Chhaya Kapadia
@chhayakapadia.bsky.social
Chief of Staff at Open Technology Institute, tech policy geek, inveterate public interest-ite, native of Boston, but home is DC. Opinions are all mine. #taxationwithoutrepresentation
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
Love this on the power of listening and being heard. Alyssa is one of the very best.
www.notus.org/perspectives...
www.notus.org/perspectives...
The Washington Post Got 21,000 Emails After It Didn't Endorse. I Read Them All.
Reading and editing letters gave me a theory about what is wrong with America — and how it could be fixed.
www.notus.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Love this on the power of listening and being heard. Alyssa is one of the very best.
www.notus.org/perspectives...
www.notus.org/perspectives...
We need to know how much our internet bill is going to cost so we can manage our budgets, and that's what the broadband nutrition label tells us. Yet the FCC is considering chipping away at it. Tell 'em what you think under “Proceeding 22-2,” choose “Express Reply” here: www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/...
November 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
We need to know how much our internet bill is going to cost so we can manage our budgets, and that's what the broadband nutrition label tells us. Yet the FCC is considering chipping away at it. Tell 'em what you think under “Proceeding 22-2,” choose “Express Reply” here: www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/...
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
New America in the news:
1️⃣ @kevincarey1.bsky.social for @usatoday.com https://bit.ly/3XaeGj4
2️⃣ @ehaspel.bsky.social for @theguardian.com https://bit.ly/4qPiAvy
3️⃣ @chhayakapadia.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com https://wapo.st/4omP4eH
1️⃣ @kevincarey1.bsky.social for @usatoday.com https://bit.ly/3XaeGj4
2️⃣ @ehaspel.bsky.social for @theguardian.com https://bit.ly/4qPiAvy
3️⃣ @chhayakapadia.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com https://wapo.st/4omP4eH
November 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
New America in the news:
1️⃣ @kevincarey1.bsky.social for @usatoday.com https://bit.ly/3XaeGj4
2️⃣ @ehaspel.bsky.social for @theguardian.com https://bit.ly/4qPiAvy
3️⃣ @chhayakapadia.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com https://wapo.st/4omP4eH
1️⃣ @kevincarey1.bsky.social for @usatoday.com https://bit.ly/3XaeGj4
2️⃣ @ehaspel.bsky.social for @theguardian.com https://bit.ly/4qPiAvy
3️⃣ @chhayakapadia.bsky.social in @washingtonpost.com https://wapo.st/4omP4eH
Divali 2025: late but not ignored. Biryani, lapsi (sorta Gujarati bulgar pudding), candles for light to banish the darkness, a gin and tonic to make the darkness easier to manage, and a playoff baseball game that will make someone’s baseball dreams might come true. #divali #lightoverdarkness
October 21, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Divali 2025: late but not ignored. Biryani, lapsi (sorta Gujarati bulgar pudding), candles for light to banish the darkness, a gin and tonic to make the darkness easier to manage, and a playoff baseball game that will make someone’s baseball dreams might come true. #divali #lightoverdarkness
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
Special #BannedBooksWeek edition of the @projectcensored.bsky.social show with Youth Honorary Chair Iris Mogul, ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social, and Lee Rowland from @ncacensorship.bsky.social.
https://www.projectcensored.org/banned-books-week-censorship-1984/
https://www.projectcensored.org/banned-books-week-censorship-1984/
Banned Books Week: Censorship Is So 1984, Read For Your Rights!
Celebrate Banned Books Week with voices defending the freedom to read and the fight against censorship on the Project Censored Show.
www.projectcensored.org
October 7, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Special #BannedBooksWeek edition of the @projectcensored.bsky.social show with Youth Honorary Chair Iris Mogul, ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social, and Lee Rowland from @ncacensorship.bsky.social.
https://www.projectcensored.org/banned-books-week-censorship-1984/
https://www.projectcensored.org/banned-books-week-censorship-1984/
Glad to see more on the risks of an AI bubble. Yes, and...will lack of value to people be what slows the AI train enough to let public interest & human rights impacts (finally) catch up to the tech? Or do open source AI models (see: DeepSeek) demonstrate VC $$$$ aren't nec to build AI for all uses?
Regulations that ensure appropriate AI safety and governance serve to protect fundamental rights and the public interest, but also make good economic sense by tempering unsustainable market valuations, writes Tech Policy Press contributing editor Amber Sinha.
The AI Deregulation Agenda Has Helped Create an AI Bubble and May Hasten a Crash | TechPolicy.Press
Digital deregulation may exacerbate risks to the market from unregulated artificial intelligence products and services, writes Amber Sinha.
buff.ly
September 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Glad to see more on the risks of an AI bubble. Yes, and...will lack of value to people be what slows the AI train enough to let public interest & human rights impacts (finally) catch up to the tech? Or do open source AI models (see: DeepSeek) demonstrate VC $$$$ aren't nec to build AI for all uses?
Enjoying today’s OTI’s 15th anniversary event today, and looking forward to a great discussion with OTI’s former and current leaders @saschameinrath.bsky.social @abdavidson.bsky.social @bankston.bsky.social @lcoral.bsky.social and Sarah Morris.
🎊 Today's the day! 🎊 We're celebrating OTI's 15th anniversary with a community of advocates, researchers, organizers & innovators. They're joining us for timely conversations around the future of tech policy.
Don't miss the livestream of #OTIat15: events.newamerica.org/opentechnolo...
Don't miss the livestream of #OTIat15: events.newamerica.org/opentechnolo...
September 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Enjoying today’s OTI’s 15th anniversary event today, and looking forward to a great discussion with OTI’s former and current leaders @saschameinrath.bsky.social @abdavidson.bsky.social @bankston.bsky.social @lcoral.bsky.social and Sarah Morris.
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
FABBS is hiring a short-term Tech Policy Fellow to focus on behavioral science and AI (link below). Share with early career policy wonks
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
August 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
FABBS is hiring a short-term Tech Policy Fellow to focus on behavioral science and AI (link below). Share with early career policy wonks
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
I just gave to support @51st.news and you should too if you can.
National news is important but local news coverage is how you learn about the stuff that impacts your day to day living, which is even more valuable, so I’m glad to support.
National news is important but local news coverage is how you learn about the stuff that impacts your day to day living, which is even more valuable, so I’m glad to support.
Three days remain to hit the goal in our campaign to hire @maustermuhle.bsky.social full-time.
We know there's a ways to go, but with less than half left to raise...we could reach it easy peasy if each person who donated asked one friend to give too. givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
We know there's a ways to go, but with less than half left to raise...we could reach it easy peasy if each person who donated asked one friend to give too. givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Time to Grow The 51st
Help us hire Christina and Martin Full-Time!
givebutter.com
August 7, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I just gave to support @51st.news and you should too if you can.
National news is important but local news coverage is how you learn about the stuff that impacts your day to day living, which is even more valuable, so I’m glad to support.
National news is important but local news coverage is how you learn about the stuff that impacts your day to day living, which is even more valuable, so I’m glad to support.
“The societal benefit of a comprehensive guide to the cultural sector can’t be readily calculated on a balance sheet.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This was me too, and the ground level awareness of what was out there to see and do was so eye-opening for me.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This was me too, and the ground level awareness of what was out there to see and do was so eye-opening for me.
A Love Letter to Music Listings
Publications like Time Out New York were my bible and my road map.
www.theatlantic.com
August 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“The societal benefit of a comprehensive guide to the cultural sector can’t be readily calculated on a balance sheet.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This was me too, and the ground level awareness of what was out there to see and do was so eye-opening for me.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This was me too, and the ground level awareness of what was out there to see and do was so eye-opening for me.
If we really want to "win the global race to AI," it makes no sense to toss out gov't goals for faster speed and decide it doesn't matter whether people can afford their internet bills. Speed/service goals matter if you want people to use AI...as does being able to pay your internet bill.
FCC to eliminate gigabit speed goal and scrap analysis of broadband prices
Analysis of broadband affordability deemed “extraneous” by FCC chair.
arstechnica.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
If we really want to "win the global race to AI," it makes no sense to toss out gov't goals for faster speed and decide it doesn't matter whether people can afford their internet bills. Speed/service goals matter if you want people to use AI...as does being able to pay your internet bill.
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
DHS is urging law enforcement to treat even skateboarding and livestreaming as signs of violent intent during a protest, turning everyday behavior into a pretext for police action. www.wired.com/story/dhs-te...
Skateboards and Livestreams: DHS Tells Police That Common Protest Activities Are ‘Violent Tactics’
DHS is urging law enforcement to treat even skateboarding and livestreaming as signs of violent intent during a protest, turning everyday behavior into a pretext for police action.
www.wired.com
July 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
DHS is urging law enforcement to treat even skateboarding and livestreaming as signs of violent intent during a protest, turning everyday behavior into a pretext for police action. www.wired.com/story/dhs-te...
I haven’t read Judge Alsup’s AI #fairuse case yet [she adds to stack/tabs], BUT noting that “training AI” makes it sound like it’s a person learning how to write by reading lots of books, to which they add their own thought and life experiences to create something original. /1
June 26, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I haven’t read Judge Alsup’s AI #fairuse case yet [she adds to stack/tabs], BUT noting that “training AI” makes it sound like it’s a person learning how to write by reading lots of books, to which they add their own thought and life experiences to create something original. /1
Here's how much of my personal data DOGE has access to. The results aren’t pretty. Take the quiz yourself now to discover how much of your sensitive info is now exposed. (And props to my colleagues at @techanddemocracy.newamerica.org!) #HandsOffMyData dogequiz.newamerica.org/share/?share...
Quiz: What Does DOGE Know About You?
The Department of Government Efficiency has unauthorized access to millions of Americans' data. Take New America's quiz to see how much of your data is at risk.
dogequiz.newamerica.org
June 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Here's how much of my personal data DOGE has access to. The results aren’t pretty. Take the quiz yourself now to discover how much of your sensitive info is now exposed. (And props to my colleagues at @techanddemocracy.newamerica.org!) #HandsOffMyData dogequiz.newamerica.org/share/?share...
Last night in northwest DC
June 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Last night in northwest DC
The recent clowning of D's rural broadband infra efforts has been so disappointing and lazy. There's a bigger story about gov't capture by corporate interests that's much more illustrative of why we don't have nice things. Here's an ex:
Red Tape Isn’t the Only Reason America Can’t Build
The failure to deploy rural broadband has become synonymous with excessive bureaucracy. The real story is more complicated.
www.theatlantic.com
June 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The recent clowning of D's rural broadband infra efforts has been so disappointing and lazy. There's a bigger story about gov't capture by corporate interests that's much more illustrative of why we don't have nice things. Here's an ex:
Imagine the world were all of your data could only be shared or sold if you OPTED IN. And if the default were that nothing you shared with a tech company could be shared or sold otherwise…that’d be a game changing shift of power. wapo.st/4kBQ8d5 (gift article)
In 23andMe case, a fight brews over who can sell your genetic code
State attorneys general are seeking a ruling in 23andMe’s bankruptcy that the DNA testing firm needs explicit consent from customers before transferring their genetic data to another company.
wapo.st
June 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Imagine the world were all of your data could only be shared or sold if you OPTED IN. And if the default were that nothing you shared with a tech company could be shared or sold otherwise…that’d be a game changing shift of power. wapo.st/4kBQ8d5 (gift article)
Certainly an argument for humans (both the engineering of the scam and their actual labor), but also perhaps an argument for open source AI??
Microsoft-backed AI startup chatbots revealed to be human employees
AI-washing at its finest.
mashable.com
June 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Certainly an argument for humans (both the engineering of the scam and their actual labor), but also perhaps an argument for open source AI??
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
Thanks to the FCC's Learn Without Limits program, libraries across the country are using #ERate discounts to support wi-fi hotspot lending. But some in Congress want to end the program.
Tell your Rep to keep communities connected & protect this funding: bit.ly/TakeActionHotspots #ForOurLibraries
Tell your Rep to keep communities connected & protect this funding: bit.ly/TakeActionHotspots #ForOurLibraries
May 30, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Thanks to the FCC's Learn Without Limits program, libraries across the country are using #ERate discounts to support wi-fi hotspot lending. But some in Congress want to end the program.
Tell your Rep to keep communities connected & protect this funding: bit.ly/TakeActionHotspots #ForOurLibraries
Tell your Rep to keep communities connected & protect this funding: bit.ly/TakeActionHotspots #ForOurLibraries
Reposted by Chhaya Kapadia
RIP Loretta Swit, known in her time in homes across America as Major Houlihan on M*A*S*H, a character she transformed over the course of more than a decade on the show from from a hardass villain to a sympathetic protagonist. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
Loretta Swit a.k.a. Hot Lips of TV’s ‘M*A*S*H,’ Dies at 87
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
RIP Loretta Swit, known in her time in homes across America as Major Houlihan on M*A*S*H, a character she transformed over the course of more than a decade on the show from from a hardass villain to a sympathetic protagonist. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
So asking permission of artists before you use their life’s work to create tech that will be used to supplant them is unreasonable and unworkable. Huh.
the view from a former Meta board member:
Making technology companies ask artists’ permission before they scrape copyrighted content will “basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight,” Sir Nick Clegg has said. www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
Making technology companies ask artists’ permission before they scrape copyrighted content will “basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight,” Sir Nick Clegg has said. www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
Nick Clegg: Artists’ demands over copyright are unworkable
The former Meta executive claims that a law requiring tech companies to ask permission to train AI on copyrighted work would ‘kill’ the industry
www.thetimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 5:59 PM
So asking permission of artists before you use their life’s work to create tech that will be used to supplant them is unreasonable and unworkable. Huh.
I appreciate this piece from @annalenhart.bsky.social on how kneecapping states' ability to regulate AI means that we undervalue states as incubators of ideas. After all, you need those ideas even more when the rest of the nat'l policymaking players seem poised to let AI co's do whatever they want.
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 1:51 PM
I appreciate this piece from @annalenhart.bsky.social on how kneecapping states' ability to regulate AI means that we undervalue states as incubators of ideas. After all, you need those ideas even more when the rest of the nat'l policymaking players seem poised to let AI co's do whatever they want.
Sometimes the “equity” in Digital Equity Act means that some people in rural areas are less likely to have high speed internet access than others and nothing more nefarious than that. Here’s a good take from @gregsargent.bsky.social on how cutting Digital Equity Act funds hurts red-state voters.
Angry Trump Kills “Woke” Program—and Accidentally Screws MAGA Voters
It’s called the Digital Equity Act. That word—“equity”—caught the White House’s attention. So now Trump is moving to nix funding—but it could cut off millions destined for red America.
newrepublic.com
May 11, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Sometimes the “equity” in Digital Equity Act means that some people in rural areas are less likely to have high speed internet access than others and nothing more nefarious than that. Here’s a good take from @gregsargent.bsky.social on how cutting Digital Equity Act funds hurts red-state voters.