Johnny Ryan
@johnnyryan.bsky.social
Director of ICCL Enforce https://iccl.ie/Enforce Previously Chief Policy Officer of Brave. FRHistS.
https://ie.linkedin.com/in/johnnyryan1
https://ie.linkedin.com/in/johnnyryan1
November 7, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Recommender algorithms controlled by unfriendly foreign powers threaten democracy and security. They artificially boost authoritarians and break society apart. They silence the rest of us.
November 6, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Recommender algorithms controlled by unfriendly foreign powers threaten democracy and security. They artificially boost authoritarians and break society apart. They silence the rest of us.
This seems an u nreasonable request, no?
October 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This seems an u nreasonable request, no?
Our complaint v Ireland is in the FT newsletter this morning
Details of complaint --> www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Details of complaint --> www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
October 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Our complaint v Ireland is in the FT newsletter this morning
Details of complaint --> www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Details of complaint --> www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Irish Justice Minister:
"The sale of data by Real-Time Bidding platforms is NOT ILLEGAL..."
This is wild. There is no way RTB data sale is legal as it currently operated.
www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=20...
"The sale of data by Real-Time Bidding platforms is NOT ILLEGAL..."
This is wild. There is no way RTB data sale is legal as it currently operated.
www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=20...
October 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Irish Justice Minister:
"The sale of data by Real-Time Bidding platforms is NOT ILLEGAL..."
This is wild. There is no way RTB data sale is legal as it currently operated.
www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=20...
"The sale of data by Real-Time Bidding platforms is NOT ILLEGAL..."
This is wild. There is no way RTB data sale is legal as it currently operated.
www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=20...
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee announces award goes to Venezuelan opposition leader for opposing authoritarianism
www.nobelpeaceprize.org/articles/nob...
www.nobelpeaceprize.org/articles/nob...
October 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee announces award goes to Venezuelan opposition leader for opposing authoritarianism
www.nobelpeaceprize.org/articles/nob...
www.nobelpeaceprize.org/articles/nob...
The U.S. FTC chair said that ICCL's report on the national security threat of RTB data was the impetus for the FTC's investigation and enforcement against the data broker Mobilewalla collecting RTB location data www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
October 7, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The U.S. FTC chair said that ICCL's report on the national security threat of RTB data was the impetus for the FTC's investigation and enforcement against the data broker Mobilewalla collecting RTB location data www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
In fact European authorities - including the DPC - have confirmed that RTB does indeed expose people’s location data and movements to data brokers in a binding Article 60 Decision.
See Art 60 Decision of 2/2/2022, EDPB, para 515 www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
See Art 60 Decision of 2/2/2022, EDPB, para 515 www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
October 7, 2025 at 7:57 AM
In fact European authorities - including the DPC - have confirmed that RTB does indeed expose people’s location data and movements to data brokers in a binding Article 60 Decision.
See Art 60 Decision of 2/2/2022, EDPB, para 515 www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
See Art 60 Decision of 2/2/2022, EDPB, para 515 www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
We told the DPC about this. It has known for years.
But yesterday it released this in a statement - perhaps in an attempt to absolve itself from the location scandal shown on national TV recently.
The statement is incorrect.
But yesterday it released this in a statement - perhaps in an attempt to absolve itself from the location scandal shown on national TV recently.
The statement is incorrect.
October 7, 2025 at 7:54 AM
We told the DPC about this. It has known for years.
But yesterday it released this in a statement - perhaps in an attempt to absolve itself from the location scandal shown on national TV recently.
The statement is incorrect.
But yesterday it released this in a statement - perhaps in an attempt to absolve itself from the location scandal shown on national TV recently.
The statement is incorrect.
Screenshot from their website shows where a person is, and where they were on what previous days.
Google and other major RTB players are shown as sources for their worldwide data.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Google and other major RTB players are shown as sources for their worldwide data.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
October 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Screenshot from their website shows where a person is, and where they were on what previous days.
Google and other major RTB players are shown as sources for their worldwide data.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Google and other major RTB players are shown as sources for their worldwide data.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
After 8 years of inaction, the DPC now claims that RTB adtech does not provide location data to dodgy firms.
Wrong.
Meet "Patternz" for example:
An Israeli surveillance tool built on RTB data that provides a targeted individual's coordinates and "driving path" www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Wrong.
Meet "Patternz" for example:
An Israeli surveillance tool built on RTB data that provides a targeted individual's coordinates and "driving path" www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
October 7, 2025 at 7:47 AM
After 8 years of inaction, the DPC now claims that RTB adtech does not provide location data to dodgy firms.
Wrong.
Meet "Patternz" for example:
An Israeli surveillance tool built on RTB data that provides a targeted individual's coordinates and "driving path" www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Wrong.
Meet "Patternz" for example:
An Israeli surveillance tool built on RTB data that provides a targeted individual's coordinates and "driving path" www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in 1948
"The only hope lay in the revival of democracy as a fighting faith"
archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
"The only hope lay in the revival of democracy as a fighting faith"
archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
September 26, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in 1948
"The only hope lay in the revival of democracy as a fighting faith"
archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
"The only hope lay in the revival of democracy as a fighting faith"
archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
From @moonalice.com in The Guardian today www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
September 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
From @moonalice.com in The Guardian today www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In 2020 we handed the Minister for Justice & DPC evidence that that data on Irish victims of sexual abuse, of HIV/AIDS, and others were for sale from data brokers.
We warned that the DPC's refusal to act against the Real-Time Bidding data source since 2017 was the cause.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
We warned that the DPC's refusal to act against the Real-Time Bidding data source since 2017 was the cause.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
September 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
In 2020 we handed the Minister for Justice & DPC evidence that that data on Irish victims of sexual abuse, of HIV/AIDS, and others were for sale from data brokers.
We warned that the DPC's refusal to act against the Real-Time Bidding data source since 2017 was the cause.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
We warned that the DPC's refusal to act against the Real-Time Bidding data source since 2017 was the cause.
www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
Cantillon in the mornings Irish Times
September 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Cantillon in the mornings Irish Times
The issue is not that people don't read terms and conditions.
1. The massive data free-for-all in online ads ("RTB") makes it impossible to obtain lawful consent. (See industry admission that RTB is incompatible with consent)
2. The DPC knew all of this since 2017 and refused to act.
1. The massive data free-for-all in online ads ("RTB") makes it impossible to obtain lawful consent. (See industry admission that RTB is incompatible with consent)
2. The DPC knew all of this since 2017 and refused to act.
September 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
The issue is not that people don't read terms and conditions.
1. The massive data free-for-all in online ads ("RTB") makes it impossible to obtain lawful consent. (See industry admission that RTB is incompatible with consent)
2. The DPC knew all of this since 2017 and refused to act.
1. The massive data free-for-all in online ads ("RTB") makes it impossible to obtain lawful consent. (See industry admission that RTB is incompatible with consent)
2. The DPC knew all of this since 2017 and refused to act.
@sineadgibney.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
"This is something that the DPC has been aware of for many, many years, and has failed to act on. Why is our regulator unable to regulate? How can you stand over the DPC as a credible organisation?"
"This is something that the DPC has been aware of for many, many years, and has failed to act on. Why is our regulator unable to regulate? How can you stand over the DPC as a credible organisation?"
September 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
@sineadgibney.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
"This is something that the DPC has been aware of for many, many years, and has failed to act on. Why is our regulator unable to regulate? How can you stand over the DPC as a credible organisation?"
"This is something that the DPC has been aware of for many, many years, and has failed to act on. Why is our regulator unable to regulate? How can you stand over the DPC as a credible organisation?"
Important question in the Dail today after the RTE Prime Time expose on the sale of data about people's locations
@ivanabacik.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
After 8 years of inaction on Real-Time Bidding, how can you continue to have confidence in the Data Protection Commission?
@ivanabacik.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
After 8 years of inaction on Real-Time Bidding, how can you continue to have confidence in the Data Protection Commission?
September 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Important question in the Dail today after the RTE Prime Time expose on the sale of data about people's locations
@ivanabacik.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
After 8 years of inaction on Real-Time Bidding, how can you continue to have confidence in the Data Protection Commission?
@ivanabacik.bsky.social asks @simonharrisireland.bsky.social
After 8 years of inaction on Real-Time Bidding, how can you continue to have confidence in the Data Protection Commission?
The Data Protection Commission has cost the Irish taxpayer €162.3 million since it was first informed of the RTB data breach in 2017.
See table --> www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
See table --> www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
September 18, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Data Protection Commission has cost the Irish taxpayer €162.3 million since it was first informed of the RTB data breach in 2017.
See table --> www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
See table --> www.iccl.ie/wp-content/u...
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
That day has arrived.
September 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
That day has arrived.
Eight years of DPC inaction.
From our letter in May
"I have repeatedly warned you since 2017 that your failure to engage with the RTB security issue creates acute risks to fundamental rights and national security."
From our letter in May
"I have repeatedly warned you since 2017 that your failure to engage with the RTB security issue creates acute risks to fundamental rights and national security."
September 18, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Eight years of DPC inaction.
From our letter in May
"I have repeatedly warned you since 2017 that your failure to engage with the RTB security issue creates acute risks to fundamental rights and national security."
From our letter in May
"I have repeatedly warned you since 2017 that your failure to engage with the RTB security issue creates acute risks to fundamental rights and national security."
In May we wrote to DPC Commissioners Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland to say
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
September 18, 2025 at 5:56 AM
In May we wrote to DPC Commissioners Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland to say
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
"Should a significant national security incident now occur as a result of RTB data we will be obliged to make this correspondence public and clarify where responsibility lies."
That day has arrived.
The Data Protection Commission should have stopped this.
We told them how to in 2017.
We showed them the evidence.
We even took them to court.
It refused to act.
We told them how to in 2017.
We showed them the evidence.
We even took them to court.
It refused to act.
September 18, 2025 at 5:56 AM
The Data Protection Commission should have stopped this.
We told them how to in 2017.
We showed them the evidence.
We even took them to court.
It refused to act.
We told them how to in 2017.
We showed them the evidence.
We even took them to court.
It refused to act.
We cooperated with RTE PrimeTime over the last year on this very significant story about RTB data exposing the movements of Irish people, including military and political personnel.
Link to this morning's preview piece is here --> www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
Link to this morning's preview piece is here --> www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
September 18, 2025 at 5:49 AM
We cooperated with RTE PrimeTime over the last year on this very significant story about RTB data exposing the movements of Irish people, including military and political personnel.
Link to this morning's preview piece is here --> www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
Link to this morning's preview piece is here --> www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
If true, this update is astonishing.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
September 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
If true, this update is astonishing.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.