Karlin Lillington
@klillington.bsky.social
Retired Irish Times tech columnist. Chair, New Music Dublin. Likes privacy/infosec/human rights. Likes 🦇. Lots of 4-legged talls/smalls 🐕🐈⬛🫏🐴. Talkative. 🇨🇦➡️🇺🇸➡️🇮🇪 Also on 🦣
Pinned
Half a billion people— the whole of the EU’s citizenry— owe their right not to be casually surveilled en masse by their governments to Karlin’s reporting on Data Retention.
We literally cited it to the court in the DRI data retention case.
We literally cited it to the court in the DRI data retention case.
The end of an era and certainly, surely, the single most insightful run on a rapidly changing field.
Karlin Lillington’s last column in today’s Irish Times.
Karlin Lillington’s last column in today’s Irish Times.
The lifetime work I'm most proud of. A decade went into those stories/columns, involving FOIs, tip-offs & concerned, informed individuals/groups helping me better understand the issues. The day the ECJ overturned the EU Data Retention Directive in the DRI judgement was the greatest of my career
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
The cynicism of this move is highlighted by the fact that it purports to implement the 2020 Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, which actually recognised the value of these actions:
January 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The cynicism of this move is highlighted by the fact that it purports to implement the 2020 Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, which actually recognised the value of these actions:
This is important. Don't let the government slip this quietly through b/c they trust no one will understand what they're doing.
The Irish government has just announced plans to gut judicial review by (amongst other things) narrowing locus standi so much that civil society groups won't be able to challenge illegal acts of public bodies. Amongst other things, this is clearly contrary to Articles 79 and 80 GDPR.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan publishes Civil Reform Bill to overhaul Judicial Review and streamline courts processes
www.gov.ie
January 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
This is important. Don't let the government slip this quietly through b/c they trust no one will understand what they're doing.
Huh, turns out Finn the Pyrenean Mountain Dog/Great Pyrenees is slightly too big for our smallest pony Bono’s Horseware Ireland rug. Good thing he has his own fur coat and is unlikely to ever need it #dogsofbluesky #speirgorm
January 6, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Huh, turns out Finn the Pyrenean Mountain Dog/Great Pyrenees is slightly too big for our smallest pony Bono’s Horseware Ireland rug. Good thing he has his own fur coat and is unlikely to ever need it #dogsofbluesky #speirgorm
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
January 6, 2026 at 5:18 PM
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
At least 33 of the Jan 6 insurrectionists pardoned by Trump have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes since the attack.
But that doesn’t matter to Trump. All he cares about is loyalty — and he’s rewarding it through his pardon scheme.
But that doesn’t matter to Trump. All he cares about is loyalty — and he’s rewarding it through his pardon scheme.
Trump’s Pay-to-Pardon Scheme
Robert Reich
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 6:01 PM
At least 33 of the Jan 6 insurrectionists pardoned by Trump have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes since the attack.
But that doesn’t matter to Trump. All he cares about is loyalty — and he’s rewarding it through his pardon scheme.
But that doesn’t matter to Trump. All he cares about is loyalty — and he’s rewarding it through his pardon scheme.
Dinner is coming
January 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Dinner is coming
If you're looking for fresh fish delivered to your door, highly recommend Starseafoods.ie -- really nice big pieces of very fresh fish and shellfish delivered to home or work Wed/Fri plus some good frozen options. Have been ordering nearly weekly since Covid. Much nicer than 95% of supermarket fish
Buy Fish Online Ireland | Fresh Fish Delivery - Star Seafoods
Order the freshest seafood with Star Seafoods. Buy fish online in Ireland with fast, reliable & Free delivery to your door.
Starseafoods.ie
January 6, 2026 at 3:14 PM
If you're looking for fresh fish delivered to your door, highly recommend Starseafoods.ie -- really nice big pieces of very fresh fish and shellfish delivered to home or work Wed/Fri plus some good frozen options. Have been ordering nearly weekly since Covid. Much nicer than 95% of supermarket fish
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Squeeeeeeee *faints* @nlireland.bsky.social
1️⃣2️⃣ Annie West @anniewestdotcom.bsky.social
We house the illustrator’s complete collection of original artwork, sketches, notes and storyboards for 'The Late Night Writers Club', set at the NLI: ow.ly/giUi50XS2ol
We house the illustrator’s complete collection of original artwork, sketches, notes and storyboards for 'The Late Night Writers Club', set at the NLI: ow.ly/giUi50XS2ol
January 6, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Squeeeeeeee *faints* @nlireland.bsky.social
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Things stepping up.
ICCL and Digital Rights Ireland have written to the Garda Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation of X.
ICCL and Digital Rights Ireland have written to the Garda Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation of X.
January 6, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Things stepping up.
ICCL and Digital Rights Ireland have written to the Garda Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation of X.
ICCL and Digital Rights Ireland have written to the Garda Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation of X.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Journalists need to stop writing that “Grok is spreading child pornography” or “Grok is spreading antisemitic messages.” Grok is a human creation with algorithms created by humans working for X. The technology is not responsible. The people running the company are.
January 6, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Journalists need to stop writing that “Grok is spreading child pornography” or “Grok is spreading antisemitic messages.” Grok is a human creation with algorithms created by humans working for X. The technology is not responsible. The people running the company are.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
If the US holds Venezuela, we will seize 17% of oil -- yesterday's technology. If China uses this precedent to take Taiwan, it will own 60% of semiconductors -- tomorrow's technology. See what happens when you elect evil & stupid at the same time?
Really American FB
Really American FB
January 6, 2026 at 2:07 AM
If the US holds Venezuela, we will seize 17% of oil -- yesterday's technology. If China uses this precedent to take Taiwan, it will own 60% of semiconductors -- tomorrow's technology. See what happens when you elect evil & stupid at the same time?
Really American FB
Really American FB
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
a violent drill bit tornado in Minnesota on July 8th of 2020
January 6, 2026 at 1:57 AM
a violent drill bit tornado in Minnesota on July 8th of 2020
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
it's little christmas, or as it's known here in ireland 'nollaig na mban', where irish women roam the countryside in feral gangs, pillaging leftover lidl stollen and using the power tools they got you for christmas which you'll never use to fix that shelf to terrorise anyone who stands in their way
January 6, 2026 at 11:09 AM
it's little christmas, or as it's known here in ireland 'nollaig na mban', where irish women roam the countryside in feral gangs, pillaging leftover lidl stollen and using the power tools they got you for christmas which you'll never use to fix that shelf to terrorise anyone who stands in their way
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
I post about tech news, AI and politics on 3 platforms.
1. Bluesky (47K followers) Consistent engagement across topics with politics being most viral. Dislikes AI.
2. Threads (38K followers). Most engagement on shitposts and politics. Less on tech topics. Engagement varies a lot. Lukewarm to AI.
1. Bluesky (47K followers) Consistent engagement across topics with politics being most viral. Dislikes AI.
2. Threads (38K followers). Most engagement on shitposts and politics. Less on tech topics. Engagement varies a lot. Lukewarm to AI.
January 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
I post about tech news, AI and politics on 3 platforms.
1. Bluesky (47K followers) Consistent engagement across topics with politics being most viral. Dislikes AI.
2. Threads (38K followers). Most engagement on shitposts and politics. Less on tech topics. Engagement varies a lot. Lukewarm to AI.
1. Bluesky (47K followers) Consistent engagement across topics with politics being most viral. Dislikes AI.
2. Threads (38K followers). Most engagement on shitposts and politics. Less on tech topics. Engagement varies a lot. Lukewarm to AI.
I'm all in for this today
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
I'm all in for this today
After reading the piece about US exempting itself from the global minimum tax agreement, and the one about the US threatening the EU if it dares constrain its companies, my first comment to husband was, well, if I were still writing my column, that's two I'd be doing right there 😏
January 6, 2026 at 11:04 AM
After reading the piece about US exempting itself from the global minimum tax agreement, and the one about the US threatening the EU if it dares constrain its companies, my first comment to husband was, well, if I were still writing my column, that's two I'd be doing right there 😏
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Yep, the financial engineering is enabled by US domestic law, but the lobbying/bribes has congress locked down on this, so everything said about this (especially by the Yanks, but also by France and Germany) is just noise
January 6, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Yep, the financial engineering is enabled by US domestic law, but the lobbying/bribes has congress locked down on this, so everything said about this (especially by the Yanks, but also by France and Germany) is just noise
Mirthless laughter. I've argued all my career that US bluster about its companies using foreign tax moves to shield profits was nonsense. The US could change its tax system to address this. Instead, politicians dodge the issue by blaming countries like Ireland www.theguardian.com/business/202...
US will be exempt from global tax deal targeting profits of large multinationals
Agreement finalised by the OECD waters down a landmark 2021 deal that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Mirthless laughter. I've argued all my career that US bluster about its companies using foreign tax moves to shield profits was nonsense. The US could change its tax system to address this. Instead, politicians dodge the issue by blaming countries like Ireland www.theguardian.com/business/202...
This is your reminder that US tech companies are really terrified by EU regulations on privacy, safety, data protection etc (& their enforcement) ... and why it's so important not to kowtow to US industry. The EU holds a lot of power in this area and wielding it is critical right now
🇺🇸: “Don’t you dare regulate our tech companies/social media platforms and don’t even think about developing your own alternatives, or else.”
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
The "head of office at US Big Tech lobby CCIA Europe, told Euractiv that he would warn EU lawmakers against efforts to decouple too sharply from US technology, as this would risk provoking countermeasures"
January 6, 2026 at 10:19 AM
This is your reminder that US tech companies are really terrified by EU regulations on privacy, safety, data protection etc (& their enforcement) ... and why it's so important not to kowtow to US industry. The EU holds a lot of power in this area and wielding it is critical right now
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Tonight’s sunset at Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego, California
#sandiego #sdca #oceanbeach #beach #surfing #sunset #obpier #landscapes_lovers #photography
#sandiego #sdca #oceanbeach #beach #surfing #sunset #obpier #landscapes_lovers #photography
January 6, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Tonight’s sunset at Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego, California
#sandiego #sdca #oceanbeach #beach #surfing #sunset #obpier #landscapes_lovers #photography
#sandiego #sdca #oceanbeach #beach #surfing #sunset #obpier #landscapes_lovers #photography
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Biologists must display their most marvelous plumage if they are to be accepted by a flock of fellow biologists.
We are now witness to this rare yet beautiful phenomenon at the Society of Integrative of Comparative Biology conference in Portland, OR #SICB2026
We are now witness to this rare yet beautiful phenomenon at the Society of Integrative of Comparative Biology conference in Portland, OR #SICB2026
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Biologists must display their most marvelous plumage if they are to be accepted by a flock of fellow biologists.
We are now witness to this rare yet beautiful phenomenon at the Society of Integrative of Comparative Biology conference in Portland, OR #SICB2026
We are now witness to this rare yet beautiful phenomenon at the Society of Integrative of Comparative Biology conference in Portland, OR #SICB2026
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
@apnews.com:
Finnish Children Learn Media Literacy at 3 years old. It’s Protection Against Russian Propaganda
Finnish Children Learn Media Literacy at 3 years old. It’s Protection Against Russian Propaganda
Finnish children learn media literacy at 3 years old. It's protection against Russian propaganda
Finland has been fighting fake news by teaching media literacy to children as young as 3. The Nordic nation includes this in its national curriculum to help citizens recognize disinformation, especial...
apnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
@apnews.com:
Finnish Children Learn Media Literacy at 3 years old. It’s Protection Against Russian Propaganda
Finnish Children Learn Media Literacy at 3 years old. It’s Protection Against Russian Propaganda