Graham Smith
@cyberleagle.bsky.social
IT and internet lawyer. Sceptical tech enthusiast. Reposts and links are not endorsements. All views my own. No posts are legal advice. www.cyberleagle.com
Interesting insights into how German authorities have sought to serve NetzDG process cross-border. #EnforcementJurisdiction x.com/prestonjbyrn...
February 8, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Interesting insights into how German authorities have sought to serve NetzDG process cross-border. #EnforcementJurisdiction x.com/prestonjbyrn...
Reposted by Graham Smith
In what possible universe could Article 35 (risk mitigation) be described as a ‘clear’ rule? Even the DSA’s supporters think it should be amended to make it clear. husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
husovec.eu
February 7, 2026 at 9:05 AM
In what possible universe could Article 35 (risk mitigation) be described as a ‘clear’ rule? Even the DSA’s supporters think it should be amended to make it clear. husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Graham Smith
"It's worked fine for 6+ months, then it generated a completely fake discount code and an offer for 25% off, later rising to 80% off as it tried to impress him" lmao
From the LegalAdviceUK community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the LegalAdviceUK community
www.reddit.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:12 AM
"It's worked fine for 6+ months, then it generated a completely fake discount code and an offer for 25% off, later rising to 80% off as it tried to impress him" lmao
How to taint the cause of upholding freedom of expression.
FT exclusive:
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
February 6, 2026 at 9:28 AM
How to taint the cause of upholding freedom of expression.
Reposted by Graham Smith
If you want to read the transcript of the February 3 hearing where Julie Le had her "this job sucks" meltdown, now you can:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 4, 2026 at 8:27 PM
If you want to read the transcript of the February 3 hearing where Julie Le had her "this job sucks" meltdown, now you can:
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
Reposted by Graham Smith
Plus 'wild west' and 'what is illegal offline must be illegal online'. Every tired old slogan in one go! In any case the DSA doesn't make any online content illegal - or so they keep telling us.
February 4, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Plus 'wild west' and 'what is illegal offline must be illegal online'. Every tired old slogan in one go! In any case the DSA doesn't make any online content illegal - or so they keep telling us.
Reposted by Graham Smith
I don't know if it's intentional or not, but amidst the more robust defending by the EU Commission of its rulebook in the face of US criticism, we're seeing the return of the descriptor for US tech uniquely associated with former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton.
'Too big to care'.
'Too big to care'.
February 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
I don't know if it's intentional or not, but amidst the more robust defending by the EU Commission of its rulebook in the face of US criticism, we're seeing the return of the descriptor for US tech uniquely associated with former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton.
'Too big to care'.
'Too big to care'.
Reposted by Graham Smith
“Not a guaranteed win” is an enormous euphemism…
"The price just doesn't matter if you can't get a home".
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:31 AM
“Not a guaranteed win” is an enormous euphemism…
Reposted by Graham Smith
My leader on banning social media, and more broadly the place of science in policymaking www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
It would be a mistake to rush into an under-16 social media ban
Many countries are debating whether to follow Australia and ban social media for younger teenagers. But with more robust evidence on its harms coming, we shouldn't be too hasty
www.newscientist.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:26 AM
My leader on banning social media, and more broadly the place of science in policymaking www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Reposted by Graham Smith
The Wyoming GRANITE Act, now introduced as a Bill. We await seeing whether a trailed federal Bill will be a pure shield, or add teeth to state legislation swords e.g. by amending the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act - or, indeed, contain a sword of its own. #OnlineSafetyAct #DSA t.co/oXvDXErrfF
https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0070
t.co
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The Wyoming GRANITE Act, now introduced as a Bill. We await seeing whether a trailed federal Bill will be a pure shield, or add teeth to state legislation swords e.g. by amending the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act - or, indeed, contain a sword of its own. #OnlineSafetyAct #DSA t.co/oXvDXErrfF
The Wyoming GRANITE Act, now introduced as a Bill. We await seeing whether a trailed federal Bill will be a pure shield, or add teeth to state legislation swords e.g. by amending the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act - or, indeed, contain a sword of its own. #OnlineSafetyAct #DSA t.co/oXvDXErrfF
https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0070
t.co
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The Wyoming GRANITE Act, now introduced as a Bill. We await seeing whether a trailed federal Bill will be a pure shield, or add teeth to state legislation swords e.g. by amending the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act - or, indeed, contain a sword of its own. #OnlineSafetyAct #DSA t.co/oXvDXErrfF
Reposted by Graham Smith
UK regulator Ofcom and the CSEA watchdog IWF are stepping up formalised cooperation under the UK Online Safety Act.
Presumably this will mean Ofcom leveraging IWF's intelligence and data to support CSEA supervision and enforcement actions.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Presumably this will mean Ofcom leveraging IWF's intelligence and data to support CSEA supervision and enforcement actions.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Ofcom and IWF reinforce partnership in fight against online child sexual abuse
A new agreement between Ofcom and the Internet Watch Foundation has strengthened the UK’s commitment to cracking down on online child sexual abuse imagery.
www.ofcom.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:25 AM
UK regulator Ofcom and the CSEA watchdog IWF are stepping up formalised cooperation under the UK Online Safety Act.
Presumably this will mean Ofcom leveraging IWF's intelligence and data to support CSEA supervision and enforcement actions.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Presumably this will mean Ofcom leveraging IWF's intelligence and data to support CSEA supervision and enforcement actions.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Reposted by Graham Smith
The problem with these attempts to regulate prices, especially after agreements have already been entered into, is that they damage the market. Price caps always create shortages. ie we'll get fewer flats.
Excellent news. As is the continued commitment to end new leasehold flats.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
Leaseholders in England and Wales to have ground rent capped at £250 a year
Keir Starmer says move is ‘good news for homeowners’ in TikTok video announcing change
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The problem with these attempts to regulate prices, especially after agreements have already been entered into, is that they damage the market. Price caps always create shortages. ie we'll get fewer flats.
Alternatively. www.cyberleagle.com/2025/12/repe...
January 26, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Alternatively. www.cyberleagle.com/2025/12/repe...
Reposted by Graham Smith
Great to be joined by cross-party Parliamentarians, DSIT Minister Kanishka Narayan and our fabulous civil society partners in Parliament today to launch our 10-point plan to strengthen the #onlinesafetyact - there's much to do but the commitment to working with us to do it was hugely welcome.
January 26, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Great to be joined by cross-party Parliamentarians, DSIT Minister Kanishka Narayan and our fabulous civil society partners in Parliament today to launch our 10-point plan to strengthen the #onlinesafetyact - there's much to do but the commitment to working with us to do it was hugely welcome.
Reposted by Graham Smith
Thank God there were people filming. This administration would have said Alex Pretti pulled a handgun, a package of fentanyl, and a signed copy of the Communist Manifesto if they could.
January 25, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Thank God there were people filming. This administration would have said Alex Pretti pulled a handgun, a package of fentanyl, and a signed copy of the Communist Manifesto if they could.
Reposted by Graham Smith
One of the many damaging effects of the Online Safety Act is that every time something bad happens online, people assume that the OSA is the only place to look for an answer and that it must provide one: a legislative black hole, sucking policy options over the event horizon, never to be seen again.
“…charities and experts warn that these videos may not fit into any specific category of content defined as unlawful by the UK's Online Safety Act.”
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Women filmed in secret for social media content - then harassed online
So-called manfluencers wearing smart glasses approach women and then post videos to TikTok and Instagram.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 2:31 PM
One of the many damaging effects of the Online Safety Act is that every time something bad happens online, people assume that the OSA is the only place to look for an answer and that it must provide one: a legislative black hole, sucking policy options over the event horizon, never to be seen again.
One of the many damaging effects of the Online Safety Act is that every time something bad happens online, people assume that the OSA is the only place to look for an answer and that it must provide one: a legislative black hole, sucking policy options over the event horizon, never to be seen again.
“…charities and experts warn that these videos may not fit into any specific category of content defined as unlawful by the UK's Online Safety Act.”
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Women filmed in secret for social media content - then harassed online
So-called manfluencers wearing smart glasses approach women and then post videos to TikTok and Instagram.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 2:31 PM
One of the many damaging effects of the Online Safety Act is that every time something bad happens online, people assume that the OSA is the only place to look for an answer and that it must provide one: a legislative black hole, sucking policy options over the event horizon, never to be seen again.
“…charities and experts warn that these videos may not fit into any specific category of content defined as unlawful by the UK's Online Safety Act.”
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Women filmed in secret for social media content - then harassed online
So-called manfluencers wearing smart glasses approach women and then post videos to TikTok and Instagram.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 10:50 AM
“…charities and experts warn that these videos may not fit into any specific category of content defined as unlawful by the UK's Online Safety Act.”
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Never mind the OSA, what about anti-social behaviour injunctions? 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Graham Smith
‘Give me the humility to know I don’t know and the wisdom to know I can never know.’ The Social Architect’s Prayer.
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 AM
‘Give me the humility to know I don’t know and the wisdom to know I can never know.’ The Social Architect’s Prayer.
‘Give me the humility to know I don’t know and the wisdom to know I can never know.’ The Social Architect’s Prayer.
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 AM
‘Give me the humility to know I don’t know and the wisdom to know I can never know.’ The Social Architect’s Prayer.
Reposted by Graham Smith
Here is the newly-unsealed State Department memo confirming -- finally -- that the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was based on an op-ed.
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![Action Memo for Senior Bureau Official John Armstrong
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CA/VO - Stuart Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary
(SBU) Revocation of Fl Visa for Rumeysa OZTURK
(SBU) Recommendation 1: That you approve the revocation of the Fl visa,
effective immediately, for
under section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA). Due to ongoing ICE operational security, this revocation will be silent;
the Department will not notify the subject. (Approve/Disapprove by
03/21/25)
Decision: [Approved]
(SBU) Recommendation 2: That you authorize the transmission of the
attached notification to the Department of Homeland Security noting the,
immediate revocation of OZTURK's visa. (Approve/Disapprove by 03/21/25)
Decision: [Approved]
Background
(SBU} On March 21, 2025, the Assistant Director of the National Security Division of DHS/ICE's Homeland Security Investigations referred to CA information regarding Rumeysa OZTURK, a Turkish national, for a possible determination by the Secretary that the alien is deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C). As a nonimmigrant visa holder, such a determination is not necessary for OHS/ICE to pursue removal of OZTURK from the United States, as INA section 237(a}(1)(B) provides that an alien is deportable if their nonimmigrant visa has been revoked under INA section 221(i).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7r477jd7q7p2mzmyqfm7jmp7/bafkreigphzxypvufgeipmnblj3rj5bjvnpsifwim4gx2nxdcv3cqhgqj5q@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Here is the newly-unsealed State Department memo confirming -- finally -- that the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was based on an op-ed.
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Graham Smith
📅 LONDON | Feb 25: How is the European Court of Human Rights reshaping the boundaries of free expression?
January 23, 2026 at 9:33 PM
📅 LONDON | Feb 25: How is the European Court of Human Rights reshaping the boundaries of free expression?
Reposted by Graham Smith
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/airport-bo...
Great piece on “airport book brain” - the tendency of politicians to swallow simplistic solutions. Latest example the Jonathan Haidt book shaping policy on teens and social media
Great piece on “airport book brain” - the tendency of politicians to swallow simplistic solutions. Latest example the Jonathan Haidt book shaping policy on teens and social media
January 23, 2026 at 8:50 AM
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/airport-bo...
Great piece on “airport book brain” - the tendency of politicians to swallow simplistic solutions. Latest example the Jonathan Haidt book shaping policy on teens and social media
Great piece on “airport book brain” - the tendency of politicians to swallow simplistic solutions. Latest example the Jonathan Haidt book shaping policy on teens and social media
Reposted by Graham Smith
verfassungsblog.de/cjeu-russmed... Interesting comment on Russmedia. What I am wondering is if small online marketplaces do become antsy they may be required to proactively check up on sensitive content, does this make them far more likely to put themselves under umbrella of a VLOP.. 1/2
Judicial De-Simplification
verfassungsblog.de
January 15, 2026 at 12:57 AM
verfassungsblog.de/cjeu-russmed... Interesting comment on Russmedia. What I am wondering is if small online marketplaces do become antsy they may be required to proactively check up on sensitive content, does this make them far more likely to put themselves under umbrella of a VLOP.. 1/2