Tony Roberts
@phatcontroller.bsky.social
Academic working on digital citizenship, digital rights, digital authoritarianism, digital disinformation, civic tech, digital surveillance and all that jazz. Free typo with every post.
Les coupures d'Internet se multiplient de façon spectaculaire en Afrique : un nouveau livre explique pourquoi
theconversation.com/les-coupures...
theconversation.com/les-coupures...
Les coupures d'Internet se multiplient de façon spectaculaire en Afrique : un nouveau livre explique pourquoi
Les coupures d'Internet touchent de plus en plus souvent des millions d'Africains et sont particulièrement fréquentes lors des élections ou des manifestations.
theconversation.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Les coupures d'Internet se multiplient de façon spectaculaire en Afrique : un nouveau livre explique pourquoi
theconversation.com/les-coupures...
theconversation.com/les-coupures...
Reposted by Tony Roberts
"No we are not actually providing health services, we just need your medical data for, you know, reasons"
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
But it’s “not intended for diagnosis or treatment.”
buff.ly
January 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM
"No we are not actually providing health services, we just need your medical data for, you know, reasons"
Reposted by Tony Roberts
En el 2000 Linux ya empezaba a mover el mundo. No hubiera tenido ningún sentido aceptar una oferta tan poco tentadora :P
January 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
En el 2000 Linux ya empezaba a mover el mundo. No hubiera tenido ningún sentido aceptar una oferta tan poco tentadora :P
Reposted by Tony Roberts
A woman shot fucking dead in the streets and the biggest worry liberals have is that there could be looting or lawlessness.
What the fuck do you call summary executions by masked, unaccountable violent men? Let me know.
What the fuck do you call summary executions by masked, unaccountable violent men? Let me know.
January 8, 2026 at 12:56 AM
A woman shot fucking dead in the streets and the biggest worry liberals have is that there could be looting or lawlessness.
What the fuck do you call summary executions by masked, unaccountable violent men? Let me know.
What the fuck do you call summary executions by masked, unaccountable violent men? Let me know.
Reposted by Tony Roberts
Federal policy prohibits law enforcement from shooting into moving vehicles unless the driver is an imminent threat to others. Trying to flee is not a sufficient threat unless there's reason to believe the person is violent.
This is the ninth shooting by ICE since September (I did not know that). All of them were into vehicles.
Deadly Minneapolis Encounter Is the 9th ICE Shooting Since September
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Federal policy prohibits law enforcement from shooting into moving vehicles unless the driver is an imminent threat to others. Trying to flee is not a sufficient threat unless there's reason to believe the person is violent.
ICE has conducted covert surveillance on most US citizens. IVE has scanned the driver’s license photos of 1 in 3 adults.
ICE had access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 adults.
ICE was tracking the movements of drivers in cities home to 3 in 4 adults.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
ICE had access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 adults.
ICE was tracking the movements of drivers in cities home to 3 in 4 adults.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
ICE Is Going on a Surveillance Shopping Spree
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a new budget under the current administration, and they are going on a surveillance tech shopping spree. Standing at $28.7 billion dollars for the ye...
www.eff.org
January 7, 2026 at 9:46 PM
ICE has conducted covert surveillance on most US citizens. IVE has scanned the driver’s license photos of 1 in 3 adults.
ICE had access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 adults.
ICE was tracking the movements of drivers in cities home to 3 in 4 adults.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
ICE had access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 adults.
ICE was tracking the movements of drivers in cities home to 3 in 4 adults.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
UK help US steal Russian tanker of oil. What could possibly go wrong? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD
Venezuelan-linked Marinera was stopped by the US Coast Guard as it travelled through waters between Iceland and Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:42 PM
UK help US steal Russian tanker of oil. What could possibly go wrong? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gates Foundation to end funding of digital financial inclusion raises questions for DPI ecosystems | Biometric Update share.google/8wWwIJcUo2ln...
Gates Foundation financial inclusion exit raises questions for DPI ecosystems | Biometric Update
The Gates Foundation will end its global financial inclusion work by 2030, saying the sector has made sufficient progress. “Our goal was never to be a permanent actor in this space,” Michael Wiegand, ...
share.google
January 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Gates Foundation to end funding of digital financial inclusion raises questions for DPI ecosystems | Biometric Update share.google/8wWwIJcUo2ln...
Reposted by Tony Roberts
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing share.google/dXfXqF9G4Hox...
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing
Academic publishing now shows the same decline that has hit social media and online marketplaces.
share.google
January 6, 2026 at 12:19 PM
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing share.google/dXfXqF9G4Hox...
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing share.google/dXfXqF9G4Hox...
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing
Academic publishing now shows the same decline that has hit social media and online marketplaces.
share.google
January 6, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The 5 stages of the ‘enshittification’ of academic publishing share.google/dXfXqF9G4Hox...
Elon Musk's AI tool Grok used to produce and post non-consensual semi-nude images of women using pictures posted anywhere on the internet. Elon Musk responds with a laugh-cry emoji. Prosecutions to follow.
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Elon Musk's Grok AI floods X with sexualized photos of women and minors
When contacted by Reuters for comment by email, xAI replied with the message "Legacy Media Lies."
www.reuters.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Elon Musk's AI tool Grok used to produce and post non-consensual semi-nude images of women using pictures posted anywhere on the internet. Elon Musk responds with a laugh-cry emoji. Prosecutions to follow.
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Reposted by Tony Roberts
this is irresponsible reporting. a neural network can't comment on why it produced CSAM. a neural network can't be held answerable for generating CSAM. accountability lies within the fascist ceo and the team willing to work for him
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Grok says safeguard lapses led to images of 'minors in minimal clothing' on X
Elon Musk's xAI artificial intelligence chatbot Grok said on Friday lapses in safeguards had resulted in "images depicting minors in minimal clothing" on social media platform X and that improvements ...
www.reuters.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
this is irresponsible reporting. a neural network can't comment on why it produced CSAM. a neural network can't be held answerable for generating CSAM. accountability lies within the fascist ceo and the team willing to work for him
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
TurnItIn adopts arms industry strategy
Minor thing given what's going on in the world right now, but I've just discovered that TurnitIn, the product many universities use for grading & plagiarism detection, offers students an 'AI-powered writing tool' as well as AI detection tools for instructors. They're selling weapons to both sides.
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
TurnItIn adopts arms industry strategy
Reposted by Tony Roberts
That's precisely what "mandatory but not compulsory" means #speirghorm
Britain's digital-ID will be 'voluntary' but you won't be able work without it, or access entitlements, or banking, or healthcare. Britain spent $5billion on a failed ID system when Tony Blair was PM but now the Tony Blair Institute is promoting it again.
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
Britain's Digital ID
YouTube video by Fine Print
youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
That's precisely what "mandatory but not compulsory" means #speirghorm
Reposted by Tony Roberts
Another study showing proximity and contact with refugees leads to more favorable views of immigrants and greater opposition to anti-immigrant parties.
academic.oup.com/ej/article/1...
academic.oup.com/ej/article/1...
Local exposure to refugees changed attitudes to ethnic minorities in the Netherlands
Abstract. We investigate the effect of exposure to refugees on locals’ preferences with regard to ethnic minorities using individual-level panel data from
academic.oup.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Another study showing proximity and contact with refugees leads to more favorable views of immigrants and greater opposition to anti-immigrant parties.
academic.oup.com/ej/article/1...
academic.oup.com/ej/article/1...
Reposted by Tony Roberts
I got a chance to vent to @marksellman about Zucks latest stalker nudieglasses 🙄
“To some extent, it moves stalking and harassment more easily from online to the real world, which is always the problem with wearables…”
Meta smart glasses pose a threat to women, campaigners say
Reports of covert filming have prompted privacy fears as experts are concerned that the devices would be altered to ‘nudify’ women without their consent
www.thetimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I got a chance to vent to @marksellman about Zucks latest stalker nudieglasses 🙄
Reposted by Tony Roberts
Britain's digital-ID will be 'voluntary' but you won't be able work without it, or access entitlements, or banking, or healthcare. Britain spent $5billion on a failed ID system when Tony Blair was PM but now the Tony Blair Institute is promoting it again.
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
Britain's Digital ID
YouTube video by Fine Print
youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Britain's digital-ID will be 'voluntary' but you won't be able work without it, or access entitlements, or banking, or healthcare. Britain spent $5billion on a failed ID system when Tony Blair was PM but now the Tony Blair Institute is promoting it again.
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wJ...
Shameful 'journalism' by @reuters.com
Nicolas Maduro's heavy-handed rule in Venezuela is finally ended by Trump reut.rs/3YWbo3K
Nicolas Maduro's heavy-handed rule in Venezuela is finally ended by Trump
Nicolas Maduro ruled Venezuela with a heavy hand for more than 12 years, presiding over deep economic and social crises and resisting pressure from domestic opponents and foreign governments for political change.
reut.rs
January 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Shameful 'journalism' by @reuters.com
Reposted by Tony Roberts
Australian journalist Peter Greste: The Alaa Abd el-Fattah I know is a humanitarian
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/alaa-abd-el-fattah-british-values-citizenship-human-rights-political-prisoners-b2893566.html
#freealaa #ukpolitics #Egypt
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/alaa-abd-el-fattah-british-values-citizenship-human-rights-political-prisoners-b2893566.html
#freealaa #ukpolitics #Egypt
The Alaa Abd el-Fattah I know is a humanitarian
There is no doubt that my friend’s comments were reprehensible, but the tragic irony is that he was locked up for more than a decade for defending the very principles he is now accused of violating, says Peter Greste
www.independent.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Australian journalist Peter Greste: The Alaa Abd el-Fattah I know is a humanitarian
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/alaa-abd-el-fattah-british-values-citizenship-human-rights-political-prisoners-b2893566.html
#freealaa #ukpolitics #Egypt
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/alaa-abd-el-fattah-british-values-citizenship-human-rights-political-prisoners-b2893566.html
#freealaa #ukpolitics #Egypt
Reposted by Tony Roberts
fwiw it’s been about six weeks since Trump pardoned the former president of Honduras who had been convicted of trafficking drugs into the US
January 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM
fwiw it’s been about six weeks since Trump pardoned the former president of Honduras who had been convicted of trafficking drugs into the US
"No New Wars" was his campaign slogan. So far, in 2026, the Peace President has bombed Nigeria and Venezuela, kidnapped a head of state and provided weapons to an on-going genocide. And it is only -checks diary- the third day of January ffs.
During his run for president Donald J. Trump repeatedly said he wouldn't start any new wars. I created a montage from his first 50 campaign stops. Promises not kept.
January 3, 2026 at 11:29 AM
"No New Wars" was his campaign slogan. So far, in 2026, the Peace President has bombed Nigeria and Venezuela, kidnapped a head of state and provided weapons to an on-going genocide. And it is only -checks diary- the third day of January ffs.
Reposted by Tony Roberts
“Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil on the planet.
For years, I was BBC Television’s correspondent covering Venezuela & US attempts to overthrow their elected government. Trump invented nothing. This is at least the 4th US-backed attempt at overthrow & assassination of a Venezuelan president”
For years, I was BBC Television’s correspondent covering Venezuela & US attempts to overthrow their elected government. Trump invented nothing. This is at least the 4th US-backed attempt at overthrow & assassination of a Venezuelan president”
Today is a good time to read this again www.gregpalast.com/venezuela-wh...
I met Chávez and Maduro. I know drugs are not the reason Trump wants war with Venezuela
You must know three things about Venezuela to understand why Donald Trump has ordered a covert operation to overthrow their government.
www.gregpalast.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:04 AM
“Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil on the planet.
For years, I was BBC Television’s correspondent covering Venezuela & US attempts to overthrow their elected government. Trump invented nothing. This is at least the 4th US-backed attempt at overthrow & assassination of a Venezuelan president”
For years, I was BBC Television’s correspondent covering Venezuela & US attempts to overthrow their elected government. Trump invented nothing. This is at least the 4th US-backed attempt at overthrow & assassination of a Venezuelan president”
Reverse Brexit, Tax Wealth, Nationalised utilities you useless git.
"Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living". share.google/QwGBtWsBnIFS...
"Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living". share.google/QwGBtWsBnIFS...
Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living
PM to highlight energy bill and interest rate cuts, plus end to two-child benefit cap, and to invite his MPs to Chequers
share.google
January 3, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Reverse Brexit, Tax Wealth, Nationalised utilities you useless git.
"Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living". share.google/QwGBtWsBnIFS...
"Keir Starmer to woo voters and MPs with new year plan to cut cost of living". share.google/QwGBtWsBnIFS...