Sarah Gilbert
@sarahagilbert.bsky.social
Research Director, Citizens and Technology Lab, Cornell University, r/AskHistorians moderator
I study how to make the internet freer and safer— and how to help the helpers on the ground making that possible. She/her
https://citizensandtech.org/
I study how to make the internet freer and safer— and how to help the helpers on the ground making that possible. She/her
https://citizensandtech.org/
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
This is huge news. I have spent the past 6 months wondering wtf was up with Amazon: they filed 380,000 AI-related CyberTipline reports to NCMEC in the first half of 2025.
Turns out ALL of it was known CSAM they found by screening their AI training data. It's NOT AI-generated or AI-morphed CSAM.
Turns out ALL of it was known CSAM they found by screening their AI training data. It's NOT AI-generated or AI-morphed CSAM.
What happens when the AI race collides with child safety?
Amazon Found ‘High Volume’ Of Child Sex Abuse Material in AI Training Data
The tech giant reported hundreds of thousands of cases of suspected child sexual abuse material, but won’t say where it came from
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:24 AM
This is huge news. I have spent the past 6 months wondering wtf was up with Amazon: they filed 380,000 AI-related CyberTipline reports to NCMEC in the first half of 2025.
Turns out ALL of it was known CSAM they found by screening their AI training data. It's NOT AI-generated or AI-morphed CSAM.
Turns out ALL of it was known CSAM they found by screening their AI training data. It's NOT AI-generated or AI-morphed CSAM.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
‼️ Today @americansunlight.org launches TrumpCensorship.com, a public dataset visualizing 200+ censorship actions by the Trump Admin against journalists, researchers & citizens since his 2nd term began.
From our weekly "Last Week in Censorship" monitoring → one interactive archive you can't ignore.
From our weekly "Last Week in Censorship" monitoring → one interactive archive you can't ignore.
January 21, 2026 at 5:14 PM
‼️ Today @americansunlight.org launches TrumpCensorship.com, a public dataset visualizing 200+ censorship actions by the Trump Admin against journalists, researchers & citizens since his 2nd term began.
From our weekly "Last Week in Censorship" monitoring → one interactive archive you can't ignore.
From our weekly "Last Week in Censorship" monitoring → one interactive archive you can't ignore.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Did you have a qualitative paper rejected from #chi2026? As you're revising for your next submission, check out this crowdsourced document containing common critiques of qualitative research and ideas for responding -- and add any new critiques you've encountered:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them Author: Jessica Vitak (+ anyone who adds to the document) About This Document (and a disclaimer) Reviewing is a highly subjective pr...
docs.google.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Did you have a qualitative paper rejected from #chi2026? As you're revising for your next submission, check out this crowdsourced document containing common critiques of qualitative research and ideas for responding -- and add any new critiques you've encountered:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
In testimony from a CBP official obtained by 404 Media, the official described how Mobile Fortify returned two different names after scanning a woman's face during an ICE raid. Both were wrong. @evystadium.bsky.social has more.
Scoop by @josephcox.bsky.social: www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
Scoop by @josephcox.bsky.social: www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
January 20, 2026 at 4:52 PM
In testimony from a CBP official obtained by 404 Media, the official described how Mobile Fortify returned two different names after scanning a woman's face during an ICE raid. Both were wrong. @evystadium.bsky.social has more.
Scoop by @josephcox.bsky.social: www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
Scoop by @josephcox.bsky.social: www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Ich thynke but litel of a Mondaye bleake
Tuesday grey and Wednesdaye eke
Thursdaye Ich care nat for thee
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Mondaye thou kanst fall awaye
Tuesdaye, Wednesdaye, myne herte slaye
No mirthe ys founde upon Thursdaye
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Tuesday grey and Wednesdaye eke
Thursdaye Ich care nat for thee
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Mondaye thou kanst fall awaye
Tuesdaye, Wednesdaye, myne herte slaye
No mirthe ys founde upon Thursdaye
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
January 16, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Ich thynke but litel of a Mondaye bleake
Tuesday grey and Wednesdaye eke
Thursdaye Ich care nat for thee
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Mondaye thou kanst fall awaye
Tuesdaye, Wednesdaye, myne herte slaye
No mirthe ys founde upon Thursdaye
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Tuesday grey and Wednesdaye eke
Thursdaye Ich care nat for thee
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Mondaye thou kanst fall awaye
Tuesdaye, Wednesdaye, myne herte slaye
No mirthe ys founde upon Thursdaye
Yet Fridaye - Ich am yn love
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
that's the thing they don't actually want sexy pictures they want to rob her of her consent
January 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
that's the thing they don't actually want sexy pictures they want to rob her of her consent
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
The Trump Administration, which claims to care about free speech, has just withdrawn the US from:
-a multilateral organization that counters adversarial hybrid threats, among them disinformation
-a coalition of 42 govts "working to advance free expression" online
along with 64 other intl orgs.
-a multilateral organization that counters adversarial hybrid threats, among them disinformation
-a coalition of 42 govts "working to advance free expression" online
along with 64 other intl orgs.
January 8, 2026 at 11:55 AM
The Trump Administration, which claims to care about free speech, has just withdrawn the US from:
-a multilateral organization that counters adversarial hybrid threats, among them disinformation
-a coalition of 42 govts "working to advance free expression" online
along with 64 other intl orgs.
-a multilateral organization that counters adversarial hybrid threats, among them disinformation
-a coalition of 42 govts "working to advance free expression" online
along with 64 other intl orgs.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
I’m going to say the same thing I said when the Kirk video was going around. Unless it’s your job to watch this kind of stuff you do not, under any circumstances, have to subject yourself to it for the sake of “the struggle” or to “bear witness”
January 7, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I’m going to say the same thing I said when the Kirk video was going around. Unless it’s your job to watch this kind of stuff you do not, under any circumstances, have to subject yourself to it for the sake of “the struggle” or to “bear witness”
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Should scientists apply to OpenAI's fund for research on AI & mental health? Should policymakers consider it a credible safety effort?
Avriel Epps & I see it as "grantwashing," and it's an insult to anyone whose loved one's death involved chatbots. We explain:
www.techpolicy.press/beware-of-op...
Avriel Epps & I see it as "grantwashing," and it's an insult to anyone whose loved one's death involved chatbots. We explain:
www.techpolicy.press/beware-of-op...
Beware of OpenAI's 'Grantwashing' on AI Harms | TechPolicy.Press
J. Nathan Matias and Avriel Epps say OpenAI's announced research funding is the perfect corporate action to make sure we don't find answers for years.
www.techpolicy.press
December 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Should scientists apply to OpenAI's fund for research on AI & mental health? Should policymakers consider it a credible safety effort?
Avriel Epps & I see it as "grantwashing," and it's an insult to anyone whose loved one's death involved chatbots. We explain:
www.techpolicy.press/beware-of-op...
Avriel Epps & I see it as "grantwashing," and it's an insult to anyone whose loved one's death involved chatbots. We explain:
www.techpolicy.press/beware-of-op...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
We have just updated our Social Media Research Toolkit, a curated collection of over 50 research tools compiled by researchers at the Social Media Lab. The kit only features tools that have been used in peer-reviewed academic research. socialmedialab.ca/apps/social-...
Social Media Research Toolkit - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Research Toolkit is a curated collection of more than 50 tools compiled by researchers at the Social Media Lab.
socialmedialab.ca
December 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
We have just updated our Social Media Research Toolkit, a curated collection of over 50 research tools compiled by researchers at the Social Media Lab. The kit only features tools that have been used in peer-reviewed academic research. socialmedialab.ca/apps/social-...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
The ACM Digital Library, where a LOT of computing-related research is published (I'd say at least 75% of my own publications), is now not only providing (without consent of the authors and without opt-in by readers) AI-generated summaries of papers, but they appear as the *default* over abstracts.
December 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The ACM Digital Library, where a LOT of computing-related research is published (I'd say at least 75% of my own publications), is now not only providing (without consent of the authors and without opt-in by readers) AI-generated summaries of papers, but they appear as the *default* over abstracts.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
With mounting deaths that involve generative AI & social media in some way, the public is increasingly asking science for answers. Did these technologies play a role? Is this a wider trend? And if so, what can we do to prevent such deaths in the future?
New pre-print: osf.io/3ebj2/files/...
New pre-print: osf.io/3ebj2/files/...
December 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
With mounting deaths that involve generative AI & social media in some way, the public is increasingly asking science for answers. Did these technologies play a role? Is this a wider trend? And if so, what can we do to prevent such deaths in the future?
New pre-print: osf.io/3ebj2/files/...
New pre-print: osf.io/3ebj2/files/...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
My latest article "Why Marginalized Areas Bear the Brunt of the Disinformation Crisis" in @techpolicypress.bsky.social
It is time to stop treating disinformation as a user behavior problem and start seeing it for what it is: a structural, infrastructural, and systemic problem engineered by design.
It is time to stop treating disinformation as a user behavior problem and start seeing it for what it is: a structural, infrastructural, and systemic problem engineered by design.
Why Marginalized Areas Bear the Brunt of the Disinformation Crisis | TechPolicy.Press
It is time to stop treating disinformation as a user behavior problem and start seeing it as a systemic problem engineered by design, writes David Nemer.
www.techpolicy.press
May 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
My latest article "Why Marginalized Areas Bear the Brunt of the Disinformation Crisis" in @techpolicypress.bsky.social
It is time to stop treating disinformation as a user behavior problem and start seeing it for what it is: a structural, infrastructural, and systemic problem engineered by design.
It is time to stop treating disinformation as a user behavior problem and start seeing it for what it is: a structural, infrastructural, and systemic problem engineered by design.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
OK, so for the next few hours, I will be answering questions on Reddit's AskHistorians forum about my new book -- feel free to pop over there if you are so inclined! reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
From the AskHistorians community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the AskHistorians community
reddit.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
OK, so for the next few hours, I will be answering questions on Reddit's AskHistorians forum about my new book -- feel free to pop over there if you are so inclined! reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Get ready for the transatlantic battle over "free speech" to start in earnest.
🚨
I am hearing from multiple sources that the EU Commission is announcing its first DSA fine tomorrow against X on ad transparency, blue check & dark pattern, and researcher access to data.
The fine is in the "100s of millions of Euros."
Elon about to get big mad.
I am hearing from multiple sources that the EU Commission is announcing its first DSA fine tomorrow against X on ad transparency, blue check & dark pattern, and researcher access to data.
The fine is in the "100s of millions of Euros."
Elon about to get big mad.
December 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Get ready for the transatlantic battle over "free speech" to start in earnest.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Our School of Information Sciences is running four searches, and we can hire more than four candidates. Here’s the first link, for a job that might appeal to people working in history of information, history of science, or digital humanities. +
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Information, Culture & Society - School of Information Science
Duties & Responsibilities
illinois.csod.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Our School of Information Sciences is running four searches, and we can hire more than four candidates. Here’s the first link, for a job that might appeal to people working in history of information, history of science, or digital humanities. +
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
HRDAG's executive director Megan Price teamed up with CAT Lab Founder @natematias.bsky.social to research how human participation can improve AI. Read our latest findings. hrdag.org/2025/11/17/n...
New Research Shows Community Engagement Improves the Validity and Reliability of Artificial Intelligence
Community involvement can improve the validity and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI), argue HRDAG Executive Director Dr. Megan Price and Citizens and Technology Lab founder Dr. J. Nathan Mat...
hrdag.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
HRDAG's executive director Megan Price teamed up with CAT Lab Founder @natematias.bsky.social to research how human participation can improve AI. Read our latest findings. hrdag.org/2025/11/17/n...
Folks who care about social media research, data access, and data ethics issues should be sure to check out this new report on research use of data from high-reach individuals from @annalenhart.bsky.social Lenhart and Brandon Silverman.
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
Performing in Autonomy Theater | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Balancing the needs of social media researchers with perspectives of high profile figures.
iddp.gwu.edu
November 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Folks who care about social media research, data access, and data ethics issues should be sure to check out this new report on research use of data from high-reach individuals from @annalenhart.bsky.social Lenhart and Brandon Silverman.
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
It's not just about content moderation, it's also the care executing it
An email saying you're banned vs one that also gives you reasons and details
An appeals option where you're shouting into the void vs one where you're heard
Showing an account is "deleted" when it's just temporarily suspended
An email saying you're banned vs one that also gives you reasons and details
An appeals option where you're shouting into the void vs one where you're heard
Showing an account is "deleted" when it's just temporarily suspended
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It's not just about content moderation, it's also the care executing it
An email saying you're banned vs one that also gives you reasons and details
An appeals option where you're shouting into the void vs one where you're heard
Showing an account is "deleted" when it's just temporarily suspended
An email saying you're banned vs one that also gives you reasons and details
An appeals option where you're shouting into the void vs one where you're heard
Showing an account is "deleted" when it's just temporarily suspended
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP
It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history
I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
This is appalling. There has to be a way to hold massive companies accountable for *knowingly* facilitating & profiting from criminal behavior. And yes, I understand the value of Section 230, but here we have a trillion $ company that profits by letting its users get scammed. Has to be a better way.
Over the years I have read A LOT of damning stories about what Meta executives were saying internally about serious harms on their platforms (most of them written by Reuters’ @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social ). His new story is a blockbuster:
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
sherwood.news/tech/meta-pr...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
sherwood.news/tech/meta-pr...
Meta projected 10% of 2024 revenue came from scams and banned goods, Reuters reports
The report shows that the company was hesitant to crack down harder on scams, due to the billions in revenue that they were generating for Meta....
sherwood.news
November 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This is appalling. There has to be a way to hold massive companies accountable for *knowingly* facilitating & profiting from criminal behavior. And yes, I understand the value of Section 230, but here we have a trillion $ company that profits by letting its users get scammed. Has to be a better way.
Reposted by Sarah Gilbert
A lot of people immediately dismiss this as a Gen AI slop but its more than that. It's important to understand that where Grok failed and became MechaHitler because of alignment failures and reward hacking, Musk learned that he needed to align the data and reality itself rather than the model.
October 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A lot of people immediately dismiss this as a Gen AI slop but its more than that. It's important to understand that where Grok failed and became MechaHitler because of alignment failures and reward hacking, Musk learned that he needed to align the data and reality itself rather than the model.