ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
@article19law.bsky.social
Defending freedom of expression and information through legal & policy reforms. Everywhere
It's been 5 years since our colleague and friend Andrei Aliaksandrau was imprissoned in #Belarus for his defence of freedom of expression and #HumanRights.
Andrei never gave up and neither should we. We continue to demand his release & of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Pls join this campaign!
Andrei never gave up and neither should we. We continue to demand his release & of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Pls join this campaign!
Belarus: Free Andrei and all political prisoners - ARTICLE 19
On the fifth anniversary of journalist and activist Andrei Aliaksandrau's imprisonment we call for the release of all political prisoners.
www.article19.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM
It's been 5 years since our colleague and friend Andrei Aliaksandrau was imprissoned in #Belarus for his defence of freedom of expression and #HumanRights.
Andrei never gave up and neither should we. We continue to demand his release & of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Pls join this campaign!
Andrei never gave up and neither should we. We continue to demand his release & of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Pls join this campaign!
Great article by @davidakaye.bsky.social in @techpolicypress.bsky.social exposing lies that #EU is censoring Americans.
In reality, regulators are going after #BigTech for breaking competition and privacy laws. Calling that “censorship” is a way to dodge the real issue. Unchecked corporate power.
In reality, regulators are going after #BigTech for breaking competition and privacy laws. Calling that “censorship” is a way to dodge the real issue. Unchecked corporate power.
The Trump Lie About Europe and Why it Matters | TechPolicy.Press
The Trump administration is promoting disinformation about European law and policy for reasons that go well beyond social media regulation, writes David Kaye.
www.techpolicy.press
January 10, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Great article by @davidakaye.bsky.social in @techpolicypress.bsky.social exposing lies that #EU is censoring Americans.
In reality, regulators are going after #BigTech for breaking competition and privacy laws. Calling that “censorship” is a way to dodge the real issue. Unchecked corporate power.
In reality, regulators are going after #BigTech for breaking competition and privacy laws. Calling that “censorship” is a way to dodge the real issue. Unchecked corporate power.
Important development
The EU is asking Grok to retain the records.
It may have already produced illegal sexual content and cannot be trusted to keep the evidence intact.
We do not need to talk about future risks of AI, in many instances, harm is already done.
#AI #EU #HumanRights #DataRetention
The EU is asking Grok to retain the records.
It may have already produced illegal sexual content and cannot be trusted to keep the evidence intact.
We do not need to talk about future risks of AI, in many instances, harm is already done.
#AI #EU #HumanRights #DataRetention
Brussels wants X to keep all documents about Grok until the end of 2026
The European Commission has ordered social media platform X to retain all internal documents and data about chatbot Grok at least until the end of 2026. A spokesperson for the Commission announced thi...
europeannewsroom.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Important development
The EU is asking Grok to retain the records.
It may have already produced illegal sexual content and cannot be trusted to keep the evidence intact.
We do not need to talk about future risks of AI, in many instances, harm is already done.
#AI #EU #HumanRights #DataRetention
The EU is asking Grok to retain the records.
It may have already produced illegal sexual content and cannot be trusted to keep the evidence intact.
We do not need to talk about future risks of AI, in many instances, harm is already done.
#AI #EU #HumanRights #DataRetention
Our statement on the USA military action in #Venezuela.
We warn it'll lead to further escalation of repression, esp for human rights defenders, independent & political activists.
Plus, US disinfo spin distorts facts, threatens #FreeSpeech, #journalism & #democracy & silences debate region-wide.
We warn it'll lead to further escalation of repression, esp for human rights defenders, independent & political activists.
Plus, US disinfo spin distorts facts, threatens #FreeSpeech, #journalism & #democracy & silences debate region-wide.
USA: Venezuela and its democratic future belong to its people - ARTICLE 19
The US military attack on Venezuela and capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife violates international law and impedes a democratic transition.
www.article19.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Our statement on the USA military action in #Venezuela.
We warn it'll lead to further escalation of repression, esp for human rights defenders, independent & political activists.
Plus, US disinfo spin distorts facts, threatens #FreeSpeech, #journalism & #democracy & silences debate region-wide.
We warn it'll lead to further escalation of repression, esp for human rights defenders, independent & political activists.
Plus, US disinfo spin distorts facts, threatens #FreeSpeech, #journalism & #democracy & silences debate region-wide.
Reposted by ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
democrats need to introduce a resolution disapproving trump's aggression and directing him to withdraw US forces.
here's a draft. it's not rocket science.
here's a draft. it's not rocket science.
January 3, 2026 at 6:51 PM
democrats need to introduce a resolution disapproving trump's aggression and directing him to withdraw US forces.
here's a draft. it's not rocket science.
here's a draft. it's not rocket science.
Seems #Ireland has discovered the best way to regulate Big Tech is to… let #BigTech do it.
It appointed a former Meta lobbyist as Data Protection Commissioner.
With 43 organisations, we wrote to the Gov to reconsider and pick someone with #dataprotection expertise, through a transparent process
It appointed a former Meta lobbyist as Data Protection Commissioner.
With 43 organisations, we wrote to the Gov to reconsider and pick someone with #dataprotection expertise, through a transparent process
Ireland: Adopt new, transparent process to appoint Data Protection Commissioner - ARTICLE 19
Data Protection Commissioner has responsibility as lead supervisory authority for many of the world’s largest technology companies.
www.article19.org
October 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Seems #Ireland has discovered the best way to regulate Big Tech is to… let #BigTech do it.
It appointed a former Meta lobbyist as Data Protection Commissioner.
With 43 organisations, we wrote to the Gov to reconsider and pick someone with #dataprotection expertise, through a transparent process
It appointed a former Meta lobbyist as Data Protection Commissioner.
With 43 organisations, we wrote to the Gov to reconsider and pick someone with #dataprotection expertise, through a transparent process
They say #democracy needs a shield and the #EU needs to do more to reclaim its #sovereignty.
But the EU can’t build digital sovereignty without giving real support to the people actually defending democracy!
Check our article for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on this very issue 👇
#FreeSpeech
But the EU can’t build digital sovereignty without giving real support to the people actually defending democracy!
Check our article for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on this very issue 👇
#FreeSpeech
Civil Society is the Democracy Shield Europe Can’t Ignore | TechPolicy.Press
Barbora Bukovská and Mark Dempsey ask how can Europe build a democratic future when civil society in Europe and beyond is facing an existential moment?
www.techpolicy.press
October 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
They say #democracy needs a shield and the #EU needs to do more to reclaim its #sovereignty.
But the EU can’t build digital sovereignty without giving real support to the people actually defending democracy!
Check our article for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on this very issue 👇
#FreeSpeech
But the EU can’t build digital sovereignty without giving real support to the people actually defending democracy!
Check our article for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on this very issue 👇
#FreeSpeech
In case you missed this, we're taking on Apple & challenging its stranglehold on iPhones and iPads.
We'sre asking @ec.europa.eu to stop Apple from ignoring #DMA rules so smaller companies can compete fairly.
And that people can choose which apps and services they want
For more info check 👇
We'sre asking @ec.europa.eu to stop Apple from ignoring #DMA rules so smaller companies can compete fairly.
And that people can choose which apps and services they want
For more info check 👇
Digital Markets Act: Apple impedes interoperability and user choice - ARTICLE 19
Apple must fulfil its obligations on interoperability and give users real choice over the apps and app stores they want on their devices.
www.article19.org
October 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
In case you missed this, we're taking on Apple & challenging its stranglehold on iPhones and iPads.
We'sre asking @ec.europa.eu to stop Apple from ignoring #DMA rules so smaller companies can compete fairly.
And that people can choose which apps and services they want
For more info check 👇
We'sre asking @ec.europa.eu to stop Apple from ignoring #DMA rules so smaller companies can compete fairly.
And that people can choose which apps and services they want
For more info check 👇
Reposted by ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
Folks at Tech Policy Press have launched an 'Ideas for Europe’s Future' series! As part of it, they will be publishing perspectives from leading experts who joined out Future of Democracy event
@openmarkets.bsky.social
Read @ramshajahangir.bsky.social's great write up & stay tuned for more
@openmarkets.bsky.social
Read @ramshajahangir.bsky.social's great write up & stay tuned for more
“Enforcing laws is keeping the promises you gave,” EU's former competition chief Margrethe Vestager said at a conference in Brussels this week. Tech Policy Press is publishing an "Ideas for Europe’s Future" series to explore how Europe can act decisively.
What Europe Needs to Lead the Fight for Democracy | TechPolicy.Press
Starting today, Tech Policy Press will publish perspectives from leading experts as part of an Ideas for Europe’s Future series.
buff.ly
October 17, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Folks at Tech Policy Press have launched an 'Ideas for Europe’s Future' series! As part of it, they will be publishing perspectives from leading experts who joined out Future of Democracy event
@openmarkets.bsky.social
Read @ramshajahangir.bsky.social's great write up & stay tuned for more
@openmarkets.bsky.social
Read @ramshajahangir.bsky.social's great write up & stay tuned for more
In her talk in the @europarl.europa.eu about future of #dmocracy & #FreeSpeech, @mariaressa.bsky.social reminded us that she found Mark Zuckerberg to be a bigger dictator than Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines.
And rightly so!
#BigTech #Dictatorship #Meta
And rightly so!
#BigTech #Dictatorship #Meta
October 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
In her talk in the @europarl.europa.eu about future of #dmocracy & #FreeSpeech, @mariaressa.bsky.social reminded us that she found Mark Zuckerberg to be a bigger dictator than Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines.
And rightly so!
#BigTech #Dictatorship #Meta
And rightly so!
#BigTech #Dictatorship #Meta
When talking about #AI, let's stop talking about AI "hallucination".
We are talking about predictive algorithms.
So we should call it what it is. The term to use is ERROR.
#IndustryManipulation #BigTech
We are talking about predictive algorithms.
So we should call it what it is. The term to use is ERROR.
#IndustryManipulation #BigTech
October 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
When talking about #AI, let's stop talking about AI "hallucination".
We are talking about predictive algorithms.
So we should call it what it is. The term to use is ERROR.
#IndustryManipulation #BigTech
We are talking about predictive algorithms.
So we should call it what it is. The term to use is ERROR.
#IndustryManipulation #BigTech
Reposted by ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
Day 2 of our Future of Democracy with
@openmarkets.bsky.social!
Follow along to hear from Nobel Peace Prize winner @mariaressa.bsky.social, @alexandrageese.bsky.social, Mira Milosevic, @dimi.wikimedia.brussels, @courtneyr.bsky.social + ARTICLE 19's Quinn McKew
www.youtube.com/live/vZTwYPS...
@openmarkets.bsky.social!
Follow along to hear from Nobel Peace Prize winner @mariaressa.bsky.social, @alexandrageese.bsky.social, Mira Milosevic, @dimi.wikimedia.brussels, @courtneyr.bsky.social + ARTICLE 19's Quinn McKew
www.youtube.com/live/vZTwYPS...
October 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Day 2 of our Future of Democracy with
@openmarkets.bsky.social!
Follow along to hear from Nobel Peace Prize winner @mariaressa.bsky.social, @alexandrageese.bsky.social, Mira Milosevic, @dimi.wikimedia.brussels, @courtneyr.bsky.social + ARTICLE 19's Quinn McKew
www.youtube.com/live/vZTwYPS...
@openmarkets.bsky.social!
Follow along to hear from Nobel Peace Prize winner @mariaressa.bsky.social, @alexandrageese.bsky.social, Mira Milosevic, @dimi.wikimedia.brussels, @courtneyr.bsky.social + ARTICLE 19's Quinn McKew
www.youtube.com/live/vZTwYPS...
Thanks to everyone who followed our event yesterday and huge thanks to Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social for coming and his support.
‘Informed and engaged public is the best defence against the challenges faced by our democracy’
EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on how community, strong civil society and independent media are key to protecting and sustaining democracy.
EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on how community, strong civil society and independent media are key to protecting and sustaining democracy.
October 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Thanks to everyone who followed our event yesterday and huge thanks to Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social for coming and his support.
100% agree with this!
Roger McNamee: "Big Tech wants you to believe that LLMs are inevitable. But you have the power to say no. There are valuable use cases for LLM, but there aren't that many compared to the money being put on them."
📺 www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
#DigitalSovereignty #FreeSpeech
📺 www.youtube.com/live/KlO8ta8...
#DigitalSovereignty #FreeSpeech
October 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
100% agree with this!
Reposted by ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
Powerful words from Margrethe Vestager, on the role that competition plays in defending and reinforcing democracies and rights.
"We want to stand up to the bully and hold power to account. That is what people understand and that is the story of competition enforcement."
@openmarkets.bsky.social
"We want to stand up to the bully and hold power to account. That is what people understand and that is the story of competition enforcement."
@openmarkets.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Powerful words from Margrethe Vestager, on the role that competition plays in defending and reinforcing democracies and rights.
"We want to stand up to the bully and hold power to account. That is what people understand and that is the story of competition enforcement."
@openmarkets.bsky.social
"We want to stand up to the bully and hold power to account. That is what people understand and that is the story of competition enforcement."
@openmarkets.bsky.social
Reposted by ARTICLE 19 Law and Policy
The folks at @article19.bsky.social have a kitty for mentions of authoritarianism, and Barbora expects to be bankrupt by the end of her speech.
October 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
The folks at @article19.bsky.social have a kitty for mentions of authoritarianism, and Barbora expects to be bankrupt by the end of her speech.
A piece of warning at this event about future of #democrcacy & #freespeech in age of AI:
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
October 15, 2025 at 7:46 AM
A piece of warning at this event about future of #democrcacy & #freespeech in age of AI:
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
Our colleague Max gave this interview about the state of #freespeech around the world and what professional journalists can do to defend the freedom of speech in authoritarian regimes
Check it up!
soundcloud.com/radioromania...
Check it up!
soundcloud.com/radioromania...
Interview with Max Popovych, Senior Legal Officer for Europe at the Article 19 NGO
A talk on the state of freedom of speech in the world and what professional journalists can do to defend the freedom of speech in authoritarian regimes
soundcloud.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Our colleague Max gave this interview about the state of #freespeech around the world and what professional journalists can do to defend the freedom of speech in authoritarian regimes
Check it up!
soundcloud.com/radioromania...
Check it up!
soundcloud.com/radioromania...
Real relief in a time when voices like Alaa's are needed outside a cell, not inside one
#FreeSpeech #HumanRIghts #Egypt
#FreeSpeech #HumanRIghts #Egypt
A day we’ve all been waiting for – the incredible news that Egypt has pardoned Alaa Ab el-Fattah after many long years behind bars.
Looking forward to hearing from his family that he’s walked out of prison a free man.
Looking forward to hearing from his family that he’s walked out of prison a free man.
Huge news here today in Egypt:
President Sisi pardons Alaa Abd El-Fattah after years of imprisonment & repeated hunger strikes.
President Sisi pardons Alaa Abd El-Fattah after years of imprisonment & repeated hunger strikes.
September 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Real relief in a time when voices like Alaa's are needed outside a cell, not inside one
#FreeSpeech #HumanRIghts #Egypt
#FreeSpeech #HumanRIghts #Egypt
Check the latest ARTICLE 19 Boundaries of Expression podcast about the fight to recognise #gender apartheid in #Iran & #Afghanistan as an international crime.
Crucial #FreeSpeech issue where silencing women through systemic oppression denies their voices and rights
www.article19.org/resources/bo...
Crucial #FreeSpeech issue where silencing women through systemic oppression denies their voices and rights
www.article19.org/resources/bo...
Boundaries of Expression podcast: Gender apartheid - ARTICLE 19
Professor Karima Bennoune outlines the campaign to recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and be included in a UN treaty.
www.article19.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Check the latest ARTICLE 19 Boundaries of Expression podcast about the fight to recognise #gender apartheid in #Iran & #Afghanistan as an international crime.
Crucial #FreeSpeech issue where silencing women through systemic oppression denies their voices and rights
www.article19.org/resources/bo...
Crucial #FreeSpeech issue where silencing women through systemic oppression denies their voices and rights
www.article19.org/resources/bo...
Together with partners, we are urging @ec.europa.eu to investigate Google's Android for restricting user choice by hiding or blocking disabling of pre-installed apps.
Such practices violate the #DMA’s promise of fair competition & user control
#DigitalRights
www.euronews.com/next/2025/07...
Such practices violate the #DMA’s promise of fair competition & user control
#DigitalRights
www.euronews.com/next/2025/07...
Google hit with Digital Markets Act complaint over user choice
The DMA, which became applicable in 2023, aims to regulate the gatekeeper power of the largest digital companies.
www.euronews.com
July 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Together with partners, we are urging @ec.europa.eu to investigate Google's Android for restricting user choice by hiding or blocking disabling of pre-installed apps.
Such practices violate the #DMA’s promise of fair competition & user control
#DigitalRights
www.euronews.com/next/2025/07...
Such practices violate the #DMA’s promise of fair competition & user control
#DigitalRights
www.euronews.com/next/2025/07...
🚨 TODAY: The #UK @houseoflords.parliament.uk votes on allowing up to 15% foreign ownership of UK newspapers, including those with links to #China.
We warn this creates risks of foreign influence. It also threatens media pluralism & #freespeech without strong safeguards.
HoL must vote against it
We warn this creates risks of foreign influence. It also threatens media pluralism & #freespeech without strong safeguards.
HoL must vote against it
UK: House of Lords must block Chinese influence and halt foreign media ownership - ARTICLE 19
Plans for a US-based company with links to China to partially own the Telegraph newspaper poses a risk to information integrity in the UK.
www.article19.org
July 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🚨 TODAY: The #UK @houseoflords.parliament.uk votes on allowing up to 15% foreign ownership of UK newspapers, including those with links to #China.
We warn this creates risks of foreign influence. It also threatens media pluralism & #freespeech without strong safeguards.
HoL must vote against it
We warn this creates risks of foreign influence. It also threatens media pluralism & #freespeech without strong safeguards.
HoL must vote against it
Last year was one for the books! 🚀
We fought for #freespeech, empowered thousands, pushed for global human rights in AI, and much more.
If you want to see what impact we made together, check our 2024 Impact report 👇
#Impact2024 #PowerOfOurVoices #FreedomOfExpression
We fought for #freespeech, empowered thousands, pushed for global human rights in AI, and much more.
If you want to see what impact we made together, check our 2024 Impact report 👇
#Impact2024 #PowerOfOurVoices #FreedomOfExpression
International Impact Report 2024
Our 2024 International Impact Report is out!
Learn how ARTICLE 19 worked with partners and communities to demand better and achieve real change, both locally and globally.
https://stories.article1...
stories.article19.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Last year was one for the books! 🚀
We fought for #freespeech, empowered thousands, pushed for global human rights in AI, and much more.
If you want to see what impact we made together, check our 2024 Impact report 👇
#Impact2024 #PowerOfOurVoices #FreedomOfExpression
We fought for #freespeech, empowered thousands, pushed for global human rights in AI, and much more.
If you want to see what impact we made together, check our 2024 Impact report 👇
#Impact2024 #PowerOfOurVoices #FreedomOfExpression
We’re no #BigTech cheerleaders.
But we welcome today decision of @echr.coe.int in #Google v #Russia concerning huge fines for refusing to remove political content and restoring monetisation of sanctioned TV channel on #YOutube owned by Russian oligarch
It's win for #FreeSpeech
But we welcome today decision of @echr.coe.int in #Google v #Russia concerning huge fines for refusing to remove political content and restoring monetisation of sanctioned TV channel on #YOutube owned by Russian oligarch
It's win for #FreeSpeech
HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights
The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-L...
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-243982%22]}
July 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
We’re no #BigTech cheerleaders.
But we welcome today decision of @echr.coe.int in #Google v #Russia concerning huge fines for refusing to remove political content and restoring monetisation of sanctioned TV channel on #YOutube owned by Russian oligarch
It's win for #FreeSpeech
But we welcome today decision of @echr.coe.int in #Google v #Russia concerning huge fines for refusing to remove political content and restoring monetisation of sanctioned TV channel on #YOutube owned by Russian oligarch
It's win for #FreeSpeech
After Bob Vylan’s #Glastonbury set sparked a global storm, with police investigation and leaders calling his remarks #HateSpeech, we urge clear understanding of hate speech laws. Not all shocking/offensive speech is illegal.
#FreeSpeech must be protected unless it incites violence or discrimination.
#FreeSpeech must be protected unless it incites violence or discrimination.
UK: Full understanding of ‘hate speech’ vital to assess Glastonbury controversy - ARTICLE 19
When assessing 'hate speech' claims, UK authorities must clearly understand international human rights law and restrictions on speech.
www.article19.org
July 2, 2025 at 5:58 PM
After Bob Vylan’s #Glastonbury set sparked a global storm, with police investigation and leaders calling his remarks #HateSpeech, we urge clear understanding of hate speech laws. Not all shocking/offensive speech is illegal.
#FreeSpeech must be protected unless it incites violence or discrimination.
#FreeSpeech must be protected unless it incites violence or discrimination.