Mike Stabile
@mikestabile.bsky.social
First Amendment rodeo clown. Policy Director at Free Speech Coalition, co-founder SWR Data, among other things. Personal account, all outrage / nonsense here is my own.
Gavin Newsom is the Jeb! of 2028
I don’t understand the point of Gavin Newsom hypotheticals more than two years out from the next presidential election
February 16, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Gavin Newsom is the Jeb! of 2028
I remain convinced that age-gating social media is largely an effort to keep kids straight, cis and apolitical.
If you’re a Washingtonian, call your legislator.
If you’re a Washingtonian, call your legislator.
#waleg update: the House still hasn't voted on HB 1834, which would require age verification for access to "addictive feeds" on social networks -- but leadership is trying to push it through.
So if you're in Washington, please contact your legislators!
www.takeaction.network/xactions/476...
So if you're in Washington, please contact your legislators!
www.takeaction.network/xactions/476...
Oppose HB 1834 (new action): Keep the pressure on the House: NO to online ID checks and biometric scans
HB 1834's age-gating requirements are a huge privacy risk – and harmful to LGBTQ+, low-income, unhoused, and undocumented people. There's still a chance the House might pass this bad bill before the T...
www.takeaction.network
February 16, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I remain convinced that age-gating social media is largely an effort to keep kids straight, cis and apolitical.
If you’re a Washingtonian, call your legislator.
If you’re a Washingtonian, call your legislator.
The UK already has one of the most restrictive internet policies in the west. Starmer seeking broad, extra-parliamentary powers to crack down on VPNs and other access is a troubling sign.
Censorship is always fuels an appetite for more censorship.
Censorship is always fuels an appetite for more censorship.
UK's Starmer seeks greater powers to regulate online access
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will seek broader powers to regulate internet access, which he said on Sunday was needed to protect children from fast-changing digital risks.
www.reuters.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:17 PM
The UK already has one of the most restrictive internet policies in the west. Starmer seeking broad, extra-parliamentary powers to crack down on VPNs and other access is a troubling sign.
Censorship is always fuels an appetite for more censorship.
Censorship is always fuels an appetite for more censorship.
Reposted by Mike Stabile
An Arizona Republican wanting to make it a felony to expose minors to books that depict "ultimate sexual acts" does it exactly that, publicly reading an explicit passage about lesbian sex ... poorly
"The diddlo glistened with her spit"
"The diddlo glistened with her spit"
February 14, 2026 at 5:10 PM
An Arizona Republican wanting to make it a felony to expose minors to books that depict "ultimate sexual acts" does it exactly that, publicly reading an explicit passage about lesbian sex ... poorly
"The diddlo glistened with her spit"
"The diddlo glistened with her spit"
Reposted by Mike Stabile
turns out the discord situation is worse! the company that will be doing the age verifications with IDs is Persona, a peter thiel aligned company
we're going to try to wind down the Kill The Computer discord and try to get a subreddit for the podcasts community up and running
we're going to try to wind down the Kill The Computer discord and try to get a subreddit for the podcasts community up and running
February 14, 2026 at 2:41 AM
turns out the discord situation is worse! the company that will be doing the age verifications with IDs is Persona, a peter thiel aligned company
we're going to try to wind down the Kill The Computer discord and try to get a subreddit for the podcasts community up and running
we're going to try to wind down the Kill The Computer discord and try to get a subreddit for the podcasts community up and running
Reposted by Mike Stabile
B/c I love the late Maya Angelou, I want to make an announcement: Maya Angelou did sex work. She never hid it, nor did she allow herself to feel shame b/c of it. Her sex-working past isn't anti-Black. But the erasure of her past due to respectability politics certainly is.
#BlackHistoryMonth
#BlackHistoryMonth
February 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
B/c I love the late Maya Angelou, I want to make an announcement: Maya Angelou did sex work. She never hid it, nor did she allow herself to feel shame b/c of it. Her sex-working past isn't anti-Black. But the erasure of her past due to respectability politics certainly is.
#BlackHistoryMonth
#BlackHistoryMonth
DHS is demanding tech platforms identify people behind accounts that document ICE or criticize the government.
EFF and ACLU are calling on the platforms to resist complying while court challenges play out.
EFF and ACLU are calling on the platforms to resist complying while court challenges play out.
We (@eff.org & @aclu-norcal.bsky.social) have asked several techcos to closely scrutinize and resist compliance with administrative subpoenas from ICE, CBP, and other DHS components. DHS is using these subpoenas to punish those exercising their First Amendment rights. www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Open Letter to Tech Companies: Protect Your Users From Lawless DHS Subpoenas
EFF is calling on technology companies like Meta and Google to stand up for their users by resisting DHS lawless administrative subpoenas for user data.
www.eff.org
February 14, 2026 at 2:11 AM
DHS is demanding tech platforms identify people behind accounts that document ICE or criticize the government.
EFF and ACLU are calling on the platforms to resist complying while court challenges play out.
EFF and ACLU are calling on the platforms to resist complying while court challenges play out.
Reposted by Mike Stabile
🌟 Sex workers at Sheri’s Ranch, a legal brothel in Pahrump, Nevada, are unionizing with the Communications Workers of America @cwaunion.bsky.social
Last week, management fired several pro-union workers—including the union’s primary organizer, Jupiter Jetson
thenevadaindependent.com/article/sex-...
Last week, management fired several pro-union workers—including the union’s primary organizer, Jupiter Jetson
thenevadaindependent.com/article/sex-...
Sex workers at Pahrump brothel are unionizing, alleging unfair contracts and conditions - The Nevada Independent
In the last week, the brothel has fired three workers who challenged a new contract that they say is unfair. Lawyers have filed an injunction with the federal labor board.
thenevadaindependent.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:33 AM
🌟 Sex workers at Sheri’s Ranch, a legal brothel in Pahrump, Nevada, are unionizing with the Communications Workers of America @cwaunion.bsky.social
Last week, management fired several pro-union workers—including the union’s primary organizer, Jupiter Jetson
thenevadaindependent.com/article/sex-...
Last week, management fired several pro-union workers—including the union’s primary organizer, Jupiter Jetson
thenevadaindependent.com/article/sex-...
“Sales of BBW-SSBBW content are up more than 42% since the popularisation of drugs like Ozempic. The rise of adult creator content has brought an increased celebration of different types of bodies, even if mainstream culture may be focused more narrowly.”
‘I can’t even be bothered to masturbate’: Ozempic and the death of desire
It feels like there is more pressure than ever to be thin, and it’s tanking our self-esteem. Is it also taking a toll on our intimate relationships and libido?
www.dazeddigital.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:26 AM
“Sales of BBW-SSBBW content are up more than 42% since the popularisation of drugs like Ozempic. The rise of adult creator content has brought an increased celebration of different types of bodies, even if mainstream culture may be focused more narrowly.”
Reposted by Mike Stabile
Since Joseph Gordon-Levitt began his campaign to repeal (aka "amend") Section 230, the core of The Heritage Foundation and Morality in Media's tech policy agenda, I think it's worth remembering what other celebs are supporting this reactionary cause.
February 13, 2026 at 5:43 AM
Since Joseph Gordon-Levitt began his campaign to repeal (aka "amend") Section 230, the core of The Heritage Foundation and Morality in Media's tech policy agenda, I think it's worth remembering what other celebs are supporting this reactionary cause.
Reposted by Mike Stabile
SWR's @melrose.bsky.social and @mikestabile.bsky.social sat down with @hansbuetow.bsky.social at Never Post to talk about what really draws fans — authenticity and intimacy.
🆕 Never Post! Pornhub Goes SFW
HELLO TO ALL! We've got an SFW episode for your ears. Today, Senior Producer Hans Buetow digs into the data from the 2025 Pornhub Year-in-Review, and wonders aloud to sexual wellness educator Courney ...
www.neverpo.st
February 13, 2026 at 12:13 AM
SWR's @melrose.bsky.social and @mikestabile.bsky.social sat down with @hansbuetow.bsky.social at Never Post to talk about what really draws fans — authenticity and intimacy.
"Many rely on anonymity to speak freely. LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of abuse, political dissidents, and countless others use aliases to explore identity, find support, and build community. When you’re worried that what you say can be traced back to your govt ID, you speak differently—or not at all."
Age verification is here, and it's reshaping the internet -- now it's hit Discord. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Discord Voluntarily Pushes Mandatory Age Verification Despite Recent
Discord has begun rolling out mandatory age verification and the internet is, understandably, freaking out. We’ve written extensively about why age verification mandates are a censorship and
www.eff.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:09 AM
"Many rely on anonymity to speak freely. LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of abuse, political dissidents, and countless others use aliases to explore identity, find support, and build community. When you’re worried that what you say can be traced back to your govt ID, you speak differently—or not at all."
And ... South Carolina has introduced a bill that would criminalize South Park.
S919 bill adds "profane" speech, including excretory functions, to its "harmful to minors" law. A felony for toilet humor.
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025...
S919 bill adds "profane" speech, including excretory functions, to its "harmful to minors" law. A felony for toilet humor.
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025...
February 12, 2026 at 5:23 PM
And ... South Carolina has introduced a bill that would criminalize South Park.
S919 bill adds "profane" speech, including excretory functions, to its "harmful to minors" law. A felony for toilet humor.
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025...
S919 bill adds "profane" speech, including excretory functions, to its "harmful to minors" law. A felony for toilet humor.
www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025...
“Along with food, Parikh said he is concerned about soda and claimed he always mixes it with alcohol ‘to sanitize it.’”
I called up one of the White House's "special government employees" involved in the Fulton County FBI raid.
I ended up on the phone for almost two hours hearing about the "deep state" "cabal," "Satanists," poison soda, and the "pure evil" of "gay pride." talkingpointsmemo.com/news/meet-th...
I ended up on the phone for almost two hours hearing about the "deep state" "cabal," "Satanists," poison soda, and the "pure evil" of "gay pride." talkingpointsmemo.com/news/meet-th...
February 12, 2026 at 2:15 AM
“Along with food, Parikh said he is concerned about soda and claimed he always mixes it with alcohol ‘to sanitize it.’”
why does proposed legislation always look like a Geocities Unabomber manifesto.
February 12, 2026 at 1:18 AM
why does proposed legislation always look like a Geocities Unabomber manifesto.
Significant legal victory today. Federal judge threw out two private lawsuits made possible by the Kansas age-verification law. Mom said her teen son accessed porn sites, wanted millions in damages.
Judge said an out-of-state company can't be sued just because it's accessible in Kansas.
Judge said an out-of-state company can't be sued just because it's accessible in Kansas.
February 11, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Significant legal victory today. Federal judge threw out two private lawsuits made possible by the Kansas age-verification law. Mom said her teen son accessed porn sites, wanted millions in damages.
Judge said an out-of-state company can't be sued just because it's accessible in Kansas.
Judge said an out-of-state company can't be sued just because it's accessible in Kansas.
Reposted by Mike Stabile
Look, I abhor ICE as much as the next sane person, but this isn’t at all what happened reason.com/2026/02/11/a...
February 11, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Look, I abhor ICE as much as the next sane person, but this isn’t at all what happened reason.com/2026/02/11/a...
Reposted by Mike Stabile
When a sitting representative refers to the Super Bowl halftime show as “pornography,” people should use that to reflect on how they and other representatives are simultaneously working to ban, censor, and restrict “pornography” and what that actually means
February 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
When a sitting representative refers to the Super Bowl halftime show as “pornography,” people should use that to reflect on how they and other representatives are simultaneously working to ban, censor, and restrict “pornography” and what that actually means
Having muscled age-verification through last session, AZ Republicans are pushing forward even greater restrictions on sex, including banning porn entirely (HB 2900), threatening adult producers with warrantless AG inspections (HB 2133) and HB 2720, which would make purchasing sex a felony.
Arizona Lawmakers Push To Make Buying Sex A Felony
Lawmakers push to make buying sex a felony and hold online platforms liable for facilitating prostitution.
hoodline.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Having muscled age-verification through last session, AZ Republicans are pushing forward even greater restrictions on sex, including banning porn entirely (HB 2900), threatening adult producers with warrantless AG inspections (HB 2133) and HB 2720, which would make purchasing sex a felony.
"Perhaps the froth is settling. According to the data, the shift back to clips among creators has come at the expense of fan sites ... Together, the data may be signalling a new phase of the creator economy"
Adult creators are increasingly turning to clip sales to drive income. In our latest "State of the Creator" report, we took a look at the data to understand where (and why) the market is shifting.
substack.com/@swrdata/not...
substack.com/@swrdata/not...
February 11, 2026 at 12:42 AM
"Perhaps the froth is settling. According to the data, the shift back to clips among creators has come at the expense of fan sites ... Together, the data may be signalling a new phase of the creator economy"
February 11, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by Mike Stabile
The Discord age verification discourse focuses on adults losing access to communities they have a right to access. That's important.
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
www.theverge.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
The Discord age verification discourse focuses on adults losing access to communities they have a right to access. That's important.
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
"Are you going to stand up for people who don’t have power and are looking for a way to be heard? Because the people with lots of money, they’re always going to have ways to get their message out. [Section 230] and the First Amendment is a lifeline for folks of modest kind of means.”
Section 230 turns 30 as it faces its biggest tests yet
It’s the most beloved and reviled law of the tech industry.
www.theverge.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:14 PM
"Are you going to stand up for people who don’t have power and are looking for a way to be heard? Because the people with lots of money, they’re always going to have ways to get their message out. [Section 230] and the First Amendment is a lifeline for folks of modest kind of means.”