Siena Anstis
@sanstis.bsky.social
lawyer | senior legal advisor @ The Citizen Lab | PhD Fellow in Law @ University of Oslo | parent | currently: transnational repression, digital surveillance & international human rights law | EU-based (Geneva, Oslo) | https://sienaanstis.com
Pinned
Siena Anstis
@sanstis.bsky.social
· Feb 9
Transnational Repression and International Law
www.nomos-shop.de
📣 New book! 📣 Dr. Larissa van den Herik & myself have a book coming out in March titled "Transnational Repression and International Law." Excited to see the result of this excellent collaboration and I hope it's useful for TNR/international law scholars & govt policymakers working on the issue.
Great essay by @nateschenkkan.bsky.social on the driving forces behind the "golden age" of transnational repression.
Project MUSE - The Golden Age of Transnational Repression
muse.jhu.edu
October 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Great essay by @nateschenkkan.bsky.social on the driving forces behind the "golden age" of transnational repression.
A few (early) thoughts on digital transnational repression and extraterritorial human rights obligations over at @bindinghook.bsky.social. Thanks for the opportunity to share my research (again!).
Digital transnational repression and the limits of international human rights law in a ‘post-territorial’ world
Traditional models of jurisdiction fail dissidents in an ever more connected world
bindinghook.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A few (early) thoughts on digital transnational repression and extraterritorial human rights obligations over at @bindinghook.bsky.social. Thanks for the opportunity to share my research (again!).
Reposted by Siena Anstis
Spyware industry pockets EU subsidies while snooping on its citizens www.ftm.eu/articles/spy...
Great work by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com showing how EU taxpayer money funds a surveillance industry that sells to authoritarian regimes abroad.
Great work by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com showing how EU taxpayer money funds a surveillance industry that sells to authoritarian regimes abroad.
Spyware industry pockets EU subsidies while snooping on its citizens
The widespread use of commercial spyware for unlawful surveillance across Europe has raised alarm – but the funding of such tools has largely gone under the radar. Follow the Money can reveal how mill...
www.ftm.eu
September 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Spyware industry pockets EU subsidies while snooping on its citizens www.ftm.eu/articles/spy...
Great work by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com showing how EU taxpayer money funds a surveillance industry that sells to authoritarian regimes abroad.
Great work by @vaspanagiotopoulos.com showing how EU taxpayer money funds a surveillance industry that sells to authoritarian regimes abroad.
Reposted by Siena Anstis
"A tsunami of AI-enabled disinformation is already upon us, polluting the public sphere and seeping back into the language models that AI systems feed upon. What to do?"
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada’s new Minister of AI must not be naive to its harms
AI is not just being deployed to expand human understanding, but to systematically subvert it as well
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM
"A tsunami of AI-enabled disinformation is already upon us, polluting the public sphere and seeping back into the language models that AI systems feed upon. What to do?"
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
My latest oped in @theglobeandmail.com 👇
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Siena Anstis
The final part of our AJIL Unbound series on reparations is now available online. Read "What Can International Law Repair?" now! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
September 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The final part of our AJIL Unbound series on reparations is now available online. Read "What Can International Law Repair?" now! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
New positive development in the AlHathloul v. Dark Matter and others case with the court allowing the case to proceed despite lack of jurisdiction arguments made by the defendants: www.eff.org/document/alh...
AlHathloul v. DarkMatter - Opinion and Order on Motion to Dismiss
151_opinion_and_order_2025-08-12.pdf
www.eff.org
August 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
New positive development in the AlHathloul v. Dark Matter and others case with the court allowing the case to proceed despite lack of jurisdiction arguments made by the defendants: www.eff.org/document/alh...
Looking forward to this series on accountability for spyware harms from Just Security: www.justsecurity.org/117335/legal...
Legal Frameworks for Addressing Spyware Harms
Introducing a new series on accountability for spyware harms convened by the Atlantic Council in partnership with Just Security.
www.justsecurity.org
August 16, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Looking forward to this series on accountability for spyware harms from Just Security: www.justsecurity.org/117335/legal...
Reposted by Siena Anstis
Ron Deibert is absolutely the voice that the infosec industry needs to be listening to right now. We are in a moment where fascism is consolidating power and most of the infosec industry is either playing along or is busy bragging about how much AI they've shoved into their products.
August 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Ron Deibert is absolutely the voice that the infosec industry needs to be listening to right now. We are in a moment where fascism is consolidating power and most of the infosec industry is either playing along or is busy bragging about how much AI they've shoved into their products.
Reposted by Siena Anstis
beijing forces thai art gallery to shutdown an exhibition on transnational repression.
hey siri, what’s the definition of transnational repression?
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
hey siri, what’s the definition of transnational repression?
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Exclusive: Thai gallery removes China-focused artworks after 'pressure' from Beijing
In what artists called the latest attempt by Beijing to silence critics overseas, the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre changed multiple works by artists in exile in the exhibit on authoritarian governments collaborating across borders.
www.reuters.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:02 AM
beijing forces thai art gallery to shutdown an exhibition on transnational repression.
hey siri, what’s the definition of transnational repression?
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
hey siri, what’s the definition of transnational repression?
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Siena Anstis
NEW: 🇩🇪#Germany's top court says spyware severely violates fundamental rights.
Bans spyware in cases with <3year sentences.
Imposes tough proportionality tests. Restricts #spyware to serious cases.
Very interesting 1/
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/P...
Bans spyware in cases with <3year sentences.
Imposes tough proportionality tests. Restricts #spyware to serious cases.
Very interesting 1/
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/P...
August 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
NEW: 🇩🇪#Germany's top court says spyware severely violates fundamental rights.
Bans spyware in cases with <3year sentences.
Imposes tough proportionality tests. Restricts #spyware to serious cases.
Very interesting 1/
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/P...
Bans spyware in cases with <3year sentences.
Imposes tough proportionality tests. Restricts #spyware to serious cases.
Very interesting 1/
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/P...
The UK Joint Committee on Human Rights makes a range of sound recommendations on what the UK needs to do to address TNR -- other countries should consider these closely: committees.parliament.uk/committee/93...
committees.parliament.uk
August 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The UK Joint Committee on Human Rights makes a range of sound recommendations on what the UK needs to do to address TNR -- other countries should consider these closely: committees.parliament.uk/committee/93...
Briefer by Fundación Acceso in Costa Rica on the psychosocial impacts of surveillance and spyware attacks: www.acceso.or.cr/wp-content/u...
www.acceso.or.cr
August 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Briefer by Fundación Acceso in Costa Rica on the psychosocial impacts of surveillance and spyware attacks: www.acceso.or.cr/wp-content/u...
New report from the UK Joint Committee on Human Rights on transnational repression in the UK: committees.parliament.uk/committee/93...
Growth of foreign repression on UK soil going unchecked – JCHR report warns - Committees - UK Parliament
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has called for stronger action to stop the growth of transnational repression (TNR). In a report published today, it warns that foreign governments are being increa...
committees.parliament.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:24 PM
New report from the UK Joint Committee on Human Rights on transnational repression in the UK: committees.parliament.uk/committee/93...
Reposted by Siena Anstis
Global Voices is one of the places on the internet that still gives me hope. A true oasis.
If you have never heard of them before, go check their posts out.
If you like what they do, please consider donating.
If you have never heard of them before, go check their posts out.
If you like what they do, please consider donating.
🗣️Today we're launching a campaign to raise $250,000 to keep Global Voices alive and thriving.
👉🏿We’re ad-free, paywall-free, and community-powered — but funding cuts and a tough media landscape are putting us at risk.
#KeepGVStrong🌱
globalvoices.org/2025/07/09/s...
👉🏿We’re ad-free, paywall-free, and community-powered — but funding cuts and a tough media landscape are putting us at risk.
#KeepGVStrong🌱
globalvoices.org/2025/07/09/s...
Support Global Voices as we launch our donation campaign
Sharp cuts to foreign aid by a number of governments are shrinking the available funds for nonprofits, with digital rights organizations like ours taking a particular hit.
globalvoices.org
July 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Global Voices is one of the places on the internet that still gives me hope. A true oasis.
If you have never heard of them before, go check their posts out.
If you like what they do, please consider donating.
If you have never heard of them before, go check their posts out.
If you like what they do, please consider donating.
Reposted by Siena Anstis
I am honoured and excited to be delivering a keynote @blackhatevents.bsky.social 🇺🇸 2025
Come hear about the history of @citizenlab.ca, our investigations into mercenary spyware and other abuses, and what keeps me up at night!
www.blackhat.com/us-25/briefi...
Come hear about the history of @citizenlab.ca, our investigations into mercenary spyware and other abuses, and what keeps me up at night!
www.blackhat.com/us-25/briefi...
July 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I am honoured and excited to be delivering a keynote @blackhatevents.bsky.social 🇺🇸 2025
Come hear about the history of @citizenlab.ca, our investigations into mercenary spyware and other abuses, and what keeps me up at night!
www.blackhat.com/us-25/briefi...
Come hear about the history of @citizenlab.ca, our investigations into mercenary spyware and other abuses, and what keeps me up at night!
www.blackhat.com/us-25/briefi...
This looks like a great opportunity to work with @ninareiners.bsky.social 🎓. Being a PhD student at UiO (at least in my experience...so far!) equals an exceptional work/life balance, interesting work, committed colleagues, and snow & lakes nearby -- a pretty unique balance in academia these days.
Two PhD fellow positions in ERC-project “Private Law Firms as Transnational Advocates (PROBONO)" (283702) | University of Oslo
Job title: Two PhD fellow positions in ERC-project “Private Law Firms as Transnational Advocates (PROBONO)" (283702), Employer: University of Oslo, Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025
www.jobbnorge.no
July 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
This looks like a great opportunity to work with @ninareiners.bsky.social 🎓. Being a PhD student at UiO (at least in my experience...so far!) equals an exceptional work/life balance, interesting work, committed colleagues, and snow & lakes nearby -- a pretty unique balance in academia these days.
Scorching and effective summary by @nateschenkkan.bsky.social of how the Trump Administration has undone policy progress made by the prior administration around transnational repression.
Trump Is Undermining Policies Against Transnational Repression
The Biden administration made policies to protect exiles and diasporas a priority. Trump 2.0 has already undercut these efforts.
www.lawfaremedia.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Scorching and effective summary by @nateschenkkan.bsky.social of how the Trump Administration has undone policy progress made by the prior administration around transnational repression.
Proud to present our study on transnational repression at the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights this morning along with my wonderful colleagues @mmichae1sen.bsky.social and @saipirafurstenberg.bsky.social. Recording here: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
Subcommittee on Human Rights Ordinary meeting - Multimedia Centre
The multimedia platform of the European Parliament is the official public available repository of the media production of the Secretariat of the European Parliament, managed by the Directorate-General...
multimedia.europarl.europa.eu
June 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Proud to present our study on transnational repression at the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights this morning along with my wonderful colleagues @mmichae1sen.bsky.social and @saipirafurstenberg.bsky.social. Recording here: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
Reposted by Siena Anstis
Why are governments around the world tightening laws on misinformation?
The Citizen Lab’s @gabriellelim.bsky.social examines the global surge of misinformation legislation in this new article👇
The Citizen Lab’s @gabriellelim.bsky.social examines the global surge of misinformation legislation in this new article👇
In a short span of time there has been a global rise in "fake news" laws - legislation that purports to or is designed to curb the spread of false information. @sbradshaw.bsky.social, Monzima Haque, and I wanted to understand why.
"The Global Spread of Misinformation Laws" ijoc.org/index.php/ij...
"The Global Spread of Misinformation Laws" ijoc.org/index.php/ij...
True Costs of Misinformation| The Global Spread of Misinformation Laws | Bradshaw | International Journal of Communication
True Costs of Misinformation| The Global Spread of Misinformation Laws
ijoc.org
June 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Why are governments around the world tightening laws on misinformation?
The Citizen Lab’s @gabriellelim.bsky.social examines the global surge of misinformation legislation in this new article👇
The Citizen Lab’s @gabriellelim.bsky.social examines the global surge of misinformation legislation in this new article👇
Great summaries on recent policy responses to transnational repression in UK and Canada by @freedomhouse.bsky.social. Available here: freedomhouse.org/report/trans... and freedomhouse.org/report/trans...
Engaging the Community: Combating Transnational Repression in Canada
The Canadian government was initially slow to focus on transnational repression, but recent work to engage targeted communities and elevate the issue at multilateral forums are promising developments.
freedomhouse.org
June 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Great summaries on recent policy responses to transnational repression in UK and Canada by @freedomhouse.bsky.social. Available here: freedomhouse.org/report/trans... and freedomhouse.org/report/trans...