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violetblue.bsky.social
Violet Blue®
@violetblue.bsky.social
19K followers 160 following 5K posts
Awarded author, journalist: cybersecurity, privacy, digital human rights, Covid. WIRED, PopSci, Spinoff, Engadget, FT, IFJ. Visiting Scholar at Stout Research Centre, NZ.

Bio: about.me/violetblue
Pod: linktr.ee/raisedbyhorror
News: patreon.com/violetblue
Posts Replies Media Videos
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madycast.com
me standing around the rave looking at all these gay people wearing cool tails and ears knowing that I'm the only one who knows that we are invading another country and kidnapping their president
"they don't know" meme guy in corner of party
January 3, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
matricardo.bsky.social
This is a big scary project, so I'd really appreciate a share and maybe even a sub
matricardo.bsky.social Mat Ricardo @matricardo.bsky.social · 1d
I'm going to write a book and post it on my substack.
One chapter every month, for a year.

TEN GIGS is a memoir.
Ten gigs that shaped my life. For good and bad.

This is scary!
I'd love your support - by signing up, or sharing my work, or ideally both!

matricardo.substack.com/p/ten-gigs
branding for my memoir TEN GIGS. A vintage suitcase illustration.
January 3, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
taskandpurpose.com
US bombs Caracas in large offensive against Venezuela trib.al/jJ9QoAK
US bombs Caracas in large offensive against Venezuela
Multiple airstrikes hit various sites in Venezuela as helicopters were spotted flying through the capital city of Caracas.
trib.al
January 3, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
nslayton.bsky.social
Even with the various forces amassed in the region actually launching an American attack on Venezuela takes a lot of prep time and mobilization. Not a "in 5 minutes" sudden situation
bnonews.com BNO News @bnonews.com · 7h
U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee was not notified ahead of U.S. airstrikes on Venezuela, source tells CNN
January 3, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
de-snoot.bsky.social
libshit wikipedia editors are trying to neutral voice the current illegal aggression against venezuela only to get told by a venezuelan editor that he is literally being bombed right now. un-fucking real
It is obvious at this point that the bombing not only took place on Caracas but on other urban areas such as La Guaira and Higuerote, which are located in the coastline of the country. Furthermore, there hasn't been reported bombings in inner-sectors such as Los Teques or El Hatillo, which are arguably close to Caracas. Liett73 (talk) 07:26, 3 January 2026 (UTC) I would propose a move, but it's too early for now. Ahri Boy (talk) 07:29, 3 January 2026 (UTC) The cause of the explosions is unknown and the government hasn't commented yet. Wait until conformation. I do agree it is most likely strikes, but the cause is reportedly unknown. Bloxzge 025 (talk) 07:31, 3 January 2026 (UTC) Bro I'm literally here in Caracas, I still wonder how I have wired connection, but they are indeed strikes. Liett73 (talk) 07:34, 3 January 2026 (UTC)
January 3, 2026 at 7:45 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Live: www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas – live
Multiple loud explosions were reported in Caracas at about 2am on Saturday
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
nslayton.bsky.social
Hearing Alan Fisher, one of the best DC reporters, on Al Jazeera English, talking the US strikes on Venezuela here. www.aljazeera.com/live
LIVE - Al Jazeera English | Video broadcast from Al Jazeera
Watch Al Jazeera’s live broadcast now
www.aljazeera.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
leahmcelrath.bsky.social
The first reaction from a political leader comes from the President of Colombia, who is calling for immediate meetings of the Organization of American States and the United Nations:
Gustavo Petro V @petrogustavo X.com • Translated from Spanish Show original Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela They are bombing with missiles. The OAS and the UN must meet immediately. Rate this translation: i 1:05 AM • 1/3/26 • 42K Views
January 3, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
nslayton.bsky.social
What I'm seeing as well. No answer from any SOUTHCOM spokesperson as well, and I've tried everyone I've got.
djlavoie.bsky.social D Lavoie @djlavoie.bsky.social · 8h
Inexcusable shit.
January 3, 2026 at 7:42 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Great news everyone the code has been fixed 😐 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
ManageMyHealth says code fixed, security tightened after hack
ManageMyHealth says it has received "independent confirmation" from IT experts that the flaws in its code have been fixed.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 3, 2026 at 6:48 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
My favorite show there was The Vulcaneers, a costumed Star Trek TOS garage-surf band.

Local nickname of this venue was/is Bottom of the Swill.
coyotemedia.org COYOTE @coyotemedia.org · 15h
BREAKING: Bottom of the Hill, the storied rock club that’s hosted countless local bands as well as global superstars like Oasis, the Strokes, and the White Stripes, will shutter at the end of this year, owners say. What’s next for the space isn’t clear. www.coyotemedia.org/san-francisc...
Beloved SF Club Bottom of the Hill to Close at the End of 2026
One of the city’s last independent music venues, Bottom of the Hill has survived waves of gentrification, COVID closures, and more throughout its 35 years. Now, owners say it’s last call — on their ow...
www.coyotemedia.org
January 3, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
internethippo.bsky.social
I'm a little sick haha
Yeah everyone is sick right now it's crazy
January 10, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
peterdarlington.bsky.social
This is pretty damning stuff for an online organisation holding patient health data. I hope GPs and Health NZ are putting the acid on other providers such as Tend and TheDoctors to ensure they’ve actually got their crap together

#nzpol #newzealand

blackveil.co.nz/blog/managem...
108GB of Your Medical Records Stolen: What the ManageMyHealth Breach Reveals About NZ Healthcare Security
New Zealand's largest patient portal breached on New Year's Eve. Our security scan reveals the DNS security gaps that should have been fixed years ago.
blackveil.co.nz
January 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
tiggerrd.bsky.social
We make sure to quarterly change filters for a corsi-Rosenthal box filter at each of my adult kids’ living quarters. They haven’t been sick (even one with three other roommates when one had an active infection). Filtration can make such a huge difference - along with masking.
January 2, 2026 at 11:38 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
Same here: I haven't been sick in six years. My "secret"?

Masking indoors and in crowds.

Also: being firm about testing, keeping an eye on #Covid wastewater trends, aligning my risk profile with clean air and ventilation -- and minimizing time around people who don't care.
January 2, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
mtsw.bsky.social
starting in six weeks or so, you will hear right wing and centrist commentators on cable news, podcasts etc start to refer to Mamdani as if it's obvious that he's failed, extremely unpopular etc. its very important in order for their plot to succeed that any left wing pol be discredited
January 2, 2026 at 5:41 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
With the iRobot bankruptcy in mind, please enjoy this ancient video from bygone internet past: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAzT...

cc/ @annaleen.bsky.social @adafruit.com ❤️
Nerd Salon and Roomba Cockfights
YouTube video by geekentertainmenttv
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:08 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Off to Night City to do a pickup: www.twitch.tv/missvioletblue #Cyberpunk2077
Screencap from Cyberpunk 2077 in a city at night with two characters standing at the back of a tough looking black pickup truck. Both characters are wearing black and look defiantly at the camera. Between them on the truck is a large Trans pride bumper sticker. The character on the left is the female V with blue and pink hair. The character on the right is Johnny Silverhand played by Keanu Reeves and he has black aviator sunglasses on and a silver metal left arm.
January 2, 2026 at 6:41 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
Mamdani's first Executive Order: revoking all executive orders by Eric Adams signed after the date he was indicted and charged for bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy (Sept 26, 2024).

www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...
Executive Order 01
www.nyc.gov
January 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
For those interested, here's some background on the threat actor behind the ManageMyHealth attack (Kazu): databreaches.net/2025/11/18/f...
From bad to worse: Doctor Alliance hacked again by same threat actor (2) – DataBreaches.Net
On November 12, DataBreaches reported that Doctor Alliance had allegedly been hacked by a threat actor who listed the data for sale on a clearnet forum. At the
databreaches.net
January 2, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
brendelbored.bsky.social
Newspapers are like “unsettled New Yorker’s hold their breath as the Mamdani administration takes the reins from the insane man who does crimes”
January 1, 2026 at 11:13 PM
violetblue.bsky.social
Aside from identity theft, what could attackers do? Let's ask:

-How could medical and contact info be used against a 16-year-old girl?
-What services could be denied based on these records?
-How would hate groups use this information if it became public?
-What is the risk to DV and abuse survivors?
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
violetblue.bsky.social
New by me, from this morning: 2025: Reign of the Mad Kings.

Art: "Waiting for the Moon" by EwwGerms.

Link: www.patreon.com/posts/covid-...
Beautiful line drawn art by EwwGerms in deep blues, indigos, purples and pinks. A girl with long blue and pink hair in a purple respirator mask sits on top of a white and multicolored vending machine with a night sky behind her. She holds a red star charm and is kicking her knee-high black boots.
January 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
genderlib.com
Happy @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social inauguration day! Mamdani was one of the few elected officials to come to a rally GLM co-organized for trans youth, while he was still polling in low single digits, to demand access to gender affirming healthcare for trans youth.
January 1, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Violet Blue®
rudbeckia.bsky.social
uh holy SHIT?
January 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM