Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
@olivermmarsh.bsky.social
Head of Tech Research, @algorithmwatch.bsky.social. Will bridge worlds of technology & society for money. Counter-online-harms, government&tech, regulation, data access, etc. Based in Berlin. https://www.oliver-marsh.com/
Pinned
Sideways Looks #36: A Better Internet Part 2, also Mermaids
I attempt to categorise & compare ideas for a more pro-democracy internet.
www.oliver-marsh.com
Part 2 of my thoughts on reaching a more "pro-democracy internet". In it I attempt to categorise & compare 4 models - from New Coffee Houses to Better Broadcasters - across a few different axes such as "expected participation" and "theory of change". www.oliver-marsh.com/a-better-int...
Personal reflections on 2025, including: Trying to make positive progress in a world of power struggles; the rise of progressive regulation vs. deregulation arguments; podcasts and other recs; other words beginning with P. Also fun facts about squirrels.
www.oliver-marsh.com/sideways-loo...
www.oliver-marsh.com/sideways-loo...
Sideways Looks #38: 2025 Retro, also Squirrels
2025 - some analysis, some personal reflections, much "wtf is going on".
www.oliver-marsh.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Personal reflections on 2025, including: Trying to make positive progress in a world of power struggles; the rise of progressive regulation vs. deregulation arguments; podcasts and other recs; other words beginning with P. Also fun facts about squirrels.
www.oliver-marsh.com/sideways-loo...
www.oliver-marsh.com/sideways-loo...
Good article on the power of YouTube, which I often feel flies weirdly under the radar in a lot of research/regulatory discussions (paywalled but contact me for guest link)
www.ft.com/content/9e75...
www.ft.com/content/9e75...
The relentless rise of YouTube
As well as being the dominant platform in podcasting and having a growing presence in live sport, it is now the leader in TV and streaming in the US
www.ft.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Good article on the power of YouTube, which I often feel flies weirdly under the radar in a lot of research/regulatory discussions (paywalled but contact me for guest link)
www.ft.com/content/9e75...
www.ft.com/content/9e75...
X is finally being fined under the Digital Services Act. I've said before that the fact they were getting away with e.g. not sharing data on *non consensual nude images* suggested the DSA wasn't working. But today I have hope that enforcers will pick the right fights, even when politically tricky.
December 5, 2025 at 5:39 PM
X is finally being fined under the Digital Services Act. I've said before that the fact they were getting away with e.g. not sharing data on *non consensual nude images* suggested the DSA wasn't working. But today I have hope that enforcers will pick the right fights, even when politically tricky.
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
Every swipe, like, and share on social media fuels a billion-euro business. With @olivermmarsh.bsky.social you will:
🎯 see how algorithms grab and hold your attention
🎯 learn how your behaviour becomes ad data
🎯 explore the social impact
Join our Zoom meetup: 👇
Tue, 2 Dec, 7pm CET
meeteu.eu/events
🎯 see how algorithms grab and hold your attention
🎯 learn how your behaviour becomes ad data
🎯 explore the social impact
Join our Zoom meetup: 👇
Tue, 2 Dec, 7pm CET
meeteu.eu/events
November 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Every swipe, like, and share on social media fuels a billion-euro business. With @olivermmarsh.bsky.social you will:
🎯 see how algorithms grab and hold your attention
🎯 learn how your behaviour becomes ad data
🎯 explore the social impact
Join our Zoom meetup: 👇
Tue, 2 Dec, 7pm CET
meeteu.eu/events
🎯 see how algorithms grab and hold your attention
🎯 learn how your behaviour becomes ad data
🎯 explore the social impact
Join our Zoom meetup: 👇
Tue, 2 Dec, 7pm CET
meeteu.eu/events
Enjoyed talking about algorithms, challenges of holding tech platforms accountable, and why I'm nervous about focusing on disinformation for the new "und DAS glaubst du?" podcast. youtu.be/blv7kC_1g88?...
(For German speakers, or I guess anyone who wants to hear how my accent sounds in German...)
(For German speakers, or I guess anyone who wants to hear how my accent sounds in German...)
#3 “Welche Rolle spielen Algorithmen im Kontext Desinformation?” Dr. Oliver Marsh, AlgorithmWatch
YouTube video by Und DAS glaubst du?!
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Enjoyed talking about algorithms, challenges of holding tech platforms accountable, and why I'm nervous about focusing on disinformation for the new "und DAS glaubst du?" podcast. youtu.be/blv7kC_1g88?...
(For German speakers, or I guess anyone who wants to hear how my accent sounds in German...)
(For German speakers, or I guess anyone who wants to hear how my accent sounds in German...)
Excited to have used the brand new Digital Services Act 40.4 Data Access Portal to request data on Google AI Overviews.
Thanks to support from @spielkamp.bsky.social @lejlamarcius.bsky.social & Michele Loi, plus great prep resources from @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social, @bnetza.bsky.social & others
Thanks to support from @spielkamp.bsky.social @lejlamarcius.bsky.social & Michele Loi, plus great prep resources from @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social, @bnetza.bsky.social & others
Google rolled out AI Overviews earlier this year. Many users now see AI-generated summaries above traditional search results. This doesn’t just risk spreading unreliable answers, it could also divert traffic away from independent media and threaten media pluralism: algorithmwatch.org/en/google-ai...
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Excited to have used the brand new Digital Services Act 40.4 Data Access Portal to request data on Google AI Overviews.
Thanks to support from @spielkamp.bsky.social @lejlamarcius.bsky.social & Michele Loi, plus great prep resources from @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social, @bnetza.bsky.social & others
Thanks to support from @spielkamp.bsky.social @lejlamarcius.bsky.social & Michele Loi, plus great prep resources from @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social, @bnetza.bsky.social & others
V proud to be pushing a new approach for DSA Data Access - a "mass data access" request for highly viewed content - with the fantastic @clairepershan.bsky.social @lkseiling.bsky.social and @louisbarclay.bsky.social for @algorithmwatch.org .
More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...
More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...
October 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
V proud to be pushing a new approach for DSA Data Access - a "mass data access" request for highly viewed content - with the fantastic @clairepershan.bsky.social @lkseiling.bsky.social and @louisbarclay.bsky.social for @algorithmwatch.org .
More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...
More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
The EU Digital Services Act is 3 years old! 🎂 But how’s its work to regulate online services going? Here we unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social & @mozilla.org Foundation: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...
Happy Birthday, Digital Services Act! – Time for a Reality Check - AlgorithmWatch
The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) celebrates its third birthday. This landmark digital regulation is meant to give a better understanding of how online services decide what users see, and more power...
algorithmwatch.org
October 2, 2025 at 6:21 AM
The EU Digital Services Act is 3 years old! 🎂 But how’s its work to regulate online services going? Here we unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social & @mozilla.org Foundation: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...
Done another update to the Tech Policy Jobs (Europe) sheet, including two from us @algorithmwatch.org ! There's a lot of new jobs flying around, it's hard to keep track, so please do add your own new jobs if you're hiring.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
September 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Done another update to the Tech Policy Jobs (Europe) sheet, including two from us @algorithmwatch.org ! There's a lot of new jobs flying around, it's hard to keep track, so please do add your own new jobs if you're hiring.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Forgot to post this here - latest blog piece, on academic / non-academic collaborations www.oliver-marsh.com/academic-non...
(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )
(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )
Sideways Looks #37: Academic/Non-Academic Collaborations. Also, Charity Donations.
I share some thouhts and tips from sitting in the middle of academic and non-academic collaborations.
www.oliver-marsh.com
September 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Forgot to post this here - latest blog piece, on academic / non-academic collaborations www.oliver-marsh.com/academic-non...
(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )
(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
Very happy to be a signatory to this letter drafted by @hutko.bsky.social countering Trumpian misinformation on DSA. Please read thread. I also note Martin's kind offer to provide DSA training to US politicians at 1% cost 🤣
But good news: We can get reliable information on laws such as the Digital Services Act via very helpful letters from a group of superb experts led by @hutko.bsky.social
husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
husovec.eu/wp-content/u...
husovec.eu
September 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Very happy to be a signatory to this letter drafted by @hutko.bsky.social countering Trumpian misinformation on DSA. Please read thread. I also note Martin's kind offer to provide DSA training to US politicians at 1% cost 🤣
1/4 Yday there was a hearing on "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in the US Congress. It's the latest in misleading attacks on Europe's ability to have its own laws. See this open letter signed by 40 NGOs inc. @algorithmwatch.org about that: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-lett...
Over 40 NGOs call for a firm stance against US threats - AlgorithmWatch
Over 40 NGOs and individuals from the digital rights field are calling on the European Commission to respond firmly to the recent warning from the US government. The US has threatened sanctions if the...
algorithmwatch.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:22 AM
1/4 Yday there was a hearing on "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in the US Congress. It's the latest in misleading attacks on Europe's ability to have its own laws. See this open letter signed by 40 NGOs inc. @algorithmwatch.org about that: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-lett...
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
Non-consensual sexualization tools #NSTs are apps and websites that generate sexualized images of real people. Often called #NudifyApps, they don’t only create nudity but can also include non-consensual “undressing” via images in underwear or swimsuits: algorithmwatch.org/en/stop-nudi...
August 27, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Non-consensual sexualization tools #NSTs are apps and websites that generate sexualized images of real people. Often called #NudifyApps, they don’t only create nudity but can also include non-consensual “undressing” via images in underwear or swimsuits: algorithmwatch.org/en/stop-nudi...
Using my current laptop to search for a new laptop feels morally wrong somehow :/
August 3, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Using my current laptop to search for a new laptop feels morally wrong somehow :/
Part 2 of my thoughts on reaching a more "pro-democracy internet". In it I attempt to categorise & compare 4 models - from New Coffee Houses to Better Broadcasters - across a few different axes such as "expected participation" and "theory of change". www.oliver-marsh.com/a-better-int...
Sideways Looks #36: A Better Internet Part 2, also Mermaids
I attempt to categorise & compare ideas for a more pro-democracy internet.
www.oliver-marsh.com
July 27, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Part 2 of my thoughts on reaching a more "pro-democracy internet". In it I attempt to categorise & compare 4 models - from New Coffee Houses to Better Broadcasters - across a few different axes such as "expected participation" and "theory of change". www.oliver-marsh.com/a-better-int...
Google Trends is getting an API, very useful development for internet research developers.google.com/search/blog/...
Introducing the Google Trends API (alpha): a new way to access Search Trends data | Google Search Central Blog | Google for Developers
developers.google.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Google Trends is getting an API, very useful development for internet research developers.google.com/search/blog/...
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
👋 For a 5th time, we are looking for new Algorithmic Accountability Reporting fellows. Apply now if you have research ideas concerning the relation between Artificial Intelligence and power and its consequences.
Application deadline: 15 September 2025 23:59 CET
algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call...
Application deadline: 15 September 2025 23:59 CET
algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call...
July 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
👋 For a 5th time, we are looking for new Algorithmic Accountability Reporting fellows. Apply now if you have research ideas concerning the relation between Artificial Intelligence and power and its consequences.
Application deadline: 15 September 2025 23:59 CET
algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call...
Application deadline: 15 September 2025 23:59 CET
algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call...
Last few days to apply for our Technology & Democracy role (until Mon 14)
💼 We are seeking a Senior Policy Manager with focus on the field of Technology and Democracy.
Feel invited to share this vacancy here and elsewhere – or, even better, apply for yourself 😊
🇬🇧 algorithmwatch.org/en/job-openi...
🇩🇪 algorithmwatch.org/de/job-openi...
Feel invited to share this vacancy here and elsewhere – or, even better, apply for yourself 😊
🇬🇧 algorithmwatch.org/en/job-openi...
🇩🇪 algorithmwatch.org/de/job-openi...
July 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Last few days to apply for our Technology & Democracy role (until Mon 14)
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
Last week, the Delegated Act on data access under the DSA was published. If it works effectively, it allows researchers to access to internal data of very large online platforms and search engines. The clue here is the 'if'. More: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-deleg...
New Data Access rules are here – but will they work in practice? - AlgorithmWatch
The EU Commission has published the delegated act on data access under the Digital Services Act (DSA). How much it will achieve remains to be seen in practice.
algorithmwatch.org
July 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Last week, the Delegated Act on data access under the DSA was published. If it works effectively, it allows researchers to access to internal data of very large online platforms and search engines. The clue here is the 'if'. More: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-deleg...
On the off-chance anyone is trying to look at my personal website, it's currently offline while I migrate to a proper newsletter system. For now, if you want to be added to the subscription list, let me know. Posts coming up on pro-social design and how to predict the future [of political culture].
April 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
On the off-chance anyone is trying to look at my personal website, it's currently offline while I migrate to a proper newsletter system. For now, if you want to be added to the subscription list, let me know. Posts coming up on pro-social design and how to predict the future [of political culture].
Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)
Today, we will submit expert input to the EU on systemic risks stemming from online platforms and search engines. We argue risks come not just from technology, but also (1) the attitudes of companies and (2) lack of transparency around enforcement. Read our full response here: t1p.de/uoc2y
April 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Today, we will submit expert input to the EU on systemic risks stemming from online platforms and search engines. We argue risks come not just from technology, but also (1) the attitudes of companies and (2) lack of transparency around enforcement. Read our full response here: t1p.de/uoc2y
Looking forward to this tomorrow!
Join our online panel!
Tue, 4 Mar | 4:30-5:30 pm (CET/Berlin)
hosts: @hertieschool.bsky.social Centre for #digitalGovernance Student Advisory Board
@olivermmarsh.bsky.social Valerie Wirtschafter (Brookings) & Pamposh Raina (Misinfo Combat Alliance)
signup www.hertie-school.org/en/digitalgo...
Tue, 4 Mar | 4:30-5:30 pm (CET/Berlin)
hosts: @hertieschool.bsky.social Centre for #digitalGovernance Student Advisory Board
@olivermmarsh.bsky.social Valerie Wirtschafter (Brookings) & Pamposh Raina (Misinfo Combat Alliance)
signup www.hertie-school.org/en/digitalgo...
Global Perspectives on Digital Technologies & Disinformation in 2024 Elections
Join us for a moderated panel discussion on the role of digital technologies and disinformation in global elections in 2024. Our guests include Oliver Marsh (AlgorithmWatch), Valerie Wirtschafter (Bro...
www.hertie-school.org
March 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Looking forward to this tomorrow!
It was great working with @markscott.bsky.social on this German election research, which featured in the The Washington Post yesterday.
Summary 🧵 below. Full report on @algorithmwatch.bsky.social website (auch auf Deutsch).
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Summary 🧵 below. Full report on @algorithmwatch.bsky.social website (auch auf Deutsch).
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
How Elon Musk used X to amplify Germany’s far right ahead of election
Musk won AfD a massive new audience, and JD Vance added support. That brought the party outsized attention, but the impact in Germany was limited, data shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
It was great working with @markscott.bsky.social on this German election research, which featured in the The Washington Post yesterday.
Summary 🧵 below. Full report on @algorithmwatch.bsky.social website (auch auf Deutsch).
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Summary 🧵 below. Full report on @algorithmwatch.bsky.social website (auch auf Deutsch).
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Could everyone please stop posting about going to RightsCon I'm getting FOMO
February 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Could everyone please stop posting about going to RightsCon I'm getting FOMO
Olga and Riddle Russia have been doing important analysis for many years, but are now at genuine financial risk after recent developments. If you can help personally, or know of organisations who can help them get back to stability, please do say. I can put you in touch. ridl.io/donate/
February 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Olga and Riddle Russia have been doing important analysis for many years, but are now at genuine financial risk after recent developments. If you can help personally, or know of organisations who can help them get back to stability, please do say. I can put you in touch. ridl.io/donate/