Social Media Lab
@socialmedialab.ca
SocialMediaLab.ca - News & analysis by @philipmai.com re: the politics of tech, social media, AI, immigration, democracy, mis/disinfo, & propaganda. Explore our suite of social media tools & dashboards for public interest research: socialmedialab.ca/apps/
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Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan Uni. is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions vs 28 Canadian citizens, incl. our rsrchrs Anatoliy Gruzd & Philip Mai, on the baseless claims that their rsrch promotes neo-Nazism & anti-Russian activism. socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
"YouTube argued on Tuesday that it was not social media and was not addictive, on the second day of opening statements in a landmark social media addiction trial. YouTube, its lawyers said, is an entertainment platform more like Netflix than a social network like Facebook."
YouTube Argues It Isn’t Social Media in Landmark Tech Addiction Trial
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:21 AM
"YouTube argued on Tuesday that it was not social media and was not addictive, on the second day of opening statements in a landmark social media addiction trial. YouTube, its lawyers said, is an entertainment platform more like Netflix than a social network like Facebook."
"Father of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok first to be convicted under Hong Kong national security law" www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
The sins of the father should never be visited upon the children.
Kin punishment is what they do in China & Israel and now in America.
"How More than 7 months after an antisemitic attack in Boulder, a family who says they knew nothing is still detained by ICE." www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
Kin punishment is what they do in China & Israel and now in America.
"How More than 7 months after an antisemitic attack in Boulder, a family who says they knew nothing is still detained by ICE." www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
More than 7 months after an antisemitic attack in Boulder, a family who says they knew nothing is still detained by ICE | CNN
The family of the antisemitic Boulder attack suspect has been in ICE detention for 7 months. They insist they knew nothing, and have faced a difficult and complex battle both in immigration court and ...
www.cnn.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:15 AM
"Father of pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok first to be convicted under Hong Kong national security law" www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
mRN, a proven technology that has saved millions, is shunned while an unproven horse dewormer is showered with money. #makeitmakesense
"US Cancer Institute Studying Ivermectin’s ‘Ability To Kill Cancer Cells’" kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
"US Cancer Institute Studying Ivermectin’s ‘Ability To Kill Cancer Cells’" kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 AM
mRN, a proven technology that has saved millions, is shunned while an unproven horse dewormer is showered with money. #makeitmakesense
"US Cancer Institute Studying Ivermectin’s ‘Ability To Kill Cancer Cells’" kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
"US Cancer Institute Studying Ivermectin’s ‘Ability To Kill Cancer Cells’" kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Carney "explained to Trump that Canada paid for the Windsor-Detroit crossing and that Michigan owns part of it."
In fact, Canada literally paid $4B for the entire bridge but gave Michigan 1/2 of the ownership interest for free. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
In fact, Canada literally paid $4B for the entire bridge but gave Michigan 1/2 of the ownership interest for free. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney speaks to Trump after U.S. president erupts over Gordie Howe bridge | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke to his U.S. counterpart early Tuesday morning about the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which Donald Trump has threatened to block. Carney reportedly explain...
www.cbc.ca
February 11, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Carney "explained to Trump that Canada paid for the Windsor-Detroit crossing and that Michigan owns part of it."
In fact, Canada literally paid $4B for the entire bridge but gave Michigan 1/2 of the ownership interest for free. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
In fact, Canada literally paid $4B for the entire bridge but gave Michigan 1/2 of the ownership interest for free. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
"In Cuba, people go without food and power as U.S. chokes oil supply and tourists flee" www.cbc.ca/news/world/c...
In Cuba, people go without food and power as U.S. squeezes oil supply and tourists flee | CBC News
Some Cubans say everyday life on the Caribbean island has reached a breaking point amid a fuel shortage brought about by the U.S. squeezing the country’s oil supply. Meanwhile, Canadian airlines suspe...
www.cbc.ca
February 11, 2026 at 2:39 AM
"In Cuba, people go without food and power as U.S. chokes oil supply and tourists flee" www.cbc.ca/news/world/c...
"ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next" www.wired.com/story/ice-ex...
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, monthslong expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:33 AM
"ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next" www.wired.com/story/ice-ex...
"Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told Axios in an interview Tuesday that when he searched President Trump's name in the unredacted Epstein files the previous day, it came up 'more than a million times.'" www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
Trump is in the unredacted Epstein files "more than a million times," Raskin alleges
One document recounts that Trump said he "never" asked Epstein to leave Mar-a-Lago.
www.axios.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:58 AM
"Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told Axios in an interview Tuesday that when he searched President Trump's name in the unredacted Epstein files the previous day, it came up 'more than a million times.'" www.axios.com/2026/02/10/t...
This is politics, not science. "FDA declines to review Moderna's mRNA flu shot. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Food and Drug Administration has taken an aggressive stance against mRNA technology." www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
FDA declines to review Moderna's mRNA flu shot
Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Food and Drug Administration has taken an aggressive stance against mRNA technology.
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:52 AM
This is politics, not science. "FDA declines to review Moderna's mRNA flu shot. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Food and Drug Administration has taken an aggressive stance against mRNA technology." www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
"The Trump administration tried & failed Tuesday to secure an indictment in connection with a video featuring six Democratic lawmakers urging members of the military and intelligence communities not to comply with unlawful orders, three sources familiar with the matter told NBC News."
Trump administration fails to secure indictment in connection with Democrats involved in 'illegal orders' video
President Donald Trump had accused six Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior" after they urged members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse unlawful orders.
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:49 AM
"The Trump administration tried & failed Tuesday to secure an indictment in connection with a video featuring six Democratic lawmakers urging members of the military and intelligence communities not to comply with unlawful orders, three sources familiar with the matter told NBC News."
Yet another social problem made worse by tech. "So-called ‘manfluencers’ are filming themselves trying to pick up women. Smart glasses are their perfect tool" www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/w...
So-called ‘manfluencers’ are filming themselves trying to pick up women. Smart glasses are their perfect tool | CNN
Social media is awash with videos of men filming themselves approaching women in public spaces and attempting to flirt. In many cases, the videos are filmed and uploaded without the women’s consent.
www.cnn.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Yet another social problem made worse by tech. "So-called ‘manfluencers’ are filming themselves trying to pick up women. Smart glasses are their perfect tool" www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/w...
"‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chicago cardinal said." religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Cardinal Cupich says feds stopped priests, demanded citizenship proof
(RNS) — ‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chic...
religionnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:34 AM
"‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chicago cardinal said." religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Here's a bit more detail on the source of Epstein's wealth. www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...
DOJ redacted Les Wexner identity in Epstein documents, lawmaker says
House Democrats forced a subpoena for Columbus-area billionaire Les Wexner after discovering the Justice Department concealed his name in materials about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
www.cleveland.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Here's a bit more detail on the source of Epstein's wealth. www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...
"Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism police officer has accused tech companies of failing to do enough to stop extremist material spreading online, warning that algorithms can rapidly push vulnerable people towards radicalising content." www.lbc.co.uk/article/crim...
Tech bosses ‘not even close’ to doing enough on extremist content, UK counter-terror chief warns LBC | LBC
Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism police officer has accused tech companies of failing to do enough to stop extremist material spreading online, warning that algorithms can rapidly push vulnerab...
www.lbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 1:19 AM
"Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism police officer has accused tech companies of failing to do enough to stop extremist material spreading online, warning that algorithms can rapidly push vulnerable people towards radicalising content." www.lbc.co.uk/article/crim...
"A hacktivist has scraped more than half-a-million payment records from a provider of consumer-grade “stalkerware” phone surveillance apps, exposing the email addresses and partial payment information of customers who paid to spy on others" techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
Exclusive: Hacktivist scrapes over 500,000 stalkerware customers' payment records
More than half-a-million people who bought access to phone surveillance and social media snooping apps had their email address and partial payment card numbers published online.
techcrunch.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:17 AM
"A hacktivist has scraped more than half-a-million payment records from a provider of consumer-grade “stalkerware” phone surveillance apps, exposing the email addresses and partial payment information of customers who paid to spy on others" techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/h...
"ICE List: the small European website exposing US immigration agents" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
ICE List: the small European website exposing US immigration agents
Netherlands-based site uses public information and tips to reveal identities of agents involved in crackdowns across US
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:14 AM
"ICE List: the small European website exposing US immigration agents" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
"The idea was unthinkable. But now it's spreading: The Nordic countries should have nuclear weapons" www.berlingske.dk/internationa...
February 11, 2026 at 12:52 AM
"The idea was unthinkable. But now it's spreading: The Nordic countries should have nuclear weapons" www.berlingske.dk/internationa...
"Russia threatens families of Ukrainian POWs to register Starlink terminals, Ukraine says" kyivindependent.com/russia-using...
Where's the investigation on why it took 3+ years? "Russia’s military is scrambling to find alternatives to Starlink ... after access to the network was curtailed, disrupting a key communications system that its forces had been using illicitly on the battlefield." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Russian military scrambles to find Starlink alternative after access blocked
Elon Musk’s SpaceX curbs illicit use of satellite internet network, which Ukraine says is already affecting operations
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:50 AM
"Russia threatens families of Ukrainian POWs to register Starlink terminals, Ukraine says" kyivindependent.com/russia-using...
"Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search" techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search | TechCrunch
Users will be able to more easily request the removal of results that include private information or non-consensual explicit imagery.
techcrunch.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:36 AM
"Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search" techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
"Google handed over a trove of personal data about a student and journalist to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to a subpoena that had not been approved by a judge" techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
February 11, 2026 at 12:27 AM
"Google handed over a trove of personal data about a student and journalist to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to a subpoena that had not been approved by a judge" techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
"Mandated TikTok Transparency is Needed to Protect US Users" techpolicy.press/mandated-tik...
"Why some U.S. TikTok users are deleting the app. TikTok’s U.S. operations are now majority controlled by an American-owned joint venture, but the transition was glitchy and users have expressed concern that there could be more censorship on the platform." www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Why some U.S. TikTok users are deleting the app
TikTok’s U.S. operations are now majority controlled by an American-owned joint venture, but the transition was glitchy and users have expressed concern that there could be more censorship on the plat...
www.cbc.ca
February 11, 2026 at 12:19 AM
"Mandated TikTok Transparency is Needed to Protect US Users" techpolicy.press/mandated-tik...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"We are calling on technology companies like Meta and Google to stand up for their users by resisting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) lawless administrative subpoenas for user data." www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Open Letter to Tech Companies: Protect Your Users From Lawless DHS Subpoenas
EFF is calling on technology companies like Meta and Google to stand up for their users by resisting DHS lawless administrative subpoenas for user data.
www.eff.org
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM
"We are calling on technology companies like Meta and Google to stand up for their users by resisting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) lawless administrative subpoenas for user data." www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
"‘So shameful’: backlash as US national monuments conform to Trump’s rewrite of history. From Pennsylvania to Montana, the White House’s war on ‘woke’ has targeted US monuments that address topics like racism and Indigenous history." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘So shameful’: backlash as US national monuments conform to Trump’s rewrite of history
From Pennsylvania to Montana, the White House’s war on ‘woke’ has targeted US monuments that address topics like racism and Indigenous history
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:08 AM
"‘So shameful’: backlash as US national monuments conform to Trump’s rewrite of history. From Pennsylvania to Montana, the White House’s war on ‘woke’ has targeted US monuments that address topics like racism and Indigenous history." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
This is barbaric and unworthy of a great nation. "A 14-year-old girl described being zip-tied during Idaho raid, sparking fresh questions about ICE tactics" www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
A 14-year-old girl described being zip-tied during Idaho raid, sparking fresh questions about ICE tactics
A 14-year-old girl said she was "crying" and "struggling to breathe" when law enforcement officers herded her onto a racetrack with other detainees and zip-tied her hands.
www.cbsnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:06 AM
This is barbaric and unworthy of a great nation. "A 14-year-old girl described being zip-tied during Idaho raid, sparking fresh questions about ICE tactics" www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
"Norway’s army chief has said Oslo cannot exclude the possibility of a future Russian invasion of the country, suggesting Moscow could move on Norway to protect its nuclear assets stationed in the far north." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Norway defence chief says Russia could invade to protect nuclear assets
Exclusive: Eirik Kristoffersen, who served in Afghanistan, rejects Trump’s claim that Nato troops stayed off frontlines
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:57 PM
"Norway’s army chief has said Oslo cannot exclude the possibility of a future Russian invasion of the country, suggesting Moscow could move on Norway to protect its nuclear assets stationed in the far north." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
"Six Months Of ‘AI CSAM Crisis’ Headlines Were Based On Misleading Data" www.techdirt.com/2026/02/02/s...
Six Months Of ‘AI CSAM Crisis’ Headlines Were Based On Misleading Data
Remember last summer when everyone was freaking out about the explosion of AI-generated child sexual abuse material? The New York Times ran a piece in July with the headline “A.I.-Generated I…
www.techdirt.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:37 PM
"Six Months Of ‘AI CSAM Crisis’ Headlines Were Based On Misleading Data" www.techdirt.com/2026/02/02/s...