David Banisar
@dbanisar.bsky.social
Visiting Fellow @ lsegovernment.bsky.social, govacctproj.bsky.social. Consultant/human rights lawyer. #Privacy, #FOI, #freeexpression, #corruption, #whistleblowing, #SDGs etc. Formerly Article19, PrivacyIntl, EPIC. Random mapmaker
Data Protection Map update for International Data Protection Day. As of the end of 2025, 172 countries and self governing jurisdictions around the world have adopted comprehensive data protection legislation. Five countries adopted comprehensive data protection for the first time in 2025.
January 26, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Data Protection Map update for International Data Protection Day. As of the end of 2025, 172 countries and self governing jurisdictions around the world have adopted comprehensive data protection legislation. Five countries adopted comprehensive data protection for the first time in 2025.
Reposted by David Banisar
Freedom of Information is all grown up - it turns 21 this year!
Join us for a one day conference to celebrate, scrutinise, and share everything around #FOI in the UK: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Join us for a one day conference to celebrate, scrutinise, and share everything around #FOI in the UK: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Freedom of Information is all grown up - it turns 21 this year!
Join us for a one day conference to celebrate, scrutinise, and share everything around #FOI in the UK: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Join us for a one day conference to celebrate, scrutinise, and share everything around #FOI in the UK: pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Reposted by David Banisar
🔴"FOI is the democratic canary in the coal mine. When official information flows freely, it signals that power is shared. When it’s withheld or delayed, it signals the opposite: power concentrated in the few."
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
The British state is addicted to secrecy - we need to fight back
Our politicians and officials are using public money to keep citizens in the dark, says Heather Brooke
democracyforsale.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
🔴"FOI is the democratic canary in the coal mine. When official information flows freely, it signals that power is shared. When it’s withheld or delayed, it signals the opposite: power concentrated in the few."
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Reposted by David Banisar
On my personal blog: FTT rather dismantles @ICOnews on both the facts and the law in this remarkable FOI judgment. Will the ICO have to rewrite their section 40 NCND guidance? informationrightsandwrongs.com/2025/11/29/n...
NCND for personal data – a qualified exemption?
[reposted from my LinkedIn Account] I’ve been known to criticise First-tier Tribunal (FTT) judgments in the freedom of information jurisdiction. By contrast, this one is superb. In it, the FTT dism…
informationrightsandwrongs.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:50 AM
On my personal blog: FTT rather dismantles @ICOnews on both the facts and the law in this remarkable FOI judgment. Will the ICO have to rewrite their section 40 NCND guidance? informationrightsandwrongs.com/2025/11/29/n...
Reposted by David Banisar
Scam ads on Meta in UK likely worth more than all online news advertising. Meta probably made more than £600m from fraudulent UK advertising in 2024 pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/sc...
Scam ads on Meta in UK likely worth more than all online news advertising
Meta likely made more than £600m from fraudulent UK advertising in 2024.
pressgazette.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Scam ads on Meta in UK likely worth more than all online news advertising. Meta probably made more than £600m from fraudulent UK advertising in 2024 pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/sc...
Reposted by David Banisar
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Banisar
Transparency is critical for achieving sustainable marine fisheries, but it is not also as clear as it seems.
This #WorldFisheriesDay, take a deep dive into our #tBrief series to learn more about the many facets of fisheries transparency 👇
fiti.global/tbrief-series
This #WorldFisheriesDay, take a deep dive into our #tBrief series to learn more about the many facets of fisheries transparency 👇
fiti.global/tbrief-series
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Transparency is critical for achieving sustainable marine fisheries, but it is not also as clear as it seems.
This #WorldFisheriesDay, take a deep dive into our #tBrief series to learn more about the many facets of fisheries transparency 👇
fiti.global/tbrief-series
This #WorldFisheriesDay, take a deep dive into our #tBrief series to learn more about the many facets of fisheries transparency 👇
fiti.global/tbrief-series
Reposted by David Banisar
📢FOI in the news!
Online grooming crimes double since 2018 with victims now as young as four, according to NSPCC obtained FOI data.
Instant messenger Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a tech platform was identified.
news.sky.com/story/online...
Online grooming crimes double since 2018 with victims now as young as four, according to NSPCC obtained FOI data.
Instant messenger Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a tech platform was identified.
news.sky.com/story/online...
Online grooming crimes have doubled since 2018, with victims as young as four, charity warns
More than 7,200 offences were recorded by police in the year to March - almost twice the number for the 12 months to March 2018, with instant messaging app Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a te...
news.sky.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:16 AM
📢FOI in the news!
Online grooming crimes double since 2018 with victims now as young as four, according to NSPCC obtained FOI data.
Instant messenger Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a tech platform was identified.
news.sky.com/story/online...
Online grooming crimes double since 2018 with victims now as young as four, according to NSPCC obtained FOI data.
Instant messenger Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a tech platform was identified.
news.sky.com/story/online...
Reposted by David Banisar
While some elements of AI are genuinely new, the harms it enables are evolutions of those we have seen before, writes Sarah Barrington. It is time to recognize the myth of the “unprecedented” and hold tech accountable, she says.
Generative AI is Neither Too Unprecedented Nor Too New to Regulate | TechPolicy.Press
It is time to recognize the myth of the “unprecedented” and hold tech accountable, writes Sarah Barrington.
www.techpolicy.press
November 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
While some elements of AI are genuinely new, the harms it enables are evolutions of those we have seen before, writes Sarah Barrington. It is time to recognize the myth of the “unprecedented” and hold tech accountable, she says.
Reposted by David Banisar
✂️ The #EU Commission has set in motion a potentially massive #GDPR reform. Officially, the changes should only include targeted adjustments for several laws. In reality, the current draft would randomly mow down people's #privacy rights.
👉 Read more: noyb.eu/en/eu-commis...
👉 Read more: noyb.eu/en/eu-commis...
November 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM
✂️ The #EU Commission has set in motion a potentially massive #GDPR reform. Officially, the changes should only include targeted adjustments for several laws. In reality, the current draft would randomly mow down people's #privacy rights.
👉 Read more: noyb.eu/en/eu-commis...
👉 Read more: noyb.eu/en/eu-commis...
Reposted by David Banisar
Yes, I have read the leaked GDPR Omnibus. Yes, if unleashed as is, it will be an earthquake for EU data protection law (with 2 or 3 of the deep cuts). Which, ironically, would leave most countries that imported the GDPR with a stronger data protection regime than the GDPR.
a girl in a school uniform is saying ironic isn 't it
ALT: a girl in a school uniform is saying ironic isn 't it
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Yes, I have read the leaked GDPR Omnibus. Yes, if unleashed as is, it will be an earthquake for EU data protection law (with 2 or 3 of the deep cuts). Which, ironically, would leave most countries that imported the GDPR with a stronger data protection regime than the GDPR.
Reposted by David Banisar
The MoD has said it cannot say whether it has had any spreadsheet-based data breaches following the catastrophic Afghan citizen one, because it would take >237 hours to find out. On my personal blog informationrightsandwrongs.com/2025/11/07/m...
MoD: “too costly” to find out if there have been further spreadsheet data breaches
Response to FOI request says it would take 237 hours to find out. How can ICO have confidence lessons have been learnt? Anyone who’s ever had been responsible for compiling or overseeing a data bre…
informationrightsandwrongs.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The MoD has said it cannot say whether it has had any spreadsheet-based data breaches following the catastrophic Afghan citizen one, because it would take >237 hours to find out. On my personal blog informationrightsandwrongs.com/2025/11/07/m...
Reposted by David Banisar
In January 2025 Djibouti in the Horn of Africa became the 174th country to enact a data privacy law: the Digital Code / Code Numerique covers data privacy as well as other e-commerce & cybersecurity topics www.journalofficiel.dj/texte-juridi... Thanks Dave Banisar @dbanisar.bsky.social
Loi n° 019/AN/23/9ème L Portant Code Numérique - eJO
Article 1 : Le Code du Numérique est adopté. Article 2 : La présente Loi sera publiée au Journal Officiel dès sa signature. Fait à Djibouti, le 06 Juillet 2025
www.journalofficiel.dj
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
In January 2025 Djibouti in the Horn of Africa became the 174th country to enact a data privacy law: the Digital Code / Code Numerique covers data privacy as well as other e-commerce & cybersecurity topics www.journalofficiel.dj/texte-juridi... Thanks Dave Banisar @dbanisar.bsky.social
An important PSA for those of you in old Londinium and surrounds. 🤔
The Met Police would like to remind people that the failure of their pizza to arrive on time is not a reason to call the 999 emergency phone line.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/del...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/del...
Deliveroo delayed? Don’t call 999, Met pleads after surge in trivial calls
The Met Police would like to remind people that the failure of their pizza to arrive on time is not a reason to call the 999 emergency phone line.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 AM
An important PSA for those of you in old Londinium and surrounds. 🤔
Reposted by David Banisar
A halloween cartoon for @newscientist.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A halloween cartoon for @newscientist.com
Reposted by David Banisar
Lovely obit for Judith Vidal-Hall, former Index on Censorship editor. An absolute force of nature who pioneered the platforming of global voices and always remembered journalism was supposed to be fun and deadly serious at the same time www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/exce...
An exceptional editor: a tribute to Judith Vidal-Hall who reinvented Index magazine after the end of the Cold War - Index on Censorship
Former Index editor Jo Glanville pays tribute to a journalist who introduced a western audience to a diverse range of writers and artists
www.indexoncensorship.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Lovely obit for Judith Vidal-Hall, former Index on Censorship editor. An absolute force of nature who pioneered the platforming of global voices and always remembered journalism was supposed to be fun and deadly serious at the same time www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/exce...
Reposted by David Banisar
“In order to protect fundamental rights, maintain legal certainty, and continue to ensure a high level of protection, any reform should be evidence-based, targeted, transparent, and further the EU’s values” (Christopher Kuner in this new FPF guest post)
#GDPR #Draghi
fpf.org/blog/the-dra...
#GDPR #Draghi
fpf.org/blog/the-dra...
The Draghi Dilemma: The Right and the Wrong Way to Undertake GDPR Reform
There has been much interest in the report on European competitiveness issued in September 2024 by former Italian Prime Minister and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi at the request of Euro...
fpf.org
October 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“In order to protect fundamental rights, maintain legal certainty, and continue to ensure a high level of protection, any reform should be evidence-based, targeted, transparent, and further the EU’s values” (Christopher Kuner in this new FPF guest post)
#GDPR #Draghi
fpf.org/blog/the-dra...
#GDPR #Draghi
fpf.org/blog/the-dra...
Reposted by David Banisar
Who knew? How Starmer kept his digital ID plan secret for months www.computerweekly.com/blog/Compute...
Keir Starmer tweets on digital ID as Caerphilly Labour loss met with silence www.thenational.scot/news/2556856...
("sporty timelines"?)
Keir Starmer tweets on digital ID as Caerphilly Labour loss met with silence www.thenational.scot/news/2556856...
("sporty timelines"?)
October 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Who knew? How Starmer kept his digital ID plan secret for months www.computerweekly.com/blog/Compute...
Keir Starmer tweets on digital ID as Caerphilly Labour loss met with silence www.thenational.scot/news/2556856...
("sporty timelines"?)
Keir Starmer tweets on digital ID as Caerphilly Labour loss met with silence www.thenational.scot/news/2556856...
("sporty timelines"?)
Reposted by David Banisar
Privacy groups criticise appointment of former Meta lobbyist to data protection watchdog
Privacy groups criticise appointment of former Meta lobbyist to data protection watchdog
Campaigners say appointment of Niamh Sweeney undermines trust in Data Protection Commission, which they say has an ‘abysmal’ record in taking on big tech companies
www.irishtimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Privacy groups criticise appointment of former Meta lobbyist to data protection watchdog
Reposted by David Banisar
Has anybody talked about the EU aiming to weaken basically all data protection and enviromental regulations yet?
#eu #europe #privacy #climate
edri.org/our-work/con...
#eu #europe #privacy #climate
edri.org/our-work/con...
Digital Omnibus: Consultation response to the call for evidence - European Digital Rights (EDRi)
The EC launched a call for evidence on the “Digital Omnibus” initiative, which is expected to be presented around the 19 November.
edri.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Has anybody talked about the EU aiming to weaken basically all data protection and enviromental regulations yet?
#eu #europe #privacy #climate
edri.org/our-work/con...
#eu #europe #privacy #climate
edri.org/our-work/con...
Reposted by David Banisar
What’s the ROI on telling the truth in Big Tech/AI?
Professor @katekenny.bsky.social of @uniofgalway.bsky.social spent 15 years running the numbers—and the moral math doesn’t look great...
But she’s got ideas for changing it. 🔦
Full Q&A in our Substack (link below).
Professor @katekenny.bsky.social of @uniofgalway.bsky.social spent 15 years running the numbers—and the moral math doesn’t look great...
But she’s got ideas for changing it. 🔦
Full Q&A in our Substack (link below).
October 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
What’s the ROI on telling the truth in Big Tech/AI?
Professor @katekenny.bsky.social of @uniofgalway.bsky.social spent 15 years running the numbers—and the moral math doesn’t look great...
But she’s got ideas for changing it. 🔦
Full Q&A in our Substack (link below).
Professor @katekenny.bsky.social of @uniofgalway.bsky.social spent 15 years running the numbers—and the moral math doesn’t look great...
But she’s got ideas for changing it. 🔦
Full Q&A in our Substack (link below).
Reposted by David Banisar
Reposted by David Banisar
California's new AI law SB 53 expands protections for tech whistleblowers but makes it so difficult to file a successful claim that many valid cases will likely be dismissed, writes Sophie Luskin.
California’s New AI Law Misses the Mark on Whistleblower Protections | TechPolicy.Press
SB 53's whistleblower protections make it so difficult to file a successful claim, and many valid cases will be dismissed, Sophie Luskin writes.
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 7:33 PM
California's new AI law SB 53 expands protections for tech whistleblowers but makes it so difficult to file a successful claim that many valid cases will likely be dismissed, writes Sophie Luskin.
Reposted by David Banisar
A piece of warning at this event about future of #democrcacy & #freespeech in age of AI:
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
October 15, 2025 at 7:46 AM
A piece of warning at this event about future of #democrcacy & #freespeech in age of AI:
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
We have to stop talking about #AI as if it were destiny.
In hands of unaccountable billionaires, it will be perfect dictatorship. Invisible, frictionless, personalised.
And you may never know you are in it!
Reposted by David Banisar
OPEN LETTER: #EU must safeguard the independence of data protection authorities
Read more: edri.org/our-work/ope...
w @aiforensics.org @alliance4europe.bsky.social @article19europe.bsky.social @bitsoffreedom.bsky.social @hateaid.org @openmarkets.bsky.social @lobbycontrol.bsky.social and many more
Read more: edri.org/our-work/ope...
w @aiforensics.org @alliance4europe.bsky.social @article19europe.bsky.social @bitsoffreedom.bsky.social @hateaid.org @openmarkets.bsky.social @lobbycontrol.bsky.social and many more
The EU must safeguard independence of data protection authorities - European Digital Rights (EDRi)
The appointment raises serious concerns about impartiality and the credibility of data protection enforcement in the EU.
edri.org
October 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
OPEN LETTER: #EU must safeguard the independence of data protection authorities
Read more: edri.org/our-work/ope...
w @aiforensics.org @alliance4europe.bsky.social @article19europe.bsky.social @bitsoffreedom.bsky.social @hateaid.org @openmarkets.bsky.social @lobbycontrol.bsky.social and many more
Read more: edri.org/our-work/ope...
w @aiforensics.org @alliance4europe.bsky.social @article19europe.bsky.social @bitsoffreedom.bsky.social @hateaid.org @openmarkets.bsky.social @lobbycontrol.bsky.social and many more