Margarida Silva
@margaridasilva.bsky.social
I research Big Tech's power and campaign to limit it at @somoamsterdam.bsky.social
Reposted by Margarida Silva
ah, the butlerian jihad
I have no idea where this is originally from or if my friend made it but they sent it to me once; and I love it
December 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
ah, the butlerian jihad
"A new AI trade group is distributing talking points to members of Congress and organizing local data center field trips to better pitch voters on their value. Another trade association, the Data Center Coalition (DCC), nearly tripled its lobbying spend" www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Data centers have a political problem — and Big Tech wants to fix it
A growth engine for the economy is becoming a political albatross. Can messaging change that?
www.politico.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:19 AM
"A new AI trade group is distributing talking points to members of Congress and organizing local data center field trips to better pitch voters on their value. Another trade association, the Data Center Coalition (DCC), nearly tripled its lobbying spend" www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
I will be pushing for a moratorium on the construction of data centers that are powering the unregulated sprint to develop & deploy AI.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
It's Time for a Moratorium on Data Centers | Sen. Bernie Sanders
YouTube video by Senator Bernie Sanders
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I will be pushing for a moratorium on the construction of data centers that are powering the unregulated sprint to develop & deploy AI.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
The moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up, and ensure that the benefits of technology work for all of us, not just the 1%.
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Amazon is talking about investing $10bn in OpenAI so that OpenAI can then hand some of that back as part of its $38bn cloud compute deal using trainium chips. This should get OpenAI to what, March? Utterly stupid and investors should actively punish Amazon
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Amazon is talking about investing $10bn in OpenAI so that OpenAI can then hand some of that back as part of its $38bn cloud compute deal using trainium chips. This should get OpenAI to what, March? Utterly stupid and investors should actively punish Amazon
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
www.theinformation.com/articles/ope...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
"With its democracy now explicitly under threat, Europe must join India, Brazil and China in standing up to Trump."
And here's how; enforce Europe's laws and pop the AI bubble.
by @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
And here's how; enforce Europe's laws and pop the AI bubble.
by @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This is Europe's secret weapon against Trump: it could burst his AI bubble | Johnny Ryan
Growth in the US economy – and the president’s political survival – rest on AI. The EU must use its leverage and stand up to him, says the Irish Council for Civil Liberties’ Johnny Ryan
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:52 AM
"With its democracy now explicitly under threat, Europe must join India, Brazil and China in standing up to Trump."
And here's how; enforce Europe's laws and pop the AI bubble.
by @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
And here's how; enforce Europe's laws and pop the AI bubble.
by @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
"With support from the U.S. tech industry, the Trump administration has taken an aggressive posture against other government’s digital restrictions as well"
The US threatens economic penalties against European companies like Spotify, if the EU does not roll back regulations and lawsuits targeting US tech giants (New York Times)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
December 16, 2025 at 6:59 PM
"With support from the U.S. tech industry, the Trump administration has taken an aggressive posture against other government’s digital restrictions as well"
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Did you know that the Member of the European Parliament in charge of dismantling the Green Deal is also the lobbyist for companies benefiting from this deregulation?
Complaint lodged with @president.europarl.europa.eu cc @ombudsman.europa.eu #CSRD #CSDDD
Complaint lodged with @president.europarl.europa.eu cc @ombudsman.europa.eu #CSRD #CSDDD
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Did you know that the Member of the European Parliament in charge of dismantling the Green Deal is also the lobbyist for companies benefiting from this deregulation?
Complaint lodged with @president.europarl.europa.eu cc @ombudsman.europa.eu #CSRD #CSDDD
Complaint lodged with @president.europarl.europa.eu cc @ombudsman.europa.eu #CSRD #CSDDD
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Corporate lobbying is heating up on the digital omnibus - a Commission proposal that'd axe our digital rights 🪓
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
aichamber.eu
December 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Corporate lobbying is heating up on the digital omnibus - a Commission proposal that'd axe our digital rights 🪓
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Fucking incredible dystopian shit, comparing super rich people risking millions if not billions of lives just to make more money to people that risked their life actually building incredible things that would then make millions of dollars for super rich people.
December 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Fucking incredible dystopian shit, comparing super rich people risking millions if not billions of lives just to make more money to people that risked their life actually building incredible things that would then make millions of dollars for super rich people.
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Final NCP ruling: Telenor violated the OECD Guidelines in its disengagement from Myanmar 🚨
Telenor should now take an active role in remediation and provide financial support to a Myanmar digital security relief mechanism, according to the decision.
Read more: www.somo.nl/telenor-fail...
Telenor should now take an active role in remediation and provide financial support to a Myanmar digital security relief mechanism, according to the decision.
Read more: www.somo.nl/telenor-fail...
December 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Final NCP ruling: Telenor violated the OECD Guidelines in its disengagement from Myanmar 🚨
Telenor should now take an active role in remediation and provide financial support to a Myanmar digital security relief mechanism, according to the decision.
Read more: www.somo.nl/telenor-fail...
Telenor should now take an active role in remediation and provide financial support to a Myanmar digital security relief mechanism, according to the decision.
Read more: www.somo.nl/telenor-fail...
Today @somoamsterdam.bsky.social joined 70+ groups to tell the EU Commission:
1️⃣ don't settle for Google's promises to 'do better' as a solution to its abuses of power;
2️⃣ only a break-up will remove Google's ability and incentive to abuse its dominance in adtech.
rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
1️⃣ don't settle for Google's promises to 'do better' as a solution to its abuses of power;
2️⃣ only a break-up will remove Google's ability and incentive to abuse its dominance in adtech.
rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
December 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Today @somoamsterdam.bsky.social joined 70+ groups to tell the EU Commission:
1️⃣ don't settle for Google's promises to 'do better' as a solution to its abuses of power;
2️⃣ only a break-up will remove Google's ability and incentive to abuse its dominance in adtech.
rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
1️⃣ don't settle for Google's promises to 'do better' as a solution to its abuses of power;
2️⃣ only a break-up will remove Google's ability and incentive to abuse its dominance in adtech.
rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
The #AI bubble is postponing the #TrumpSlump but its guzzling electricity demand is gouging the very voters who bought his preposterous claims to bring down prices (while raising tariffs), as his approval slides further below even his first-term nadir: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
More than 200 environmental groups demand halt to new US datacenters
Exclusive: Congress urged to act against energy-hungry facilities blamed for increasing bills and worsening climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The #AI bubble is postponing the #TrumpSlump but its guzzling electricity demand is gouging the very voters who bought his preposterous claims to bring down prices (while raising tariffs), as his approval slides further below even his first-term nadir: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"Governments and MPs are shooting themselves in the foot by pandering to tech giants, because that just tells young people that they don’t care about our future” www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
‘Don’t pander to the tech giants!’ How a youth movement for digital justice is spreading across Europe
Gen Z are the first generation to have grown up with social media, they were the earliest adopters, and therefore the first to suffer its harms. Now they are fighting back
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
"Governments and MPs are shooting themselves in the foot by pandering to tech giants, because that just tells young people that they don’t care about our future” www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
🇪🇺 This morning we opened an investigation into Google’s use of online content, including from web publishers and YouTube, to train and operate its AI services.
1/3 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
1/3 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by Google in the use of online content for AI purposes
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using the content of web publishers, as well as content uploaded on th
ec.europa.eu
December 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
🇪🇺 This morning we opened an investigation into Google’s use of online content, including from web publishers and YouTube, to train and operate its AI services.
1/3 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
1/3 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into whether Google breached EU competition rules by using the content of web publishers, as well as video uploaded to YouTube, for artificial intelligence purposes.
EU Commission opens antitrust probe into Google AI
EU executive investigates whether Google unfairly used web publishers’ content and video uploaded to YouTube to power its artificial intelligence.
www.politico.eu
December 9, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into whether Google breached EU competition rules by using the content of web publishers, as well as video uploaded to YouTube, for artificial intelligence purposes.
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Trump's new National Security Strategy is a mask-off moment, it reads like it was written by a cartoon fascist.
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
December 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Trump's new National Security Strategy is a mask-off moment, it reads like it was written by a cartoon fascist.
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
Reposted by Margarida Silva
"The vendors' suspensions follow the emergence of serious allegations indicating that it is likely the suppliers engaged in sanctionable practices, including irregularities in the award of contracts"
www.ftm.eu/articles/isr...
www.ftm.eu/articles/isr...
Israel’s biggest defence company suspended by NATO amid corruption probe
Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons firm, is implicated in a widening NATO corruption scandal. The military alliance’s procurement agency (NSPA) has suspended the company from bidding on new contr...
www.ftm.eu
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
"The vendors' suspensions follow the emergence of serious allegations indicating that it is likely the suppliers engaged in sanctionable practices, including irregularities in the award of contracts"
www.ftm.eu/articles/isr...
www.ftm.eu/articles/isr...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Mark Zuckerberg’s gamble on the "Metaverse" has lost his company more than $77 billion.
December 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Mark Zuckerberg’s gamble on the "Metaverse" has lost his company more than $77 billion.
Reposted by Margarida Silva
🔴 ‘Divide and Conquer’: Inside the Oil and Gas Strategy to Thwart EU Green Laws
U.S. fossil fuel majors led efforts to ensure corporations would not have to introduce climate action plans.
📝 @clarecarlile.bsky.social
U.S. fossil fuel majors led efforts to ensure corporations would not have to introduce climate action plans.
📝 @clarecarlile.bsky.social
‘Divide and Conquer’: Inside the Oil and Gas Strategy to Thwart EU Green Laws
A public relations firm for major U.S. polluters worked to dismantle EU laws that require large corporations to make plans for cutting emissions. The PR company Teneo undertook its work on behalf of t...
www.desmog.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM
🔴 ‘Divide and Conquer’: Inside the Oil and Gas Strategy to Thwart EU Green Laws
U.S. fossil fuel majors led efforts to ensure corporations would not have to introduce climate action plans.
📝 @clarecarlile.bsky.social
U.S. fossil fuel majors led efforts to ensure corporations would not have to introduce climate action plans.
📝 @clarecarlile.bsky.social
An absolute must read by colleagues at @somoamsterdam.bsky.social
Leaked lobby documents reveal how, under the pretext of the now-near-magical concept of ‘competitiveness’, US companies plotted to hijack democratically adopted EU laws.
This lobby campaign is ongoing www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
Leaked lobby documents reveal how, under the pretext of the now-near-magical concept of ‘competitiveness’, US companies plotted to hijack democratically adopted EU laws.
This lobby campaign is ongoing www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
December 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
An absolute must read by colleagues at @somoamsterdam.bsky.social
Leaked lobby documents reveal how, under the pretext of the now-near-magical concept of ‘competitiveness’, US companies plotted to hijack democratically adopted EU laws.
This lobby campaign is ongoing www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
Leaked lobby documents reveal how, under the pretext of the now-near-magical concept of ‘competitiveness’, US companies plotted to hijack democratically adopted EU laws.
This lobby campaign is ongoing www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
Reposted by Margarida Silva
"Amazon tech helped deport my neighbours."
On Cyber Monday in New York, Amazon warehouse workers with Amazon Labor Union and tech workers with No Tech For Apartheid protested Amazon's complicity in Israel's genocide and ICE's deportations. #MakeAmazonPay
On Cyber Monday in New York, Amazon warehouse workers with Amazon Labor Union and tech workers with No Tech For Apartheid protested Amazon's complicity in Israel's genocide and ICE's deportations. #MakeAmazonPay
December 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
"Amazon tech helped deport my neighbours."
On Cyber Monday in New York, Amazon warehouse workers with Amazon Labor Union and tech workers with No Tech For Apartheid protested Amazon's complicity in Israel's genocide and ICE's deportations. #MakeAmazonPay
On Cyber Monday in New York, Amazon warehouse workers with Amazon Labor Union and tech workers with No Tech For Apartheid protested Amazon's complicity in Israel's genocide and ICE's deportations. #MakeAmazonPay
Reposted by Margarida Silva
Following US pressure, the EU Commission has proposed to slash regulation that holds Big Tech accountable to the people of Europe.
#DigitalOmnibus: Rather than bowing to Silicon Valley, the Commission must respect EU rule-making and accept its result.
www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
#DigitalOmnibus: Rather than bowing to Silicon Valley, the Commission must respect EU rule-making and accept its result.
www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
November 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Following US pressure, the EU Commission has proposed to slash regulation that holds Big Tech accountable to the people of Europe.
#DigitalOmnibus: Rather than bowing to Silicon Valley, the Commission must respect EU rule-making and accept its result.
www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
#DigitalOmnibus: Rather than bowing to Silicon Valley, the Commission must respect EU rule-making and accept its result.
www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
Amazon’s EU lobby meetings show it's trying:
- to participate in the EU's cloud sovereignty push;
- to shape the EU's AI & competition rules.
Just as EU & national regulators:
- opened an investigation into Amazon’s cloud power
- found it abused its power to control prices across the market.👇
- to participate in the EU's cloud sovereignty push;
- to shape the EU's AI & competition rules.
Just as EU & national regulators:
- opened an investigation into Amazon’s cloud power
- found it abused its power to control prices across the market.👇
✊ Today workers across Europe are taking action against Amazon.
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
November 28, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Amazon’s EU lobby meetings show it's trying:
- to participate in the EU's cloud sovereignty push;
- to shape the EU's AI & competition rules.
Just as EU & national regulators:
- opened an investigation into Amazon’s cloud power
- found it abused its power to control prices across the market.👇
- to participate in the EU's cloud sovereignty push;
- to shape the EU's AI & competition rules.
Just as EU & national regulators:
- opened an investigation into Amazon’s cloud power
- found it abused its power to control prices across the market.👇
Reposted by Margarida Silva
✊ Today workers across Europe are taking action against Amazon.
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
✊ Today workers across Europe are taking action against Amazon.
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
"A majority of Europeans agree: in a survey, 83 per cent of EU citizens said they want union busters like Amazon to be excluded from public contracts." #MakeAmazonPay
www.ips-journal.eu/work-and-dig...
www.ips-journal.eu/work-and-dig...
November 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"A majority of Europeans agree: in a survey, 83 per cent of EU citizens said they want union busters like Amazon to be excluded from public contracts." #MakeAmazonPay
www.ips-journal.eu/work-and-dig...
www.ips-journal.eu/work-and-dig...