Maura Conway
@galwaygrrl.bsky.social
Moriarty Prof. of Gov & Int’l Studies, Dublin City University; Prof. Cyber Threats, CYTREC, Swansea University; initiator of VOX-Pol. Major research interests = online extremism and terrorism, online radicalisation, regulation, research ethics.
Reposted by Maura Conway
Fintan O'Toole: One indelible image from the Epstein files captures what this is really about
Fintan O'Toole: One indelible image from the Epstein files captures what this is really about
Jeffrey Epstein and his friends were culture warriors – the war they waged was against women
www.irishtimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Fintan O'Toole: One indelible image from the Epstein files captures what this is really about
Reposted by Maura Conway
Ireland may enact age limits for social media even without EU agreement, says Simon Harris
Ireland may enact age limits for social media even without EU agreement, says Simon Harris
New digital wallet will represent ‘important first step’, says Tánaiste
www.irishtimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Ireland may enact age limits for social media even without EU agreement, says Simon Harris
Reposted by Maura Conway
A police investigation against neo-Nazis in Germany & Switzerland w/ links to Blood & Honour/Combat 18: neo-Nazi music/merch (obviously), suspicion of violating weapons laws, trafficking steroids/doping drugs and prescription drugs, having explosive devices, etc. Arrest warrant out for main suspect.
"Gemeinsame Pressemitteilung der STA Göttingen und der ZKI der Polizeidirektion Göttingen: Umfangreiche Durchsuchungsmaßnahmen in einem Ermittlungsverfahren gegen Rechtsextremisten" 👇
#rechtsrocktnicht
#rechtsrocktnicht
POL-GOE: Gemeinsame Pressemitteilung der STA Göttingen und der ZKI der Polizeidirektion Göttingen: Umfangreiche Durchsuchungsmaßnahmen in einem Ermittlungsverfahren gegen Rechtsextremisten
Göttingen (ots) - Die Zentrale Kriminalinspektion der Polizeidirektion Göttingen führt unter der Sachleitung der Staatsanwaltschaft Göttingen seit Februar 2025 ein...
www.presseportal.de
February 10, 2026 at 11:56 AM
A police investigation against neo-Nazis in Germany & Switzerland w/ links to Blood & Honour/Combat 18: neo-Nazi music/merch (obviously), suspicion of violating weapons laws, trafficking steroids/doping drugs and prescription drugs, having explosive devices, etc. Arrest warrant out for main suspect.
Reposted by Maura Conway
Republican lawmakers are trying to construct a false narrative that the EU poses a 'censorship threat'.
The claims that the EU and governments try to manipulate elections in EU member states is nonsense. @natalihelberger.bsky.social and I spoke to @euronews.com
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
The claims that the EU and governments try to manipulate elections in EU member states is nonsense. @natalihelberger.bsky.social and I spoke to @euronews.com
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Fact check: Is the EU censoring Americans and meddling in elections?
A report by Republican lawmakers in the US has slammed the European Commission for allegedly posing as a 'foreign censorship threat', claiming it unfairly targets conservative and populist views and t...
www.euronews.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Republican lawmakers are trying to construct a false narrative that the EU poses a 'censorship threat'.
The claims that the EU and governments try to manipulate elections in EU member states is nonsense. @natalihelberger.bsky.social and I spoke to @euronews.com
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
The claims that the EU and governments try to manipulate elections in EU member states is nonsense. @natalihelberger.bsky.social and I spoke to @euronews.com
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Roxana Radu and I wrote a short letter about the need to uphold the sanctity of citations in academia, and not giving in to AI. The craft and art of attributing and situating knowledge are in danger, and we believe this would first harm under-credited, often erased work.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Roxana Radu and I wrote a short letter about the need to uphold the sanctity of citations in academia, and not giving in to AI. The craft and art of attributing and situating knowledge are in danger, and we believe this would first harm under-credited, often erased work.
🤯"The published NSS document makes clear its hostility to the EU...The cut portion talks of separating Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland from the EU and is more explicit on US solidarity with its far-right Eurosceptic parties, movements and intellectuals." www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Worldview: A section cut from Trump’s National Security Strategy has profound implications for the EU
Worldview: It’s time for a serious and thoughtful debate about imperial decline, global shifts and the role of the EU
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
🤯"The published NSS document makes clear its hostility to the EU...The cut portion talks of separating Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland from the EU and is more explicit on US solidarity with its far-right Eurosceptic parties, movements and intellectuals." www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
In a poll, three-quarters of Irish voters (76%) favour banning under-16s from accessing social media and 90 per cent of people are in favour of banning social media platforms that have broken the law by circulating illegal images, with only 7 per cent against. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Three-quarters of voters in Ireland back social media ban for under-16s
There is also strong support for inserting guarantee of neutrality into Constitution
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM
In a poll, three-quarters of Irish voters (76%) favour banning under-16s from accessing social media and 90 per cent of people are in favour of banning social media platforms that have broken the law by circulating illegal images, with only 7 per cent against. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Reposted by Maura Conway
My favorite genre of Epstein emails are powerful people emailing WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN about how MeToo has gone too far and the woke mob must be stopped.
February 4, 2026 at 2:22 AM
My favorite genre of Epstein emails are powerful people emailing WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN about how MeToo has gone too far and the woke mob must be stopped.
Reposted by Maura Conway
1. It wasn't so accidental?!
2. "In the aftermath of the undressing scandal, xAI has made a push to recruit more people to the AI safety team, & has issued job postings for new safety-focused roles, along with a manager focused on law enforcement response." 🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
2. "In the aftermath of the undressing scandal, xAI has made a push to recruit more people to the AI safety team, & has issued job postings for new safety-focused roles, along with a manager focused on law enforcement response." 🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Inside Musk’s bet to hook users that turned Grok into a porn generator
Under pressure to boost its popularity, Elon Musk’s xAI loosened guardrails and relaxed controls on sexual content, setting off internal concern.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:37 PM
1. It wasn't so accidental?!
2. "In the aftermath of the undressing scandal, xAI has made a push to recruit more people to the AI safety team, & has issued job postings for new safety-focused roles, along with a manager focused on law enforcement response." 🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
2. "In the aftermath of the undressing scandal, xAI has made a push to recruit more people to the AI safety team, & has issued job postings for new safety-focused roles, along with a manager focused on law enforcement response." 🤔
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Striking paper from researchers at Anthropic using a randomised control trial to look at the effects of AI use on skills acquisition.
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
TL:DR ‘We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.’
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Irish regulators ‘censored’ social media coverage of elections, US Congress panel claims
Irish regulators ‘censored’ social media coverage of elections, US Congress panel claims
Coimisiún na Meán regulators worked with ‘biased fact-checkers’ before Ireland’s 2024 general election and presidential election, report alleges
www.irishtimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Irish regulators ‘censored’ social media coverage of elections, US Congress panel claims
Reposted by Maura Conway
There are plenty of *real* divisions between the U.S. and EU in speech laws for hate, disinformation, etc. But *not* about this.
It takes a very talented huckster to convince the world that purveying literal child sexual abuse material makes Elon an American speech hero fighting French oppression.
It takes a very talented huckster to convince the world that purveying literal child sexual abuse material makes Elon an American speech hero fighting French oppression.
February 3, 2026 at 5:04 PM
There are plenty of *real* divisions between the U.S. and EU in speech laws for hate, disinformation, etc. But *not* about this.
It takes a very talented huckster to convince the world that purveying literal child sexual abuse material makes Elon an American speech hero fighting French oppression.
It takes a very talented huckster to convince the world that purveying literal child sexual abuse material makes Elon an American speech hero fighting French oppression.
Reposted by Maura Conway
📘 OUT NOW: EU Internet Referral Unit Transparency Report 2024
The report provides an overview of how the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) worked in 2024 to reduce the accessibility of terrorist content online.
➡️ Read the report: https://ow.ly/xpBc50Y67jF
The report provides an overview of how the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) worked in 2024 to reduce the accessibility of terrorist content online.
➡️ Read the report: https://ow.ly/xpBc50Y67jF
February 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
📘 OUT NOW: EU Internet Referral Unit Transparency Report 2024
The report provides an overview of how the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) worked in 2024 to reduce the accessibility of terrorist content online.
➡️ Read the report: https://ow.ly/xpBc50Y67jF
The report provides an overview of how the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) worked in 2024 to reduce the accessibility of terrorist content online.
➡️ Read the report: https://ow.ly/xpBc50Y67jF
Reposted by Maura Conway
The 1st of my 3-part series on digital politics is out in the Guardian.
Read, comment, tell me I'm wrong, attack me. As I argue:
'The real battleground is over emotion and attention, which is what determines whether information – good or bad – finds an audience.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Read, comment, tell me I'm wrong, attack me. As I argue:
'The real battleground is over emotion and attention, which is what determines whether information – good or bad – finds an audience.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How liberals lost the internet | Robert Topinka
In the first part of our series on digital politics, we look at how centrists have lost ground fighting disinformation – when the real battle is over emotion and attention, says digital media academic...
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:08 AM
The 1st of my 3-part series on digital politics is out in the Guardian.
Read, comment, tell me I'm wrong, attack me. As I argue:
'The real battleground is over emotion and attention, which is what determines whether information – good or bad – finds an audience.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Read, comment, tell me I'm wrong, attack me. As I argue:
'The real battleground is over emotion and attention, which is what determines whether information – good or bad – finds an audience.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Closing date for applications: 20 Feb.
VOX-Pol Institute (VPI) partnering with Christchurch Call Foundation & @hertieschool.bsky.social Exec Ed on new, fully funded programme equipping professionals to tackle tech-facilitated gender-based violence & its links to violent extremism. More info: www.hertie-school.org/en/short-pro...
Catalyst Public Policy Champions Programme
Building policy leadership to counter technology-facilitated gender-based violence and violent extremism. Learn more and apply now!
www.hertie-school.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Closing date for applications: 20 Feb.
Reposted by Maura Conway
Wowsers look at what happened to posts on Twitter/X about London crime after monetisation of posts was introduced…
economist.com/britain/2026...
economist.com/britain/2026...
January 31, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Wowsers look at what happened to posts on Twitter/X about London crime after monetisation of posts was introduced…
economist.com/britain/2026...
economist.com/britain/2026...
Reposted by Maura Conway
“…content Althorpe posted on Terrorgram inspired multiple terrorist attacks, including one against members of the LGBTQ+ community in Slovakia in 2022 during which two people were killed, and the stabbing of five people at a mosque in Turkey in 2024.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ontario man who pleaded guilty to terrorism charges seeking lighter sentence | CBC News
An Ontario man who was a member of a neo-Nazi group and has pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges told a Toronto judge today that he was a "complete monster at times," but has turned over a new ...
www.cbc.ca
January 31, 2026 at 7:12 AM
“…content Althorpe posted on Terrorgram inspired multiple terrorist attacks, including one against members of the LGBTQ+ community in Slovakia in 2022 during which two people were killed, and the stabbing of five people at a mosque in Turkey in 2024.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Interesting piece on the 63-year-old Londoner who a bombed a ULEZ (ultra low emission zone) camera, and the online community cheering him on
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Ulez bomber: the retired electrician who turned bomb-making extremist
Shy 63-year-old’s decision to blow up London traffic camera linked to online conspiracy theories and Islamophobia
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Interesting piece on the 63-year-old Londoner who a bombed a ULEZ (ultra low emission zone) camera, and the online community cheering him on
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Maura Conway
It’s hugely problematic that US lawmakers (ie Jim Jordan (R)) leak EU Commission documents outlining the fine of X.
It’s also problematic that the DSA instruments are not faster.
By @ramshajahangir.bsky.social and @justinhendrix.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/eu-decision-...
It’s also problematic that the DSA instruments are not faster.
By @ramshajahangir.bsky.social and @justinhendrix.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/eu-decision-...
EU Decision Behind €120m Fine on Musk’s X Released by US Lawmakers
This marks the first time a Digital Services Act enforcement decision of this magnitude has been disclosed.
www.techpolicy.press
January 30, 2026 at 6:54 PM
It’s hugely problematic that US lawmakers (ie Jim Jordan (R)) leak EU Commission documents outlining the fine of X.
It’s also problematic that the DSA instruments are not faster.
By @ramshajahangir.bsky.social and @justinhendrix.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/eu-decision-...
It’s also problematic that the DSA instruments are not faster.
By @ramshajahangir.bsky.social and @justinhendrix.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/eu-decision-...
Reposted by Maura Conway
📅 The schedule of the 5th @ecpr-ead.bsky.social Summer School on Concepts & Methods for Research on Far-Right Politics now online!
tinyurl.com/f73yym3b
⏳ One month left to apply
@casmudde.bsky.social
@leoniedejonge.bsky.social
@dafnoukos.bsky.social
@andreapirro.it
@albertostefanelli.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/f73yym3b
⏳ One month left to apply
@casmudde.bsky.social
@leoniedejonge.bsky.social
@dafnoukos.bsky.social
@andreapirro.it
@albertostefanelli.bsky.social
SGED26 - Schedule at a Glance
European Consortium for Political Research
ecpr.eu
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
📅 The schedule of the 5th @ecpr-ead.bsky.social Summer School on Concepts & Methods for Research on Far-Right Politics now online!
tinyurl.com/f73yym3b
⏳ One month left to apply
@casmudde.bsky.social
@leoniedejonge.bsky.social
@dafnoukos.bsky.social
@andreapirro.it
@albertostefanelli.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/f73yym3b
⏳ One month left to apply
@casmudde.bsky.social
@leoniedejonge.bsky.social
@dafnoukos.bsky.social
@andreapirro.it
@albertostefanelli.bsky.social
"...the Departmentt of Homeland Security on Monday suspended Bovino’s access to his social media account, which he had used as a vehicle to publicise his militant commitment to Trump’s anti-immigration agenda." www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Who is Gregory Bovino, the US border patrol’s would-be Napoleon with a viral ‘SS’ coat?
Commander who oversaw chaotic raids in Minnesota is being withdrawn from his frontline role in the midwestern city
www.irishtimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:06 PM
"...the Departmentt of Homeland Security on Monday suspended Bovino’s access to his social media account, which he had used as a vehicle to publicise his militant commitment to Trump’s anti-immigration agenda." www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Last night, French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in Sept., as idea of setting a minimum age for use of platforms gains momentum across Europe. apnews.com/article/fran...
French lawmakers approve bill banning social media for children under 15
French lawmakers have approved a bill banning social media for children under 15. The measure, which also bans mobile phones in high schools, passed with a 130-21 vote on Monday.
apnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Last night, French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in Sept., as idea of setting a minimum age for use of platforms gains momentum across Europe. apnews.com/article/fran...
Reposted by Maura Conway
A former scholar of the far right will stand as a far-right candidate in the U.K.
Anyone who knows Matt, or has followed his career, will not be surprised by this. It is, nevertheless, a good reminder that the tides have turned and the grift is moving (far) right these days, also within academia.
Anyone who knows Matt, or has followed his career, will not be surprised by this. It is, nevertheless, a good reminder that the tides have turned and the grift is moving (far) right these days, also within academia.
Reform announces Matt Goodwin as candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election
A press conference was held on Tuesday
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
A former scholar of the far right will stand as a far-right candidate in the U.K.
Anyone who knows Matt, or has followed his career, will not be surprised by this. It is, nevertheless, a good reminder that the tides have turned and the grift is moving (far) right these days, also within academia.
Anyone who knows Matt, or has followed his career, will not be surprised by this. It is, nevertheless, a good reminder that the tides have turned and the grift is moving (far) right these days, also within academia.
Reposted by Maura Conway
Four American states have enacted laws requiring social media companies to place warning labels on their apps for minors, writes Gopal Ratnam, opening a new front in the battle between governments seeking to protect kids from online harms and tech companies’ seeking to expand their user base.
State Mandated Social Media Warning Labels Open New Front in Battle Against Tech Companies
Four American states have enacted laws requiring social media companies to place warning labels on their apps for kids, writes Gopal Ratnam.
www.techpolicy.press
January 27, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Four American states have enacted laws requiring social media companies to place warning labels on their apps for minors, writes Gopal Ratnam, opening a new front in the battle between governments seeking to protect kids from online harms and tech companies’ seeking to expand their user base.