John Perrino
@johnperrino.com
🤓 Internet policy nerd
🌐 @InternetSociety.bsky.social "Senior Expert"
📚 Always learning
⚾ 🏛️ NY sports & DC life
🌐 @InternetSociety.bsky.social "Senior Expert"
📚 Always learning
⚾ 🏛️ NY sports & DC life
Pinned
John Perrino
@johnperrino.com
· Jan 28
I am building a Bluesky feed for the internet policy community.
Add it by searching "Internet Policy" in the Feeds tab and send me suggestions or requests for folks I should add.
Add it by searching "Internet Policy" in the Feeds tab and send me suggestions or requests for folks I should add.
Russia is attempting to fully block WhatsApp for its more than 100 million users inside the country.
I'm surprised WhatsApp lasted this long, but many Russians rely on it for a secure connection to the rest of the world.
Russian users are being pushed to a government-backed app, MAX.
I'm surprised WhatsApp lasted this long, but many Russians rely on it for a secure connection to the rest of the world.
Russian users are being pushed to a government-backed app, MAX.
Russia orders block on WhatsApp in messaging app crackdown
WhatsApp says the move aims to push its 90 million users in Russia to a "state-owned surveillance app".
www.bbc.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Russia is attempting to fully block WhatsApp for its more than 100 million users inside the country.
I'm surprised WhatsApp lasted this long, but many Russians rely on it for a secure connection to the rest of the world.
Russian users are being pushed to a government-backed app, MAX.
I'm surprised WhatsApp lasted this long, but many Russians rely on it for a secure connection to the rest of the world.
Russian users are being pushed to a government-backed app, MAX.
What is Section 230 and why does it matter?
I explain how the most misunderstood part of US Internet law continues to keep us more safe, secure, and connected online. 🧵
I explain how the most misunderstood part of US Internet law continues to keep us more safe, secure, and connected online. 🧵
30 Years of Section 230: Why We Still Need It for a Safer Internet - Internet Society
It's the 30th anniversary of Section 230, a piece of US law that allows online platforms to moderate content in ways that best serve their users.
www.internetsociety.org
February 13, 2026 at 8:58 PM
What is Section 230 and why does it matter?
I explain how the most misunderstood part of US Internet law continues to keep us more safe, secure, and connected online. 🧵
I explain how the most misunderstood part of US Internet law continues to keep us more safe, secure, and connected online. 🧵
No notes. Reach for the sky, AG Bonta!
“Consumers shouldn’t have to go to infinity and beyond to assert their privacy rights.”
“Consumers shouldn’t have to go to infinity and beyond to assert their privacy rights.”
California Won't Let It Go: Attorney General Bonta Announces $2.75 Million Settlement with Disney, Largest CCPA Settlement in California History
Second enforcement action stemming from 2024 investigative sweep of streaming services OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a settlement with the Walt Disney Company (Disney...
oag.ca.gov
February 11, 2026 at 7:49 PM
No notes. Reach for the sky, AG Bonta!
“Consumers shouldn’t have to go to infinity and beyond to assert their privacy rights.”
“Consumers shouldn’t have to go to infinity and beyond to assert their privacy rights.”
The Internet Society is celebrating Safer Internet Day by launching the Safer Internet Initiative:
Our Three Pillars:
📚🎓🎒 Education
💵 🤝 🛠️ Funding
📢 📃 🏛️ Advocacy
Our Three Pillars:
📚🎓🎒 Education
💵 🤝 🛠️ Funding
📢 📃 🏛️ Advocacy
Safer Internet Initiative - Internet Society
Everyone deserves a safe Internet. Our Safer Internet Initiative is a project designed to protect people online.
www.internetsociety.org
February 10, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The Internet Society is celebrating Safer Internet Day by launching the Safer Internet Initiative:
Our Three Pillars:
📚🎓🎒 Education
💵 🤝 🛠️ Funding
📢 📃 🏛️ Advocacy
Our Three Pillars:
📚🎓🎒 Education
💵 🤝 🛠️ Funding
📢 📃 🏛️ Advocacy
Reposted by John Perrino
Few Canadians are paying attention as Senate committee approves creating government power mandating that virtually any site - social media, AI, search - require age verification under threat of court-ordered blocking in Canada. Bill S-209 about far more than pornography sites.
February 5, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Few Canadians are paying attention as Senate committee approves creating government power mandating that virtually any site - social media, AI, search - require age verification under threat of court-ordered blocking in Canada. Bill S-209 about far more than pornography sites.
BREAKING: The Canadian government drew up plans to ban children under 14 from social media. 🇨🇦
OH Canada! 🤦♂️
This follows the under-16 ban in Australia and growing momentum for a similar ban in the UK. Florida has a similar under-14 ban against creating social media accounts.
OH Canada! 🤦♂️
This follows the under-16 ban in Australia and growing momentum for a similar ban in the UK. Florida has a similar under-14 ban against creating social media accounts.
Federal officials draft plans to ban social media for children under 14
Ottawa looking at proposals to include the measure in the forthcoming online harms bill, sources say
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:42 PM
BREAKING: The Canadian government drew up plans to ban children under 14 from social media. 🇨🇦
OH Canada! 🤦♂️
This follows the under-16 ban in Australia and growing momentum for a similar ban in the UK. Florida has a similar under-14 ban against creating social media accounts.
OH Canada! 🤦♂️
This follows the under-16 ban in Australia and growing momentum for a similar ban in the UK. Florida has a similar under-14 ban against creating social media accounts.
Two full weeks into 2026 and I'm still writing 2025 every time.
January 14, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Two full weeks into 2026 and I'm still writing 2025 every time.
The US just left the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), which it was a founding member of in 2011 and chaired in 2023.
FOC was established to protect free expression and human rights on the Internet in coordination between governments, civil society, academics, and businesses.
FOC was established to protect free expression and human rights on the Internet in coordination between governments, civil society, academics, and businesses.
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 12:24 AM
The US just left the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), which it was a founding member of in 2011 and chaired in 2023.
FOC was established to protect free expression and human rights on the Internet in coordination between governments, civil society, academics, and businesses.
FOC was established to protect free expression and human rights on the Internet in coordination between governments, civil society, academics, and businesses.
Say what you will about Congress, but their puns continue to be rock solid.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Protecting the U.S. Stone Slab Industry from Lawfare
YouTube video by House Committee on the Judiciary
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Say what you will about Congress, but their puns continue to be rock solid.
There's a real risk that social media bans will unintentionally hurt many young people while worsening everyone's security.
The ultimate goal should be to keep children safe on the Internet, not keep them off the Internet.
The ultimate goal should be to keep children safe on the Internet, not keep them off the Internet.
Age verification changed the internet in 2025 – here's what it means for your privacy in 2026
From age checks to VPN crackdowns, is this the end of privacy online?
www.techradar.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:53 PM
There's a real risk that social media bans will unintentionally hurt many young people while worsening everyone's security.
The ultimate goal should be to keep children safe on the Internet, not keep them off the Internet.
The ultimate goal should be to keep children safe on the Internet, not keep them off the Internet.
Happy Festivus, Texas!
In what could be a bellwether for a popular new approach to kids online safety laws, a judge ruled to block Texas' app store age verification law from taking effect. I'm interested to see how states with similar laws and federal lawmakers introducing them respond. www.theverge.com/news/849752/...
Judge blocks Texas app store age verification law
A tech industry group challenged the law as unconstitutional.
www.theverge.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Happy Festivus, Texas!
Reposted by John Perrino
I wrote about Blackburn's ridiculous "TRUMP AMERICA AI" Act, which is an awful lot of stupid nonsense packaged into a single bill (with an acronym that doesn't actually spell TRUMP AMERICA AI Act).
Marsha Blackburn Bundles Every Bad Tech Bill Into One, Slaps Trump’s Name On It
Fourteen years ago, right after the FCC issued its order on net neutrality, Marsha Blackburn flipped out and released a video talking (misleadingly!) about how wonderful Facebook and Twitter were and how they would be…
Fourteen years ago, right after the FCC issued its order on net neutrality, Marsha Blackburn flipped out and released a video talking (misleadingly!) about how wonderful Facebook and Twitter were and how they would be…
Marsha Blackburn Bundles Every Bad Tech Bill Into One, Slaps Trump’s Name On It
Fourteen years ago, right after the FCC issued its order on net neutrality, Marsha Blackburn flipped out and released a video talking (misleadingly!) about how wonderful Facebook and Twitter were and how they would be destroyed if the big evil government interfered in any way with the internet. As she says “there has never been a time when a consumer needed a federal bureaucrat to intervene…”
www.techdirt.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I wrote about Blackburn's ridiculous "TRUMP AMERICA AI" Act, which is an awful lot of stupid nonsense packaged into a single bill (with an acronym that doesn't actually spell TRUMP AMERICA AI Act).
A federal court just blocked a Texas app store age verification law from going into effect in 2026.
The law would require children and teens to get parental consent to download apps like ESPN, Spotify, or YouTube.
A clear First Amendment violation, but what if the law only covered social media?
The law would require children and teens to get parental consent to download apps like ESPN, Spotify, or YouTube.
A clear First Amendment violation, but what if the law only covered social media?
Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction – #65 in Computer & Communications Industry Association v. Paxton (W.D. Tex., 1:25-cv-01660) – CourtListener.com
ORDER GRANTING CCIA's 15 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Ken Paxton, in his official capacity as Attorney General of Texas, including his officers, officials, a...
www.courtlistener.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
A federal court just blocked a Texas app store age verification law from going into effect in 2026.
The law would require children and teens to get parental consent to download apps like ESPN, Spotify, or YouTube.
A clear First Amendment violation, but what if the law only covered social media?
The law would require children and teens to get parental consent to download apps like ESPN, Spotify, or YouTube.
A clear First Amendment violation, but what if the law only covered social media?
Those "porn" age verification laws in half of states aren't just for adult content.
They're so convoluted that Bluesky is requiring age checks for DMs in the UK and US states like Ohio.
Oh, and there's no accountability for random age check companies to protect your sensitive personal info.
They're so convoluted that Bluesky is requiring age checks for DMs in the UK and US states like Ohio.
Oh, and there's no accountability for random age check companies to protect your sensitive personal info.
Here's an example of how useless and frustrating internet laws to "protect kids" are in practice: When I'm in Ohio, where I am during the holidays, I can't use my Bluesky DMs—unless I hand over my ID to a company owned by Epic Games. Why? To protect kids, of course!
spitfirenews.com/p/why-i-have...
spitfirenews.com/p/why-i-have...
Why I have to give Fortnite my passport to use Bluesky
Age verification laws are as ineffective as they are dangerous.
spitfirenews.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Those "porn" age verification laws in half of states aren't just for adult content.
They're so convoluted that Bluesky is requiring age checks for DMs in the UK and US states like Ohio.
Oh, and there's no accountability for random age check companies to protect your sensitive personal info.
They're so convoluted that Bluesky is requiring age checks for DMs in the UK and US states like Ohio.
Oh, and there's no accountability for random age check companies to protect your sensitive personal info.
I see the Australian social media ban is off to a great start.
Nobody knows you're a dog on the Internet. 🐕
Nobody knows you're a dog on the Internet. 🐕
December 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I see the Australian social media ban is off to a great start.
Nobody knows you're a dog on the Internet. 🐕
Nobody knows you're a dog on the Internet. 🐕
There is just one week until Australia's u16 social media ban goes into effect. Here's what you need to know.
Australia social media ban: when is it, how will it work and what apps are being banned for under-16s?
Will the ban be delayed or postponed, and how will age verification work? Here’s everything you need to know
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 AM
There is just one week until Australia's u16 social media ban goes into effect. Here's what you need to know.
We're not that far off from a federal age verification mandate. That's not a solution for protecting children and teens online.
"Age verification is needed first and foremost, including appropriate parental consent even before logging in." - Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
"Age verification is needed first and foremost, including appropriate parental consent even before logging in." - Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
CMT Subcommittee: Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing com...
energycommerce.house.gov
December 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
We're not that far off from a federal age verification mandate. That's not a solution for protecting children and teens online.
"Age verification is needed first and foremost, including appropriate parental consent even before logging in." - Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
"Age verification is needed first and foremost, including appropriate parental consent even before logging in." - Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
Sony Counsel: "Frankly I'm not so worried about the regional ISPs... we could figure out the regional ISPs and go after its customers."
The lawyer is basically arguing they have no problem going after rural Internet connections—people's lifeline for healthcare, business, and education.
The lawyer is basically arguing they have no problem going after rural Internet connections—people's lifeline for healthcare, business, and education.
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Sony Counsel: "Frankly I'm not so worried about the regional ISPs... we could figure out the regional ISPs and go after its customers."
The lawyer is basically arguing they have no problem going after rural Internet connections—people's lifeline for healthcare, business, and education.
The lawyer is basically arguing they have no problem going after rural Internet connections—people's lifeline for healthcare, business, and education.
Smart thread! Your Internet connection could be in the balance with this low-profile but consequential Supreme Court case.
And we're off with SCOTUS arguments in Sony v Cox. The question at issue: whether ISPs can be liable for the copyright infringement committed by their users.
December 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Smart thread! Your Internet connection could be in the balance with this low-profile but consequential Supreme Court case.
The Supreme Court is hearing a case on music piracy and liability for Internet providers (Cox v Sony).
The music copyright counsel argued that universities could just downgrade Internet speeds for their students to block piracy.
BONKERS! 🤯
The music copyright counsel argued that universities could just downgrade Internet speeds for their students to block piracy.
BONKERS! 🤯
December 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Supreme Court is hearing a case on music piracy and liability for Internet providers (Cox v Sony).
The music copyright counsel argued that universities could just downgrade Internet speeds for their students to block piracy.
BONKERS! 🤯
The music copyright counsel argued that universities could just downgrade Internet speeds for their students to block piracy.
BONKERS! 🤯
Missouri's age verification law goes into effect today. 🚫
📈 Searches for VPNs are spiking in the state.
🔐 People know these laws put their privacy and sensitive data at risk. They find ways to get around bad laws, like using VPNs or going to non-compliant websites that don't check age.
📈 Searches for VPNs are spiking in the state.
🔐 People know these laws put their privacy and sensitive data at risk. They find ways to get around bad laws, like using VPNs or going to non-compliant websites that don't check age.
Missouri to enforce mandatory age verification today
This is the latest US state to enforce age verification legislation
www.techradar.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Missouri's age verification law goes into effect today. 🚫
📈 Searches for VPNs are spiking in the state.
🔐 People know these laws put their privacy and sensitive data at risk. They find ways to get around bad laws, like using VPNs or going to non-compliant websites that don't check age.
📈 Searches for VPNs are spiking in the state.
🔐 People know these laws put their privacy and sensitive data at risk. They find ways to get around bad laws, like using VPNs or going to non-compliant websites that don't check age.
There are less than 20 days until Australia's social media ban for users under 16. ⏰
🚫 The government is still adding services teens love.
📱 What's going to happen on "delete day" when teens lose access to their favorite places for entertainment and connecting with friends?
🚫 The government is still adding services teens love.
📱 What's going to happen on "delete day" when teens lose access to their favorite places for entertainment and connecting with friends?
Streaming platform Twitch added to Australia's teen social media ban
It joins other platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat in the ban that starts next month.
www.bbc.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There are less than 20 days until Australia's social media ban for users under 16. ⏰
🚫 The government is still adding services teens love.
📱 What's going to happen on "delete day" when teens lose access to their favorite places for entertainment and connecting with friends?
🚫 The government is still adding services teens love.
📱 What's going to happen on "delete day" when teens lose access to their favorite places for entertainment and connecting with friends?
Reposted by John Perrino
Spanish internet service providers are blocking access to the No-IP dynamic DNS service with an HTTP error code 451. The error is usually shown when sites are taken down due to legal reasons.
It's probably LaLiga-related antipiracy enforcement, as usual
torrentfreak.com/isp-blocking...?
It's probably LaLiga-related antipiracy enforcement, as usual
torrentfreak.com/isp-blocking...?
ISP Blocking of No-IP's Dynamic DNS Enters Week 2 * TorrentFreak
Spanish ISPs blocked No-IP's dynamic DNS service over a week ago. For local users, artificial disruptions like these are part of everyday life.
torrentfreak.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Spanish internet service providers are blocking access to the No-IP dynamic DNS service with an HTTP error code 451. The error is usually shown when sites are taken down due to legal reasons.
It's probably LaLiga-related antipiracy enforcement, as usual
torrentfreak.com/isp-blocking...?
It's probably LaLiga-related antipiracy enforcement, as usual
torrentfreak.com/isp-blocking...?
Reposted by John Perrino
I ♥️ encryption
Senator Ron Wyden calls on the Internet Society community to 📣 "GET LOUD" 📣 this Global Encryption Day!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
Encryption Matters: In Conversation with Sally Wentworth and US Senator Ron Wyden
YouTube video by Internet Society
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I ♥️ encryption
Reposted by John Perrino
Using end-to-end encryption protects your digital conversations from prying eyes and fosters a safer online environment for everyone. 🔐🖥️📱🛡️#GlobalEncryptionDay 🧵
October 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Using end-to-end encryption protects your digital conversations from prying eyes and fosters a safer online environment for everyone. 🔐🖥️📱🛡️#GlobalEncryptionDay 🧵