robbie
@coolrobbie.bsky.social
Reposted by robbie
RECapture team submitted to the Inquiry into the 2025 federal election. We provided our high-level and operational recommendations for improving trust and security in digital campaigns for Australian elections. @coolrobbie.bsky.social et al.
Link to our submission doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Link to our submission doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Australian political advertising and disinformation on Chinese-language media services: Four recommendations for improving trust and security in digital campaigns for Australian elections
Our report details recommendations provided to the Inquiry into the 2025 federal election for the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. The report is based on our res...
doi.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
RECapture team submitted to the Inquiry into the 2025 federal election. We provided our high-level and operational recommendations for improving trust and security in digital campaigns for Australian elections. @coolrobbie.bsky.social et al.
Link to our submission doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Link to our submission doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Reposted by robbie
Our paper on the Voice referendum on WeChat shows policymakers & factchecker might be fighting the wrong battle against disinfo. Our case & numbers show how disinfo works on the ground. Check out the paper (w. Luke Heemsbergen & @coolrobbie.bsky.social)
url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/fLyrCxnMJ5...
url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/fLyrCxnMJ5...
Contextualizing critical disinformation during the 2023 Voice referendum on WeChat: Manipulating knowledge gaps and whitewashing Indigenous rights | HKS Misinformation Review
Outside China, WeChat is a conduit for translating and circulating English-language information among the Chinese diaspora. Australian domestic political campaigns exploit the gaps between platform go...
url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Our paper on the Voice referendum on WeChat shows policymakers & factchecker might be fighting the wrong battle against disinfo. Our case & numbers show how disinfo works on the ground. Check out the paper (w. Luke Heemsbergen & @coolrobbie.bsky.social)
url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/fLyrCxnMJ5...
url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/fLyrCxnMJ5...
Going to be at ACMI later this month talking about what it's like to track my baby using an app - feel free to join in!
events.humanitix.com/dc-x-acmi-se...
events.humanitix.com/dc-x-acmi-se...
Baby apps: (Mis)understandings of data-driven care
This panel brings together parents, professionals and researchers with lived experience & expertise to explore the role of baby apps in contemporary parenthood.
events.humanitix.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Going to be at ACMI later this month talking about what it's like to track my baby using an app - feel free to join in!
events.humanitix.com/dc-x-acmi-se...
events.humanitix.com/dc-x-acmi-se...
Zotero auto-identified the ACCC's Digital Platforms Inquiry as "The Cancer that Cured Me". Look forward to what subtle takes it has on the productivity commission's releases
August 28, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Zotero auto-identified the ACCC's Digital Platforms Inquiry as "The Cancer that Cured Me". Look forward to what subtle takes it has on the productivity commission's releases
Reposted by robbie
One study concluded 70% of increased electric cost across US due to AI data centers.
apnews.com/article/elec...
apnews.com/article/elec...
As electric bills rise, evidence mounts that data centers share blame. States feel pressure to act
Amid rising electric bills, states are under pressure to insulate regular household and business ratepayers from the costs of feeding Big Tech’s energy-hungry data centers.
apnews.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
One study concluded 70% of increased electric cost across US due to AI data centers.
apnews.com/article/elec...
apnews.com/article/elec...
Reposted by robbie
Datacenter diplomacy: Australia commits to help Vanuatu build bit barns
Datacenter diplomacy: Australia commits to help Vanuatu build bit barns
$79 million is a small price to pay to keep China at bay
Australia will help to fund the development of two datacenters in the Pacific island nation Vanuatu, an example of tech infrastructure becoming an important diplomatic consideration.…
dlvr.it
August 14, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Datacenter diplomacy: Australia commits to help Vanuatu build bit barns
"Finland 1932 is the only clean win I can find. [...] That’s it. That’s the success story. One time out of roughly fifty attempts, fascists were stopped because they were stupid enough to try violence before winning elections."
medium.com/@carmitage/i...
medium.com/@carmitage/i...
We live in a fascist nation. What now?
Once they win elections, it’s already too late.
medium.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:23 AM
"Finland 1932 is the only clean win I can find. [...] That’s it. That’s the success story. One time out of roughly fifty attempts, fascists were stopped because they were stupid enough to try violence before winning elections."
medium.com/@carmitage/i...
medium.com/@carmitage/i...
Reposted by robbie
Last week, Monash Uni and think tank The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) dropped the "Playing the Player" report. It's a really interesting survey-based study of 800 people who play games.
(Don't ask why, in the year of the lord 2025, a PS1 controller is the lead image)
(Don't ask why, in the year of the lord 2025, a PS1 controller is the lead image)
April 22, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Last week, Monash Uni and think tank The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) dropped the "Playing the Player" report. It's a really interesting survey-based study of 800 people who play games.
(Don't ask why, in the year of the lord 2025, a PS1 controller is the lead image)
(Don't ask why, in the year of the lord 2025, a PS1 controller is the lead image)
Reposted by robbie
Just remember that we really have no interest in understanding our world. Only controlling it. And that's very, very sad.
This @niemanlab.org story gives more background and concrete examples of revoked disinformation research, fx @katestarbird.bsky.social @lkfazio.bsky.social following the NSF announcement.
Defunding disinformation research is very shortsighted in today’s world.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/04/nati...
Defunding disinformation research is very shortsighted in today’s world.
www.niemanlab.org/2025/04/nati...
National Science Foundation cancels research grants related to misinformation and disinformation
Hundreds of grants, fellowships, and awards were terminated because they are no longer "aligned with NSF priorities."
www.niemanlab.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Just remember that we really have no interest in understanding our world. Only controlling it. And that's very, very sad.
Reposted by robbie
"Our research reveals while Australian news media often focus on foreign interference, in this election cycle, disinformation is being driven by commercial and domestic political interests," write @fanyang.bsky.social, Luke Heemsbergen, and @coolrobbie.bsky.social.
Read more:
Read more:
How election misinformation spreads on Chinese social media
Hundreds of thousands of people in Australia use these platforms.
ia.acs.org.au
April 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
"Our research reveals while Australian news media often focus on foreign interference, in this election cycle, disinformation is being driven by commercial and domestic political interests," write @fanyang.bsky.social, Luke Heemsbergen, and @coolrobbie.bsky.social.
Read more:
Read more:
Reposted by robbie
Really interesting and important report out today on deceptive design practices in games and how they impact players from @cprc-research.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social and @bradyjay.bsky.social - some really great recommendations on making games safer for everyone!
cprc.org.au/report/playi...
cprc.org.au/report/playi...
Playing the Player - CPRC
Australians of all ages are engaging with gaming to relax, learn or connect with friends, but common design features can leave players worse-off – 95% of Australian adult gamers encounter manipulative...
cprc.org.au
April 17, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Really interesting and important report out today on deceptive design practices in games and how they impact players from @cprc-research.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social and @bradyjay.bsky.social - some really great recommendations on making games safer for everyone!
cprc.org.au/report/playi...
cprc.org.au/report/playi...
Got our first Q1 rejection letter written by AI! Does not invoke faith in the review process, honestly.
April 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Got our first Q1 rejection letter written by AI! Does not invoke faith in the review process, honestly.
Reposted by robbie
Chinese social media new election battleground. Hear more from ADM+S researchers Fan Yang and Robbie Fordyce on ABC's The World Today @fanyang.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social #misinformation bit.ly/4iFwawv
Chinese social media new election battleground - ABC listen
Nearly 700,000 Australians use the Chinese platform Rednote, and it's become a new battleground for targeting Chinese-Australian voters.
bit.ly
March 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Chinese social media new election battleground. Hear more from ADM+S researchers Fan Yang and Robbie Fordyce on ABC's The World Today @fanyang.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social #misinformation bit.ly/4iFwawv
Reposted by robbie
In this investigative report, ADM+S researchers Fan Yang, Robbie Fordyce, with Luke Heemsbergen worked with ABC, to uncover political disinformation on Chinese social media platform RedNote @fanyang.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social sky.social bit.ly/41KYczP
A deepfake Dutton speaks Mandarin on Chinese social media platform
A series of attacks on Australian political parties on emerging Chinese social media platform RedNote raise concerns about misinformation, disinformation and the risk of foreign interference ahead of ...
bit.ly
March 21, 2025 at 12:23 AM
In this investigative report, ADM+S researchers Fan Yang, Robbie Fordyce, with Luke Heemsbergen worked with ABC, to uncover political disinformation on Chinese social media platform RedNote @fanyang.bsky.social @coolrobbie.bsky.social sky.social bit.ly/41KYczP
Reposted by robbie
Who is up for a short thread on the intriguing parallels between OpenAI and Enron, as told by one of Enron's investment bankers -- that is to say, me? Here goes...
January 6, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Who is up for a short thread on the intriguing parallels between OpenAI and Enron, as told by one of Enron's investment bankers -- that is to say, me? Here goes...
Reposted by robbie
My local MP is pushing more misinformation on Facebook, telling people nuclear power "will deliver cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy".
Below is my response.
Feel free to plagiarise it in responding to your own coalition MPs when they try the same. (1/6)
#auspol #EnergyAus
Below is my response.
Feel free to plagiarise it in responding to your own coalition MPs when they try the same. (1/6)
#auspol #EnergyAus
December 18, 2024 at 10:02 PM
My local MP is pushing more misinformation on Facebook, telling people nuclear power "will deliver cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy".
Below is my response.
Feel free to plagiarise it in responding to your own coalition MPs when they try the same. (1/6)
#auspol #EnergyAus
Below is my response.
Feel free to plagiarise it in responding to your own coalition MPs when they try the same. (1/6)
#auspol #EnergyAus
Reposted by robbie
Remind me again why we are letting an American bloke with no relevant research experience but who wrote an airport book to scare parents make digital policy in Australia? www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?
The evidence is equivocal on whether screen time is to blame for rising levels of teen depression and anxiety — and rising hysteria could distract us from tackling the real causes.
www.nature.com
December 17, 2024 at 2:55 AM
Remind me again why we are letting an American bloke with no relevant research experience but who wrote an airport book to scare parents make digital policy in Australia? www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by robbie
Yay new publication day! Last year, Larissa Hjorth, Peta Murray and I looked into older adults' animal pet image sharing practices. We found while there are myriad reasons, many of them revolve around kinship. Paper is open access so please share and cite widely: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
December 17, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Yay new publication day! Last year, Larissa Hjorth, Peta Murray and I looked into older adults' animal pet image sharing practices. We found while there are myriad reasons, many of them revolve around kinship. Paper is open access so please share and cite widely: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
One to watch
The UK's Ofcom says the Online Safety Act, passed in 2023 to govern illegal material on internet platforms, has taken effect, and plans to expand it in 2025 (Mark Bergen/Bloomberg)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
December 16, 2024 at 10:27 AM
One to watch
Reposted by robbie
The latest footage out of Gaza today is utterly horrific. Not that it hasn't all been. I've seen 10,000 things this year that fall into the category. More misery, more evil, just as shocking as the first time. Fuck Israel and everyone excusing and supporting its landgrab and genocide.
December 16, 2024 at 8:23 AM
The latest footage out of Gaza today is utterly horrific. Not that it hasn't all been. I've seen 10,000 things this year that fall into the category. More misery, more evil, just as shocking as the first time. Fuck Israel and everyone excusing and supporting its landgrab and genocide.
The US's equivalent to the updated online safety bill has been co-authored with X's CEO. Unlike the OSB, it has a focus on 'impacts' and 'individual perceptions' experienced by users, but apparently doesn't provide clear definitions or enforcement pathways
No representative should consider shoehorning this controversial and unconstitutional version of KOSA into a continuing resolution required to fund the government.
X's Last-Minute Update to the Kids Online Safety Act Still Fails to Protect Kids—or Adults—Online
Late last week, the Senate released yet another version of the Kids Online Safety Act, written, reportedly, with the assistance of X CEO Linda Yaccarino in a flawed attempt to address the critical fre...
www.eff.org
December 12, 2024 at 7:57 PM
The US's equivalent to the updated online safety bill has been co-authored with X's CEO. Unlike the OSB, it has a focus on 'impacts' and 'individual perceptions' experienced by users, but apparently doesn't provide clear definitions or enforcement pathways
Australian government proposing to tax search platforms, a tax that would be waived if they negotiate with local news. Basically a re-hash of the NMBC, but calling out TikTok in particular.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Facebook, Google to fund Australian journalism under new tax plan
The government wants to impose a new tax to push the tech platforms to make funding agreements with news organisations.
www.abc.net.au
December 12, 2024 at 5:22 AM
Australian government proposing to tax search platforms, a tax that would be waived if they negotiate with local news. Basically a re-hash of the NMBC, but calling out TikTok in particular.
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...