Renate Samson
@renatesamson.bsky.social
Longtime advocate, policy wonk, researcher and speaker about the impact of data driven tech and AI.
Currently immersed in researching young people’s digital lives and AI in education @AdaLovelaceInstitute and @Nuffield Foundation
Currently immersed in researching young people’s digital lives and AI in education @AdaLovelaceInstitute and @Nuffield Foundation
Reposted by Renate Samson
📢 CCDH's research shows that ChatGPT is exploiting vulnerable users.
OpenAI should stop pretending ChatGPT is safe – and fix it.
Agree? Add your name now to urge AI companies and governments to put people’s safety first 👇
https://act.counterhate.com/page/179641/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=bs_organic
OpenAI should stop pretending ChatGPT is safe – and fix it.
Agree? Add your name now to urge AI companies and governments to put people’s safety first 👇
https://act.counterhate.com/page/179641/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=bs_organic
act.counterhate.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
📢 CCDH's research shows that ChatGPT is exploiting vulnerable users.
OpenAI should stop pretending ChatGPT is safe – and fix it.
Agree? Add your name now to urge AI companies and governments to put people’s safety first 👇
https://act.counterhate.com/page/179641/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=bs_organic
OpenAI should stop pretending ChatGPT is safe – and fix it.
Agree? Add your name now to urge AI companies and governments to put people’s safety first 👇
https://act.counterhate.com/page/179641/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=bs_organic
Reposted by Renate Samson
NEW: Google is taking legal action against Chinese cybercriminals responsible for sending out millions of scam text messages—including those parcel delivery scams.
Google hopes the lawsuit will help to disrupt the scammers' sprawling infrastructure
Google hopes the lawsuit will help to disrupt the scammers' sprawling infrastructure
This Is the Platform Google Claims Is Behind a 'Staggering’ Scam Text Operation
Google is suing 25 people it alleges are behind a “relentless” scam text operation that uses a phishing-as-a-service platform called Lighthouse.
www.wired.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
NEW: Google is taking legal action against Chinese cybercriminals responsible for sending out millions of scam text messages—including those parcel delivery scams.
Google hopes the lawsuit will help to disrupt the scammers' sprawling infrastructure
Google hopes the lawsuit will help to disrupt the scammers' sprawling infrastructure
Reposted by Renate Samson
Kudos to Sky News for a project trying to measure the political bias of the X algorithm. Looks like a lot of work involved here:
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Kudos to Sky News for a project trying to measure the political bias of the X algorithm. Looks like a lot of work involved here:
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Renate Samson
After a monthslong trade war, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet Thursday in Korea. “What’s at stake is America’s ability to keep innovating and leading in the industries of the future,” Eric Schmidt and Selina Xu argue.
What the U.S. Can Learn From China’s Technological Success
America only hurts itself by discounting what China has done well.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
After a monthslong trade war, Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet Thursday in Korea. “What’s at stake is America’s ability to keep innovating and leading in the industries of the future,” Eric Schmidt and Selina Xu argue.
Reposted by Renate Samson
AI browsers face a security flaw as inevitable as death and taxes
AI browsers face a security flaw as inevitable as death and taxes
Agentic features open the door to data exfiltration or worse
Feature With great power comes great vulnerability. Several new AI browsers, including OpenAI's Atlas, offer the ability to take actions on the user's behalf, such as opening web pages or even shopping. But these added capabilities create new attack vectors, particularly prompt injection.…
dlvr.it
October 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
AI browsers face a security flaw as inevitable as death and taxes
Publication Day 🎉 today work I’ve been doing exploring and understanding the digital lives of in 14-24 year olds has been published.
To read the report and my own personal reflection on the project www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
To read the report and my own personal reflection on the project www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Deep Dive Workshop: Digital Lives - Nuffield Foundation
www.nuffieldfoundation.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Publication Day 🎉 today work I’ve been doing exploring and understanding the digital lives of in 14-24 year olds has been published.
To read the report and my own personal reflection on the project www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
To read the report and my own personal reflection on the project www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Reposted by Renate Samson
We monitored an AI chatbot service popular with teens and found characters modelled on alt-right extremists, school shooters and even real people – including Jeffrey Epstein
Character AI has millions of users – and the app has been downloaded 2m+ times in the UK alone
Character AI has millions of users – and the app has been downloaded 2m+ times in the UK alone
October 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM
We monitored an AI chatbot service popular with teens and found characters modelled on alt-right extremists, school shooters and even real people – including Jeffrey Epstein
Character AI has millions of users – and the app has been downloaded 2m+ times in the UK alone
Character AI has millions of users – and the app has been downloaded 2m+ times in the UK alone
Talking to people outside oh the usual bubble is so invigorating
October 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Talking to people outside oh the usual bubble is so invigorating
Reposted by Renate Samson
Absolute bombshell from @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social:
Meta's internal research found that Instagram's algorithms preferentially displayed harmful content to vulnerable teens.
I'm glad I left Instagram back when I did, even if it was for other reasons (their anti-LGBTQ policies).
Meta's internal research found that Instagram's algorithms preferentially displayed harmful content to vulnerable teens.
I'm glad I left Instagram back when I did, even if it was for other reasons (their anti-LGBTQ policies).
Exclusive: Instagram shows more ‘eating disorder adjacent’ content to vulnerable teens, internal Meta research shows
Meta researchers found that teens who report that Instagram regularly made them feel bad about their bodies saw significantly more “eating disorder adjacent content” than those who did not, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters.
www.reuters.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Absolute bombshell from @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social:
Meta's internal research found that Instagram's algorithms preferentially displayed harmful content to vulnerable teens.
I'm glad I left Instagram back when I did, even if it was for other reasons (their anti-LGBTQ policies).
Meta's internal research found that Instagram's algorithms preferentially displayed harmful content to vulnerable teens.
I'm glad I left Instagram back when I did, even if it was for other reasons (their anti-LGBTQ policies).
Reposted by Renate Samson
Researchers pointed a satellite dish at the sky for 3 years and monitored what unencrypted data it picked up. The results were shocking: They obtained thousands of T-Mobile users' phone calls and texts, military and law enforcement secrets, much more: www.wired.com/story/satell... 🧵👇
Satellites Are Leaking the World’s Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data
With just $800 in basic equipment, researchers found a stunning variety of data—including thousands of T-Mobile users’ calls and texts and even US military communications—sent by satellites unencrypte...
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Researchers pointed a satellite dish at the sky for 3 years and monitored what unencrypted data it picked up. The results were shocking: They obtained thousands of T-Mobile users' phone calls and texts, military and law enforcement secrets, much more: www.wired.com/story/satell... 🧵👇
Reposted by Renate Samson
Cory Doctorow has a word for that kind of 'do less and get less' approach to AI adoption: futurism.com/future-socie...
If it ends up getting fumbled, it'll be myopic money grabs that do it, not the tech itself.
If it ends up getting fumbled, it'll be myopic money grabs that do it, not the tech itself.
Cory Doctorow Says the AI Industry Is About to Collapse
Famed sci-fi author and tech journalist Cory Doctorow has a spectacularly grim warning about the coming AI-fueled economic disaster.
futurism.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Cory Doctorow has a word for that kind of 'do less and get less' approach to AI adoption: futurism.com/future-socie...
If it ends up getting fumbled, it'll be myopic money grabs that do it, not the tech itself.
If it ends up getting fumbled, it'll be myopic money grabs that do it, not the tech itself.
Reposted by Renate Samson
BREAKING: A catastrophic breach has impacted Discord user data including selfies and identity documents uploaded as part of the app’s verification process, email addresses, phone numbers, approximately where the user lives, and much more.
🔗 www.404media.co/the-discord-...
🔗 www.404media.co/the-discord-...
The Discord Hack is Every Users’ Worst Nightmare
A hack impacting Discord’s age verification process shows in stark terms the risk of tech companies collecting users’ ID documents. Now the hackers are posting peoples’ IDs and other sensitive informa...
www.404media.co
October 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
BREAKING: A catastrophic breach has impacted Discord user data including selfies and identity documents uploaded as part of the app’s verification process, email addresses, phone numbers, approximately where the user lives, and much more.
🔗 www.404media.co/the-discord-...
🔗 www.404media.co/the-discord-...
Reposted by Renate Samson
Microsoft and Anthropic appoint former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser and pledge his role will not include lobbying with the UK government (Financial Times)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
October 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Microsoft and Anthropic appoint former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser and pledge his role will not include lobbying with the UK government (Financial Times)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
@roberthutton.co.uk smashing to chat with you earlier. Here’s that spot I was talking about www.cine-real.com/pages/shop-v...
SHOP + VENUE
Ümit and Son shop information and details of our film night at the Castle CInema
www.cine-real.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
@roberthutton.co.uk smashing to chat with you earlier. Here’s that spot I was talking about www.cine-real.com/pages/shop-v...
I’ve worked on and off on digital identity for a decade. I have plenty of thoughts about the UK govt proposal.
Right now though, based on my work with 14-24 year olds I’m curious how a compulsory DIGITAL ID will help with extricating young people from mobile devices? 🤷🏻♀️
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Right now though, based on my work with 14-24 year olds I’m curious how a compulsory DIGITAL ID will help with extricating young people from mobile devices? 🤷🏻♀️
www.gov.uk/government/n...
New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK
A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks ...
www.gov.uk
September 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I’ve worked on and off on digital identity for a decade. I have plenty of thoughts about the UK govt proposal.
Right now though, based on my work with 14-24 year olds I’m curious how a compulsory DIGITAL ID will help with extricating young people from mobile devices? 🤷🏻♀️
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Right now though, based on my work with 14-24 year olds I’m curious how a compulsory DIGITAL ID will help with extricating young people from mobile devices? 🤷🏻♀️
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Compulsory ID.
Compulsory.
ID.
Compulsory.
ID.
September 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Compulsory ID.
Compulsory.
ID.
Compulsory.
ID.
Telegraph readers marginally more opposed to ID cards than for them.
Times readers all in enthusiastic for them.
Curious.
Times readers all in enthusiastic for them.
Curious.
September 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Telegraph readers marginally more opposed to ID cards than for them.
Times readers all in enthusiastic for them.
Curious.
Times readers all in enthusiastic for them.
Curious.
Utterly unsurprised that when it comes to bricks and mortar shoppers want to interact with people not surveillance cameras.
‘Amazon to close all its ‘grab and go’ till-less grocery stores’
www.thetimes.com/article/cd7c...
‘Amazon to close all its ‘grab and go’ till-less grocery stores’
www.thetimes.com/article/cd7c...
Latest news & breaking headlines
The latest breaking UK, US, world, business and sport news from The Times and The Sunday Times. Go beyond today's headlines with in-depth analysis and comment.
www.thetimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Utterly unsurprised that when it comes to bricks and mortar shoppers want to interact with people not surveillance cameras.
‘Amazon to close all its ‘grab and go’ till-less grocery stores’
www.thetimes.com/article/cd7c...
‘Amazon to close all its ‘grab and go’ till-less grocery stores’
www.thetimes.com/article/cd7c...
@williamcb.bsky.social thank you for your hospitality and for hosting an interesting conversation.
September 23, 2025 at 10:25 PM
@williamcb.bsky.social thank you for your hospitality and for hosting an interesting conversation.
My timeline demonstrating the extent of the wealth/poverty gap depressingly clearly @gavin-kelly.bsky.social @techmeme.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
My timeline demonstrating the extent of the wealth/poverty gap depressingly clearly @gavin-kelly.bsky.social @techmeme.com
This report, combined with the UK Govt report on Microsoft Co-Pilot seem to be early warning signs that AI is not living up
to the vastly inflated expectations.
Trough of Disillusionment here we all come!
to the vastly inflated expectations.
Trough of Disillusionment here we all come!
We might be “experiencing an AI bubble,” Rogé Karma argues. “If that bubble bursts, it could put the dot-com crash to shame—and the tech giants and their Silicon Valley backers won’t be the only ones who suffer.”
Just How Bad Would an AI Bubble Be?
The entire U.S. economy is being propped up by the promise of productivity gains that seem very far from materializing.
bit.ly
September 8, 2025 at 6:01 AM
This report, combined with the UK Govt report on Microsoft Co-Pilot seem to be early warning signs that AI is not living up
to the vastly inflated expectations.
Trough of Disillusionment here we all come!
to the vastly inflated expectations.
Trough of Disillusionment here we all come!
Wow, Diana Johnson MP twisting what surveillance means on BBC radio 4 right now. Being transparent about 24/7 live facial recognition doesn’t stop it being surveillance.
To then claim it’s adhering to the law, and in the next breath sat there will be a consultation on the law is really something
To then claim it’s adhering to the law, and in the next breath sat there will be a consultation on the law is really something
August 13, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Wow, Diana Johnson MP twisting what surveillance means on BBC radio 4 right now. Being transparent about 24/7 live facial recognition doesn’t stop it being surveillance.
To then claim it’s adhering to the law, and in the next breath sat there will be a consultation on the law is really something
To then claim it’s adhering to the law, and in the next breath sat there will be a consultation on the law is really something
Reposted by Renate Samson
Facebook is increasingly under siege and now a new Dutch initiative – the Facebook Museum – is aiming to help users break away from the platform once and for all.
World’s first Facebook museum helps users face the future - DutchNews.nl
Facebook is increasingly under siege and now a new Dutch initiative – the Facebook Museum – is aiming to help users break away from the platform once and for all. Designed by SETUP, an arts…
www.dutchnews.nl
August 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Facebook is increasingly under siege and now a new Dutch initiative – the Facebook Museum – is aiming to help users break away from the platform once and for all.
Reposted by Renate Samson
NEW: ChatGPT allows Google to index chats users share using the Share functionality - presumably misinterpreting "make this chat discoverable". The result? Frank admissions about sex lives and drug dependencies. My latest for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91376687/goo... tip @techmeme.com
Google is indexing ChatGPT conversations, potentially exposing sensitive user data
Thousands of shared ChatGPT chats—including deeply personal details about mental health, relationships, and trauma—are appearing in Google search results, raising major privacy concerns.
www.fastcompany.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:43 PM
NEW: ChatGPT allows Google to index chats users share using the Share functionality - presumably misinterpreting "make this chat discoverable". The result? Frank admissions about sex lives and drug dependencies. My latest for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91376687/goo... tip @techmeme.com