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.
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 🧵
Reposted by John Perrino
on Global Encryption Day, a reminder that digital security is *essential* for the exercise of human rights. from the conclusion of my 2015 report to the UN--> www.ohchr.org/en/documents...
October 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
on Global Encryption Day, a reminder that digital security is *essential* for the exercise of human rights. from the conclusion of my 2015 report to the UN--> www.ohchr.org/en/documents...
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 3:11 PM
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!
🏛️ Apple and the UK government agreed to drop a case challenging a secret government order to provide access to encrypted cloud backups.
🇬🇧 The agreement comes days after the order was changed to only apply to UK citizens.
🤦♂️ Of course, you can't just break encryption for some...
🇬🇧 The agreement comes days after the order was changed to only apply to UK citizens.
🤦♂️ Of course, you can't just break encryption for some...
Apple and Home Office agree to drop legal claim over encryption backdoor | Computer Weekly
Apple has agreed with the Home Office to drop its legal claim against a government order requiring it to provide intelligence and law enforcement with the capability to access encrypted data of Apple ...
www.computerweekly.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
🏛️ Apple and the UK government agreed to drop a case challenging a secret government order to provide access to encrypted cloud backups.
🇬🇧 The agreement comes days after the order was changed to only apply to UK citizens.
🤦♂️ Of course, you can't just break encryption for some...
🇬🇧 The agreement comes days after the order was changed to only apply to UK citizens.
🤦♂️ Of course, you can't just break encryption for some...
Anyone in this book!
Let's go with Rizzuto Berra Day! ⚾ 🇮🇹
Let's go with Rizzuto Berra Day! ⚾ 🇮🇹
October 13, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Anyone in this book!
Let's go with Rizzuto Berra Day! ⚾ 🇮🇹
Let's go with Rizzuto Berra Day! ⚾ 🇮🇹
California has a new online age check requirement, but it may be the best of the worst.
People will have to provide their age for account creation on computers, mobile devices, and app stores. No ID check required and devices will share age ranges with apps.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
People will have to provide their age for account creation on computers, mobile devices, and app stores. No ID check required and devices will share age ranges with apps.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
California Enacts Google-Backed Law for App Stores to Verify Age
App stores and smartphone operating systems, such as those by produced Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc., will have to undertake age-verification responsibilities to better protect children online under le...
news.bgov.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
California has a new online age check requirement, but it may be the best of the worst.
People will have to provide their age for account creation on computers, mobile devices, and app stores. No ID check required and devices will share age ranges with apps.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
People will have to provide their age for account creation on computers, mobile devices, and app stores. No ID check required and devices will share age ranges with apps.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Reposted by John Perrino
When a BBC reporter can do this, without privileged access to communications data, I find it hard to accept law enforcement's constant claim that they are "going dark" because of encrypted messaging. Encryption is not the main obstacle to effective law enforcement.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC tracks down sextortion scammer targeting teenage boys
The BBC challenges the scammers targeting teenagers like Evan Boettler, who took his own life just 90 minutes after being contacted.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
When a BBC reporter can do this, without privileged access to communications data, I find it hard to accept law enforcement's constant claim that they are "going dark" because of encrypted messaging. Encryption is not the main obstacle to effective law enforcement.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Congressman: "Free speech only applies if you agree with me."
thehill.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Congressman: "Free speech only applies if you agree with me."
I am proud to have worked on an Internet Society amicus brief with the Supreme Court raising concerns that a case could cause thousands of innocent people to lose Internet access.
Your Internet Access Is at Risk. We’re Speaking Up - Internet Society
The Internet Society filed an amicus brief in Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment, urging the Court to consider Internet implications.
www.internetsociety.org
September 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I am proud to have worked on an Internet Society amicus brief with the Supreme Court raising concerns that a case could cause thousands of innocent people to lose Internet access.
Reposted by John Perrino
Again, I know this will upset some AI haters, but I worry that in our efforts to stop all AI, we're going to end up shutting down the open internet in ways we won't easily get back.
We’re Walling Off The Open Internet To Stop AI—And It May End Up Breaking Everything Else
A longtime open internet activist recently asked me whether I'd reversed my position on internet openness and copyright because of AI. The question caught me off guard—until I realized what he was seeing.…
A longtime open internet activist recently asked me whether I'd reversed my position on internet openness and copyright because of AI. The question caught me off guard—until I realized what he was seeing.…
We’re Walling Off The Open Internet To Stop AI—And It May End Up Breaking Everything Else
A longtime open internet activist recently asked me whether I'd reversed my position on internet openness and copyright because of AI. The question caught me off guard—until I realized what he was seeing. Across the tech policy world, people who spent decades fighting for an open, accessible internet are now cheering as that same internet gets locked down, walled off, and restricted.
www.techdirt.com
September 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Again, I know this will upset some AI haters, but I worry that in our efforts to stop all AI, we're going to end up shutting down the open internet in ways we won't easily get back.
People across the Middle East reported slower Internet speeds Sunday as undersea cable cuts were reported in the Red Sea.
It's not clear if the cuts were the result of an accident or an attack. Some have blamed Yemen Houthi rebels for attacks.
Either way, repairs can take weeks.
It's not clear if the cuts were the result of an accident or an attack. Some have blamed Yemen Houthi rebels for attacks.
Either way, repairs can take weeks.
Undersea cables cut in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Asia and the Mideast
Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
apnews.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
People across the Middle East reported slower Internet speeds Sunday as undersea cable cuts were reported in the Red Sea.
It's not clear if the cuts were the result of an accident or an attack. Some have blamed Yemen Houthi rebels for attacks.
Either way, repairs can take weeks.
It's not clear if the cuts were the result of an accident or an attack. Some have blamed Yemen Houthi rebels for attacks.
Either way, repairs can take weeks.