David Sullivan
@davidsullivan.bsky.social
Tech policy, human rights, trust & safety. Raised in Brooklyn, based in Boulder. @david_msullivan elsewhere. Posts auto delete.
I'm on Germ DM 🔑
https://ger.mx/A1Y8CYx9TUtTxirjHuY_ibg6kbSF7BF5inQ7c-04zOPv#did:plc:sqd3wsj7e6w6do6i26nn62r2
I'm on Germ DM 🔑
https://ger.mx/A1Y8CYx9TUtTxirjHuY_ibg6kbSF7BF5inQ7c-04zOPv#did:plc:sqd3wsj7e6w6do6i26nn62r2
Pinned
I'm not used to seeing my byline in a tabloid, but nonetheless glad to see the Boston Herald publish our op-ed on State's stupid and counterproductive visa policy for trust and safety workers.
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
i've been wondering about this: what % of drivers genuinely think it's ok to drive around with their brights on perpetually?
It’s been a minute since I drove at night and I am now radicalized about fucking LED HEADLIGHTS
December 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM
i've been wondering about this: what % of drivers genuinely think it's ok to drive around with their brights on perpetually?
Reposted by David Sullivan
Good news; a judge has blocked the detention of a technology researcher that the State Department had slated to deport.
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
Judge Blocks Detention of British Researcher Who Scrutinizes Online Hate
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Good news; a judge has blocked the detention of a technology researcher that the State Department had slated to deport.
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
Reposted by David Sullivan
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
Reposted by David Sullivan
BREAKING: Supreme Court DENIES Trump’s emergency appeal to send National Guard troops into Illinois against the wishes of local officials
Apparent 6-3 ruling with Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
Apparent 6-3 ruling with Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
BREAKING: Supreme Court DENIES Trump’s emergency appeal to send National Guard troops into Illinois against the wishes of local officials
Apparent 6-3 ruling with Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
Apparent 6-3 ruling with Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch in dissent @courthousenews.bsky.social
Reposted by David Sullivan
Fire is estimated to be about one acre in size and slowly spreading.
Winds are decreasing in the area and humidity is increasing. Hope that helps firefighters get a handle on this.
#COwx
Winds are decreasing in the area and humidity is increasing. Hope that helps firefighters get a handle on this.
#COwx
Wild Turkey Fire near Crisman (Boulder County) is prompting evacuations in the area highlighted below, via Watch Duty.
#COwx
#COwx
December 23, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Fire is estimated to be about one acre in size and slowly spreading.
Winds are decreasing in the area and humidity is increasing. Hope that helps firefighters get a handle on this.
#COwx
Winds are decreasing in the area and humidity is increasing. Hope that helps firefighters get a handle on this.
#COwx
Reposted by David Sullivan
🔥 🚨 NEW WILDFIRE EVAC IN BOULDER COUNTY: Wildfire occurring in the area of In the Area of 519 Wild Turkey Trail in Fourmile Canyon. Use Evening Star Road for Evacuations. Avoid Wild Turkey Trail. #wildturkeyfire #cofire
December 23, 2025 at 1:26 AM
🔥 🚨 NEW WILDFIRE EVAC IN BOULDER COUNTY: Wildfire occurring in the area of In the Area of 519 Wild Turkey Trail in Fourmile Canyon. Use Evening Star Road for Evacuations. Avoid Wild Turkey Trail. #wildturkeyfire #cofire
Reposted by David Sullivan
I'm not used to seeing my byline in a tabloid, but nonetheless glad to see the Boston Herald publish our op-ed on State's stupid and counterproductive visa policy for trust and safety workers.
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
December 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I'm not used to seeing my byline in a tabloid, but nonetheless glad to see the Boston Herald publish our op-ed on State's stupid and counterproductive visa policy for trust and safety workers.
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
Speaking as someone with a modest follower account here and there, who strictly uses X to disseminate work stuff:
The same post that got amplified by a big account and has racked up a healthy amount of reposts and likes here has gotten (checks notes)...
...9 views on X
bsky.app/profile/davi...
The same post that got amplified by a big account and has racked up a healthy amount of reposts and likes here has gotten (checks notes)...
...9 views on X
bsky.app/profile/davi...
Honestly sick of people telling me they "have to" stay on X "for the reach."
"It's where the people I need to reach are." No, it's not. You can bring them here.
"The people I want to follow are there." You can bring them here too.
Lots of other people have. You can too.
"It's where the people I need to reach are." No, it's not. You can bring them here.
"The people I want to follow are there." You can bring them here too.
Lots of other people have. You can too.
This has always been a Bluesky-first campaign. But as of today, we will no longer be using Twitter. At all.
And I'm calling on other candidates to follow suit.
And I'm calling on other candidates to follow suit.
December 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Speaking as someone with a modest follower account here and there, who strictly uses X to disseminate work stuff:
The same post that got amplified by a big account and has racked up a healthy amount of reposts and likes here has gotten (checks notes)...
...9 views on X
bsky.app/profile/davi...
The same post that got amplified by a big account and has racked up a healthy amount of reposts and likes here has gotten (checks notes)...
...9 views on X
bsky.app/profile/davi...
I'm not used to seeing my byline in a tabloid, but nonetheless glad to see the Boston Herald publish our op-ed on State's stupid and counterproductive visa policy for trust and safety workers.
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
December 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I'm not used to seeing my byline in a tabloid, but nonetheless glad to see the Boston Herald publish our op-ed on State's stupid and counterproductive visa policy for trust and safety workers.
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
lnkd.in/g5_U7QvR
Excellent and incisive overview of the dilemmas and tradeoffs posed by online age restrictions, from @joanbarata.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/the-age-of-a...
www.techpolicy.press/the-age-of-a...
The Age of Age Restrictions Poses Policy Dilemmas for Kids Online Safety | TechPolicy.Press
The adoption of legal and regulatory frameworks around children's online safety must strike a proper balance, Joan Barata writes.
www.techpolicy.press
December 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Excellent and incisive overview of the dilemmas and tradeoffs posed by online age restrictions, from @joanbarata.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/the-age-of-a...
www.techpolicy.press/the-age-of-a...
seems to me like a good first step to making America great would be getting a Waffle House somewhere in between Denver and KC on 70
December 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
seems to me like a good first step to making America great would be getting a Waffle House somewhere in between Denver and KC on 70
Reposted by David Sullivan
The real cost of the administration’s utterly bonkers restriction on visas for trust and safety workers.
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers – DC Journal - InsideSources
On the day Congress weighed 19 child-safety bills, the State Department told diplomats to deny visas to skilled workers in “content moderation,
dcjournal.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The real cost of the administration’s utterly bonkers restriction on visas for trust and safety workers.
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
Reposted by David Sullivan
Really great piece by @charlottewillner.bsky.social & @davidsullivan.bsky.social highlighting how at the very same time Congress was claiming to want to "protect the children online," the White House was announcing that it's blocking visas for trust & safety workers who actually help kids be safe
State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers – DC Journal - InsideSources
On the day Congress weighed 19 child-safety bills, the State Department told diplomats to deny visas to skilled workers in “content moderation,
dcjournal.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Really great piece by @charlottewillner.bsky.social & @davidsullivan.bsky.social highlighting how at the very same time Congress was claiming to want to "protect the children online," the White House was announcing that it's blocking visas for trust & safety workers who actually help kids be safe
Reposted by David Sullivan
If you read something today, make it this op-ed by @davidsullivan.bsky.social & @charlottewillner.bsky.social about how restricting visas for T&S will only make it easier for bad actors to operate. Smart, timely analysis of a policy shift with real-world consequences:
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers – DC Journal - InsideSources
On the day Congress weighed 19 child-safety bills, the State Department told diplomats to deny visas to skilled workers in “content moderation,
dcjournal.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
If you read something today, make it this op-ed by @davidsullivan.bsky.social & @charlottewillner.bsky.social about how restricting visas for T&S will only make it easier for bad actors to operate. Smart, timely analysis of a policy shift with real-world consequences:
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
dcjournal.com/state-dept-v...
"State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers"
New from me and @charlottewillner.bsky.social for DC Journal
New from me and @charlottewillner.bsky.social for DC Journal
State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers – DC Journal - InsideSources
On the day Congress weighed 19 child-safety bills, the State Department told diplomats to deny visas to skilled workers in “content moderation,
dcjournal.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"State Dept. Visa Misstep Will Aid Predators, Scammers, Traffickers"
New from me and @charlottewillner.bsky.social for DC Journal
New from me and @charlottewillner.bsky.social for DC Journal
Reposted by David Sullivan
An absolute bedrock institution for understanding how the planet works, just civilization-scaled vandalism by the most incurious morons on Earth
December 17, 2025 at 2:52 AM
An absolute bedrock institution for understanding how the planet works, just civilization-scaled vandalism by the most incurious morons on Earth
Reposted by David Sullivan
A deeply dangerous — and blatantly retaliatory action against Colorado — by the Trump administration.
NCAR is one of the most renowned scientific facilities in the WORLD — where scientists perform cutting-edge research everyday.
We will fight this reckless directive with every legal tool we have.
NCAR is one of the most renowned scientific facilities in the WORLD — where scientists perform cutting-edge research everyday.
We will fight this reckless directive with every legal tool we have.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 3:23 AM
A deeply dangerous — and blatantly retaliatory action against Colorado — by the Trump administration.
NCAR is one of the most renowned scientific facilities in the WORLD — where scientists perform cutting-edge research everyday.
We will fight this reckless directive with every legal tool we have.
NCAR is one of the most renowned scientific facilities in the WORLD — where scientists perform cutting-edge research everyday.
We will fight this reckless directive with every legal tool we have.
Reposted by David Sullivan
No, Jews around the world don't suffer because of the actions of the government of Israel. Jews around the world suffer because antisemites use the actions of the government of Israel to justify attacks on Jews. And if you make the same association, you're also an antisemite.
December 14, 2025 at 3:50 PM
No, Jews around the world don't suffer because of the actions of the government of Israel. Jews around the world suffer because antisemites use the actions of the government of Israel to justify attacks on Jews. And if you make the same association, you're also an antisemite.
Attention #DigitalServicesAct nerds, we've published a position paper for consultation on Article 21 Out-of-court dispute settlement 👇
DTSP’s Working Group on Out-of-court Dispute Settlement has published an initial position paper for consultation addressing the emerging ODS ecosystem under the EU Digital Services Act.
dtspartnership.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Attention #DigitalServicesAct nerds, we've published a position paper for consultation on Article 21 Out-of-court dispute settlement 👇
Reposted by David Sullivan
ICYMI!
@noupside.bsky.social & I had a great chat today on @lawfaremedia.org about the EU fining X €120 M for violations of the Digital Service Act (DSA)
We run down:
* what the DSA is (and isn't)
* what these fines are actually about & how they'll play out
* why this isn't about censorship
@noupside.bsky.social & I had a great chat today on @lawfaremedia.org about the EU fining X €120 M for violations of the Digital Service Act (DSA)
We run down:
* what the DSA is (and isn't)
* what these fines are actually about & how they'll play out
* why this isn't about censorship
This morning, @klonick.bsky.social sat down with @noupside.bsky.social to discuss the European Commission's announcemrnt that that they are fining X (formerly Twitter) 120 million euros and how it fits into the geopolitical struggle over free speech.
youtube.com/live/1Cp2ns6...
youtube.com/live/1Cp2ns6...
Lawfare Live: The EU Fines X 120 M Euros - What Comes Next?
YouTube video by Lawfare
youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
ICYMI!
@noupside.bsky.social & I had a great chat today on @lawfaremedia.org about the EU fining X €120 M for violations of the Digital Service Act (DSA)
We run down:
* what the DSA is (and isn't)
* what these fines are actually about & how they'll play out
* why this isn't about censorship
@noupside.bsky.social & I had a great chat today on @lawfaremedia.org about the EU fining X €120 M for violations of the Digital Service Act (DSA)
We run down:
* what the DSA is (and isn't)
* what these fines are actually about & how they'll play out
* why this isn't about censorship
Reposted by David Sullivan
Don't let anyone tell you that the Commission's DSA enforcement against X is about speech or censorship.
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Don't let anyone tell you that the Commission's DSA enforcement against X is about speech or censorship.
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
That would, indeed, be interesting. But this is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring laws that would get bipartisan support in the U.S. (I bet similar bills *have* had that support.) 1/
The lunacy of the trump administration's ludicrous "censorship" fixation is going to run headfirst into efforts to actually keep kids (and adults) safe online. 🤦♂️
If you were a tech company employee who moderated content overseas — say, trying to prevent a repeat of the Myanmar genocide! or maybe policing CSAM! Or hate speech illegal in your country! — you are a “censor” under the definitions of the Republicans in power.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Exclusive: Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
An internal State Department memo said that anyone involved in "censorship" of free speech should be considered for rejection.
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The lunacy of the trump administration's ludicrous "censorship" fixation is going to run headfirst into efforts to actually keep kids (and adults) safe online. 🤦♂️
‼️
I'm pretty sure the CJEU in Russmedia just casually dismantled 80% of the DSA with one ill-considered judgment. As I read it, it substitutes in GDPR rules -- not notice and takedown rules -- for any platform where a user is likely to post content about people. 1/
curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
CURIA - Documents
curia.europa.eu
December 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
‼️
Reposted by David Sullivan
With children increasingly online and using more devices, age assurance has become a critical tool for protection against online harms.
DTSP ED @davidsullivan.bsky.social co-authored a piece in IAPP that explores and outlines different methods for implementing age assurance.
DTSP ED @davidsullivan.bsky.social co-authored a piece in IAPP that explores and outlines different methods for implementing age assurance.
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
With children increasingly online and using more devices, age assurance has become a critical tool for protection against online harms.
DTSP ED @davidsullivan.bsky.social co-authored a piece in IAPP that explores and outlines different methods for implementing age assurance.
DTSP ED @davidsullivan.bsky.social co-authored a piece in IAPP that explores and outlines different methods for implementing age assurance.
My latest, for @iapp.bsky.social:
"Mind the gap: Understanding age verification and assurance"
Fun teaming up with Basia, Katelyn, and Melanie to co-author this one!
"Mind the gap: Understanding age verification and assurance"
Fun teaming up with Basia, Katelyn, and Melanie to co-author this one!
IAPP
iapp.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:49 PM
My latest, for @iapp.bsky.social:
"Mind the gap: Understanding age verification and assurance"
Fun teaming up with Basia, Katelyn, and Melanie to co-author this one!
"Mind the gap: Understanding age verification and assurance"
Fun teaming up with Basia, Katelyn, and Melanie to co-author this one!