Defend Democracy
@defenddemocracy.bsky.social
We #DefendDemocracy against hybrid & technological threats. Nonpartisan, nonprofit, Transatlantic. Founder & Director: Alice @Stollmeyer
Support us: https://defenddemocracy.eu/get-involved/donate/
Support us: https://defenddemocracy.eu/get-involved/donate/
Pinned
On this International #DemocracyDay, at #DefendDemocracy we are excited to launch WebWatch, our tech watchdog!
Follow @webwatch.bsky.social !
More info: defenddemocracy.eu/webwatch-tec...
Follow @webwatch.bsky.social !
More info: defenddemocracy.eu/webwatch-tec...
We signed this statement in solidarity with European researchers sanctioned by the U.S.
"All those who defend democracy and freedom need to stand together, and we the undersigned stand with those wrongfully sanctioned here."
#DefendDemocracy
#HandsOffOurEU🇪🇺
alliance4europe.eu/supporting-d...
"All those who defend democracy and freedom need to stand together, and we the undersigned stand with those wrongfully sanctioned here."
#DefendDemocracy
#HandsOffOurEU🇪🇺
alliance4europe.eu/supporting-d...
December 25, 2025 at 12:13 PM
We signed this statement in solidarity with European researchers sanctioned by the U.S.
"All those who defend democracy and freedom need to stand together, and we the undersigned stand with those wrongfully sanctioned here."
#DefendDemocracy
#HandsOffOurEU🇪🇺
alliance4europe.eu/supporting-d...
"All those who defend democracy and freedom need to stand together, and we the undersigned stand with those wrongfully sanctioned here."
#DefendDemocracy
#HandsOffOurEU🇪🇺
alliance4europe.eu/supporting-d...
Statement EU Commission on U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individuals:
"The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international commitments."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
"The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international commitments."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Here is #DefendDemocracy 's December newsletter!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
December 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Here is #DefendDemocracy 's December newsletter!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
Reposted by Defend Democracy
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
Weakening digital regulation in EU will NOT create a level playing field, @ec.europa.eu. It will just allow US tech to sweep European tech off the field.
Weakening digital regulation in EU will NOT create a level playing field, @ec.europa.eu. It will just allow US tech to sweep European tech off the field.
#Regulation4Resilience: connect the dots between tech regulation & security!
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
December 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
Weakening digital regulation in EU will NOT create a level playing field, @ec.europa.eu. It will just allow US tech to sweep European tech off the field.
Weakening digital regulation in EU will NOT create a level playing field, @ec.europa.eu. It will just allow US tech to sweep European tech off the field.
Germany blames Russia, summons Russian ambassador for two cyberattacks:
* air traffic safety
* election interference
#DefendDemocracy
www.euractiv.com/news/germany...
* air traffic safety
* election interference
#DefendDemocracy
www.euractiv.com/news/germany...
Germany blames Russia for cyberattack on air safety, election interference | Euractiv
Germany on Friday summoned the Russian ambassador
www.euractiv.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Germany blames Russia, summons Russian ambassador for two cyberattacks:
* air traffic safety
* election interference
#DefendDemocracy
www.euractiv.com/news/germany...
* air traffic safety
* election interference
#DefendDemocracy
www.euractiv.com/news/germany...
While it acknowledges the systemic risk European #democracy faces, the European Democracy Shield falls short of addressing its root causes.
Our founder Alice @stollmeyer.bsky.social interviewed MEP @alexandrageese.bsky.social:
www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/a-shield-wit...
Our founder Alice @stollmeyer.bsky.social interviewed MEP @alexandrageese.bsky.social:
www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/a-shield-wit...
December 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
While it acknowledges the systemic risk European #democracy faces, the European Democracy Shield falls short of addressing its root causes.
Our founder Alice @stollmeyer.bsky.social interviewed MEP @alexandrageese.bsky.social:
www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/a-shield-wit...
Our founder Alice @stollmeyer.bsky.social interviewed MEP @alexandrageese.bsky.social:
www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/a-shield-wit...
Thanks to 'From Regulation to Resilience' co-host @eu2025dk.bsky.social
Thank you to great speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Thanks for support:
@boelleu.bsky.social
@fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Thank you to great speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Thanks for support:
@boelleu.bsky.social
@fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
December 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Thanks to 'From Regulation to Resilience' co-host @eu2025dk.bsky.social
Thank you to great speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Thanks for support:
@boelleu.bsky.social
@fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Thank you to great speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Thanks for support:
@boelleu.bsky.social
@fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
#Regulation4Resilience: connect the dots between tech regulation & security!
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
December 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
#Regulation4Resilience: connect the dots between tech regulation & security!
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
"Digital platforms are used for hybrid campaigns."
"EU can't compete with US tech ON THEIR TERMS."
"Post-reality US is what happens when tech is unregulated."
"Ireland is a Trojan Horse."
"Digital Omnibus is sabotage."
Reposted by Defend Democracy
Trump's new National Security Strategy – an existential threat to EUrope
"Pro-European liberal forces need to finally wake up: Trump's America is not an ally but an adversary to Europe's freedoms and fundamental values."
#DefendDemocracy #HandsOffOurEU
www.epc.eu/publication/...
"Pro-European liberal forces need to finally wake up: Trump's America is not an ally but an adversary to Europe's freedoms and fundamental values."
#DefendDemocracy #HandsOffOurEU
www.epc.eu/publication/...
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Trump's new National Security Strategy – an existential threat to EUrope
"Pro-European liberal forces need to finally wake up: Trump's America is not an ally but an adversary to Europe's freedoms and fundamental values."
#DefendDemocracy #HandsOffOurEU
www.epc.eu/publication/...
"Pro-European liberal forces need to finally wake up: Trump's America is not an ally but an adversary to Europe's freedoms and fundamental values."
#DefendDemocracy #HandsOffOurEU
www.epc.eu/publication/...
Big thanks to the Danish EU Presidency for co-hosting our event ‘From Regulation to Resilience’.
Great speakers connected the dots between digital laws, democracy and security — a timely topic.
Stay tuned for quotes & pics next week!
#Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Great speakers connected the dots between digital laws, democracy and security — a timely topic.
Stay tuned for quotes & pics next week!
#Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
December 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Big thanks to the Danish EU Presidency for co-hosting our event ‘From Regulation to Resilience’.
Great speakers connected the dots between digital laws, democracy and security — a timely topic.
Stay tuned for quotes & pics next week!
#Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Great speakers connected the dots between digital laws, democracy and security — a timely topic.
Stay tuned for quotes & pics next week!
#Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Reposted by Defend Democracy
EU fines Elon Musk's X/Twitter €120mn for transparency violations.
Good EU effort to limit deceptive practices on social media.
"Our objective is not a fine. When platforms offer solid commitments, we accept them. If they do not, we take action."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Good EU effort to limit deceptive practices on social media.
"Our objective is not a fine. When platforms offer solid commitments, we accept them. If they do not, we take action."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
EU fines Elon Musk's X/Twitter €120mn for transparency violations.
Good EU effort to limit deceptive practices on social media.
"Our objective is not a fine. When platforms offer solid commitments, we accept them. If they do not, we take action."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Good EU effort to limit deceptive practices on social media.
"Our objective is not a fine. When platforms offer solid commitments, we accept them. If they do not, we take action."
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Defend Democracy
Great speech by EU EVP @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu on why Europe must stand up for its values. Don't join a race to the bottom, but hold the line!
Grateful to engage with her and EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on urgently defending democracy against hybrid, illiberal and tech treats.
Grateful to engage with her and EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on urgently defending democracy against hybrid, illiberal and tech treats.
December 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Great speech by EU EVP @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu on why Europe must stand up for its values. Don't join a race to the bottom, but hold the line!
Grateful to engage with her and EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on urgently defending democracy against hybrid, illiberal and tech treats.
Grateful to engage with her and EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social on urgently defending democracy against hybrid, illiberal and tech treats.
For our resilience and security we need MORE, not LESS, regulation of our digital infrastructure.
Excited to debate with Meredith Whittaker, Johnny Ryan, Robin Berjon & Molly McKew. Stay tuned!
Supported by @boelleu.bsky.social & @fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Excited to debate with Meredith Whittaker, Johnny Ryan, Robin Berjon & Molly McKew. Stay tuned!
Supported by @boelleu.bsky.social & @fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
For our resilience and security we need MORE, not LESS, regulation of our digital infrastructure.
Excited to debate with Meredith Whittaker, Johnny Ryan, Robin Berjon & Molly McKew. Stay tuned!
Supported by @boelleu.bsky.social & @fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Excited to debate with Meredith Whittaker, Johnny Ryan, Robin Berjon & Molly McKew. Stay tuned!
Supported by @boelleu.bsky.social & @fnfeurope.bsky.social
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Reposted by Defend Democracy
BREAKING: European Parliament calls for EU-wide minimum age of 16 to access social media, video sharing platforms and AI companions, and proposes bans on the most harmful addictive practices.
#DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
#DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
Children should be at least 16 to access social media, say MEPs | News | European Parliament
MEPs are calling for ambitious EU action to protect minors online, including an EU-wide minimum age of 16 and bans on the most harmful addictive practices.
www.europarl.europa.eu
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
BREAKING: European Parliament calls for EU-wide minimum age of 16 to access social media, video sharing platforms and AI companions, and proposes bans on the most harmful addictive practices.
#DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
#DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
Here is #DefendDemocracy 's November newsletter!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Here is #DefendDemocracy 's November newsletter!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...
✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/
✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!
Putin’s real fear isn’t NATO expansion.
Putin’s real fear is DEMOCRACY expansion.
“There is no greater threat to Putin’s legitimacy than Ukrainians practicing democracy.”
#DefendDemocracy
#StandWithUkraine
#EuropeStandUp
Putin’s real fear is DEMOCRACY expansion.
“There is no greater threat to Putin’s legitimacy than Ukrainians practicing democracy.”
#DefendDemocracy
#StandWithUkraine
#EuropeStandUp
I’ve been in a room with Putin. He calls Ukrainians “Russians with accents.” His real fear isn’t NATO expansion, it’s democracy expansion. It shatters his entire argument for dictatorship at home. Because if Ukrainians embrace freedom, Russians may demand the same.
November 22, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Putin’s real fear isn’t NATO expansion.
Putin’s real fear is DEMOCRACY expansion.
“There is no greater threat to Putin’s legitimacy than Ukrainians practicing democracy.”
#DefendDemocracy
#StandWithUkraine
#EuropeStandUp
Putin’s real fear is DEMOCRACY expansion.
“There is no greater threat to Putin’s legitimacy than Ukrainians practicing democracy.”
#DefendDemocracy
#StandWithUkraine
#EuropeStandUp
Reposted by Defend Democracy
Now that's a line-up!
Excited to host a timely debate:
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Now that's a line-up!
Excited to host a timely debate:
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
November 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Excited to host a timely debate:
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
‘From Regulation to Resilience: Role of Digital Laws in Defending Democracy & Security’
Speakers:
@meredithmeredith.bsky.social
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
@mollymckew.bsky.social
Stay tuned! #Regulation4Resilience
defenddemocracy.eu/events/4-dec...
Reposted by Defend Democracy
🚨 Brussels, today 🚨Ursula! Stand up for Europe – not for Trump’s tech bros!
As the EU unveils its “Digital Omnibus” today, we're rolling out billboards calling on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to stop bending to US and Big Tech pressure and enforce our digital laws #StandUpUrsula✊
As the EU unveils its “Digital Omnibus” today, we're rolling out billboards calling on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to stop bending to US and Big Tech pressure and enforce our digital laws #StandUpUrsula✊
November 19, 2025 at 9:51 AM
🚨 Brussels, today 🚨Ursula! Stand up for Europe – not for Trump’s tech bros!
As the EU unveils its “Digital Omnibus” today, we're rolling out billboards calling on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to stop bending to US and Big Tech pressure and enforce our digital laws #StandUpUrsula✊
As the EU unveils its “Digital Omnibus” today, we're rolling out billboards calling on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to stop bending to US and Big Tech pressure and enforce our digital laws #StandUpUrsula✊
Why Europe needs a security update: the era of hybrid warfare.
"When updating security assets, we must not only invest in hardware and software but also in ‘wetware’."
Our latest:
defenddemocracy.eu/europe-secur...
"When updating security assets, we must not only invest in hardware and software but also in ‘wetware’."
Our latest:
defenddemocracy.eu/europe-secur...
November 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Why Europe needs a security update: the era of hybrid warfare.
"When updating security assets, we must not only invest in hardware and software but also in ‘wetware’."
Our latest:
defenddemocracy.eu/europe-secur...
"When updating security assets, we must not only invest in hardware and software but also in ‘wetware’."
Our latest:
defenddemocracy.eu/europe-secur...
Well timed! A day after @ec.europa.eu Democracy Shield publication, #DefendDemocracy joined a Rapid Alert System (RAS) meeting of EU & its member states for an exchange on the role of civil society in defending democracy from hybrid attacks, in particular FIMI & disinformation.
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Well timed! A day after @ec.europa.eu Democracy Shield publication, #DefendDemocracy joined a Rapid Alert System (RAS) meeting of EU & its member states for an exchange on the role of civil society in defending democracy from hybrid attacks, in particular FIMI & disinformation.
Reposted by Defend Democracy
"If we Europeans do not wake up and say, ‘We want to take back control of our democracies,’ I can tell you this:
Within 10 years [...] we will be a continent, like many others, of conspiracy theorists, extremists, noise and fury."
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
Within 10 years [...] we will be a continent, like many others, of conspiracy theorists, extremists, noise and fury."
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
"Europeans, let's wake up!" — Defend Democracy
“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.
defenddemocracy.eu
October 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
"If we Europeans do not wake up and say, ‘We want to take back control of our democracies,’ I can tell you this:
Within 10 years [...] we will be a continent, like many others, of conspiracy theorists, extremists, noise and fury."
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
Within 10 years [...] we will be a continent, like many others, of conspiracy theorists, extremists, noise and fury."
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
Reposted by Defend Democracy
Het draaiboek lijkt inmiddels versleten, maar ook dit keer duikt de complottheorie over “kiesfraude” weer op.
Over hoe een geliefd thema voor Russische desinformatie ook door Nederlanders wordt gebruikt.
www.web-watch.org/news/complot...
#TK2025 #NLpol #verkiezingen
Over hoe een geliefd thema voor Russische desinformatie ook door Nederlanders wordt gebruikt.
www.web-watch.org/news/complot...
#TK2025 #NLpol #verkiezingen
October 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Het draaiboek lijkt inmiddels versleten, maar ook dit keer duikt de complottheorie over “kiesfraude” weer op.
Over hoe een geliefd thema voor Russische desinformatie ook door Nederlanders wordt gebruikt.
www.web-watch.org/news/complot...
#TK2025 #NLpol #verkiezingen
Over hoe een geliefd thema voor Russische desinformatie ook door Nederlanders wordt gebruikt.
www.web-watch.org/news/complot...
#TK2025 #NLpol #verkiezingen
The Overton window has shifted to the right.
Our fight for democracy is far from over.
#DefendDemocracy #TK2025
Our fight for democracy is far from over.
#DefendDemocracy #TK2025
With the official prognosis giving one additional seat to PVV and one to FvD compared to the ext poll, the narrative should really not be that the Netherlands/Jetten has beaten the radical right. The far right bloc remains remarkably stable.
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The Overton window has shifted to the right.
Our fight for democracy is far from over.
#DefendDemocracy #TK2025
Our fight for democracy is far from over.
#DefendDemocracy #TK2025