Louise McNeil
@louiseerika1.bsky.social
Studying PhD in Law at University of Limerick, research areas: surveillance, technology, human rights, psychology and media discourse. BSc (criminology & psych), LLB, MA (Human Rights)
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Algorithmic face scans are “dangerous, whether used to estimate our age, our name, or other demographics,” EFF’s Adam Schwartz told @PCMag.com. EFF favors “a ban on government use of this technology, and strict regulation… for corporate use.” www.pcmag.com/explainers/...
Give Us Your Face or Lose Your Account: AI Age Verification Is Here, and Experts Are Worried
From Spotify to YouTube, platforms now demand biometric proof of age. Experts warn that you could lose access—and your privacy—if the algorithms get it wrong.
www.pcmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Algorithmic face scans are “dangerous, whether used to estimate our age, our name, or other demographics,” EFF’s Adam Schwartz told @PCMag.com. EFF favors “a ban on government use of this technology, and strict regulation… for corporate use.” www.pcmag.com/explainers/...
Reposted by Louise McNeil
LAST CALL! #Sociology Professorships in Copenhagen, Denmark!
We're hiring 2+ open-rank profs (Asst/Assoc/Full). Any area.
Deadline: this Saturday, Nov 15!
Join a leading European sociology department. Please repost!
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
We're hiring 2+ open-rank profs (Asst/Assoc/Full). Any area.
Deadline: this Saturday, Nov 15!
Join a leading European sociology department. Please repost!
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Call for two or more open-rank academic positions in Sociology
jobportal.ku.dk
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
LAST CALL! #Sociology Professorships in Copenhagen, Denmark!
We're hiring 2+ open-rank profs (Asst/Assoc/Full). Any area.
Deadline: this Saturday, Nov 15!
Join a leading European sociology department. Please repost!
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
We're hiring 2+ open-rank profs (Asst/Assoc/Full). Any area.
Deadline: this Saturday, Nov 15!
Join a leading European sociology department. Please repost!
jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabeli...
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Big story from Sky news. It is a mistake to think the DSA alone is going to fix this. This requires more, including and most particularly enforcement of GDPR Art 9 news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Big story from Sky news. It is a mistake to think the DSA alone is going to fix this. This requires more, including and most particularly enforcement of GDPR Art 9 news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
This is no surprise! If we want to mitigate algorithmic decision-making bias, researchers need to access public data. The DSA should protect the best interest of society, facilitating adequate levels of transparent research within "big data"/ high profit organisations @ulsol.bsky.social
This will not come as a surprise to any social media or internet researchers.
"Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok & Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (#DSA)." ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
"Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok & Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (#DSA)." ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission preliminarily finds TikTok and Meta in breach of their transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act
Today, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
ec.europa.eu
October 24, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This is no surprise! If we want to mitigate algorithmic decision-making bias, researchers need to access public data. The DSA should protect the best interest of society, facilitating adequate levels of transparent research within "big data"/ high profit organisations @ulsol.bsky.social
Reposted by Louise McNeil
The UK’s Data Use and Access Bill puts marginalised groups at risk of opaque, unfair and harmful automated decisions. Yvette Cooper and Peter Kyle must address the lack of safeguards governing law enforcement use of automated decision-making tools before time runs out.
EFF, Civil Society Groups, Academics Call on UK Home Secretary to Address Flawed Data Bill
Last week, EFF joined 30 civil society groups and academics in warning UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Department for Science, Innovation...
www.eff.org
May 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The UK’s Data Use and Access Bill puts marginalised groups at risk of opaque, unfair and harmful automated decisions. Yvette Cooper and Peter Kyle must address the lack of safeguards governing law enforcement use of automated decision-making tools before time runs out.
Reposted by Louise McNeil
The EU’s proposed Mini-ID Wallet could change how millions verify their age online, but who gets left out? Marginalized groups risk losing access to crucial services. Privacy and inclusion must be at the center of digital ID debates.
Age Verification in the European Union: The Commission's Age Verification App
This is the second part of a three-part series about age verification in the European Union. In this blog post, we take a deep dive into the age verification app solicited by the European Commission, ...
www.eff.org
April 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The EU’s proposed Mini-ID Wallet could change how millions verify their age online, but who gets left out? Marginalized groups risk losing access to crucial services. Privacy and inclusion must be at the center of digital ID debates.
Reposted by Louise McNeil
"By refusing to implement even the bare minimum protections they once promised, Google is making clear that user privacy comes second to their surveillance-based business model,” EFF’s Lena Cohen told @theregister.com.
RIP to the Google Privacy Sandbox
: Chrome will keep third-party cookies, a win for web giant's ad rivals
www.theregister.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
"By refusing to implement even the bare minimum protections they once promised, Google is making clear that user privacy comes second to their surveillance-based business model,” EFF’s Lena Cohen told @theregister.com.
Reposted by Louise McNeil
🔥 @ninajankowicz.com to the European Parliament: "Before I describe the details of Russia's recent online influence campaigns, I would like to call upon you to stand firm against another autocracy: The United States of America."
April 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
🔥 @ninajankowicz.com to the European Parliament: "Before I describe the details of Russia's recent online influence campaigns, I would like to call upon you to stand firm against another autocracy: The United States of America."
An excellent article highlighting the very real issues associated with "The widening net of digital exclusion" causing real harm the individuals who need services the most, all the while - adding to the exponential growth of amassing digital data and pervasive surveillance #AcademicSky
Exactly! I wrote about this. Can’t park a car without downloading an app and register, in the rain whilst your train pulls out of the station. Misery.
Triple-locked out of life: digital inclusion failures for not just our most vulnerable - Workplace Insights by Adrie van der Luijt
Digital inclusion remains an urgent challenge as vulnerable and elderly users face complex barriers to essential services.
workplaceinsights.co.uk
April 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
An excellent article highlighting the very real issues associated with "The widening net of digital exclusion" causing real harm the individuals who need services the most, all the while - adding to the exponential growth of amassing digital data and pervasive surveillance #AcademicSky
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Talks to regulate surveillance technologies at key stage in Paris but reliant upon voluntary implementation.
therecord.media/paris-pall-m...
therecord.media/paris-pall-m...
Paris set to host difficult negotiations on tackling commercial hacking tools
This week in Paris, the diplomatic initiative formerly known as the Pall Mall Process will continue to look for international agreement on thorny issues related to hacking tools known as commercial cy...
therecord.media
April 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Talks to regulate surveillance technologies at key stage in Paris but reliant upon voluntary implementation.
therecord.media/paris-pall-m...
therecord.media/paris-pall-m...
Such a beautiful campus to work and study at, I always enjoy my peaceful morning walks @unioflimerick.bsky.social @ulsol.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Such a beautiful campus to work and study at, I always enjoy my peaceful morning walks @unioflimerick.bsky.social @ulsol.bsky.social
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Government has been warned by its expert AI Advisory Council that plans for the use of facial recognition tech (FRT) risk “gradual mission creep” towards a mass surveillance society.
The Council flags risks to fundamental rights and potential misidentifications.
www.irishtimes.com/technology/b...
The Council flags risks to fundamental rights and potential misidentifications.
www.irishtimes.com/technology/b...
AI advisory group warns of potential for mass surveillance
Government cautioned against deploying facial recognition technology ‘without thorough independent evaluation and resolution of identified risks’
www.irishtimes.com
January 11, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Government has been warned by its expert AI Advisory Council that plans for the use of facial recognition tech (FRT) risk “gradual mission creep” towards a mass surveillance society.
The Council flags risks to fundamental rights and potential misidentifications.
www.irishtimes.com/technology/b...
The Council flags risks to fundamental rights and potential misidentifications.
www.irishtimes.com/technology/b...
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Irish Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council: “The potential for a gradual mission creep towards an untargeted mass surveillance State is a legitimate concern.”
AI advisory group warns of potential for mass surveillance
Government cautioned against deploying facial recognition technology ‘without thorough independent evaluation and resolution of identified risks’
www.irishtimes.com
January 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Irish Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council: “The potential for a gradual mission creep towards an untargeted mass surveillance State is a legitimate concern.”
A great article by Josephine Franks @skynewss.bsky.social demonstrating the frightening reality of pervasive surveillance. Abusers being able to silently stalk through invisible apps - marketed towards child safety
Being under surveillance has changed Caitlin's* life: "I've moved house. My car's changed, my job's changed, kids' schools have changed. I can't go anywhere that I used to go."
#rhizomaticharms
news.sky.com/story/i-thou...
#rhizomaticharms
news.sky.com/story/i-thou...
'I thought I'd been microchipped': How abusers spy on partners with 'parental control' apps
Software marketed as tools to keep children safe may not be all it seems - with some apps exploited by domestic abusers. Survivors speak to Sky News about the impact of being secretly tracked and moni...
news.sky.com
December 15, 2024 at 11:36 AM
A great article by Josephine Franks @skynewss.bsky.social demonstrating the frightening reality of pervasive surveillance. Abusers being able to silently stalk through invisible apps - marketed towards child safety
Reposted by Louise McNeil
“The police need to answer as to why they are still holding this highly personal data more than 10 years after the courts said this is against the law.” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
Police unlawfully storing images of innocent people for facial recognition
Privacy fears raised as report warns photographs of arrested people who are then released are being retained
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2024 at 7:58 AM
“The police need to answer as to why they are still holding this highly personal data more than 10 years after the courts said this is against the law.” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
I am loving tonight's #latelate toy show @latelateshow.rte.ie and young Dory meering Jazzy ❤️ what a little star!
December 6, 2024 at 9:54 PM
I am loving tonight's #latelate toy show @latelateshow.rte.ie and young Dory meering Jazzy ❤️ what a little star!
Great to see the AP news joining Bluesky!
The Associated Press has officially joined Bluesky. Follow us at @apnews.com.
December 5, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Great to see the AP news joining Bluesky!
Absolutely deserves a follow and repost! Thanks for highlighting @emmalbriant.bsky.social
Everyone should be following @melbunce.bsky.social and @julieposetti.bsky.social, who are new to Bluesky and have an important new article about Trump's threat to journalism in @theguardian.com today!
Donald Trump’s re-election has chilling implications for journalism - from attacks and threats to defunding public media. @julieposetti.bsky.social Kaylee Williams & I set out some of the challenges: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
December 5, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Absolutely deserves a follow and repost! Thanks for highlighting @emmalbriant.bsky.social
Reposted by Louise McNeil
I expect that, as tech companies run out of data from the internet, they will push even harder for #surveillance, using excuses like safety, to get their hands on "multimodal" data. #privacy #AIEthics www.businessinsider.com/generative-a...
AI improvements are slowing down. Companies have a plan to break through the wall.
AI labs racing to surpass human intelligence have become the subject of reports that challenges are getting between their models and their mission.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2024 at 10:44 AM
I expect that, as tech companies run out of data from the internet, they will push even harder for #surveillance, using excuses like safety, to get their hands on "multimodal" data. #privacy #AIEthics www.businessinsider.com/generative-a...
A very interesting read on the increasingly important topic of privacy
My latest paper, Privacy Standing, is now out in the BU Law Review. In it, I analyze the Supreme Court's invention of a new tradition of common-law faux historicism for privacy standing: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 25, 2024 at 12:55 PM
A very interesting read on the increasingly important topic of privacy
My fluff ball is 6 years old today, he has decided that the day needs to be all about him! How do I explain that I'm trying to finish a PhD and prepare for yearly review panels to that cute little face! @ulresearch.bsky.social UL School of Law
November 25, 2024 at 11:43 AM
My fluff ball is 6 years old today, he has decided that the day needs to be all about him! How do I explain that I'm trying to finish a PhD and prepare for yearly review panels to that cute little face! @ulresearch.bsky.social UL School of Law
Reposted by Louise McNeil
Did you know there’s a site to search for starter packs of people to follow? Built by @mubashariqbal.com
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
Bluesky Starter Packs - Bluesky Directory
Browse a list of Bluesky Starter Packs. Discover and connect with your community on Bluesky
blueskydirectory.com
November 23, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Did you know there’s a site to search for starter packs of people to follow? Built by @mubashariqbal.com
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
For anyone unsure how to vote in the upcoming Irish Election, the University of Limerick developed a great tool to help you understand which candidates align to your views. Providing a transparent view of how candidates answered key Qs & providing a %match with your answers! www.whichcandidate.ie
WhichCandidate
Find the candidate that matches your views on WhichCandidate.ie
www.whichcandidate.ie
November 24, 2024 at 1:01 PM
For anyone unsure how to vote in the upcoming Irish Election, the University of Limerick developed a great tool to help you understand which candidates align to your views. Providing a transparent view of how candidates answered key Qs & providing a %match with your answers! www.whichcandidate.ie
Very insightful report shared by @abeba.bsky.social a great read if you are interested in the way AI is pervasively creeping into the fabric of everyday decisions, generating and intensifying social harms by reinforcing power dynamics that further marginalise the most vulnerable within society.
"92 million low-income people in the U.S. states—everyone whose income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line—have some basic aspect of their lives decided by AI"
www.techtonicjustice.org/reports/ines...
this is a damning report
www.techtonicjustice.org/reports/ines...
this is a damning report
November 23, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Very insightful report shared by @abeba.bsky.social a great read if you are interested in the way AI is pervasively creeping into the fabric of everyday decisions, generating and intensifying social harms by reinforcing power dynamics that further marginalise the most vulnerable within society.
It's great to see familiar faces on Bluesky 💙
Check out our starter pack of UL academics, researchers, departments and faculties
We're proud to have so many talented people working at UL, and proud to be leading research into everything from healthcare innovation to sustainability
go.bsky.app/6E5Dav8
#StudyatUL #Ireland
We're proud to have so many talented people working at UL, and proud to be leading research into everything from healthcare innovation to sustainability
go.bsky.app/6E5Dav8
#StudyatUL #Ireland
November 23, 2024 at 12:23 AM
It's great to see familiar faces on Bluesky 💙