Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
Platforms | Press Freedom | Journalism
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Good takes and bad jokes. Dark humor and 🦋hite 🦋ine.
Deputy director, audience, @freedom.press and @pressfreedomtracker.us.
@zidanism on that other site.
Pinned
Ahmed Zidan
@zidan.bsky.social
· Jul 30
Censorship Whac-A-Mole: Google search exploited to scrub articles on San Francisco tech exec
A novel method of de-indexing websites from search results was used to bury critical reporting and commentary.
freedom.press
In June, I uncovered a Google vulnerability that was exploited to de-index legitimate articles from search.
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Google acknowledged it and introduced a universal fix.
But also, there is a backstory about a SF tech exec., a domestic violence case, and a persistent censorship campaign.
@freedom.press:
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Dispatching ICE agents to hit "groups of pre-defined aliens specifically targeted by Leadership for action," the software allows the administration to order up a goon squad wherever they want, at the touch of a button.
Like Uber for authoritarians. Let's call it repression as a service.
Like Uber for authoritarians. Let's call it repression as a service.
January 31, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Dispatching ICE agents to hit "groups of pre-defined aliens specifically targeted by Leadership for action," the software allows the administration to order up a goon squad wherever they want, at the touch of a button.
Like Uber for authoritarians. Let's call it repression as a service.
Like Uber for authoritarians. Let's call it repression as a service.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
A manual for ICE's immigrant-targeting computer system, Palantir ELITE, was leaked today.
Let's look at it, then step back to evaluate how far we've come along a dangerous road and where that road might take us. 🧵
Let's look at it, then step back to evaluate how far we've come along a dangerous road and where that road might take us. 🧵
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 31, 2026 at 3:37 AM
A manual for ICE's immigrant-targeting computer system, Palantir ELITE, was leaked today.
Let's look at it, then step back to evaluate how far we've come along a dangerous road and where that road might take us. 🧵
Let's look at it, then step back to evaluate how far we've come along a dangerous road and where that road might take us. 🧵
Do you have a legal research or news reporting background and a passion for press freedom?
@freedom.press is hiring a research reporter for its @pressfreedomtracker.us team.
Learn more and apply here: freedom.press/careers/job/...
@freedom.press is hiring a research reporter for its @pressfreedomtracker.us team.
Learn more and apply here: freedom.press/careers/job/...
February 17, 2026 at 8:27 PM
In 2023, cybersecurity researchers identified fake virtual private networking apps in Iran, which disguise a person’s location.
“These apps contained spyware that could be used to log a person’s keystrokes and gain access to files stored on a device.”
“These apps contained spyware that could be used to log a person’s keystrokes and gain access to files stored on a device.”
Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:15 AM
In 2023, cybersecurity researchers identified fake virtual private networking apps in Iran, which disguise a person’s location.
“These apps contained spyware that could be used to log a person’s keystrokes and gain access to files stored on a device.”
“These apps contained spyware that could be used to log a person’s keystrokes and gain access to files stored on a device.”
This is a first: These capers are either a “product of Turkey or Morocco.” lol
February 14, 2026 at 7:58 PM
This is a first: These capers are either a “product of Turkey or Morocco.” lol
It you’re curious, like me, about this wild prediction markets phenomenon, listen to last segment of this week’s OTM show, feat. @juddlegum.bsky.social.
The Social Media Addiction Trials Begin
Podcast Episode · On the Media · 02/14/2026 · 51m
podcasts.apple.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 PM
It you’re curious, like me, about this wild prediction markets phenomenon, listen to last segment of this week’s OTM show, feat. @juddlegum.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Journalists have a right to report news at churches.
Masked government goons do not have a right to barge through church doors to abduct congregants.
We thought this was obvious until 2026, but apparently not.
Read more in @democracyforward.org's press release ⬇️
Masked government goons do not have a right to barge through church doors to abduct congregants.
We thought this was obvious until 2026, but apparently not.
Read more in @democracyforward.org's press release ⬇️
BREAKING: Judge Blocks ICE Enforcement In Houses of Worship
Democracy Forward Filed Suit on Behalf of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento, Six Quaker Yearly Meetings Court’s Order Blocks Enforcement In Plaintiffs’ Houses of Worship…
democracyforward.org
February 14, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Journalists have a right to report news at churches.
Masked government goons do not have a right to barge through church doors to abduct congregants.
We thought this was obvious until 2026, but apparently not.
Read more in @democracyforward.org's press release ⬇️
Masked government goons do not have a right to barge through church doors to abduct congregants.
We thought this was obvious until 2026, but apparently not.
Read more in @democracyforward.org's press release ⬇️
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
BREAKING: Lawyer for independent journalist and former CNN anchor @donlemonofficial.bsky.social said today that Lemon’s phone was seized when he was arrested by federal agents in Beverly Hills, California, in January; it still has not been returned.
Don Lemon arrested, charged over covering Minnesota church protest
Independent journalist Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents at a hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 29, 2026, …
pressfreedomtracker.us
February 14, 2026 at 2:06 AM
BREAKING: Lawyer for independent journalist and former CNN anchor @donlemonofficial.bsky.social said today that Lemon’s phone was seized when he was arrested by federal agents in Beverly Hills, California, in January; it still has not been returned.
Two mail carriers in Minnesota tell @revealnews.org that some people removed their names from the mailboxes fearing that ICE would target them.
And people are carrying their US passports around just in case.
When I deliver a passport to someone, “I feel a little bit better,” a mail carrier says.
And people are carrying their US passports around just in case.
When I deliver a passport to someone, “I feel a little bit better,” a mail carrier says.
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Two mail carriers in Minnesota tell @revealnews.org that some people removed their names from the mailboxes fearing that ICE would target them.
And people are carrying their US passports around just in case.
When I deliver a passport to someone, “I feel a little bit better,” a mail carrier says.
And people are carrying their US passports around just in case.
When I deliver a passport to someone, “I feel a little bit better,” a mail carrier says.
Excellent point here by @knightcolumbia.org's @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, stating that US media landscape has the opposite problem that led Canada to mandate the CanCon rule.
Unless you "legally mandate access to ideas from abroad, Americans are gonna be in a bubble."
@columjournreview.bsky.social
Unless you "legally mandate access to ideas from abroad, Americans are gonna be in a bubble."
@columjournreview.bsky.social
The letter of the law, and the law in practice.
Experts discuss the risks posed to journalism as the courts test the limits of press freedom law.
www.cjr.org
February 14, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Excellent point here by @knightcolumbia.org's @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, stating that US media landscape has the opposite problem that led Canada to mandate the CanCon rule.
Unless you "legally mandate access to ideas from abroad, Americans are gonna be in a bubble."
@columjournreview.bsky.social
Unless you "legally mandate access to ideas from abroad, Americans are gonna be in a bubble."
@columjournreview.bsky.social
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
It should be obvious that criticizing ICE—or any government agency—on social media is protected by the First Amendment.
It is not a crime.
Tech companies must not comply with sweeping government demands that seek to unmask users simply for expressing their opinions online.
It is not a crime.
Tech companies must not comply with sweeping government demands that seek to unmask users simply for expressing their opinions online.
Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:36 AM
It should be obvious that criticizing ICE—or any government agency—on social media is protected by the First Amendment.
It is not a crime.
Tech companies must not comply with sweeping government demands that seek to unmask users simply for expressing their opinions online.
It is not a crime.
Tech companies must not comply with sweeping government demands that seek to unmask users simply for expressing their opinions online.
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Leakers Helped Destroy the Deportation Case Against Tufts Student
theintercept.com/2026/02/13/r...
theintercept.com/2026/02/13/r...
Leakers Helped Destroy the Deportation Case Against Tufts Student
This week, a judge finally dismissed the deporation case, which was built solely on an op-ed, against the Tufts doctoral student.
theintercept.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Leakers Helped Destroy the Deportation Case Against Tufts Student
theintercept.com/2026/02/13/r...
theintercept.com/2026/02/13/r...
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
The Trump admin’s effort to deport Rümeysa Öztürk has failed — miserably.
Plus, ICE is claiming that revealing its office locations is a “national security threat.”
Yes, we rolled our eyes too.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social spotlight this week's top press freedom news: freedom.press/newsletters
Plus, ICE is claiming that revealing its office locations is a “national security threat.”
Yes, we rolled our eyes too.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social spotlight this week's top press freedom news: freedom.press/newsletters
February 13, 2026 at 10:25 PM
The Trump admin’s effort to deport Rümeysa Öztürk has failed — miserably.
Plus, ICE is claiming that revealing its office locations is a “national security threat.”
Yes, we rolled our eyes too.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social spotlight this week's top press freedom news: freedom.press/newsletters
Plus, ICE is claiming that revealing its office locations is a “national security threat.”
Yes, we rolled our eyes too.
Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social spotlight this week's top press freedom news: freedom.press/newsletters
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Zuck taking advantage of every opportunity, I guess. "World's going to shit? Well, I guess EFF will be too busy opposing fascism to notice that we launched surveillance glasses!"
Cool, cool.
Cool, cool.
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Zuck taking advantage of every opportunity, I guess. "World's going to shit? Well, I guess EFF will be too busy opposing fascism to notice that we launched surveillance glasses!"
Cool, cool.
Cool, cool.
Sickening.
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Sickening.
“Compounding their pain, Sudanese journalists say it often feels like nobody outside their country is watching,” @ikushkush.bsky.social writes in @niemanreports.org.
“The ‘forgetting’ of Sudan is less about oversight and more about hierarchies of visibility in global and regional media ecosystems.”
“The ‘forgetting’ of Sudan is less about oversight and more about hierarchies of visibility in global and regional media ecosystems.”
Dangerously Underreported - Nieman Reports
Sudan’s journalists risk their lives to tell the story of their homeland as the world turns away, writes Isma'il Kushkush.
niemanreports.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM
“Compounding their pain, Sudanese journalists say it often feels like nobody outside their country is watching,” @ikushkush.bsky.social writes in @niemanreports.org.
“The ‘forgetting’ of Sudan is less about oversight and more about hierarchies of visibility in global and regional media ecosystems.”
“The ‘forgetting’ of Sudan is less about oversight and more about hierarchies of visibility in global and regional media ecosystems.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
🫶 You’re the one I trust with my secret key!
Learn all about encryption at the link below.
freedom.press/digisec/guid...
Learn all about encryption at the link below.
freedom.press/digisec/guid...
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
🫶 You’re the one I trust with my secret key!
Learn all about encryption at the link below.
freedom.press/digisec/guid...
Learn all about encryption at the link below.
freedom.press/digisec/guid...
Good news from Guatemala: Investigative journalist Jose Rubén Zamora’s released to house arrest
CPJ welcomes Guatemalan journalist Jose Rubén Zamora’s release to house arrest, calls for all charges to be dropped - Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Thursday’s court ruling granting house arrest to investigative journalist Jose Rubén Zamora, president of the now defunct elPeriódico, and calls on Guatem...
cpj.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Good news from Guatemala: Investigative journalist Jose Rubén Zamora’s released to house arrest
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Important win for press freedom from the @aclu.org : a landmark settlement for photojournalists who had their First Amendment rights violated at the US-Mexico border by CBP and ICE
Landmark Settlement Announced in Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Questioning of Journalists at the Border | American Civil Liberties Union
The settlement comes after five journalists were unlawfully targeted for and questioned about their reporting near the U.S-Mexico border
www.aclu.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Important win for press freedom from the @aclu.org : a landmark settlement for photojournalists who had their First Amendment rights violated at the US-Mexico border by CBP and ICE
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
“We're not the speech police unless we make up a nonexistent misrepresentation as a pretext to police speech.”
Does this guy not see the irony of posting this on X of all places?
Does this guy not see the irony of posting this on X of all places?
February 13, 2026 at 12:12 AM
“We're not the speech police unless we make up a nonexistent misrepresentation as a pretext to police speech.”
Does this guy not see the irony of posting this on X of all places?
Does this guy not see the irony of posting this on X of all places?
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
“This is the latest example of attorney disciplinary offices finding any excuse to not confront the rampant misconduct by prosecutors and other lawyers inside the Trump administration.
“Disciplinary offices need to rise to the moment and stop protecting the people they’re supposed to regulate.”
“Disciplinary offices need to rise to the moment and stop protecting the people they’re supposed to regulate.”
Bar Punts on Ethics Complaint Over Application to Search Reporter’s Home
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
“This is the latest example of attorney disciplinary offices finding any excuse to not confront the rampant misconduct by prosecutors and other lawyers inside the Trump administration.
“Disciplinary offices need to rise to the moment and stop protecting the people they’re supposed to regulate.”
“Disciplinary offices need to rise to the moment and stop protecting the people they’re supposed to regulate.”
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
Putin accused of ‘total censorship’ after blocking WhatsApp
Putin accused of ‘total censorship’ after blocking WhatsApp
www.thetimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Putin accused of ‘total censorship’ after blocking WhatsApp
Reposted by Ahmed Zidan
It's important to point out in the sea of horrible news we see all the time: They keep losing! And seemingly at greater frequency every week.
BREAKING: Judge blocks Hegseth effort to punish Sen. Kelly.
"This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-k...
"This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-k...
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MARK KELLY,
Plaintiff,
Civil Case No. 26-81 (RJL)
V.
PETE HEGSETH, et al.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
February 12, 2026 [Dkt. #2]
United States Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, has been censured by
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for voicing certain opinions on military actions and
policy. In addition, he has been subjected to proceedings to possibly reduce his retirement
rank and pay and threatened with criminal prosecution if he continues to speak out on these
issues.
Secretary Hegseth relies on the well-established doctrine that military
servicemembers enjoy less vigorous First Amendment protections given the fundamental
obligation for obedience and discipline in the armed forces. Unfortunately for Secretary
Hegseth, no court has ever extended those principles to retired servicemembers, much less a retired servicemember serving in Congress and exercising oversight responsibility over
the military. This Court will not be the first to do so!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiclbgaenrhgnor6zvmnfql4d3olwzqp7zikm3maum5ylc4m6epys4@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 6:29 PM
It's important to point out in the sea of horrible news we see all the time: They keep losing! And seemingly at greater frequency every week.
ICE List aims "to create an atmosphere like that of Chicago in the 1920s, when the public naming of Ku Klux Klan members led many of them to be publicly shunned
“There were no attacks on members of the KKK, it was a boycott of them in public life...And then slowly the KKK disappeared from Chicago."
“There were no attacks on members of the KKK, it was a boycott of them in public life...And then slowly the KKK disappeared from Chicago."
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 9:04 PM
ICE List aims "to create an atmosphere like that of Chicago in the 1920s, when the public naming of Ku Klux Klan members led many of them to be publicly shunned
“There were no attacks on members of the KKK, it was a boycott of them in public life...And then slowly the KKK disappeared from Chicago."
“There were no attacks on members of the KKK, it was a boycott of them in public life...And then slowly the KKK disappeared from Chicago."
Super cute.
📲 If you use @signal.app (you should), find the sticker pack there, install it and message (securely) away.
🖨️ If you have a printer, put them in an envelope, and hand them to your lover(s).
These are just 2 suggested case uses, but there are plenty others.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
📲 If you use @signal.app (you should), find the sticker pack there, install it and message (securely) away.
🖨️ If you have a printer, put them in an envelope, and hand them to your lover(s).
These are just 2 suggested case uses, but there are plenty others.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Psst … Signal me! 💘
Learn how to communicate securely at the link below.
#ValentinesDay
🔗 freedom.press/digisec/guid...
Learn how to communicate securely at the link below.
#ValentinesDay
🔗 freedom.press/digisec/guid...
February 11, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Super cute.
📲 If you use @signal.app (you should), find the sticker pack there, install it and message (securely) away.
🖨️ If you have a printer, put them in an envelope, and hand them to your lover(s).
These are just 2 suggested case uses, but there are plenty others.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
📲 If you use @signal.app (you should), find the sticker pack there, install it and message (securely) away.
🖨️ If you have a printer, put them in an envelope, and hand them to your lover(s).
These are just 2 suggested case uses, but there are plenty others.
Happy Valentine’s Day!