Karlin Lillington
@klillington.bsky.social
Retired Irish Times tech columnist. Chair, New Music Dublin. Likes privacy/infosec/human rights. Likes 🦇. Lots of 4-legged talls/smalls 🐕🐈⬛🫏🐴. Talkative. 🇨🇦➡️🇺🇸➡️🇮🇪 Also on 🦣
Pinned
Half a billion people— the whole of the EU’s citizenry— owe their right not to be casually surveilled en masse by their governments to Karlin’s reporting on Data Retention.
We literally cited it to the court in the DRI data retention case.
We literally cited it to the court in the DRI data retention case.
The end of an era and certainly, surely, the single most insightful run on a rapidly changing field.
Karlin Lillington’s last column in today’s Irish Times.
Karlin Lillington’s last column in today’s Irish Times.
The lifetime work I'm most proud of. A decade went into those stories/columns, involving FOIs, tip-offs & concerned, informed individuals/groups helping me better understand the issues. The day the ECJ overturned the EU Data Retention Directive in the DRI judgement was the greatest of my career
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
It’s all total bullshit. Stop listening to corporate liars and charlatans. Be the boy who dared tell the emperor he was naked
November 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM
It’s all total bullshit. Stop listening to corporate liars and charlatans. Be the boy who dared tell the emperor he was naked
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
The age of keeping whales and dolphins in captivity must finally come to an end
Research shows it is not possible for captive cetaceans to thrive in concrete pools
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Seems like a good day to remind everyone that Jared Kushner advised Saudi Crown Prince MBS on how to “weather the storm” after his hit squad slaughtered American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
November 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Seems like a good day to remind everyone that Jared Kushner advised Saudi Crown Prince MBS on how to “weather the storm” after his hit squad slaughtered American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Using IE to download Netscape
November 17, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Using IE to download Netscape
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Worth mentioning that by our own tests we know these videos were made with OpenAI’s Sora, highlighting how tools released by some of the richest companies in the world are being combined to generate and monetize videos that take advantage of human suffering
The latest trend in Facebook’s ever downward spiral down the AI slop toilet are AI deportation videos. And the Facebook algorithm is rewarding creators for it. @jasonkoebler.bsky.social reports.
Full story: www.404media.co/ai-generated...
Full story: www.404media.co/ai-generated...
November 17, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Worth mentioning that by our own tests we know these videos were made with OpenAI’s Sora, highlighting how tools released by some of the richest companies in the world are being combined to generate and monetize videos that take advantage of human suffering
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
THE BEST QUESTION EVER. :)
is ejecting the core littering
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
THE BEST QUESTION EVER. :)
I will be glad when the day comes when I don’t have to see a photo of Epstein several times a week
November 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I will be glad when the day comes when I don’t have to see a photo of Epstein several times a week
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
I remember back in the late '90s -- when magazine writers were still getting big book and movie deals -- an editor of mine who'd worked with a bunch of them sighing and saying, "The story no one will ever publish is the exposé of which famous writers can't actually write at all."
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
November 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I remember back in the late '90s -- when magazine writers were still getting big book and movie deals -- an editor of mine who'd worked with a bunch of them sighing and saying, "The story no one will ever publish is the exposé of which famous writers can't actually write at all."
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
We’re delighted to announce The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky (@aptshadow.bsky.social), a massive—37 stories, more than 600 pages—collection by the author of many acclaimed novels. Featuring a foreword by @scalzi.com. Full details and preorder: subterraneanpress.com/newsannounci...
Announcing THE BEST OF ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY—Over 600 Pages!
We’re delighted to announce The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky, a massive—37 stories, more than 600 pages—collection by the author of many acclaimed novels, including Alien Clay, Shroud,...
subterraneanpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
We’re delighted to announce The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky (@aptshadow.bsky.social), a massive—37 stories, more than 600 pages—collection by the author of many acclaimed novels. Featuring a foreword by @scalzi.com. Full details and preorder: subterraneanpress.com/newsannounci...
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Google stopped letting owners of early Nest themostats remotely control their devices last month. But it's still remotely collecting extensive surveillance data from them: https://www.theverge.com/news/820600/google-nest-learning-thermostat-downgraded-data-collection #privacy
Google is collecting troves of data from downgraded Nest thermostats
The thermostats may no longer connect to Google’s app, but they still transmit your data.
www.theverge.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Google stopped letting owners of early Nest themostats remotely control their devices last month. But it's still remotely collecting extensive surveillance data from them: https://www.theverge.com/news/820600/google-nest-learning-thermostat-downgraded-data-collection #privacy
Because we can all see how well Americans are doing with the less regulated tech world of the US 🫣. What is the EU thinking? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
Europe Begins Rethinking Its Crackdown on Big Tech
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Because we can all see how well Americans are doing with the less regulated tech world of the US 🫣. What is the EU thinking? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
Went to get the CVRT on the van today and in the waiting room in a grimy industrial estate in Wexford next to a fish processing plant it was two van man guys waiting on their vans to be done and me, with a cavalier spaniel on my lap (van passed, yay)
November 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Went to get the CVRT on the van today and in the waiting room in a grimy industrial estate in Wexford next to a fish processing plant it was two van man guys waiting on their vans to be done and me, with a cavalier spaniel on my lap (van passed, yay)
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Behold*! The audio version of my science fiction novella THE APOLOGISTS read by Kate Baker.
[*Or some archaism that means to listen. Heed? Hark? 🤷🏾♂️]
[*Or some archaism that means to listen. Heed? Hark? 🤷🏾♂️]
The Apologists by Tade Thompson (audio)
Clarkesworld Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine and Podcast.
clarkesworldmagazine.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Behold*! The audio version of my science fiction novella THE APOLOGISTS read by Kate Baker.
[*Or some archaism that means to listen. Heed? Hark? 🤷🏾♂️]
[*Or some archaism that means to listen. Heed? Hark? 🤷🏾♂️]
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
A chance to see the process behind the temporary natural history gallery at the National Museum of Ireland with @paoloviscardi.bsky.social
🌙 Late Night at the Museum: Curating Change
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Late Night Opening: In Conversation: Curating Change in a Changing Museum
Dónal Maguire, and Paolo Viscardi in conversation discussing curatorial and design approaches to two major additions to the National Museum
www.eventbrite.ie
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A chance to see the process behind the temporary natural history gallery at the National Museum of Ireland with @paoloviscardi.bsky.social
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
OMG! I just got off the plane in Asheville and RFK Jr. Was boarding and someone passed by him and said “quack”
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
OMG! I just got off the plane in Asheville and RFK Jr. Was boarding and someone passed by him and said “quack”
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
They made a commitment when they took the oath of citizenship. Now, some naturalized citizens wonder whether the U.S. is still making one to them as President Donald Trump reshapes immigration.
Naturalized US citizens thought they were safe. Trump's immigration policies are shaking that belief
As President Donald Trump reshapes immigration and the nation’s relationship with immigrants, some naturalized citizens are wondering if the country they made a commitment to when they took the oath of citizenship is still making one to them.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
They made a commitment when they took the oath of citizenship. Now, some naturalized citizens wonder whether the U.S. is still making one to them as President Donald Trump reshapes immigration.
I seem to have accidentally bought the Disco Inferno toaster
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I seem to have accidentally bought the Disco Inferno toaster
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
This is pretty questionable under GDPR @tjmcintyre.com @tupped.bsky.social
Something being missed a bit in the coverage of Ryanair's shift to "100% digital" boarding (which it's not) is that they are actually limiting other digital formats and favouring only their app for access to passes, which isn't a neutral utility but a data collecting e-commerce machine.
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
This is pretty questionable under GDPR @tjmcintyre.com @tupped.bsky.social
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
They’ve laid off so many people that the government is now getting its economic data from DoorDash.
November 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
They’ve laid off so many people that the government is now getting its economic data from DoorDash.
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
flat out lies. these tech ceos take regulators and the masses for fools
![“If you want to know how a model will behave, the only way of doing it is to run it,” Mensch also suggested. “You do need to have some empirical testing, what’s happening. Knowing the input data that has been used for training is not going to tell you whether your model is going to behave well in [a healthcare use-case], for instance. You don’t really care about what’s in the training data. You do care about the empirical behaviour of the model. So you don’t need knowledge of the training data. And if you had knowledge of the training data, it wouldn’t even teach you whether the model is going to behave well or not. So this is why I’m saying it’s neither necessary nor sufficient.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:26hkfmtr7jrchexamh7hk6rz/bafkreieor7ile6yxzp7utlrauer575gfli546jwdn7ivefe2fu5yqbp6le@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM
flat out lies. these tech ceos take regulators and the masses for fools
Reposted by Karlin Lillington
Newsom's latest troll 😆
November 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Newsom's latest troll 😆
That 'not a typical dating platform' ad where, sure, that's true -- because the women (always women!) featured in the ads are so obviously pneumatically AI-inflated in ridiculously tight shirts. Swipe right for your chatbot date, guys
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
That 'not a typical dating platform' ad where, sure, that's true -- because the women (always women!) featured in the ads are so obviously pneumatically AI-inflated in ridiculously tight shirts. Swipe right for your chatbot date, guys