Dan Phiffer
@phiffer.org
Web developer at @propublica.org. Lives in Troy, NY. He/him. More active on Mastodon: https://social.coop/@dphiffer
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
“This is the kind of persecution that I think the world should not allow to happen,” said Ibáñez Carranza. “We serve humanity. We are delivering justice for the most vulnerable victims around the world, for millions and millions of women and children who have no voice.”
Credit cards cancelled, Google accounts closed: ICC judges on life under Trump sanctions
Kimberly Prost and Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza vow US reprisals will not affect work of international criminal court
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:45 AM
“This is the kind of persecution that I think the world should not allow to happen,” said Ibáñez Carranza. “We serve humanity. We are delivering justice for the most vulnerable victims around the world, for millions and millions of women and children who have no voice.”
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Facial recognition technology is dangerous when it works and when it doesn't.
The last thing we need is Big Tech, the government, or anyone else capturing our biometrics as we go about our lives.
Meta must not add this unreliable and invasive technology to its glasses.
The last thing we need is Big Tech, the government, or anyone else capturing our biometrics as we go about our lives.
Meta must not add this unreliable and invasive technology to its glasses.
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Facial recognition technology is dangerous when it works and when it doesn't.
The last thing we need is Big Tech, the government, or anyone else capturing our biometrics as we go about our lives.
Meta must not add this unreliable and invasive technology to its glasses.
The last thing we need is Big Tech, the government, or anyone else capturing our biometrics as we go about our lives.
Meta must not add this unreliable and invasive technology to its glasses.
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
This is a good essay, but sometimes as a thought experiment I think about how we defended the ubiquity of cars 100+ years ago. Sure, we can't really walk places anymore and they kill tens of thousands a year and gasoline makes the air toxic, but getting places fast in a personal bubble is cool!
NYT OpEd asked me to explain vibe coding to a general audience, and I took a swing. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/o...
Opinion | The A.I. Disruption Is Actually Here, and It’s Not Terrible
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:45 PM
This is a good essay, but sometimes as a thought experiment I think about how we defended the ubiquity of cars 100+ years ago. Sure, we can't really walk places anymore and they kill tens of thousands a year and gasoline makes the air toxic, but getting places fast in a personal bubble is cool!
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
So after Trump pardoned Honduras's narco-president, the admin didn't just let him out--they canceled an immigration hold and sent a specialized team to **chauffeur him to the $1k/night Waldorf Astoria.**
“It's "absolutely fucking nuts,” said one official
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
“It's "absolutely fucking nuts,” said one official
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
February 18, 2026 at 1:21 PM
So after Trump pardoned Honduras's narco-president, the admin didn't just let him out--they canceled an immigration hold and sent a specialized team to **chauffeur him to the $1k/night Waldorf Astoria.**
“It's "absolutely fucking nuts,” said one official
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
“It's "absolutely fucking nuts,” said one official
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Thread! Here's how the top photo in the "crying" article varies across different language Wikipedias! In Czech, it's a kid named Stephen who "was sad that his 3 hot dogs, box of donuts, and 2 liter bottle of soda fell to the ground"(2009)
February 18, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Thread! Here's how the top photo in the "crying" article varies across different language Wikipedias! In Czech, it's a kid named Stephen who "was sad that his 3 hot dogs, box of donuts, and 2 liter bottle of soda fell to the ground"(2009)
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
February 17, 2026 at 11:41 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
"He said during the trial period, of the 5677 alerts police were requested to respond to, only one resulted in a breach of bail, with one in five due to a flat battery."
That suggests the things don't work correctly enough to make people wear them.
That suggests the things don't work correctly enough to make people wear them.
February 15, 2026 at 9:31 PM
"He said during the trial period, of the 5677 alerts police were requested to respond to, only one resulted in a breach of bail, with one in five due to a flat battery."
That suggests the things don't work correctly enough to make people wear them.
That suggests the things don't work correctly enough to make people wear them.
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
ICE to spend $38bn turning warehouses into detention centers, documents show
ICE to spend $38bn turning warehouses into detention centers, documents show
US homeland security eyeing 24 buildings, some as ‘primary locations’ for deportations, in escalation of Trump agenda
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expects to spend an estimated $38.3bn on a plan to acquire warehouses across the country and retrofit them into new immigration detention centers with capacity for tens of thousands of detainees, according to documents the agency sent to the governor of New Hampshire.
The documents, published on the state’s website on Thursday, disclose that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates it will spend $158m retrofitting a new detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and an additional estimated $146m to operate the facility in the first three years. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:15 PM
ICE to spend $38bn turning warehouses into detention centers, documents show
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Meta thinks now is a great time to launch facial recognition surveillance tech in their creepy glasses because EFF will be too distracted by fascism to notice.
We noticed.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
We noticed.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Seven Billion Reasons for Facebook to Abandon its Face Recognition Plans
Meta’s analysis that it can avoid scrutiny by releasing a privacy invasive product during a time of political crisis is craven and morally bankrupt. It is also dead wrong.
www.eff.org
February 13, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Meta thinks now is a great time to launch facial recognition surveillance tech in their creepy glasses because EFF will be too distracted by fascism to notice.
We noticed.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
We noticed.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
ProPublica is hiring! Join our team:
* Data Reporter: grnh.se/t9m4zaoh6us
* Audience Writer: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Visuals Editor: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Business Reporters: grnh.se/6uxr327r6us
* Data Reporter: grnh.se/t9m4zaoh6us
* Audience Writer: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Visuals Editor: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Business Reporters: grnh.se/6uxr327r6us
February 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
ProPublica is hiring! Join our team:
* Data Reporter: grnh.se/t9m4zaoh6us
* Audience Writer: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Visuals Editor: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Business Reporters: grnh.se/6uxr327r6us
* Data Reporter: grnh.se/t9m4zaoh6us
* Audience Writer: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Visuals Editor: grnh.se/cie29dxy6us
* Business Reporters: grnh.se/6uxr327r6us
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Not so long ago, President Trump’s ambassador to Canada lifted a ceremonial shovel at the groundbreaking of the Gordie Howe bridge.
Things have changed.
My new @propublica.org story:
Things have changed.
My new @propublica.org story:
Trump Threatens to Block Michigan-Canada Bridge He Once Championed
The president’s targeting of the bridge shows just how drastically U.S.-Canada relations have fallen between his two terms.
www.propublica.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Not so long ago, President Trump’s ambassador to Canada lifted a ceremonial shovel at the groundbreaking of the Gordie Howe bridge.
Things have changed.
My new @propublica.org story:
Things have changed.
My new @propublica.org story:
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
🚨Journalism Job🚨 (on my team!) @propublica.org is looking for a creative, empathetic and ambitious Visuals Editor. This role will work closely with the art director and the rest of the visuals team to find compassionate, incisive and original approaches to story presentations. grnh.se/v3pi5tuq6us
February 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM
🚨Journalism Job🚨 (on my team!) @propublica.org is looking for a creative, empathetic and ambitious Visuals Editor. This role will work closely with the art director and the rest of the visuals team to find compassionate, incisive and original approaches to story presentations. grnh.se/v3pi5tuq6us
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
One of the Minnesotans who stood up was Gust Johnson, a Vietnam war vet and nurse
He went to scene after Alex Pretti was killed
Agents repeatedly sprayed him in face
They tackled him (knocking out hearing aid and cutting arm)
They shackled him.
They held him ten hours.
They kept his phone.
He went to scene after Alex Pretti was killed
Agents repeatedly sprayed him in face
They tackled him (knocking out hearing aid and cutting arm)
They shackled him.
They held him ten hours.
They kept his phone.
February 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
One of the Minnesotans who stood up was Gust Johnson, a Vietnam war vet and nurse
He went to scene after Alex Pretti was killed
Agents repeatedly sprayed him in face
They tackled him (knocking out hearing aid and cutting arm)
They shackled him.
They held him ten hours.
They kept his phone.
He went to scene after Alex Pretti was killed
Agents repeatedly sprayed him in face
They tackled him (knocking out hearing aid and cutting arm)
They shackled him.
They held him ten hours.
They kept his phone.
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
You know how it’s a @propublicaguild.org picket because Scabby has a tip line
February 11, 2026 at 5:34 PM
You know how it’s a @propublicaguild.org picket because Scabby has a tip line
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
The FTC is apparently hiring attorneys who will "focus on unfair and deceptive practices impacting children and families, including investigations relating to pediatric gender dysphoria treatment."
Doesn't specify a division within BCP, which is odd!
www.usajobs.gov/job/856161000
Doesn't specify a division within BCP, which is odd!
www.usajobs.gov/job/856161000
USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal jobs across the United States and around the world as the official employment site for the federal government
The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and litigates civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc">https://www....
www.usajobs.gov
February 11, 2026 at 10:28 PM
The FTC is apparently hiring attorneys who will "focus on unfair and deceptive practices impacting children and families, including investigations relating to pediatric gender dysphoria treatment."
Doesn't specify a division within BCP, which is odd!
www.usajobs.gov/job/856161000
Doesn't specify a division within BCP, which is odd!
www.usajobs.gov/job/856161000
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Habeas cases filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal have taken off to levels we have never seen before. Just look at that chart.
www.propublica.org/article/habe...
www.propublica.org/article/habe...
February 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Habeas cases filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal have taken off to levels we have never seen before. Just look at that chart.
www.propublica.org/article/habe...
www.propublica.org/article/habe...
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
the public health response to this has to be “close the camps and free them all” and nothing less
5/ “I have already spent more than 60 days waking up eating the same repetitive meals…going to the doctor and that the only thing they tell you is to drink more water and the worst thing is that it seems like the water is what makes people sick here…”
From 12-year-old Ender, detained 60+ days
From 12-year-old Ender, detained 60+ days
February 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
the public health response to this has to be “close the camps and free them all” and nothing less
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Investigative journalism with a moral force is a public service that we take seriously, and we need a strong contract to do our jobs effectively. That’s why we are ready to strike! Our GoFundMe will help offset the cost of missed pay: www.gofundme.com/f/support-pr...
Donate to Support ProPublica Workers in Our Fight for a Fair Contract, organized by Eli Oberman
We are the unionized workers at ProPublica, and we’re ready to… Eli Oberman needs your support for Support ProPublica Workers in Our Fight for a Fair Contract
www.gofundme.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Investigative journalism with a moral force is a public service that we take seriously, and we need a strong contract to do our jobs effectively. That’s why we are ready to strike! Our GoFundMe will help offset the cost of missed pay: www.gofundme.com/f/support-pr...
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
There’s a wolf in LA for the first time in 100 years. A collared gray wolf entered the mountains of north Los Angeles County yesterday. Known as “BEY03F” she traveled hundreds of miles from her pack in Plumas County crossing highways, mountains, creeks and valleys.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
A wolf has come to Los Angeles County for the first time in more than a century
Around 6 a.m. Saturday, the 3-year-old female arrived in the mountains north of Santa Clarita, as tracked by a GPS collar.
www.latimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM
There’s a wolf in LA for the first time in 100 years. A collared gray wolf entered the mountains of north Los Angeles County yesterday. Known as “BEY03F” she traveled hundreds of miles from her pack in Plumas County crossing highways, mountains, creeks and valleys.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
February 9, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
This just shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to do news. Data helps, but data doesn’t tell a reporter to spend a years-long investigation into child labor or an editor to place staff in a country on the brink of war. What exactly does Bezos think WaPo’s “journalistic mission” is?
Jeff Bezos' statement, his first since last week's layoffs: "The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity. Each and every day our readers give us a roadmap to success. The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
February 8, 2026 at 12:39 AM
This just shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to do news. Data helps, but data doesn’t tell a reporter to spend a years-long investigation into child labor or an editor to place staff in a country on the brink of war. What exactly does Bezos think WaPo’s “journalistic mission” is?
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
This.
(The Washington Post fired its photojournalists today, as part of Bezo's demolition of his own newspaper.)
(The Washington Post fired its photojournalists today, as part of Bezo's demolition of his own newspaper.)
February 5, 2026 at 12:54 AM
This.
(The Washington Post fired its photojournalists today, as part of Bezo's demolition of his own newspaper.)
(The Washington Post fired its photojournalists today, as part of Bezo's demolition of his own newspaper.)
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Reposted by Dan Phiffer
Our members joined the #SaveThePost rally in D.C. today to protest the mass layoffs at the Washington Post. We stand in solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Support laid off workers: www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t... + www.gofundme.com/f/support-fo... ✊
![Hand-made signs with cut-out letters. One says "We [heart] Post Reporters". The other uses the print newspaper section heds to write: "METRO, SPORTS, STYLE, THE WORLD PROTECT THE WASHINGTON POST"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cdv2pqnwpgqvwp7i4h6qqm3m/bafkreibt5xze7sty3i2mulq2oh6alsktwcgbtzptvcitmctt67pd3rpkbe@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Our members joined the #SaveThePost rally in D.C. today to protest the mass layoffs at the Washington Post. We stand in solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social. Support laid off workers: www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t... + www.gofundme.com/f/support-fo... ✊
Somehow Sam Altman got me to watch this Superbowl ad about ads being bad.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tried to be a good sport, calling the ads funny, but clearly they struck a nerve. He called the ads “deceptive,” accused Anthropic of “doublespeak,” and said it was an “authoritarian company” that was heading down a “dark path.”
sherwood.news/tech/openais...
sherwood.news/tech/openais...
OpenAI’s Altman calls Anthropic an “authoritarian company” and says its Super Bowl ad is “deceptive”
After Anthropic pledged an ad-free Claude in a Super Bowl ad that is a thinly veiled poke at OpenAI, Sam Altman accused the company of “doublespeak”...
sherwood.news
February 5, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Somehow Sam Altman got me to watch this Superbowl ad about ads being bad.