Christopher Terry
@christopherterry.bsky.social
University of Minnesota/HSJMC Associate Professor of Media Law. I teach folks about the 1st Amendment, @FCC, @FEC& @FTC policy for a living. Otherwise talking Brewer Baseball and Fishing.
And yes, the hostile opinions re: FCC policy failures are mine.
And yes, the hostile opinions re: FCC policy failures are mine.
The students in my media law section had a robust discussion in class today when I showed the ad.
They were appalled, but like so many other things involving digital privacy these days, they were skeptical they could do anything about it.
They were appalled, but like so many other things involving digital privacy these days, they were skeptical they could do anything about it.
I can’t emphasize enough that you should talk to students about this. You’ll both learn why this kind of ad is effective (through the generally low skepticism of ads younger folks express) but also you get to watch the light go off as they realize what the downside is. It’s really interesting.
“No matter how Ring and other surveillance tech companies may downplay it, there’s no world in which finding lost dogs is the final end-use for this technology.”
February 10, 2026 at 2:58 AM
The students in my media law section had a robust discussion in class today when I showed the ad.
They were appalled, but like so many other things involving digital privacy these days, they were skeptical they could do anything about it.
They were appalled, but like so many other things involving digital privacy these days, they were skeptical they could do anything about it.
News-Rating Biz Escalates Fight Against 'Retaliatory' FTC Deal www.law360.com/competition/...
News-Rating Biz Escalates Fight Against 'Retaliatory' FTC Deal - Law360
News-rating organization NewsGuard took aim Friday at a Federal Trade Commission settlement barring merging ad-buying giants from doing business with it, challenging that deal and an FTC subpoena in a...
www.law360.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:25 AM
News-Rating Biz Escalates Fight Against 'Retaliatory' FTC Deal www.law360.com/competition/...
If I do a TikTok about my Ring Camera do I get some kind of bonus privacy points that I can use to pay for my 23 and me submission?
"TikTok’s Terms of Service now explicitly include tracking of location and citizenship status (among other identity markers, such as sex)." newrepublic.com/article/2059...
How TikTok 2.0 Became a Weapon for ICE
In just one week, the company has gone from being Gen Z’s preferred social media platform to a tool for spying on Americans and the suppression of information.
newrepublic.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 PM
If I do a TikTok about my Ring Camera do I get some kind of bonus privacy points that I can use to pay for my 23 and me submission?
Yes, it is more aggressive, but ICE and their friends have been threatening, assaulting, arresting and even killing legal observers here in the Twin Cities for weeks.
The only new part of this story is how it is allowed to continue and that nothing has been done to stop it even a month later.
The only new part of this story is how it is allowed to continue and that nothing has been done to stop it even a month later.
In one 30-minute stretch, three legal observers were arrested — as Trump’s Border czar Tom Homan calls on locals to “end the resistance.”
“Uptick In Abductions”: ICE Ramps Up Targeting of Minneapolis Legal Observers
In one 30-minute stretch, three Minneapolis legal observers were arrested as ICE ramped up its targeting of community volunteers.
interc.pt
February 9, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Yes, it is more aggressive, but ICE and their friends have been threatening, assaulting, arresting and even killing legal observers here in the Twin Cities for weeks.
The only new part of this story is how it is allowed to continue and that nothing has been done to stop it even a month later.
The only new part of this story is how it is allowed to continue and that nothing has been done to stop it even a month later.
To be fair, the FCC's compliance with FOIA requests was sketchy before, during and since DOGE.
A group seeking internal FCC docs about DOGE's role at the agency say that the FCC has acted "in bad faith" to respond to their FOIA request and is now seeking discovery. www.theverge.com/policy/87598...
FCC accused of withholding DOGE information ‘in bad faith’
The agency produced about 2,000 pages of documents for a FOIA request.
www.theverge.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
To be fair, the FCC's compliance with FOIA requests was sketchy before, during and since DOGE.
Reposted by Christopher Terry
A group seeking internal FCC docs about DOGE's role at the agency say that the FCC has acted "in bad faith" to respond to their FOIA request and is now seeking discovery. www.theverge.com/policy/87598...
FCC accused of withholding DOGE information ‘in bad faith’
The agency produced about 2,000 pages of documents for a FOIA request.
www.theverge.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:31 PM
A group seeking internal FCC docs about DOGE's role at the agency say that the FCC has acted "in bad faith" to respond to their FOIA request and is now seeking discovery. www.theverge.com/policy/87598...
Reposted by Christopher Terry
Journalism Jobs: The @startribune.com is hiring an investigative reporter at their headquarters in Minneapolis MN, a state increasingly at the center of national news conversations including policing, immigration, public safety, business, politics and fraud.
recruiting2.ultipro.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Journalism Jobs: The @startribune.com is hiring an investigative reporter at their headquarters in Minneapolis MN, a state increasingly at the center of national news conversations including policing, immigration, public safety, business, politics and fraud.
Reposted by Christopher Terry
Reflections On Section 230’s Past, Present, And Future On Its 30th Anniversary
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-party content.…
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-party content.…
Reflections On Section 230’s Past, Present, And Future On Its 30th Anniversary
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-party content. Section 230 didn’t receive much attention when it was passed, but it has since emerged as one of Congress’ most important media laws ever. Section 230 helped trigger the Web 2.0 era–where people principally talk with each other online, rather than just having content broadcast at them one-way.
www.techdirt.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Reflections On Section 230’s Past, Present, And Future On Its 30th Anniversary
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-party content.…
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-party content.…
Neat!
I'm thrilled about our upcoming Donald L. Fowler Endowed Political Science Lecture, which honors my late department colleague (and former DNC Chair) Don Fowler. Our speaker this year is Danielle Brown of Michigan State on Fire & Food: The Plating of Public Knowledge about Protests.
The Donald L. Fowler Endowed Political Science Lecture
The Department of Political Science and the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are pleased to present the inaugural Fowler Lectureship.
www.eventbrite.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Neat!
Reposted by Christopher Terry
Translation: "Anyone adult does not consent to biometric surveillance on our platform will be regarded as child."
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Translation: "Anyone adult does not consent to biometric surveillance on our platform will be regarded as child."
Reposted by Christopher Terry
8th Cir. holds that although state legislator who retweeted a deepfake video of VP Harris posted by Musk has standing to challenge MN deepfake ban, she waited too long (16 months) to move for a prelim. injunction, suggesting she did not face irreparable harm.
ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/02...
ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/02...
![Franson contends that delay cannot preclude a finding of irreparable harm where First Amendment rights are involved. To be sure, the Supreme Court has said that “[t]he loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.” Roman Cath. Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, 592 U.S. 14, 19 (2020) (per curiam) (quoting Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373 (1976) (plurality opinion)). But the Court also has said that a plaintiff must generally show “reasonable diligence” in seeking a preliminary injunction, even where First Amendment rights are allegedly at stake. Benisek v. Lamone, 585 U.S. 155, 159 (2018) (per curiam). Elrod and Roman Catholic Diocese did not concern a delay in seeking preliminary relief, and those decisions do not undermine the district court’s ruling here. See Hotchkiss v. Cedar Rapids Comm. Sch. Dist., 115 F.4th 889, 893-94 (8th Cir. 2024); cf. Yoseph v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., No. 25-10113, 2025 WL 2366445, at *6 (11th Cir. Aug. 14, 2025) (per curiam). The district court entered its order on preliminary relief in January 2025, and the case likely could have proceeded toward a final resolution on the merits in the year that has elapsed since. But Kohls and Franson appealed the order denying preliminary relief, and then stipulated that the case should be stayed in the district court pending disposition of this appeal. At oral argument, counsel explained that the plaintiffs sought “guidance” from the court of appeals on the merits of their constitutional claims. This court, however, does not sit to dispense guidance on matters that are unnecessary to a decision.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:24vva42nxim6zbcmnozegoef/bafkreichzncaizn3pni3t6p3rxdwx3i54s3syd4gr75anssjgu6vhca3fa@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
8th Cir. holds that although state legislator who retweeted a deepfake video of VP Harris posted by Musk has standing to challenge MN deepfake ban, she waited too long (16 months) to move for a prelim. injunction, suggesting she did not face irreparable harm.
ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/02...
ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/26/02...
Reposted by Christopher Terry
FCC commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social warns against TV station ownership concentration: "When consolidation becomes the default solution, it often accelerates the very decline it is supposed to address," adding that it leaves remaining firms more vulnerable to FCC pressure over their news content.
February 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM
FCC commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social warns against TV station ownership concentration: "When consolidation becomes the default solution, it often accelerates the very decline it is supposed to address," adding that it leaves remaining firms more vulnerable to FCC pressure over their news content.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" or something.
February 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" or something.
Solid summary.
There were two black SUV's without plates containing multiple occupants parked on the street on my way to campus this morning.
I'm sure they were just getting breakfast or something, but to think Bovino leaving somehow fixed the situation in the Twin Cities is just nonsense.
There were two black SUV's without plates containing multiple occupants parked on the street on my way to campus this morning.
I'm sure they were just getting breakfast or something, but to think Bovino leaving somehow fixed the situation in the Twin Cities is just nonsense.
Here’s the situation in the Twin Cities:
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
February 9, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Solid summary.
There were two black SUV's without plates containing multiple occupants parked on the street on my way to campus this morning.
I'm sure they were just getting breakfast or something, but to think Bovino leaving somehow fixed the situation in the Twin Cities is just nonsense.
There were two black SUV's without plates containing multiple occupants parked on the street on my way to campus this morning.
I'm sure they were just getting breakfast or something, but to think Bovino leaving somehow fixed the situation in the Twin Cities is just nonsense.
On a related note, does the Notice and Comment blog exist to just publish ill informed hot takes that ignore reality because it seems like the FCC ones are often from a different version of the Matrix.
No.
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
The FCC's Public Notice on "Bona Fide News," by Daniel R. Suhr - Yale Journal on Regulation
In the latest round of regulatory controversy around late-night television, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice last week reminding broadcasters of their responsibilitie...
www.yalejreg.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:15 PM
On a related note, does the Notice and Comment blog exist to just publish ill informed hot takes that ignore reality because it seems like the FCC ones are often from a different version of the Matrix.
No.
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
The FCC's Public Notice on "Bona Fide News," by Daniel R. Suhr - Yale Journal on Regulation
In the latest round of regulatory controversy around late-night television, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice last week reminding broadcasters of their responsibilitie...
www.yalejreg.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:13 PM
No.
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
But not just no. No with a side of no, covered in not in this reality sauce, with extra no in a little cup to put on the no salad that comes with the no.
www.yalejreg.com/nc/the-fccs-...
The Challenge of Adding Fiber to Poles potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/02/09/t...
The Challenge of Adding Fiber to Poles
On February 5, the FCC issued a Memorandum and Order related to a pole attachment dispute between Comcast and Appalachian Power Company (APCO). The Order was issued under the authority of section 2…
potsandpansbyccg.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:39 PM
The Challenge of Adding Fiber to Poles potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/02/09/t...
This is close to the most terrifying shit I have ever seen in my lifetime and I can't believe a company would spend $10+ million to advertise this as a service.
If I had a Ring camera, I would have smashed it into bits with a bat last night and then gone somewhere quiet to question my life choices.
If I had a Ring camera, I would have smashed it into bits with a bat last night and then gone somewhere quiet to question my life choices.
February 9, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This is close to the most terrifying shit I have ever seen in my lifetime and I can't believe a company would spend $10+ million to advertise this as a service.
If I had a Ring camera, I would have smashed it into bits with a bat last night and then gone somewhere quiet to question my life choices.
If I had a Ring camera, I would have smashed it into bits with a bat last night and then gone somewhere quiet to question my life choices.
Top Groups Lobbying The FCC www.law360.com/media/articl...
Top Groups Lobbying The FCC - Law360
Groups lobbying the Federal Communications Commission started the year off with concerns ranging from environmental reviews for broadband projects to submarine cable licensing headaches, controversy o...
www.law360.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Top Groups Lobbying The FCC www.law360.com/media/articl...
EU Warns TikTok To Change 'Addictive' Design Or Face Fines www.law360.co.uk/corporate-cr...
EU Warns TikTok To Change 'Addictive' Design Or Face Fines - Law360
The European Union's enforcement arm warned TikTok on Friday to change its "addictive" design to avoid potential financial penalties for breaching the bloc's digital safety rules.
www.law360.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
EU Warns TikTok To Change 'Addictive' Design Or Face Fines www.law360.co.uk/corporate-cr...
Google, Meta Get A Jury In 1st Social Media Mental Health Trial www.law360.com/consumerprot...
Google, Meta Get A Jury In 1st Social Media Mental Health Trial - Law360
A jury was seated Friday in the first California bellwether trial over claims that Google's YouTube and Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms harm young users' mental health, with the trial to begin...
www.law360.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Google, Meta Get A Jury In 1st Social Media Mental Health Trial www.law360.com/consumerprot...
Reflections on Section 230’s Past, Present, and Future on Its 30th Anniversary
blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...
blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...
Reflections on Section 230's Past, Present, and Future on Its 30th Anniversary - Technology & Marketing Law Blog
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law thirty years ago today, on February 8, 1996. Buried in a corner of that sprawling law was Section 230, a law that says websites aren’t liable for third-pa...
blog.ericgoldman.org
February 8, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Reflections on Section 230’s Past, Present, and Future on Its 30th Anniversary
blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...
blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 2, 2026 to February 6, 2026 www.broadcastlawblog.com/2026/02/arti...
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 2, 2026 to February 6, 2026
Here are some of the regulatory developments of significance to broadcasters from the past week, with links to where you can go to find more information
www.broadcastlawblog.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:47 PM
This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: February 2, 2026 to February 6, 2026 www.broadcastlawblog.com/2026/02/arti...
Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense constitutioncenter.org/calendar/tho...
Event - Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense | Constitution Center
Event details for Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense
constitutioncenter.org
February 8, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense constitutioncenter.org/calendar/tho...