Philip Mai
@philipmai.com
Two-time refugee | Co-Dir. SocialMediaLab.ca | M.S., J.D. | PhilipMai.com | Developer of social media analysis tools for research in the public interest: SocialMediaLab.ca/apps/
The Super Bowl halftime show featured a little boy & social media users speculated that the child was 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. But it wasn't. Liam is in hiding w/his family. "He’s not the same boy. He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy.’”
‘He’s not the same’: Father of Liam Conejo Ramos says 5-year-old continues to suffer
Some people thought they say the 5-year-old during the Super Bowl halftime show. But Liam is still in hiding with his family, after he and his father were detained and then released from a Texas deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 2:48 AM
The Super Bowl halftime show featured a little boy & social media users speculated that the child was 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. But it wasn't. Liam is in hiding w/his family. "He’s not the same boy. He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy.’”
Reposted by Philip Mai
The big picture to keep in mind is that modern destabilization and foreign interference usually isn’t about invasion. It’s about: undermining trust, amplifying division, convincing people their own system is illegitimate.
Once enough people believe that, outside pressure becomes easier to justify.
Once enough people believe that, outside pressure becomes easier to justify.
January 30, 2026 at 12:39 AM
The big picture to keep in mind is that modern destabilization and foreign interference usually isn’t about invasion. It’s about: undermining trust, amplifying division, convincing people their own system is illegitimate.
Once enough people believe that, outside pressure becomes easier to justify.
Once enough people believe that, outside pressure becomes easier to justify.
Reposted by Philip Mai
Be wary of conspiracy-level fraud “evidence” right after a vote. If a referendum fails & w/in hours, there are: “leaked” documents, viral charts “proving” statistical impossibilities, mystery insiders claiming massive fraud. That’s a sign someone is trying to flood the zone before facts can settle.
January 30, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Be wary of conspiracy-level fraud “evidence” right after a vote. If a referendum fails & w/in hours, there are: “leaked” documents, viral charts “proving” statistical impossibilities, mystery insiders claiming massive fraud. That’s a sign someone is trying to flood the zone before facts can settle.
Reposted by Philip Mai
Keep an eye out for politicians who are suddenly sounding very invested in one Canadian province.
Usual = polite commentary.
Not normal = foreign politicians saying a province is being “denied democracy” or “needs protection.”
That’s how internal politics get reframed as an international issue.
Usual = polite commentary.
Not normal = foreign politicians saying a province is being “denied democracy” or “needs protection.”
That’s how internal politics get reframed as an international issue.
January 30, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Keep an eye out for politicians who are suddenly sounding very invested in one Canadian province.
Usual = polite commentary.
Not normal = foreign politicians saying a province is being “denied democracy” or “needs protection.”
That’s how internal politics get reframed as an international issue.
Usual = polite commentary.
Not normal = foreign politicians saying a province is being “denied democracy” or “needs protection.”
That’s how internal politics get reframed as an international issue.
Reposted by Philip Mai
🧵 If Canada ever faced a serious separatist crisis with foreign interference, the real warning signs wouldn’t start with troops or tanks. They’d start with narratives.
Here’s what to be on alert for... #cdnpoli
Here’s what to be on alert for... #cdnpoli
B.C. premier says Alberta separatists seeking assistance from U.S. is 'treason' | CBC News
British Columbia Premier David Eby says Alberta separatists meeting with the U.S. administration and seeking financial backing is an act of "treason," as the issue of national sovereignty loomed over ...
www.cbc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 12:39 AM
🧵 If Canada ever faced a serious separatist crisis with foreign interference, the real warning signs wouldn’t start with troops or tanks. They’d start with narratives.
Here’s what to be on alert for... #cdnpoli
Here’s what to be on alert for... #cdnpoli
"Greece arrests air force officer on espionage charges linked to China" www.euractiv.com/news/greece-...
Greece arrests air force officer on espionage charges linked to China | Euractiv
Officer allegedly passed classified military and NATO-related information
www.euractiv.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
"Greece arrests air force officer on espionage charges linked to China" www.euractiv.com/news/greece-...
"How money drives Russia’s sabotage campaign in Europe.
Money, not ideology, recruits disposable agents. Europe’s response must reflect this" www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
Money, not ideology, recruits disposable agents. Europe’s response must reflect this" www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
How money drives Russia’s sabotage campaign in Europe | Euractiv
Money, not ideology, recruits disposable agents. Europe’s response must reflect this
www.euractiv.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:58 AM
"How money drives Russia’s sabotage campaign in Europe.
Money, not ideology, recruits disposable agents. Europe’s response must reflect this" www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
Money, not ideology, recruits disposable agents. Europe’s response must reflect this" www.euractiv.com/opinion/how-...
Reposted by Philip Mai
"We're now under hybrid attack from the U.S."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
February 9, 2026 at 12:36 AM
"We're now under hybrid attack from the U.S."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
Reposted by Philip Mai
Officer, he was wearing a hoodie!
February 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
Officer, he was wearing a hoodie!
Reposted by Philip Mai
Dogs today, humans tomorrow. What could possibly go wrong?
February 9, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Dogs today, humans tomorrow. What could possibly go wrong?
Platforms #monetizing schema are encouraging the creation and distribution of hate content: "Hate brings views": Confessions of a London fake news TikToker" www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
"Hate brings views": Confessions of a London fake news TikToker
Who are the real people behind the accounts spreading fury about the capital online? And what motivates them?
www.londoncentric.media
February 8, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Platforms #monetizing schema are encouraging the creation and distribution of hate content: "Hate brings views": Confessions of a London fake news TikToker" www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
"Jeff Bezos’s axing of more than 300 jobs at the storied newspaper has renewed fears about the resilience of America’s democracy to withstand Trump’s attacks" www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
As goes the Washington Post: US democracy takes another hit under Trump
Jeff Bezos’s axing of more than 300 jobs at the storied newspaper has renewed fears about the resilience of America’s democracy to withstand Trump’s attacks
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:59 AM
"Jeff Bezos’s axing of more than 300 jobs at the storied newspaper has renewed fears about the resilience of America’s democracy to withstand Trump’s attacks" www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reposted by Philip Mai
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
February 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
Palantir, Deloitte, and the private prison giant GEO Group took in more than $22 billion from ICE and CBP last year. Behind the spreadsheets and contracts, there's a quieter truth: someone is getting rich from cages, borders, and human pain. Profit has always been fluent in the language of cruelty.
Companies reap $22bn from Trump’s immigration crackdown
Palantir and Deloitte among beneficiaries of spending by government agencies
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Palantir, Deloitte, and the private prison giant GEO Group took in more than $22 billion from ICE and CBP last year. Behind the spreadsheets and contracts, there's a quieter truth: someone is getting rich from cages, borders, and human pain. Profit has always been fluent in the language of cruelty.
"Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good's Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop. Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Ms. Good's vehicle, but Trump administration leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have departed." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:58 PM
"Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good's Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop. Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Ms. Good's vehicle, but Trump administration leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have departed." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
Reposted by Philip Mai
"NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump
Whistleblower says that Tulsi Gabbard blocked agency from sharing report and delivered it to White House chief of staff
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM
"NSA detected phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Your future lawyer might be an AI agent. But I'm pretty sure law societies & bar associations' gatekeeping will keep the fees the same, if not higher. (See relatlor's decade+ fight to keep their dominion over listings.)
"Maybe AI agents can be lawyers after all" techcrunch.com/2026/02/06/m...
"Maybe AI agents can be lawyers after all" techcrunch.com/2026/02/06/m...
Maybe AI agents can be lawyers after all | TechCrunch
This week's release of Opus 4.6 shook up the agentic AI leaderboards.
techcrunch.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Your future lawyer might be an AI agent. But I'm pretty sure law societies & bar associations' gatekeeping will keep the fees the same, if not higher. (See relatlor's decade+ fight to keep their dominion over listings.)
"Maybe AI agents can be lawyers after all" techcrunch.com/2026/02/06/m...
"Maybe AI agents can be lawyers after all" techcrunch.com/2026/02/06/m...
"TikTok creators flock to UpScrolled app after U.S. takeover....Millions have downloaded UpScrolled, an app pitching itself as 'anti-censorship'" www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
TikTok creators flock to UpScrolled app after U.S. takeover. Here's why | CBC News
Thousands of creators are deleting TikTok and flocking elsewhere just days after a change in ownership and mounting claims of widespread censorship and shadowbanning, or reduced reach, on the app.
www.cbc.ca
February 7, 2026 at 12:32 PM
"TikTok creators flock to UpScrolled app after U.S. takeover....Millions have downloaded UpScrolled, an app pitching itself as 'anti-censorship'" www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...
Reposted by Philip Mai
Seeing a story like this is a reminder and a warning that in a world flooded with disinformation and AI-generated noise is a world that favours authoritarians and fascists. Democracy depends on shared facts to build consensus, but those common reference points have eroded.
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Seeing a story like this is a reminder and a warning that in a world flooded with disinformation and AI-generated noise is a world that favours authoritarians and fascists. Democracy depends on shared facts to build consensus, but those common reference points have eroded.
"More Than 800 Google Workers Urge Company to Cancel Any Contracts With ICE and CBP. The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month." www.wired.com/story/hundre...
More Than 800 Google Workers Urge Company to Cancel Any Contracts With ICE and CBP
The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month.
www.wired.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:19 PM
"More Than 800 Google Workers Urge Company to Cancel Any Contracts With ICE and CBP. The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month." www.wired.com/story/hundre...
"Greek and French authorities probe alleged Chinese espionage targeting NATO tech, satellite data and military secrets, raising fears of wider spy networks." www.euronews.com/2026/02/06/g...
Greece and France charge suspects in separate China-linked spy cases
Greek and French authorities probe alleged Chinese espionage targeting NATO tech, satellite data and military secrets, raising fears of wider spy networks.
www.euronews.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:07 AM
"Greek and French authorities probe alleged Chinese espionage targeting NATO tech, satellite data and military secrets, raising fears of wider spy networks." www.euronews.com/2026/02/06/g...
Reposted by Philip Mai
🚀 dashboardr is out!
An #rstats package for building interactive dashboards with tidyverse-style syntax.
Launched with a fun hackathon at @ascor.bsky.social (🍕 included).
📦: favstats.github.io/dashboardr/
Big thanks to the dashboardr team, Digicomlab, and @vivifabrien.bsky.social for the logo 🎨
An #rstats package for building interactive dashboards with tidyverse-style syntax.
Launched with a fun hackathon at @ascor.bsky.social (🍕 included).
📦: favstats.github.io/dashboardr/
Big thanks to the dashboardr team, Digicomlab, and @vivifabrien.bsky.social for the logo 🎨
February 5, 2026 at 6:18 AM
🚀 dashboardr is out!
An #rstats package for building interactive dashboards with tidyverse-style syntax.
Launched with a fun hackathon at @ascor.bsky.social (🍕 included).
📦: favstats.github.io/dashboardr/
Big thanks to the dashboardr team, Digicomlab, and @vivifabrien.bsky.social for the logo 🎨
An #rstats package for building interactive dashboards with tidyverse-style syntax.
Launched with a fun hackathon at @ascor.bsky.social (🍕 included).
📦: favstats.github.io/dashboardr/
Big thanks to the dashboardr team, Digicomlab, and @vivifabrien.bsky.social for the logo 🎨
Reposted by Philip Mai
RIP nuclear non-proliferation. "The unthinkable is on the list of Japanese security options. Lawmakers and others are already whispering about the possibility of going nuclear" www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
RIP nuclear non-proliferation. "The unthinkable is on the list of Japanese security options. Lawmakers and others are already whispering about the possibility of going nuclear" www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
Reposted by Philip Mai
"Was there censorship on TikTok after the U.S. takeover? A TikTok outage more likely explains recent anomalies – there’s no evidence of larger platform changes so far." goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
Was there censorship on TikTok after the U.S. takeover?
A TikTok outage more likely explains recent anomalies – there’s no evidence of larger platform changes so far.
goodauthority.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:32 AM
"Was there censorship on TikTok after the U.S. takeover? A TikTok outage more likely explains recent anomalies – there’s no evidence of larger platform changes so far." goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
Reposted by Philip Mai
Curious re: who is using paid ads to shape your thinking re: politics & social issues on Facebook & Instagram? We've an app for that. PoliDashboard Unveils 25 New Country-Specific Dashboards, Advancing Global Transparency in Political Advertising on Meta Platforms. socialmedialab.ca/2026/02/04/p...
PoliDashboard Unveils 25 New Country-Specific Dashboards, Advancing Global Transparency in Political Advertising on Meta Platform - Social Media Lab
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 4, 2026 Toronto, Ontario — In the wake of recent reports highlighting the prevalence of fraudulent advertisements on Meta-owned platforms (Tech Transparency Project) and ...
socialmedialab.ca
February 5, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Curious re: who is using paid ads to shape your thinking re: politics & social issues on Facebook & Instagram? We've an app for that. PoliDashboard Unveils 25 New Country-Specific Dashboards, Advancing Global Transparency in Political Advertising on Meta Platforms. socialmedialab.ca/2026/02/04/p...