Nick Botton
@nickbotton.bsky.social
Public policy at @awoagency.bsky.social working on adtech, privacy, platform regulation, open source, AI and child safety
Opinions my own. Like = interesting.
Opinions my own. Like = interesting.
Pinned
Nick Botton
@nickbotton.bsky.social
· Nov 14
[NEW PAPER ALERT🚨] For my 1st post on Bsky, I'm happy to share out new @awoagency.bsky.social paper on balancing the benefits and risks of open source Gen AI! Commissioned by the Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund, drafted by myself & @mathver.bsky.social. A short 🧵
www.awo.agency/blog/diif-th...
www.awo.agency/blog/diif-th...
My colleagues @laurelinelmn.bsky.social and @mathver.bsky.social shared some thoughts on the DSA's application to OpenAI with TPP! See also their great analysis on the topic here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
October 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
My colleagues @laurelinelmn.bsky.social and @mathver.bsky.social shared some thoughts on the DSA's application to OpenAI with TPP! See also their great analysis on the topic here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Nick Botton
Europe needs an EU Sovereign Tech Fund. Open source software powers everything from healthcare to energy grids, yet it's chronically underfunded. Read the Public letter.
openfuture.eu/blog/public-...
openfuture.eu/blog/public-...
Public letter calls for EU investment in open source sustainability through an EU Sovereign Tech Fund – Open Future
We have joined dozens of organizations in signing a public letter that calls for the creation of an EU Sovereign Tech Fund to address chronic under-investment in open source software maintenance.
openfuture.eu
October 29, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Europe needs an EU Sovereign Tech Fund. Open source software powers everything from healthcare to energy grids, yet it's chronically underfunded. Read the Public letter.
openfuture.eu/blog/public-...
openfuture.eu/blog/public-...
Reposted by Nick Botton
New @lobbycontrol.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org data highlights tech lobbyists' tightening grip on EU policymaking:
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels | Corporate Europe Observatory
New figures show that the digital industry as a whole is now spending €151 million a year on lobbying the EU, a major increase to what was already considerable firepower.
corporateeurope.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
New @lobbycontrol.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org data highlights tech lobbyists' tightening grip on EU policymaking:
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Reposted by Nick Botton
Is it legal for publishers to force you to "consent" to a data free-for-all as payment for entering their sites & apps?
No.
Over the summer we have been talking to EU data watchdogs, detailing the case law and enforcement decisions.
www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
No.
Over the summer we have been talking to EU data watchdogs, detailing the case law and enforcement decisions.
www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Pay or ok? Why Europe's data watchdogs must reject "forced consent"
Case law and enforcement decisions show that Europe's data watchdogs already have all the evidence they need to reject Pay or OK
www.iccl.ie
October 21, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Is it legal for publishers to force you to "consent" to a data free-for-all as payment for entering their sites & apps?
No.
Over the summer we have been talking to EU data watchdogs, detailing the case law and enforcement decisions.
www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
No.
Over the summer we have been talking to EU data watchdogs, detailing the case law and enforcement decisions.
www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Reposted by Nick Botton
We'll be at #PrivacyCamp25 tomorrow! Join our colleague @lutecia.bsky.social at 9:55 to discuss all things strategic litigation. Our colleagues @nickbotton.bsky.social and @laurelinelmn.bsky.social will also be around, come chat with us!
September 29, 2025 at 1:18 PM
We'll be at #PrivacyCamp25 tomorrow! Join our colleague @lutecia.bsky.social at 9:55 to discuss all things strategic litigation. Our colleagues @nickbotton.bsky.social and @laurelinelmn.bsky.social will also be around, come chat with us!
Reposted by Nick Botton
More Google news. EC making itself clear here. "The Commission has already signalled its preliminary view that only the divestment by Google of part of its services would address the situation
of inherent conflicts of interest, but it first wishes to hear and assess Google's proposal." 1/2
of inherent conflicts of interest, but it first wishes to hear and assess Google's proposal." 1/2
September 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
More Google news. EC making itself clear here. "The Commission has already signalled its preliminary view that only the divestment by Google of part of its services would address the situation
of inherent conflicts of interest, but it first wishes to hear and assess Google's proposal." 1/2
of inherent conflicts of interest, but it first wishes to hear and assess Google's proposal." 1/2
Reposted by Nick Botton
since Google rolled out AI Overviews in your search results, median year-over-year referral traffic from Google Search to premium publishers down 10%
- Non-news brands down 14%
- News brands down 7%
- Yr/yr declines outnumber gains two-to-one
1/2
- Non-news brands down 14%
- News brands down 7%
- Yr/yr declines outnumber gains two-to-one
1/2
August 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
since Google rolled out AI Overviews in your search results, median year-over-year referral traffic from Google Search to premium publishers down 10%
- Non-news brands down 14%
- News brands down 7%
- Yr/yr declines outnumber gains two-to-one
1/2
- Non-news brands down 14%
- News brands down 7%
- Yr/yr declines outnumber gains two-to-one
1/2
Reposted by Nick Botton
⚠️ Child Rights Impact Assessment: A Policy Tool for a Rights‐Respecting Digital Environment - just published o/a by @Livingstone_S @Kruakae_Noony #DigitalFutures4Children
@5RightsFound @MediaLSE #CRIA #DigitalEnvironment #ChildRights #GeneralComment25
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@5RightsFound @MediaLSE #CRIA #DigitalEnvironment #ChildRights #GeneralComment25
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
August 1, 2025 at 7:16 AM
⚠️ Child Rights Impact Assessment: A Policy Tool for a Rights‐Respecting Digital Environment - just published o/a by @Livingstone_S @Kruakae_Noony #DigitalFutures4Children
@5RightsFound @MediaLSE #CRIA #DigitalEnvironment #ChildRights #GeneralComment25
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@5RightsFound @MediaLSE #CRIA #DigitalEnvironment #ChildRights #GeneralComment25
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Nick Botton
BREAKING: The EU Commission has released a mandatory template for AI developers to disclose training data. Unlike the Code of Practice, this is not optional. It could have global fallout, as rights holders abroad might use it to sue over copyright.
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e...
Explanatory Notice and Template for the Public Summary of Training Content for general-purpose AI models
The Template annexed to this Explanatory Notice aims to provide a common minimal baseline for the information to be made publicly available in the Summary of Training Content for general-purpose AI mo...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
July 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: The EU Commission has released a mandatory template for AI developers to disclose training data. Unlike the Code of Practice, this is not optional. It could have global fallout, as rights holders abroad might use it to sue over copyright.
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e...
Reposted by Nick Botton
NEW: The final draft of the AI Act's code of practice for general-purpose AI models is finally out.
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/...
The General-Purpose AI Code of Practice
The Code of Practice helps industry comply with the AI Act legal obligations on safety, transparency and copyright of general-purpose AI models.
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
July 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
NEW: The final draft of the AI Act's code of practice for general-purpose AI models is finally out.
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/...
digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/...
If you're going to #CPDP, don't miss the most important panel on online ads regulation that you'll ever attend! We'll talk about gaps that remain and how to fill them, covering privacy, transparency, DMA and DSA issues, and more!
"The EU's Next Move on Online Advertising"
Organised by @awo.agency with @lexzard.bsky.social (moderator), @nickbotton.bsky.social , Denis Sparas, @hkingaby.bsky.social, Nataliia Bielova
More information: cpdp.be/1908
#CPDP2025 #theworldiswatching #CPDP.ai
Organised by @awo.agency with @lexzard.bsky.social (moderator), @nickbotton.bsky.social , Denis Sparas, @hkingaby.bsky.social, Nataliia Bielova
More information: cpdp.be/1908
#CPDP2025 #theworldiswatching #CPDP.ai
May 20, 2025 at 8:51 AM
If you're going to #CPDP, don't miss the most important panel on online ads regulation that you'll ever attend! We'll talk about gaps that remain and how to fill them, covering privacy, transparency, DMA and DSA issues, and more!
Reposted by Nick Botton
Great to see @kzenner.bsky.social here, who just co-authored (co-inspired?) a great paper on a blueprint for European digital sovereignty. Added him here bsky.app/starter-pack...
May 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Great to see @kzenner.bsky.social here, who just co-authored (co-inspired?) a great paper on a blueprint for European digital sovereignty. Added him here bsky.app/starter-pack...
Reposted by Nick Botton
The Algorithm Governance Roundup is out! This month we interviewed Aarushi Sahore a barrister @brickcourt about RTM v Bonne Terre Ltd and Hestview Ltd, a landmark case on consent under UK data protection in the context of online gambling.👇
eocampaign1.com/web-version?...
eocampaign1.com/web-version?...
Algorithm Governance Roundup #22
Community Spotlight: Aarushi Sahore, Brick Court Chambers | DSA Investigations and Enforcement
eocampaign1.com
April 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The Algorithm Governance Roundup is out! This month we interviewed Aarushi Sahore a barrister @brickcourt about RTM v Bonne Terre Ltd and Hestview Ltd, a landmark case on consent under UK data protection in the context of online gambling.👇
eocampaign1.com/web-version?...
eocampaign1.com/web-version?...
Reposted by Nick Botton
nice to see advertisers' adtech middlemen spending a bit more time on avoiding monetizing harmful content as opposed to suffocating high-value journalism brands due to politicized topics. 1/2
February 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
nice to see advertisers' adtech middlemen spending a bit more time on avoiding monetizing harmful content as opposed to suffocating high-value journalism brands due to politicized topics. 1/2
Reposted by Nick Botton
An Adalytics report shows how ad systems run by Google, Amazon, Microsoft and others inadvertently placed ads on a website that hosts CSAM (Thomas Germain/BBC)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
February 8, 2025 at 4:06 AM
An Adalytics report shows how ad systems run by Google, Amazon, Microsoft and others inadvertently placed ads on a website that hosts CSAM (Thomas Germain/BBC)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
"The probe by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation will examine alleged monopolistic practices by the U.S. tech giant, which has had its search and internet services blocked in China since 2010 but maintains operations there primarily focused on advertising."
China hits back at Trump tariffs with Google antitrust investigation
China hits back at Trump tariffs with Google antitrust investigation
China said Tuesday it has launched an antitrust investigation into Google, part of a swift retaliation after the U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The probe by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation will…
tcrn.ch
February 4, 2025 at 7:24 AM
"The probe by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation will examine alleged monopolistic practices by the U.S. tech giant, which has had its search and internet services blocked in China since 2010 but maintains operations there primarily focused on advertising."
Reposted by Nick Botton
Our latest report explores 20 years of EU policies supporting #digitalcommons and the shift from open access to collective governance of key digital infrastructures.
🛋️ Read more here: openfuture.eu/publication/...
Cc: @ngicommons.bsky.social @jankrewer.bsky.social
🛋️ Read more here: openfuture.eu/publication/...
Cc: @ngicommons.bsky.social @jankrewer.bsky.social
January 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Our latest report explores 20 years of EU policies supporting #digitalcommons and the shift from open access to collective governance of key digital infrastructures.
🛋️ Read more here: openfuture.eu/publication/...
Cc: @ngicommons.bsky.social @jankrewer.bsky.social
🛋️ Read more here: openfuture.eu/publication/...
Cc: @ngicommons.bsky.social @jankrewer.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Botton
1/ In a groundbreaking ruling, the High Court today found that an online gambling company had unlawfully processed our client’s data. A 🧵 and analysis 👇 on the major implications for data processing in the gambling and AdTech industries.
https://buff.ly/3EiOvQX
https://buff.ly/3EiOvQX
Landmark High Court ruling on GDPR consent to profiling and targeting in RTM v Bonne Terre - Analysis
A new data rights agency
www.awo.agency
January 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
1/ In a groundbreaking ruling, the High Court today found that an online gambling company had unlawfully processed our client’s data. A 🧵 and analysis 👇 on the major implications for data processing in the gambling and AdTech industries.
https://buff.ly/3EiOvQX
https://buff.ly/3EiOvQX
Reposted by Nick Botton
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Landmark ruling in AWO case – the High Court just ruled in favour of our client against Sky Betting & Gaming (Sky Bet), who profiled him for marketing without a lawful basis.
Our press release: https://buff.ly/40J9FR2
Our press release: https://buff.ly/40J9FR2
Press Release - AWO win in RTM v Bonne Terre et al
A new data rights agency
www.awo.agency
January 23, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Landmark ruling in AWO case – the High Court just ruled in favour of our client against Sky Betting & Gaming (Sky Bet), who profiled him for marketing without a lawful basis.
Our press release: https://buff.ly/40J9FR2
Our press release: https://buff.ly/40J9FR2
Reposted by Nick Botton
It’s time to reclaim social media! ✊🔥
Billionaires & monopolies shouldn’t control our digital lives.
Project @freeourfeeds.com is raising an initial $4m to build a public-interest alternative for social media, on the AT Protocol.
It's an ambitious, challenging project. Read more: freeourfeeds.com
Billionaires & monopolies shouldn’t control our digital lives.
Project @freeourfeeds.com is raising an initial $4m to build a public-interest alternative for social media, on the AT Protocol.
It's an ambitious, challenging project. Read more: freeourfeeds.com
Free Our Feeds
Let's take social media away from billionaire capture.
freeourfeeds.com
January 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It’s time to reclaim social media! ✊🔥
Billionaires & monopolies shouldn’t control our digital lives.
Project @freeourfeeds.com is raising an initial $4m to build a public-interest alternative for social media, on the AT Protocol.
It's an ambitious, challenging project. Read more: freeourfeeds.com
Billionaires & monopolies shouldn’t control our digital lives.
Project @freeourfeeds.com is raising an initial $4m to build a public-interest alternative for social media, on the AT Protocol.
It's an ambitious, challenging project. Read more: freeourfeeds.com
Reposted by Nick Botton
Remember Google's great 'we will end third-party cookies in Chrome' swindle:
- Jan 2020: we will 'phase out' third-party cookies 'within 2 years'
- Jun 2021: we will 'end' doing so in late 2023
- Jul 2022: we may 'begin' doing so in late 2024
- Jul 2024: third-party cookies are staying in Chrome
- Jan 2020: we will 'phase out' third-party cookies 'within 2 years'
- Jun 2021: we will 'end' doing so in late 2023
- Jul 2022: we may 'begin' doing so in late 2024
- Jul 2024: third-party cookies are staying in Chrome
December 29, 2024 at 11:45 AM
Remember Google's great 'we will end third-party cookies in Chrome' swindle:
- Jan 2020: we will 'phase out' third-party cookies 'within 2 years'
- Jun 2021: we will 'end' doing so in late 2023
- Jul 2022: we may 'begin' doing so in late 2024
- Jul 2024: third-party cookies are staying in Chrome
- Jan 2020: we will 'phase out' third-party cookies 'within 2 years'
- Jun 2021: we will 'end' doing so in late 2023
- Jul 2022: we may 'begin' doing so in late 2024
- Jul 2024: third-party cookies are staying in Chrome
Reposted by Nick Botton
Digital sovereignty is kind of a buzzword at the moment that's sometimes filled with whatever digital policy the user wants to push.
That's why I am a happy signatory of this report that connects those terms to actual political demands for a digital future that put people in the center.
That's why I am a happy signatory of this report that connects those terms to actual political demands for a digital future that put people in the center.
Reclaiming digital sovereignty
Authored by Cecilia Rikap, Cédric Durand, Paolo Gerbaudo, Paris Marx and Edemilson Paraná
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 3, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Digital sovereignty is kind of a buzzword at the moment that's sometimes filled with whatever digital policy the user wants to push.
That's why I am a happy signatory of this report that connects those terms to actual political demands for a digital future that put people in the center.
That's why I am a happy signatory of this report that connects those terms to actual political demands for a digital future that put people in the center.