Martin Shelton
@mshelton.bsky.social
Digisec @freedom.press. Was that @mshelton guy on the other site.
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@mshelton
Digisec newsletter: https://freedom.press/newsletters
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@mshelton
Digisec newsletter: https://freedom.press/newsletters
Reposted by Martin Shelton
If you're a journalist who covers law enforcement, don't let their claims about slick and effective technology go unchallenged.
Behind police tech's slick marketing is a sprawling, under-scrutinized industry that relies on manufacturing the appearance of effectiveness, not measuring it. EFF partnered with CJJ and IPVM on a new report to help you see through the spin: www.eff.org/document/se...
"Selling Safety": A Journalist's Guide to Covering Police Technology
selling_safety.pdf
www.eff.org
February 17, 2026 at 9:47 PM
If you're a journalist who covers law enforcement, don't let their claims about slick and effective technology go unchallenged.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
We've been taking a close look at court documents on the FBI's raid on a Washington Post reporter's home. There's a lot journalists can learn from this incident. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Five security lessons from the FBI’s Washington Post raid
Court documents show how investigators can track digital activities, and reveal ways to harden journalists’ devices
freedom.press
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
We've been taking a close look at court documents on the FBI's raid on a Washington Post reporter's home. There's a lot journalists can learn from this incident. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
I think I just assumed Meta would make more terrible surveillance tech. But I did not expect them to make a statement almost designed to draw more scrutiny from civil society groups.
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:54 PM
I think I just assumed Meta would make more terrible surveillance tech. But I did not expect them to make a statement almost designed to draw more scrutiny from civil society groups.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Reposted by Martin Shelton
DHS calls whistleblowers a “threat to national security.”
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building surveillance tools, or pushing propaganda.
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building surveillance tools, or pushing propaganda.
DHS calls leaks a threat. Here’s what we wouldn’t know without them
Recent leaks have exposed DHS’s warrantless home invasions, targeting of protesters, surveillance overreach, and propaganda campaigns
freedom.press
February 14, 2026 at 2:05 PM
DHS calls whistleblowers a “threat to national security.”
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building surveillance tools, or pushing propaganda.
But without leaks to the press, the public wouldn’t know ICE is entering homes without warrants, labeling protesters “domestic terrorists,” building surveillance tools, or pushing propaganda.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
this explains the complete herbs with 32 followers that have been replying to me lately.
🚨 ICE is authorized to covertly infiltrate and interact with social media accounts under a new program called "masked engagement," per documents leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: ICE Masks Up in More Ways Than One
Feds could be in your group chat
www.kenklippenstein.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:50 AM
this explains the complete herbs with 32 followers that have been replying to me lately.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
Court documents detailing a recent FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter offer some important insights into risks to journalists and potential sources, and what can be done in response.
Five security lessons from the FBI’s Washington Post raid
Court documents show how investigators can track digital activities, and reveal ways to harden journalists’ devices
freedom.press
February 13, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Court documents detailing a recent FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter offer some important insights into risks to journalists and potential sources, and what can be done in response.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
We've been taking a close look at court documents on the FBI's raid on a Washington Post reporter's home. There's a lot journalists can learn from this incident. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Five security lessons from the FBI’s Washington Post raid
Court documents show how investigators can track digital activities, and reveal ways to harden journalists’ devices
freedom.press
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
We've been taking a close look at court documents on the FBI's raid on a Washington Post reporter's home. There's a lot journalists can learn from this incident. freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Reposted by Martin Shelton
NEW: “CBS Evening News” producer Alicia Hastey sends a bombshell farewell note:
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
February 12, 2026 at 3:22 AM
NEW: “CBS Evening News” producer Alicia Hastey sends a bombshell farewell note:
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
Reposted by Martin Shelton
A hacktivist has scraped more than half-a-million payment records from a provider of consumer-grade stalkerware apps, because stalkerware makers don't give a shit about the security of their products.
techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
Exclusive: Hacktivist scrapes over 500,000 stalkerware customers' payment records
More than half-a-million people who bought access to phone surveillance and social media snooping apps had their email address and partial payment card numbers published online.
techcrunch.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:58 AM
A hacktivist has scraped more than half-a-million payment records from a provider of consumer-grade stalkerware apps, because stalkerware makers don't give a shit about the security of their products.
techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
Every day my colleagues at @freedom.press kick ass — strategically.
Most recently my colleagues filed a bar complaint against the prosecutor behind the raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.
Most recently my colleagues filed a bar complaint against the prosecutor behind the raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.
February 10, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Every day my colleagues at @freedom.press kick ass — strategically.
Most recently my colleagues filed a bar complaint against the prosecutor behind the raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.
Most recently my colleagues filed a bar complaint against the prosecutor behind the raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
they pissed off the WeRateDogs guy enough from him to break character to directly tell them off, that's genuinely impressive levels of being an asshole
February 10, 2026 at 8:22 PM
they pissed off the WeRateDogs guy enough from him to break character to directly tell them off, that's genuinely impressive levels of being an asshole
In the name of protecting the children, age verification is slowly killing online platforms for ordinary users.
The result has been to shift users to other venues — sometimes less reputable ones.
The result has been to shift users to other venues — sometimes less reputable ones.
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access starting next month
➡️ www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
#Discord
➡️ www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
#Discord
February 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
In the name of protecting the children, age verification is slowly killing online platforms for ordinary users.
The result has been to shift users to other venues — sometimes less reputable ones.
The result has been to shift users to other venues — sometimes less reputable ones.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
Lockdown Mode has blocked some folks from messaging me over SMS, and occasionally fails to load images in Safari. That is kind of annoying. Other than that, everything pretty much works the same.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Lockdown Mode has blocked some folks from messaging me over SMS, and occasionally fails to load images in Safari. That is kind of annoying. Other than that, everything pretty much works the same.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
We at the @postguild.bsky.social are raising money for the hundreds of journalists the Post just laid off. This goes to the people who are hurting, not the Post. Or if you'd rather, go subscribe to an independent journalist. Support is hugely appreciated.
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We at the @postguild.bsky.social are raising money for the hundreds of journalists the Post just laid off. This goes to the people who are hurting, not the Post. Or if you'd rather, go subscribe to an independent journalist. Support is hugely appreciated.
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Dril presents without comment
February 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Dril presents without comment
Lockdown Mode has blocked some folks from messaging me over SMS, and occasionally fails to load images in Safari. That is kind of annoying. Other than that, everything pretty much works the same.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Lockdown Mode has blocked some folks from messaging me over SMS, and occasionally fails to load images in Safari. That is kind of annoying. Other than that, everything pretty much works the same.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
If you feel at acute risk, or if you’re a security nerd, it’s worth trying it out.
Reposted by Martin Shelton
Kind of amazed she had it turned on? I only turn it on when I'm crossing borders or am visiting a country controlled by a repressive regime ahhh shit
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Kind of amazed she had it turned on? I only turn it on when I'm crossing borders or am visiting a country controlled by a repressive regime ahhh shit
Reposted by Martin Shelton
I personally do not think some rich man should be able to buy an institution like this like a toy and then break it when he doesn’t want to play with it anymore. bsky.app/profile/benm...
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
I personally do not think some rich man should be able to buy an institution like this like a toy and then break it when he doesn’t want to play with it anymore. bsky.app/profile/benm...
Reposted by Martin Shelton
look at what hustle culture has done to us www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...
Man breaks into Little Caesars, starts making and selling pizzas, NC police say
The suspect kept all the money he made selling pizzas, police say
www.newsobserver.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:46 AM
look at what hustle culture has done to us www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...
Reposted by Martin Shelton
We're getting a lot of questions about Signal group chats, and how to use them as safely as possible. Share widely: freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Maximizing Signal group chat safety
Larger groups come with more risk to your privacy, but you can make decisions about how to navigate Signal groups safely.
freedom.press
February 3, 2026 at 5:28 PM
We're getting a lot of questions about Signal group chats, and how to use them as safely as possible. Share widely: freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Reposted by Martin Shelton
I was interviewed for this great lil piece on how to use Signal safely and responsibly by @steviebonifield.bsky.social for @theverge.com. TLDR Signal has NOT been hacked by the FBI but public groups are *public* "Chat, if you wouldn't say it in court, don't say it in here".
tinyurl.com/bdx5affn
tinyurl.com/bdx5affn
A community organizer’s guide to Signal group chats
Key privacy settings and best practices.
tinyurl.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I was interviewed for this great lil piece on how to use Signal safely and responsibly by @steviebonifield.bsky.social for @theverge.com. TLDR Signal has NOT been hacked by the FBI but public groups are *public* "Chat, if you wouldn't say it in court, don't say it in here".
tinyurl.com/bdx5affn
tinyurl.com/bdx5affn
Reposted by Martin Shelton
Here's our team's take on how to use Signal group chats safely from a digisec perspective.
We're getting a lot of questions about Signal group chats, and how to use them as safely as possible. Share widely: freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Maximizing Signal group chat safety
Larger groups come with more risk to your privacy, but you can make decisions about how to navigate Signal groups safely.
freedom.press
February 3, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Here's our team's take on how to use Signal group chats safely from a digisec perspective.