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ashkhen.bsky.social
ashkhen
@ashkhen.bsky.social
Tech law & policy. Football. Russia raised, Armenian blood, DC living. Views are just mine, in case you were wondering
Reposted by ashkhen
She’s back!

On the latest Tech Policy Podcast, former host Ashkhen Kazaryan (@ashkhen.bsky.social) of @futurefreespeech.org returns for a wide-ranging discussion about powerful algorithms, attacks on Section 230, and much, much more.

podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/422...
November 3, 2025 at 2:19 PM
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Tech Prom 2025 is around the corner— we’re highlighting some of the many voices that make the evening so memorable, including Future of Free Speech’s @ashkhen.bsky.social and Microsoft’s Chris Calabrese.

📍 The LINE DC
🗓️ Oct 23 | 6–10 PM
cdt.org/event/2025-t...
October 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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As part of this year’s #FOSO2025 conference, don’t miss @ashkhen.bsky.social, India McKinney, @rude1.blacksky.team & Ryan Carroll as they unpack Section 230’s misunderstood legacy and its role in protecting users worldwide. 10/28 @ 1pm ET: standtogether.swoogo...
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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Free expression online faces new challenges—from AI to government pressure on platforms. At this year’s #FutureOfSpeechOnline 2025, experts will explore what’s at stake for speech in the digital age.

🗓️ Oct 28 & 29 | 🕛 12–3pm ET
🎟️ standtogether.swoogo...
October 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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At a panel hosted by the American Enterprise Institute, @ashkhen.bsky.social said normalizing jawboning sends a dangerous message to younger generations.

🔗 Watch the full panel here: aei.org/events/policing-the-public-interest-and-broadcast-content-at-todays-fcc
aei.org
October 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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The Trump administration and the FCC have ramped up threats to broadcasters and media outlets.

How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?
October 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
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How can we use surveys to promote a culture of free speech? @ashkhen.bsky.social talks to @glukianoff.bsky.social and Kevin Goldberg in a panel sponsored by @thefireorg.bsky.social and @1stforall.bsky.social. #FreeSpeechSummit2025
October 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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🤔 Section 230? Algorithmic Curation? What do these buzzwords have to do with free expression?

In our first Policy Paper Series report, @ashkhen.bsky.social explores how the First Amendment and federal law protect how platforms curate your feed, and why you should care.
September 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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@ashkhen.bsky.social explains how both scenarios mean fewer controls for users and likely more online censorship in a new Policy Paper and Bedrock Principle post.

🔗 Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/why-you-sh...
Why You Should Care about Algorithms, Free Speech, and Section 230
"I built this algo brick by brick" is more than just a comedic online expression.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
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When the FCC pressured ABC into pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air, they weren’t just threatening speech.

@ashkhen.bsky.social said they were sending a message to younger generations that the First Amendment isn’t invincible.
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
We all yelled into a void about AG Bondi’s hate speech comments. Here are some thoughts and First Amendment doctrine to back them up www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/the-first-...
The First Amendment Was Built for Moments Like This
Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent comments on hate speech highlight the danger of letting government decide which words cross the line.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
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If you haven’t had time to follow the Internet crackdown and subsequent violent upheaval of govt in Nepal, here’s a recap.

In addition to being an awful story about real people’s lives, it’s also an amazing microcosm or synechdoche or something for the bigger picture.
After a sweeping social media ban, Nepal saw its bloodiest unrest in decades. What has happened in Nepal is a warning to other democracies to tread carefully with efforts to contain online expression, writes Samik Kharel.
Lessons from Nepal on the High Cost of Controlling Online Expression | TechPolicy.Press
The Nepalese government attempted to control the information ecosystem and lost control of the state itself, writes Samik Kharel.
www.techpolicy.press
September 12, 2025 at 1:16 PM
September 2, 2025 at 11:42 PM
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🚨 The Trump administration has signed an executive order to prosecute individuals who burn the American flag.

Read our statement from Senior Legal Fellow
@ashkhen.bsky.social:
August 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The endorsement that speaks for itself listen here or wherever you get your podcasts podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...
July 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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Hey if you missed it at #TrustCon yesterday, our live Ctrl-Alt-Speech is now on the podcast feed! With special guests @aagh.bsky.social and @ashkhen.bsky.social

podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...
Live at TrustCon 2025 - Ctrl-Alt-Speech
Our second annual live at TrustCon recording of Ctrl-Alt-Speech! Ben was unable to make the trip halfway around the world, but Mike was joined by trust & safety influencer Alice Hunsberger from Mu...
podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com
July 25, 2025 at 12:21 AM
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California is trying to pass a law that seeks to regulate social media platforms’ algorithms as “conduct." @ashkhen.bsky.social explains why that would be a disaster.
July 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Hello from Pride in NYC❤️If you have a minute pls read why 1A is so important!!
As Pride Month comes to a close, @ashkhen.bsky.social provides an important reminder of how expressive actions protected by the First Amendment paved the way for LGBTQ+ progress. (via @reason.com )
June 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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What if Americans lose their cultural commitment to protecting even the most unpopular forms of speech?

@ashkhen.bsky.social explains on @underthedesknews.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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President Trump signed the “TAKE IT DOWN Act,” the first federal law targeting nonconsensual intimate images, including AI deepfakes. @ashkhen.bsky.social and Ashley Haek recently raised free speech concerns over its broad enforcement powers.
The Road to Enforcement Chaos: The Hidden Dangers of the TAKE IT DOWN Act
Why the well-intentioned deepfake "revenge porn" law risks muzzling online speech.
www.bedrockprinciple.com
May 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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Our public comment to the FTC on its inquiry into "tech censorship" was featured in @POLITICOPro.

In our comment, @ashkhen.bsky.social makes the case for why an FTC that regulates platform content moderation policies would take on the unconstitutional role as a "Ministry of Truth."
May 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
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🚨 The FTC wants to investigate "tech censorship." But we have urged them not to cross that constitutional line.

In a public comment submitted to the FTC, we argue that this would transform the agency into an unconstitutional speech regulator.
May 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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🚨President Trump is signing the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

While the law's intentions might be noble, @ashkhen.bsky.social and Ashley Haek recently warned that it could give the government sweeping powers to regulate online speech.
May 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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A new Tennessee law — the Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism Act (PEACE Act) — appears mundane but raise serious First Amendment concerns, writes @ashkhen.bsky.social with The Future of Free Speech, a nonpartisan think tank at Vanderbilt University. @futurefreespeech.org.
What Tennessee’s PEACE Act means for free speech • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee's Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism Act (PEACE Act) law is a threat to First Amendment freedoms.
tennesseelookout.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM