Katy Vaughan
@drkatyvaughan.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Law @Swansea Uni.
Member of CYTREC, VOX-Pol, Christchurch Call Advisory Network.
Legal Ed, Counter-Terrorism, Human Rights, Digital Rights.
Member of CYTREC, VOX-Pol, Christchurch Call Advisory Network.
Legal Ed, Counter-Terrorism, Human Rights, Digital Rights.
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
EU tech law
EU Commission preliminary finding that TikTok has breached Digital Services Act re 'addictive design' ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
EU Commission preliminary finding that TikTok has breached Digital Services Act re 'addictive design' ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission preliminarily finds TikTok\'s addictive design in breach of the Digital Services Act
Today, the European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for its addictive design.
ec.europa.eu
February 6, 2026 at 11:19 AM
EU tech law
EU Commission preliminary finding that TikTok has breached Digital Services Act re 'addictive design' ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
EU Commission preliminary finding that TikTok has breached Digital Services Act re 'addictive design' ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
AI governance should be shaped not just by power, but by participation!
Read this blog by our ED Jason Pielemeier: Stitching AI Governance Together: Measure Twice, Cut Once, reflecting on why participation matters and how we can better weave diverse perspectives into AI governance ⚖️
Read this blog by our ED Jason Pielemeier: Stitching AI Governance Together: Measure Twice, Cut Once, reflecting on why participation matters and how we can better weave diverse perspectives into AI governance ⚖️
January 30, 2026 at 7:21 AM
AI governance should be shaped not just by power, but by participation!
Read this blog by our ED Jason Pielemeier: Stitching AI Governance Together: Measure Twice, Cut Once, reflecting on why participation matters and how we can better weave diverse perspectives into AI governance ⚖️
Read this blog by our ED Jason Pielemeier: Stitching AI Governance Together: Measure Twice, Cut Once, reflecting on why participation matters and how we can better weave diverse perspectives into AI governance ⚖️
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Free speech depends on spaces where people can speak without fear of the government looking over their shoulder.
🔗 Find out what’s happening to these spaces in this week’s Free Flow newsletter:
www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/fbi-invest...
🔗 Find out what’s happening to these spaces in this week’s Free Flow newsletter:
www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/fbi-invest...
FBI Investigates Minneapolis Protestor Signal Chats & EU Subjects WhatsApp to DSA Requirements | The Free Flow 1/29/26
U.S. Border Patrol fatally shoots an ICU nurse recording an ICE raid in Minneapolis, EU determines WhatsApp is subject to DSA requirements, radio operators in Belarus face the death penalty, and more.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Free speech depends on spaces where people can speak without fear of the government looking over their shoulder.
🔗 Find out what’s happening to these spaces in this week’s Free Flow newsletter:
www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/fbi-invest...
🔗 Find out what’s happening to these spaces in this week’s Free Flow newsletter:
www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/fbi-invest...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Iran's recent near-total Internet blackout should give us all pause about what digital sovereignty can mean in practice.
Digital rights expert Farzaneh Badiei explores these tensions in a new guest post at The Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/how-digita...
Digital rights expert Farzaneh Badiei explores these tensions in a new guest post at The Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/how-digita...
How Digital Sovereignty Will Lead to The Slow and Fast Erosion of The Internet
Sovereignty is not a synonym for autonomy; it is instead the uncompromising authority to impose a single will upon others.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Iran's recent near-total Internet blackout should give us all pause about what digital sovereignty can mean in practice.
Digital rights expert Farzaneh Badiei explores these tensions in a new guest post at The Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/how-digita...
Digital rights expert Farzaneh Badiei explores these tensions in a new guest post at The Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/how-digita...
"Internet connection is a human right, and it should not be left in the hands of irresponsible governments or private actors.:
The situation in Iran stands as a clear example of how digital sovereignty empowers repression rather than protects rights, says Azadeh Akbari. It should be a warning against abandoning the idea of a free and global internet, she writes. buff.ly/9e3UUoO
January 16, 2026 at 12:09 AM
"Internet connection is a human right, and it should not be left in the hands of irresponsible governments or private actors.:
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
NEW
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
Ugandans, Iranians turn to Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat in web crackdowns
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
Ugandans, Iranians turn to Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat in web crackdowns
A little-known offline messaging app launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has emerged as a key lifeline for Ugandans cut off from the internet ahead of a contentious election that could extend P...
www.reuters.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Ugandans, Iranians turn to Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat in web crackdowns
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Proposed amendment to the UK's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill would ban under 16s from "all regulated user-to-user services" – much broader than Aussie social media ban bills.parliament.uk/bills/3909/s...
HT Neil Brown's blog decoded.legal/blog/2025/12...
#censorship #openweb #techpolicy
HT Neil Brown's blog decoded.legal/blog/2025/12...
#censorship #openweb #techpolicy
December 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Proposed amendment to the UK's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill would ban under 16s from "all regulated user-to-user services" – much broader than Aussie social media ban bills.parliament.uk/bills/3909/s...
HT Neil Brown's blog decoded.legal/blog/2025/12...
#censorship #openweb #techpolicy
HT Neil Brown's blog decoded.legal/blog/2025/12...
#censorship #openweb #techpolicy
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
In this story, I reported how counter-terror police warned the Palestine Action ban was creating "a lot of noise in the system that risks detracting from our core mission"
New stats show it drove terror arrests up from 248 to 1,886 in the last year
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
New stats show it drove terror arrests up from 248 to 1,886 in the last year
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
Ban a Pro-Palestinian Group? The U.K. Government Thought Few Would Care.
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:12 AM
In this story, I reported how counter-terror police warned the Palestine Action ban was creating "a lot of noise in the system that risks detracting from our core mission"
New stats show it drove terror arrests up from 248 to 1,886 in the last year
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
New stats show it drove terror arrests up from 248 to 1,886 in the last year
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Given the BBC is publicly funded, this is Donald Trump suing you & me.
It’s a pathetic cry-bully attack on journalism by a wannabe dictator & an attack on every British person.
And our far right politicians & pundits are cheering him on, of course. #r4today
It’s a pathetic cry-bully attack on journalism by a wannabe dictator & an attack on every British person.
And our far right politicians & pundits are cheering him on, of course. #r4today
December 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Given the BBC is publicly funded, this is Donald Trump suing you & me.
It’s a pathetic cry-bully attack on journalism by a wannabe dictator & an attack on every British person.
And our far right politicians & pundits are cheering him on, of course. #r4today
It’s a pathetic cry-bully attack on journalism by a wannabe dictator & an attack on every British person.
And our far right politicians & pundits are cheering him on, of course. #r4today
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
12 killed, one offender killed and one in custody according to the NSW premier at ongoing press conference. Thoughts are with Australia’s jewish community as they celebrate Hanukkah. The investigation is just beginning - there are things we don’t have answers to.
Just got to the airport and checking news after a few hours offline to see the tragic news of the attack at the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Our thoughts are with the community in Australia and the victims and survivors of this attack. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Bondi Beach shooting live updates: 10 people confirmed dead, two people in custody after dozens of shots fired at Chanukah by the Sea celebration
People have been reporting hearing up to 50 gunshots in the vicinity of Campbell Parade as police advised people to avoid the area.
www.smh.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
12 killed, one offender killed and one in custody according to the NSW premier at ongoing press conference. Thoughts are with Australia’s jewish community as they celebrate Hanukkah. The investigation is just beginning - there are things we don’t have answers to.
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
LISTEN: Those “year-in-review” insights from your apps might seem fun to see and share, but they’re a symptom of the surveillance culture that permeates the internet and threatens your privacy, EFF’s @irmck.bsky.social told @KCBSRadio.bsky.social.
www.audacy.com/podcast/kcb...
www.audacy.com/podcast/kcb...
December 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
LISTEN: Those “year-in-review” insights from your apps might seem fun to see and share, but they’re a symptom of the surveillance culture that permeates the internet and threatens your privacy, EFF’s @irmck.bsky.social told @KCBSRadio.bsky.social.
www.audacy.com/podcast/kcb...
www.audacy.com/podcast/kcb...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
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 Katy Vaughan
“As the ACLU warns, any definition of terrorism that includes ideological components risks criminalizing people or groups based on belief rather than based on violence or other criminal conduct.” theconversation.com/labeling-dis...
Labeling dissent as terrorism: New US domestic terrorism priorities raise constitutional alarms
A new Trump administration policy threatens free speech and association by targeting individuals and groups as potential domestic terrorists based on their beliefs rather than their actions.
theconversation.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:14 AM
“As the ACLU warns, any definition of terrorism that includes ideological components risks criminalizing people or groups based on belief rather than based on violence or other criminal conduct.” theconversation.com/labeling-dis...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK net migration falls sharply with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fewer workers. Fewer international students. More people leaving.
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A "step in the right direction" according to the PM.
Impossible to take PM/govt seriously on growth if they are deliberately reducing it (and making the fiscal position worse) *as a matter of policy*.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
If the Palestine Action case does nothing else (and you'd need a lot of faith in the power of rights in security contexts to think it will) it spotlights once again the lamentable mess of Closed Material Procedures that the UK Govt has so far gotten away with:
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If the Palestine Action case does nothing else (and you'd need a lot of faith in the power of rights in security contexts to think it will) it spotlights once again the lamentable mess of Closed Material Procedures that the UK Govt has so far gotten away with:
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
This week: Heritage exporting its Project 2025 agenda to Europe, to Roblox hosting mosque-shooting sims & white supremacist groups targeting kids, to U.S. officials pushing policies and propaganda that echo far-right networks & endanger LGBTQ+ communities.
Read and subscribe to our weekly updates:
Read and subscribe to our weekly updates:
GPAHE Brings You the Latest News in Far-Right Hate and Extremism
This week: From TPUSA’s apocalyptic turn in youth politics and Heritage exporting its Project 2025 agenda to Europe, to Roblox hosting mosque-shooting sims and white supremacist groups targeting kids,...
globalextremism.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This week: Heritage exporting its Project 2025 agenda to Europe, to Roblox hosting mosque-shooting sims & white supremacist groups targeting kids, to U.S. officials pushing policies and propaganda that echo far-right networks & endanger LGBTQ+ communities.
Read and subscribe to our weekly updates:
Read and subscribe to our weekly updates:
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
The EU has published a world-first risk landscape report under the #DSA.
It flags systemic risks on big platforms — from illegal content to generative AI— and tracks how platforms are addressing them.
More transparency. More accountability.
A safer online space for all.
link.europa.eu/NKM4yd
It flags systemic risks on big platforms — from illegal content to generative AI— and tracks how platforms are addressing them.
More transparency. More accountability.
A safer online space for all.
link.europa.eu/NKM4yd
November 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
The EU has published a world-first risk landscape report under the #DSA.
It flags systemic risks on big platforms — from illegal content to generative AI— and tracks how platforms are addressing them.
More transparency. More accountability.
A safer online space for all.
link.europa.eu/NKM4yd
It flags systemic risks on big platforms — from illegal content to generative AI— and tracks how platforms are addressing them.
More transparency. More accountability.
A safer online space for all.
link.europa.eu/NKM4yd
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Asylum is not "illegal migration"
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Asylum is not illegal migration – why the UK government shouldn’t conflate the two
The new proposals transform settlement into something that must be continually earned. The path has become longer, more conditional and far more easily disrupted.
theconversation.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Asylum is not "illegal migration"
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
If the system worked properly and fairly, this man would have been recognised years ago, been able to bring his family here and be a British citizen. Instead, he now faces being caught up in the Home Secretary's plans to switch refugees into what seems to be a minimum 20 year route to settlement.
November 23, 2025 at 9:08 AM
If the system worked properly and fairly, this man would have been recognised years ago, been able to bring his family here and be a British citizen. Instead, he now faces being caught up in the Home Secretary's plans to switch refugees into what seems to be a minimum 20 year route to settlement.
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Thank you to @alangreene.bsky.social for hosting me and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the new Counter Terrorism podcast to talk about the proscription of Palestine Action. It was great to have this chat. The hearings for the full judicial review of the proscription take place on 25-27 November.
I recorded a podcast with @daniellalock.bsky.social and @colinmurray.bsky.social in which we discuss decision to ban #PalestineAction. There is some really excellent stuff in here-- Daniella and Colin are on top of their briefs.
Please do check it out and share widely!
youtu.be/tKN4Wk2SEyQ?...
Please do check it out and share widely!
youtu.be/tKN4Wk2SEyQ?...
Banning Palestine Action: Legal Experts Explain the Implications for UK Democracy
YouTube video by Dr Alan Greene
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Thank you to @alangreene.bsky.social for hosting me and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the new Counter Terrorism podcast to talk about the proscription of Palestine Action. It was great to have this chat. The hearings for the full judicial review of the proscription take place on 25-27 November.
Reposted by Katy Vaughan
Four men from Active Club Sweden have been sentenced to prison after they were found guilty of several racially motivated assaults in Stockholm
The men, aged between 21 and 23, were jailed for between six months and three years and will have to pay damages
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
The men, aged between 21 and 23, were jailed for between six months and three years and will have to pay damages
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Four ‘active club’ members sentenced to prison in Sweden for racist assaults
Men aged 20 to 23 convicted at trial that showed pattern of far-right activists assembling in gyms
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Four men from Active Club Sweden have been sentenced to prison after they were found guilty of several racially motivated assaults in Stockholm
The men, aged between 21 and 23, were jailed for between six months and three years and will have to pay damages
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
The men, aged between 21 and 23, were jailed for between six months and three years and will have to pay damages
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...