Alums board member this news is particularly heartbreaking. AmeriCorps’ values represent the best of us, our communities our ability to see and connect with one another. This is beyond ‘inefficient’ it’s immoral.
AmeriCorps, the US federal agency that oversees volunteerism and service work, abruptly pulled teams of young people out of a variety of community service projects across the country on Tuesday. The work stoppage was due to DOGE cuts.
April 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
As an AmeriCorps Alum and active longtime DC Alums board member this news is particularly heartbreaking. AmeriCorps’ values represent the best of us, our communities our ability to see and connect with one another. This is beyond ‘inefficient’ it’s immoral.
Yes! This is the creative thinking and use of power I want from every Member of Congress right now. Be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch 🔁
Letter from Dem Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) requesting a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele
To discuss MD father Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return
"If Kilmar is not home by midweek – I plan to travel to El Salvador this week to check on his condition and discuss his release."
To discuss MD father Kilmar Abrego Garcia's return
"If Kilmar is not home by midweek – I plan to travel to El Salvador this week to check on his condition and discuss his release."
April 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Yes! This is the creative thinking and use of power I want from every Member of Congress right now. Be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch 🔁
Really enjoyed being a part of this symposium and hope this article is the start of a broader conversation and area for brilliant minds across tech policy to collaborate.
Next in our Regulating Social Media symposium:
While DC is missing in action, states can leverage international standards and the EU's centering of human rights to protect consumers online, explains @annalenhart.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/110127/inter...
While DC is missing in action, states can leverage international standards and the EU's centering of human rights to protect consumers online, explains @annalenhart.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/110127/inter...
Leveraging International Standards to Protect U.S. Consumers Online, No Congress Required
States can leverage international standards and the EU's centering of human rights to protect consumers online.
www.justsecurity.org
April 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Really enjoyed being a part of this symposium and hope this article is the start of a broader conversation and area for brilliant minds across tech policy to collaborate.
Question: has anyone built a tool that allows the public to search all state legislation (like Congress.gov) but for all the states in one place?
April 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Question: has anyone built a tool that allows the public to search all state legislation (like Congress.gov) but for all the states in one place?