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
Loosing patience with X 📉
New poll shows 70+% support for taking further actions against X and amongst those supporting action, many consider not only fines but also a ban.
The investigations by the @ec.europa.eu into X are backed and poll corroborates public support for platform regulation.
New poll shows 70+% support for taking further actions against X and amongst those supporting action, many consider not only fines but also a ban.
The investigations by the @ec.europa.eu into X are backed and poll corroborates public support for platform regulation.
February 17, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Loosing patience with X 📉
New poll shows 70+% support for taking further actions against X and amongst those supporting action, many consider not only fines but also a ban.
The investigations by the @ec.europa.eu into X are backed and poll corroborates public support for platform regulation.
New poll shows 70+% support for taking further actions against X and amongst those supporting action, many consider not only fines but also a ban.
The investigations by the @ec.europa.eu into X are backed and poll corroborates public support for platform regulation.
Reposted by Maura Conway
My piece in The Guardian this morning: Europe’s path to technological independence from the U.S.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Europeans are dangerously reliant on US tech. Now is a good time to build our own | Johnny Ryan
By trusting the US, we handed Trump a kill switch. Yet Europe’s digital sovereignty is an achievable goal, says civil liberties campaigner, Johnny Ryan
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:32 AM
My piece in The Guardian this morning: Europe’s path to technological independence from the U.S.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Maura Conway
“It has a chilling effect and it’s very much intened“, ICC judge Guillou said, after being sanctioned by the United States. He urged the European Union to push back.
www.politico.eu/article/nico...
www.politico.eu/article/nico...
ICC judge sanctioned by US urges EU to fight back
Nicolas Guillou said the Trump administration’s use of sanctions undermines European democracy and called for Europe to curb reliance on American tech.
www.politico.eu
February 17, 2026 at 7:42 AM
“It has a chilling effect and it’s very much intened“, ICC judge Guillou said, after being sanctioned by the United States. He urged the European Union to push back.
www.politico.eu/article/nico...
www.politico.eu/article/nico...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Irish watchdog opens EU data probe into Grok sexual AI imagery
Irish watchdog opens EU data probe into Grok sexual AI imagery
The inquiry concerns potential breaches of the bloc’s General Data Protection Regulation
dlvr.it
February 17, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Irish watchdog opens EU data probe into Grok sexual AI imagery
This kind of direction was always the only one in which these 'markets' were going to go. And it's only going to get worse from here, unless they're regulated out of existence. And fast... www.timesofisrael.com/two-indicted...
Two indicted for using classified info to place online bets on military operations
Reservist and civilian charged with 'severe offenses' for actions on Polymarket; Kan had reported major bets were made on Israeli strike on Iran just before June 2025 war
www.timesofisrael.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:34 AM
This kind of direction was always the only one in which these 'markets' were going to go. And it's only going to get worse from here, unless they're regulated out of existence. And fast... www.timesofisrael.com/two-indicted...
Reposted by Maura Conway
[New paper] Election research in the age of regulated data access under the EU #DSA, By Philipp Darius @hertieschool.bsky.social, Johannes Breuer @cais-research.bsky.social, Simon Kruschinski & Sebastian Stier @gesis.org, Felicia Loecherbach, & Jasmin Riedl policyreview.info/articles/ana...
February 17, 2026 at 9:09 AM
[New paper] Election research in the age of regulated data access under the EU #DSA, By Philipp Darius @hertieschool.bsky.social, Johannes Breuer @cais-research.bsky.social, Simon Kruschinski & Sebastian Stier @gesis.org, Felicia Loecherbach, & Jasmin Riedl policyreview.info/articles/ana...
Reposted by Maura Conway
The major misread, I think, is that governments are treating the harms that can befall children online as like having a glass of wine or learning to drive. But essentially all the harms that can befall children online are more like drinking moonshine or driving at 100pm through a school playground:
Perhaps we should all be banned from social media
Focusing only on under-16s obscures the lack of internet safeguards for everyone else
www.ft.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:23 AM
The major misread, I think, is that governments are treating the harms that can befall children online as like having a glass of wine or learning to drive. But essentially all the harms that can befall children online are more like drinking moonshine or driving at 100pm through a school playground:
Reposted by Maura Conway
I'm pretty sure I know. They aren't. We're not going to really be able to make a lot of progress in dealing with the implications of this tech unless and until we get rid of all this "woo-woo" talk about LLMs. Anthropic pushing this line is PR, unserious.
February 13, 2026 at 2:15 PM
I'm pretty sure I know. They aren't. We're not going to really be able to make a lot of progress in dealing with the implications of this tech unless and until we get rid of all this "woo-woo" talk about LLMs. Anthropic pushing this line is PR, unserious.
Reposted by Maura Conway
The UK ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is UNLAWFUL, high court judges have ruled.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
February 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
The UK ban on Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is UNLAWFUL, high court judges have ruled.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
The decision by the government to categorise the group alongside the likes of Islamic State has seen the greatest number of counterterror arrests in UK since the introduction of counterterrorism.
Reposted by Maura Conway
As an Irish person who lived through the Great Financial Crisis, I have an instinctive antipathy towards banks. But on the subject of online financial scams - for which banks are subject to duties to compensate customers - I feel genuine sympathy. They're effectively carrying the can for Big Tech.
So we learnt this week that 1 in 10 ads we’re shown on social media are scams; and tech companies are banking billions from the criminals behind them
An inevitable end point for a bloated industry eating itself as it attempts to squeeze every last penny out of advertisers
An inevitable end point for a bloated industry eating itself as it attempts to squeeze every last penny out of advertisers
Liz Carolan: Big tech is profiting from deepfake videos of celebrities selling face cream and Bitcoin
February 13, 2026 at 9:54 AM
As an Irish person who lived through the Great Financial Crisis, I have an instinctive antipathy towards banks. But on the subject of online financial scams - for which banks are subject to duties to compensate customers - I feel genuine sympathy. They're effectively carrying the can for Big Tech.
Reposted by Maura Conway
The UK High Court has ruled that the Palestine Action proscription (terrorist designation) is unlawful. This a rare step of turning back the massive expansion of terrorist lists.
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
February 13, 2026 at 11:34 AM
The UK High Court has ruled that the Palestine Action proscription (terrorist designation) is unlawful. This a rare step of turning back the massive expansion of terrorist lists.
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
Reposted by Maura Conway
I genuinely have no idea where right-wing men get the idea that young women aren't constantly being told this, all the time, to the point where many are genuinely surprised when they try to get pregnant in their 30s and it happens relatively quickly!
Reform candidate calls for young girls to be given "biological reality check" www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reform candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check
Exclusive: Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’
www.independent.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I genuinely have no idea where right-wing men get the idea that young women aren't constantly being told this, all the time, to the point where many are genuinely surprised when they try to get pregnant in their 30s and it happens relatively quickly!
Reposted by Maura Conway
This is interesting - it's surely undeniable that it's 'civil disobedience' whether you agree with the actions or not. Actions don't have to be legal or even objectively non-aggressive to constitute 'Civil disobedience' - here is Hannah Arendt said on the matter.
February 13, 2026 at 12:09 PM
This is interesting - it's surely undeniable that it's 'civil disobedience' whether you agree with the actions or not. Actions don't have to be legal or even objectively non-aggressive to constitute 'Civil disobedience' - here is Hannah Arendt said on the matter.
Reposted by Maura Conway
Disaster capitalism.
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns…”
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns…”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Disaster capitalism.
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns…”
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns…”
The word "Appears" is bearing an incredible weight in this headline: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk’s X Appears to Be Violating US Sanctions by Selling Premium Accounts to Iranian Leaders
While publicly supporting protesters in Iran, Elon Musk’s X appears to have been selling premium accounts to regime officials. Check marks were removed from certain accounts after a WIRED inquiry.
www.wired.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
The word "Appears" is bearing an incredible weight in this headline: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Maura Conway
The European Commission’s first DSA fine against X reveals an enforcement strategy focused on corporate ownership and control, interface design, and barriers to data access, writes Matteo Fabbri.
What the EU’s X Decision Reveals About How the DSA Is Enforced
The European Commission's €120M fine against X exposes how it enforces the DSA, targeting design, transparency, and data access failures across the platform.
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 9:50 AM
The European Commission’s first DSA fine against X reveals an enforcement strategy focused on corporate ownership and control, interface design, and barriers to data access, writes Matteo Fabbri.
Reposted by Maura Conway
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 AM
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Reposted by Maura Conway
100 years ago today, Ireland founded the Committee for Evil Literature, beginning decades of censorship. By 1929, books, films & plays could be banned as “obscene” around 12,000 books were.
✨ Free tour: Sliotars, Sashes & Symbols
🗓️ 14 Feb, 15:30
📍 Collins Barracks
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
✨ Free tour: Sliotars, Sashes & Symbols
🗓️ 14 Feb, 15:30
📍 Collins Barracks
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
February 12, 2026 at 12:26 PM
100 years ago today, Ireland founded the Committee for Evil Literature, beginning decades of censorship. By 1929, books, films & plays could be banned as “obscene” around 12,000 books were.
✨ Free tour: Sliotars, Sashes & Symbols
🗓️ 14 Feb, 15:30
📍 Collins Barracks
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
✨ Free tour: Sliotars, Sashes & Symbols
🗓️ 14 Feb, 15:30
📍 Collins Barracks
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museum...
Reposted by Maura Conway
Fuentes, yesterday: “Our #1 political enemy is women because women constrain everything, every conversation, every man, everything. They have to be imprisoned. They are the ones that are hurting the fertility rate. They're the ones making us sympathetic to poor people, which are also brown people.”
Nick Fuentes: “The number one political enemy in America is women. … They have to be imprisoned.”
www.mediamatters.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Fuentes, yesterday: “Our #1 political enemy is women because women constrain everything, every conversation, every man, everything. They have to be imprisoned. They are the ones that are hurting the fertility rate. They're the ones making us sympathetic to poor people, which are also brown people.”
Reposted by Maura Conway
no, it simply isnt.
People are talking about capital using gAI as an excuse to conduct mass lay-offs, about students losing learning because theyre being lied to about gAI in education, about the mass theft of the work of artists and authors to train LLMs, about CSAM and nonconsensual sexual images.
People are talking about capital using gAI as an excuse to conduct mass lay-offs, about students losing learning because theyre being lied to about gAI in education, about the mass theft of the work of artists and authors to train LLMs, about CSAM and nonconsensual sexual images.
The predominent anti-AI position on bsky is that AI is useless, fake, shit and basically the same as NFTs, destined to collapse in months once everyone sees how poor it is. So anyone who suggests that it could improve or be useful to any boss in any situation in the future must be evil.
February 12, 2026 at 1:19 PM
no, it simply isnt.
People are talking about capital using gAI as an excuse to conduct mass lay-offs, about students losing learning because theyre being lied to about gAI in education, about the mass theft of the work of artists and authors to train LLMs, about CSAM and nonconsensual sexual images.
People are talking about capital using gAI as an excuse to conduct mass lay-offs, about students losing learning because theyre being lied to about gAI in education, about the mass theft of the work of artists and authors to train LLMs, about CSAM and nonconsensual sexual images.
Reposted by Maura Conway
“The COM” is a violent extremist network that targets vulnerable members of society to carry out acts of extreme violence, including self-harm.
🧭Europol's Project Compass strengthens law enforcement cooperation against this extremist group. #ViolentExtremism
Learn more: https://ow.ly/VnG650Yef9R
🧭Europol's Project Compass strengthens law enforcement cooperation against this extremist group. #ViolentExtremism
Learn more: https://ow.ly/VnG650Yef9R
February 12, 2026 at 11:10 AM
“The COM” is a violent extremist network that targets vulnerable members of society to carry out acts of extreme violence, including self-harm.
🧭Europol's Project Compass strengthens law enforcement cooperation against this extremist group. #ViolentExtremism
Learn more: https://ow.ly/VnG650Yef9R
🧭Europol's Project Compass strengthens law enforcement cooperation against this extremist group. #ViolentExtremism
Learn more: https://ow.ly/VnG650Yef9R
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.