Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
@privacymatters.bsky.social
Advocate for privacy and broader human rights impacted by data.
Love nothing better than a hike in the hills. Embracing Yutori ゆとり over on @yutoriwalking.bsky.social
Love nothing better than a hike in the hills. Embracing Yutori ゆとり over on @yutoriwalking.bsky.social
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Men. Let's talk prostate cancer.
Reflections on my own diagnosis. I’m lucky. My cancer was caught early because I arranged a simple blood test.
Read on. www.linkedin.com/m/pulse/lets...
Reflections on my own diagnosis. I’m lucky. My cancer was caught early because I arranged a simple blood test.
Read on. www.linkedin.com/m/pulse/lets...
The European Commission is brokering a deal to exchange information about travelers, including fingerprints and law enforcement records, so the U.S. can determine if they “pose a risk to public security or public order,” according to official documents. 😱😱
www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
EU plan to share data with US border force sparks surveillance fears
Washington is demanding access to sensitive data as ICE heightens fears in Europe.
www.politico.eu
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 AM
The European Commission is brokering a deal to exchange information about travelers, including fingerprints and law enforcement records, so the U.S. can determine if they “pose a risk to public security or public order,” according to official documents. 😱😱
www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-m...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
Yes they should.
February 4, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Yes they should.
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
England's water companies have paid £85bn in dividends.
Borrowed £82.7bn. 35% of customer covers interest payments and shareholder payouts.
Sewage in rivers, insecure water supplies. Customer complaints up 50% last year. No exec prosecuted
Govt response - abolished fines on water companies.
Borrowed £82.7bn. 35% of customer covers interest payments and shareholder payouts.
Sewage in rivers, insecure water supplies. Customer complaints up 50% last year. No exec prosecuted
Govt response - abolished fines on water companies.
Public ownership of water is the only way to deliver security, efficiency, investment and value for money
37 years of privatisation has been a disaster
leftfootforward.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 AM
England's water companies have paid £85bn in dividends.
Borrowed £82.7bn. 35% of customer covers interest payments and shareholder payouts.
Sewage in rivers, insecure water supplies. Customer complaints up 50% last year. No exec prosecuted
Govt response - abolished fines on water companies.
Borrowed £82.7bn. 35% of customer covers interest payments and shareholder payouts.
Sewage in rivers, insecure water supplies. Customer complaints up 50% last year. No exec prosecuted
Govt response - abolished fines on water companies.
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
So as to inform debate and promote the public understanding of law, these are the four elements of the offence of Misconduct in Public Office.
From a 2004 Attorney General's reference, at www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
From a 2004 Attorney General's reference, at www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM
So as to inform debate and promote the public understanding of law, these are the four elements of the offence of Misconduct in Public Office.
From a 2004 Attorney General's reference, at www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
From a 2004 Attorney General's reference, at www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
However, it is exactly in such contexts that awareness of such issues is extra important as these interventions can create additional harm and victimisation. More info about course /10 caliweb.vub.be?page=course-...
Legal, Ethical and Social Issues of Artificial Intelligence
caliweb.vub.be
February 4, 2026 at 9:25 AM
However, it is exactly in such contexts that awareness of such issues is extra important as these interventions can create additional harm and victimisation. More info about course /10 caliweb.vub.be?page=course-...
Dutch government tests French alternative to Teams, Zoom and Webex
tweakers.net/nieuws/24430...
France
www.zdnet.com/article/fran...
tweakers.net/nieuws/24430...
France
www.zdnet.com/article/fran...
Nederlandse overheid test Frans alternatief voor Teams, Zoom en Webex
De Nederlandse overheid zet pilots op met tools voor digitale soevereiniteit die de Franse overheid gebruikt, zoals Visio voor videovergaderen. Frankrijk verplicht dit alternatief voor Amerikaanse too...
tweakers.net
February 4, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Dutch government tests French alternative to Teams, Zoom and Webex
tweakers.net/nieuws/24430...
France
www.zdnet.com/article/fran...
tweakers.net/nieuws/24430...
France
www.zdnet.com/article/fran...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
‘Domestic Terrorism’: ICE Contractor Palantir’s Tools for Tracking Dissent – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2026/01/29/d...
‘Domestic Terrorism’: ICE Contractor Palantir’s Tools for Tracking Dissent
Peter Thiel’s controversial data firm – which holds contracts with the UK’s NHS and Ministry of Defence – researched protest prediction for the US Army before agreeing to build ICE’s data platform to ...
bylinetimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:19 PM
‘Domestic Terrorism’: ICE Contractor Palantir’s Tools for Tracking Dissent – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2026/01/29/d...
The European Data Protection Board publishes Report on International Data Protection Enforcement Cooperation
www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-too...
www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-too...
Report on International Data Protection Enforcement Cooperation | European Data Protection Board
www.edpb.europa.eu
February 3, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The European Data Protection Board publishes Report on International Data Protection Enforcement Cooperation
www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-too...
www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-too...
Can the Ukrainians trust the US on this?
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The Pentagon has invited Ukrainian companies to participate in the first phase of the Drone Dominance Program, - Militarnyi
Among the companies from Ukraine are the manufacturer General Chereshnya and Ukrainian Defense Drones Tech.
Among the companies from Ukraine are the manufacturer General Chereshnya and Ukrainian Defense Drones Tech.
February 3, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Can the Ukrainians trust the US on this?
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
Today, #Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced a comprehensive plan to control #SocialMedia, saying it "has become a failed state.
If we want to protect our children there is only one thing we can do: take back control."
A summary of his plan:
If we want to protect our children there is only one thing we can do: take back control."
A summary of his plan:
February 3, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Today, #Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced a comprehensive plan to control #SocialMedia, saying it "has become a failed state.
If we want to protect our children there is only one thing we can do: take back control."
A summary of his plan:
If we want to protect our children there is only one thing we can do: take back control."
A summary of his plan:
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
This is one of the most important cases that galvanized Black people in the late 40s through the 1950s. Almost every major Black leader had a comment about it. It is also one of the most successful defense committees that was organized in the 20th century. Almost no one knows about it today.
On this day in 1948, an all-white jury sentenced a Black woman and two of her teenage sons to death for killing an armed white man in self-defense.
Feb. 3, 1948 | Black Woman and Her Children Sentenced to Die for Defending Themselves
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:07 PM
This is one of the most important cases that galvanized Black people in the late 40s through the 1950s. Almost every major Black leader had a comment about it. It is also one of the most successful defense committees that was organized in the 20th century. Almost no one knows about it today.
We're asking MPs in the Thames Water area to sign an open letter to Ofwat telling them to reject Thames Water's rescue bid - a bid that if signed off would permit them to pollute our rivers until 2040.
2,000 of you have written to them. But >100 MPs have still not signed the letter. 1/2
2,000 of you have written to them. But >100 MPs have still not signed the letter. 1/2
February 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
The US House Judiciary Committee publishes report accusing Irish regulators of censoring social media coverage of elections and working with 'biased fact-checkers'.
Full documents ⤵️
judiciary.house.gov/media/press-...
Full documents ⤵️
judiciary.house.gov/media/press-...
New Report Exposes European Commission Decade-Long Campaign to Censor American Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee released a interim staff report titled "The Foreign Censorship Threat, Part II: Europe's Decade-Long Campaign to Censor the Global Internet and ...
judiciary.house.gov
February 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The US House Judiciary Committee publishes report accusing Irish regulators of censoring social media coverage of elections and working with 'biased fact-checkers'.
Full documents ⤵️
judiciary.house.gov/media/press-...
Full documents ⤵️
judiciary.house.gov/media/press-...
Needs an Act of Parliament to remove Mandelson’s peerage - so get on and do it. Time to make it possible to remove peerages.
February 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Needs an Act of Parliament to remove Mandelson’s peerage - so get on and do it. Time to make it possible to remove peerages.
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
Mandelson to resign as member of House of Lords - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
Mandelson to step down from House of Lords after Epstein revelations - live updates
PM Keir Starmer calls allegations that Lord Mandelson passed on sensitive government information to Epstein
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Mandelson to resign as member of House of Lords - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
“You need only know this: Whatever is happening with your data, it is important enough to the most egregiously lawless administration in American history that it be collected and consolidated.” Always read @tressiemcphd.bsky.social (gift link)
Opinion | Democracy Dies by Database
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 PM
“You need only know this: Whatever is happening with your data, it is important enough to the most egregiously lawless administration in American history that it be collected and consolidated.” Always read @tressiemcphd.bsky.social (gift link)
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
This is the DUAA in action, the ICO no longer exists to uphold the law but to serve the interests of commerce - which are indistinguishable from those of state policy-makers.
The whole point of DP law was to protect human people from data harms. Sadly, that imperative no longer exists in the UK
The whole point of DP law was to protect human people from data harms. Sadly, that imperative no longer exists in the UK
February 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
This is the DUAA in action, the ICO no longer exists to uphold the law but to serve the interests of commerce - which are indistinguishable from those of state policy-makers.
The whole point of DP law was to protect human people from data harms. Sadly, that imperative no longer exists in the UK
The whole point of DP law was to protect human people from data harms. Sadly, that imperative no longer exists in the UK
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser after user feedback revealed many who wanted an AI-free browser experience.
New Mozilla Firefox version to allow AI features to be blocked
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser.
www.siliconrepublic.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser after user feedback revealed many who wanted an AI-free browser experience.
UK ICO announces investigation into Grok following reports that Grok has been used to generate non‑consensual sexual imagery of individuals, including children.
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ICO announces investigation into Grok
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has opened formal investigations into X Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) and X.AI LLC (X.AI) covering their processing of personal data in relation to the ...
ico.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 12:39 PM
UK ICO announces investigation into Grok following reports that Grok has been used to generate non‑consensual sexual imagery of individuals, including children.
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Exclusive: Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images - even when told subjects didn’t consent
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people even when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent, Reuters has found.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
Anyway, speaking of ...parenting. I've written a blog post about what's happening in the world right now, and what on earth it has to do with Alan Turing. It's a bit heavy, so consider yourself warned. heatherburns.tech/2026/02/02/t...
the other Turing test – Hi, I'm Heather Burns
heatherburns.tech
February 3, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Anyway, speaking of ...parenting. I've written a blog post about what's happening in the world right now, and what on earth it has to do with Alan Turing. It's a bit heavy, so consider yourself warned. heatherburns.tech/2026/02/02/t...
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
French prosecutors raid Paris offices of X, issues summons to Musk and Yaccarino www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Musk's X office in France raided by Paris prosecutor
The Paris prosecutor says its cyber-crime unit is conducting a search of X's offices.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
French prosecutors raid Paris offices of X, issues summons to Musk and Yaccarino www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We’ve long gone from the age of data about you being obtained in targeted, human rights based lawful investigations , to data about you being obtained en masse to trawl for individuals/communities of interest & law being abused & human rights being dismissed
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
How to Apply the 'Tyrant Test' to Technology
George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson is the author of the forthcoming book Your Data Will Be Used Against You.
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 8:50 PM
We’ve long gone from the age of data about you being obtained in targeted, human rights based lawful investigations , to data about you being obtained en masse to trawl for individuals/communities of interest & law being abused & human rights being dismissed
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
How to Apply the 'Tyrant Test' to Technology
George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson is the author of the forthcoming book Your Data Will Be Used Against You.
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 8:33 PM
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
Reposted by Pat Walshe - Privacy Matters
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.
Trump Calls His Enemies Terrorists. Does That Mean He Can Just Kill Them?
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.
interc.pt
February 2, 2026 at 4:17 PM
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.