Ben Winters
@benwinters.bsky.social
director of AI and privacy at Consumer Federation of America | teaching tech policy law/reg @udclaw | formerly EPIC (the privacy one not the bad ones), and DOJ Civil Rights division| ⚫️⚪️+🗽 | 🐦 🐿 | he/him
contact: bwinters@consumerfed.org
contact: bwinters@consumerfed.org
Reposted by Ben Winters
Little known fact: One of the first things Francis Perkins did was defund and restructure immigration enforcement to dismantle a goon squad and rebuild a system of humane immigration processing.
January 28, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Little known fact: One of the first things Francis Perkins did was defund and restructure immigration enforcement to dismantle a goon squad and rebuild a system of humane immigration processing.
Reposted by Ben Winters
NEW: The firm behind the Mobile Fortify app, which ICE and CBP use for running facial recognition scans on the public, was revealed today to be NEC, according to DHS docs reviewed by @wired.com. NEC makes its of face rec platform called Reveal. @regret.bsky.social & @dell.bsky.social with the scoop:
Here's the Company That Sold DHS ICE's Notorious Face Recognition App
Immigration agents have used Mobile Fortify to scan the faces of countless people in the US—including many citizens.
www.wired.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:22 PM
NEW: The firm behind the Mobile Fortify app, which ICE and CBP use for running facial recognition scans on the public, was revealed today to be NEC, according to DHS docs reviewed by @wired.com. NEC makes its of face rec platform called Reveal. @regret.bsky.social & @dell.bsky.social with the scoop:
for when your car isn't committing enough crimes by itself
JUST IN: Tesla said it had agreed to invest about $2 billion in Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI, deepening ties between the companies as the automaker pitches itself as an autonomy and robotics-driven company reut.rs/4ajihma
Tesla to invest $2 billion in Musk's xAI startup
Tesla said on Wednesday it had agreed to invest about $2 billion in Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI, deepening ties between the companies as the automaker pitches itself as an autonomy...
reut.rs
January 28, 2026 at 10:02 PM
for when your car isn't committing enough crimes by itself
Reposted by Ben Winters
This is notable to me because I've heard from some other lawyers that they're not worried about AI hallucinations because they only use the premium Westlaw or Lexis versions. Supposedly, they are limited to the real case databases
This clerk used Lexis+ and Lexis Protege and got 8 hallucinations
This clerk used Lexis+ and Lexis Protege and got 8 hallucinations
January 28, 2026 at 5:54 PM
This is notable to me because I've heard from some other lawyers that they're not worried about AI hallucinations because they only use the premium Westlaw or Lexis versions. Supposedly, they are limited to the real case databases
This clerk used Lexis+ and Lexis Protege and got 8 hallucinations
This clerk used Lexis+ and Lexis Protege and got 8 hallucinations
Reposted by Ben Winters
Incredible story by @agreenberg.bsky.social, both on the scam compound operation and how he navigated a uniquely difficult and dangerous situation for his source. This one should be required reading for journalism ethics classes: www.wired.com/story/he-lea...
He Leaked the Secrets of a Southeast Asian Scam Compound. Then He Had to Get Out Alive
A source trapped inside an industrial-scale scamming operation contacted me, determined to expose his captors’ crimes—and then escape. This is his story.
www.wired.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Incredible story by @agreenberg.bsky.social, both on the scam compound operation and how he navigated a uniquely difficult and dangerous situation for his source. This one should be required reading for journalism ethics classes: www.wired.com/story/he-lea...
Reposted by Ben Winters
wrote about an apparent policy change in the payments industry www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Payment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making it
“The industry is no longer willing to self-regulate.”
www.theverge.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:33 PM
wrote about an apparent policy change in the payments industry www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
need more action and less asking, but this is a really great step from a group of 35 bipartian AGs
ncdoj.gov/attorney-gen...
ncdoj.gov/attorney-gen...
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Leads Bipartisan Coalition Demanding xAI Stop Creating and Remove Grok’s Nonconsensual Sexual Images - NCDOJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, January 23, 2026 Contact: comms@ncdoj.gov RALEIGH – Attorney General Jeff Jackson today led a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general demanding that xAI stop its AI ...
ncdoj.gov
January 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM
need more action and less asking, but this is a really great step from a group of 35 bipartian AGs
ncdoj.gov/attorney-gen...
ncdoj.gov/attorney-gen...
Reposted by Ben Winters
We are opening an investigation into Grok because we believe that X may have breached the DSA.
We have seen antisemitic content, non-consensual deepfakes of women, and child sexual abuse material.
In Europe, no company will make money by violating our fundamental rights.
link.europa.eu/Fh8h84
We have seen antisemitic content, non-consensual deepfakes of women, and child sexual abuse material.
In Europe, no company will make money by violating our fundamental rights.
link.europa.eu/Fh8h84
January 26, 2026 at 1:24 PM
We are opening an investigation into Grok because we believe that X may have breached the DSA.
We have seen antisemitic content, non-consensual deepfakes of women, and child sexual abuse material.
In Europe, no company will make money by violating our fundamental rights.
link.europa.eu/Fh8h84
We have seen antisemitic content, non-consensual deepfakes of women, and child sexual abuse material.
In Europe, no company will make money by violating our fundamental rights.
link.europa.eu/Fh8h84
Reposted by Ben Winters
"your racial or ethnic origin, national
origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical
health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual
orientation, status as transgender or
nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status
or financial info."
how "precise location"? = you walked from the house to the garage.
origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical
health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual
orientation, status as transgender or
nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status
or financial info."
how "precise location"? = you walked from the house to the garage.
January 26, 2026 at 2:26 PM
"your racial or ethnic origin, national
origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical
health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual
orientation, status as transgender or
nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status
or financial info."
how "precise location"? = you walked from the house to the garage.
origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical
health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual
orientation, status as transgender or
nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status
or financial info."
how "precise location"? = you walked from the house to the garage.
Reposted by Ben Winters
DHS wants to learn from the best on how to use large datasets to target people. (The best is Ad Tech).
sam.gov/workspace/co...
sam.gov/workspace/co...
January 25, 2026 at 8:51 PM
DHS wants to learn from the best on how to use large datasets to target people. (The best is Ad Tech).
sam.gov/workspace/co...
sam.gov/workspace/co...
truly may never forget this moment
January 25, 2026 at 4:51 PM
truly may never forget this moment
Reposted by Ben Winters
On tonight’s White House agenda:
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
January 25, 2026 at 1:49 AM
On tonight’s White House agenda:
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
Reposted by Ben Winters
NEW: ICE is conducting research into further use of ADINT/"Big Data" to support "investigations activities"
by @carolinehaskins.bsky.social
by @carolinehaskins.bsky.social
ICE Asks Companies About ‘Ad Tech and Big Data’ Tools It Could Use in Investigations
A new federal filing from ICE demonstrates how commercial tools are increasingly being considered by the government for law enforcement and surveillance.
www.wired.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:45 PM
NEW: ICE is conducting research into further use of ADINT/"Big Data" to support "investigations activities"
by @carolinehaskins.bsky.social
by @carolinehaskins.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Winters
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.
www.wired.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:32 PM
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
Reposted by Ben Winters
BREAKING: Now that TikTok is under US-based ownership, the social media app potentially collects more even detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.
www.wired.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:45 PM
BREAKING: Now that TikTok is under US-based ownership, the social media app potentially collects more even detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
My latest for @wired.com:
www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
Reposted by Ben Winters
“Safety experts and tech critics have long condemned the Ring devices for security risks and privacy violations, not to mention their role in building the largest civilian surveillance network in US history.”
Fury as Amazon Ring Cameras Are Hooked Up to ICE System
Online activists are telling owners of Ring Doorbell cameras that it's time to get rid of their devices, which can be used by ICE.
futurism.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
“Safety experts and tech critics have long condemned the Ring devices for security risks and privacy violations, not to mention their role in building the largest civilian surveillance network in US history.”
Reposted by Ben Winters
Tech bros are doing their best to convince everyone they should have a best friend that sells their intimate details to the government and tells them to kill themselves.
Mustafa Suleyman says you’ll be BFFs with AI in 5 years
Microsoft’s AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman predicts everyone will form intimate bonds with AI companions within 5 years to navigate life’s challenges.
www.windowscentral.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Tech bros are doing their best to convince everyone they should have a best friend that sells their intimate details to the government and tells them to kill themselves.
Reposted by Ben Winters
Another data point indicating that Polymarket is not a “prediction market” but a public persuasion operation—here it spreads disinformation about Minnesota and DHS signals boosts the disinformation:
January 16, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Another data point indicating that Polymarket is not a “prediction market” but a public persuasion operation—here it spreads disinformation about Minnesota and DHS signals boosts the disinformation:
Reposted by Ben Winters
“It’s unconscionable that people’s #utility rates are rising because of #DataCenters being built by billion dollar companies to fuel their #AI products,” said @benwinters.bsky.social. “This bill brings the very real issues of #Affordability and #BigTech abuse to the forefront.”
Van Hollen Leads New Bill to Ensure Americans Aren’t Footing the Bill for Big Data Centers | U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced his introduction of the Power for the People Act, legislation to rein in the rising electricity...
www.vanhollen.senate.gov
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
“It’s unconscionable that people’s #utility rates are rising because of #DataCenters being built by billion dollar companies to fuel their #AI products,” said @benwinters.bsky.social. “This bill brings the very real issues of #Affordability and #BigTech abuse to the forefront.”
Reposted by Ben Winters
Google traffic to publishers dropped by ONE THIRD in 2025 pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Global publisher Google traffic dropped by a third in 2025
Google search traffic was down globally by a third in the year to November, according to new Chartbeat data.
pressgazette.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Google traffic to publishers dropped by ONE THIRD in 2025 pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Reposted by Ben Winters
New: meet ELITE, the Palantir app ICE is using to find neighborhoods to raid. Map interface; officers search for immigrants; click person to bring up individual dossier. This is clearest link between what Palantir is building and ICE's activities on the ground yet www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:06 PM
New: meet ELITE, the Palantir app ICE is using to find neighborhoods to raid. Map interface; officers search for immigrants; click person to bring up individual dossier. This is clearest link between what Palantir is building and ICE's activities on the ground yet www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
Reposted by Ben Winters
Bluesky going to work over on Twitter
January 15, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Bluesky going to work over on Twitter
Reposted by Ben Winters
WATCH: Our @benwinters.bsky.social testify before The #NewYork State Senate in SUPPORT of the New York #AI Act
Public Hearing: To discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of...
Senate Standing Committee on Internet and TechnologyChair: Senator Kristen GonzalezPublic Hearing: To discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in...
www.nysenate.gov
January 15, 2026 at 3:03 PM
WATCH: Our @benwinters.bsky.social testify before The #NewYork State Senate in SUPPORT of the New York #AI Act
Reposted by Ben Winters
X is claiming it’s restricted the ability to generate explicit deepfakes with Grok, and plenty of media outlets are parroting it without checking.
But it’s still easy to get Grok to generate the very same “undressing” photos causing this scandal in the first place.
But it’s still easy to get Grok to generate the very same “undressing” photos causing this scandal in the first place.
X claims it has stopped Grok from undressing people, but of course it hasn’t
It’s still easy to get Grok to edit photographs of real people into sexualized poses, despite X’s updated restrictions.
www.theverge.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:22 AM
X is claiming it’s restricted the ability to generate explicit deepfakes with Grok, and plenty of media outlets are parroting it without checking.
But it’s still easy to get Grok to generate the very same “undressing” photos causing this scandal in the first place.
But it’s still easy to get Grok to generate the very same “undressing” photos causing this scandal in the first place.
Reposted by Ben Winters
“ #Grok and its executives must be held accountable swiftly — we commend @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov for opening this investigation, and look forward to more actions in #California and around the country.” @benwinters.bsky.social
Attorney General Bonta Launches Investigation into xAI, Grok Over Undressed, Sexual AI Images of Women and Children
Potential victims of xAI can file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced opening an investigation into the proliferation of nonconsensual sexu...
oag.ca.gov
January 14, 2026 at 7:52 PM
“ #Grok and its executives must be held accountable swiftly — we commend @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov for opening this investigation, and look forward to more actions in #California and around the country.” @benwinters.bsky.social