Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
@paul-ward-irl.bsky.social
Unelected bureaucrat. Brussels, Dublin, The Hague.
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
An Israeli prison guard called the son of Marwan Barghouti to brag about how much they’re torturing him, which potentially includes cutting his ear off
December 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
An Israeli prison guard called the son of Marwan Barghouti to brag about how much they’re torturing him, which potentially includes cutting his ear off
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Luckily, there's nothing in their history to suggest this kind of thing could lead to even darker places ....
December 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Luckily, there's nothing in their history to suggest this kind of thing could lead to even darker places ....
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
AI: Meta signs partnership agreement with several international media outlets, including Le Monde
AI: Meta signs partnership agreement with several international media outlets, including Le Monde
The contract regulates the use of content published by Le Monde, Télérama, Huffington Post and Nouvel Obs in artificial intelligence services developed by the American group, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
www.lemonde.fr
December 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
AI: Meta signs partnership agreement with several international media outlets, including Le Monde
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Spotify is garbage on every count: Its treatment of artists, its ICE advertising, the CEO's investment in military AI, its leading role in the commodification and AI slopification of music, its terrible audio quality—you name it.
So I quit, and put together a complete guide to getting off Spotify:
So I quit, and put together a complete guide to getting off Spotify:
How to quit Spotify
This Black Friday, here's a guide to finding the best Spotify alternative
www.bloodinthemachine.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Spotify is garbage on every count: Its treatment of artists, its ICE advertising, the CEO's investment in military AI, its leading role in the commodification and AI slopification of music, its terrible audio quality—you name it.
So I quit, and put together a complete guide to getting off Spotify:
So I quit, and put together a complete guide to getting off Spotify:
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Whether through malice, incompetence or both the Trump administration is doing what it can to help Putin & harm Europe. And ironically, it brings peace no closer because Putin sees the evidence of Western weakness & disunity as a reason to keep the war going & achieve his goal of destroying Ukraine.
🚨 Explosive report by Bloomberg:
The US has lobbied “several” EU countries to derail the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing the Russian assets are needed to achieve a peace deal and shouldn’t be used to “prolong the war”.
The US has lobbied “several” EU countries to derail the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing the Russian assets are needed to achieve a peace deal and shouldn’t be used to “prolong the war”.
US Urged Europeans to Oppose EU Plan for Loan to Support Ukraine
The US lobbied several countries in the European Union in an effort to block EU plans to use frozen Russian central bank assets to back a massive loan to Ukraine, according to European diplomats famil...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Whether through malice, incompetence or both the Trump administration is doing what it can to help Putin & harm Europe. And ironically, it brings peace no closer because Putin sees the evidence of Western weakness & disunity as a reason to keep the war going & achieve his goal of destroying Ukraine.
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
The new US National Security Strategy makes for scary reading. I wrote about how the US wants to support forces in Europe to tear itself apart back in November 2024, and last May. This NSS confirms that's exactly the US objective for Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM
The new US National Security Strategy makes for scary reading. I wrote about how the US wants to support forces in Europe to tear itself apart back in November 2024, and last May. This NSS confirms that's exactly the US objective for Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
And a deeper dive into the ties between Silicon Valley libertarians, MAGA, US Big Tech and the European far right and what it means for European security, and how the EU should respond (hint: the answer is not to deregulate tech).
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
Trump, Silicon Valley, and Europe’s Far-right - International Centre for Defence and Security
A new transatlantic alliance is forming. The old partnership was based on advancing liberal democracy, upholding the rules-based international order, and a security contract between the US and Europe....
icds.ee
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
And a deeper dive into the ties between Silicon Valley libertarians, MAGA, US Big Tech and the European far right and what it means for European security, and how the EU should respond (hint: the answer is not to deregulate tech).
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
tech/AI has always been about profit maximisation and world domination at all costs (even if it means the end of democracy) only now, thanks to the rise of fascism, they can say the quite part out loud
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Alex Karp vows to use his "whole influence" on immigration and defense policy.
gizmodo.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:12 PM
tech/AI has always been about profit maximisation and world domination at all costs (even if it means the end of democracy) only now, thanks to the rise of fascism, they can say the quite part out loud
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
What if I told you that Kenya has a Data Protection Act linked to a constitutional right to privacy which prohibits the processing of data collected in the country outside the country? But the person who calls himself president has signed this MOU with zero public or parliamentary participation?
December 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
What if I told you that Kenya has a Data Protection Act linked to a constitutional right to privacy which prohibits the processing of data collected in the country outside the country? But the person who calls himself president has signed this MOU with zero public or parliamentary participation?
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
I wrote a bit for McSweeney's about Isaac Chotiner interviewing Santa Claus. Just a little something for the holiday season. Enjoy!
The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner Interviews Santa Claus
For several centuries, Santa Claus has been one of the most prolific mythical gift-givers in the world. Formerly known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, a...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I wrote a bit for McSweeney's about Isaac Chotiner interviewing Santa Claus. Just a little something for the holiday season. Enjoy!
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
I guess what I'm saying is, for all the theatrical cruelty & dumbassery you see on your screens every day, there is 10X that amount of damage being done behind the scenes. Simply getting these fucks out of office won't fix all this -- repair will take many decades.
December 4, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I guess what I'm saying is, for all the theatrical cruelty & dumbassery you see on your screens every day, there is 10X that amount of damage being done behind the scenes. Simply getting these fucks out of office won't fix all this -- repair will take many decades.
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
"We are at war. In a hybrid conflict, the frontline is everywhere and everyone is on it." — @stollmeyer.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
"We are at war. In a hybrid conflict, the frontline is everywhere and everyone is on it." — @stollmeyer.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage’s biggest donor Christopher Harborne helped “turbocharge” money laundering says NCA
One Russian laundering network that switched to Tether in 2020 enabled “sanctions evasions and the highest levels of organised crime including providing services to the Russian state”
One Russian laundering network that switched to Tether in 2020 enabled “sanctions evasions and the highest levels of organised crime including providing services to the Russian state”
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say
Tether tokens found to facilitate scheme that enables sanctions evasion and launders money for the Kremlin
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage’s biggest donor Christopher Harborne helped “turbocharge” money laundering says NCA
One Russian laundering network that switched to Tether in 2020 enabled “sanctions evasions and the highest levels of organised crime including providing services to the Russian state”
One Russian laundering network that switched to Tether in 2020 enabled “sanctions evasions and the highest levels of organised crime including providing services to the Russian state”
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Complaint filed against Microsoft Ireland alleging it facilitated mass processing of ‘illegal’ surveillance data on Palestinians. Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) made the complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Dublin
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Complaint filed against Microsoft Ireland alleging it facilitated mass processing of ‘illegal’ surveillance data on Palestinians
Irish Council for Civil Liberties made the complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Dublin
www.irishtimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Complaint filed against Microsoft Ireland alleging it facilitated mass processing of ‘illegal’ surveillance data on Palestinians. Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) made the complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Dublin
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
I finally found one in a big Boots and the nose-streaming salesman thought I needed a mask on the Tube because it’s dusty.
Holy crap, Brits. The peak pandemic wasn’t that long ago. New strain emerging out of East Asia. 🤷♀️
Holy crap, Brits. The peak pandemic wasn’t that long ago. New strain emerging out of East Asia. 🤷♀️
December 4, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I finally found one in a big Boots and the nose-streaming salesman thought I needed a mask on the Tube because it’s dusty.
Holy crap, Brits. The peak pandemic wasn’t that long ago. New strain emerging out of East Asia. 🤷♀️
Holy crap, Brits. The peak pandemic wasn’t that long ago. New strain emerging out of East Asia. 🤷♀️
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
I think the killer app for AI is search, because it always gives you something that seems right quickly, rather than admit that the information doesn’t exist or requires talking to a person. But seeming right is not the same thing as right, and everyone who thinks that’s ok is why we are fucked.
December 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I think the killer app for AI is search, because it always gives you something that seems right quickly, rather than admit that the information doesn’t exist or requires talking to a person. But seeming right is not the same thing as right, and everyone who thinks that’s ok is why we are fucked.
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
In Latin America. The work on AI in education - professional development is dominated by private foundations/companies. This trend is strengthened by international organisations like the World Bank. The teaching profession and education unions are sidelined. #HumanCentredAI
December 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM
In Latin America. The work on AI in education - professional development is dominated by private foundations/companies. This trend is strengthened by international organisations like the World Bank. The teaching profession and education unions are sidelined. #HumanCentredAI
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
Once data is out there, how can you know where it goes and who uses it?
❌Cybercriminals trade and monetise personal data, using it for identity theft, scams, grooming, and ultimately to exploit minors. Read: www.europol.europa.eu/publication-...
Digital footprint is raw material for cybercrime.
❌Cybercriminals trade and monetise personal data, using it for identity theft, scams, grooming, and ultimately to exploit minors. Read: www.europol.europa.eu/publication-...
Digital footprint is raw material for cybercrime.
Every time you share their life online, you risk sharing their personal data with the world. Pause before you post.
December 4, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Once data is out there, how can you know where it goes and who uses it?
❌Cybercriminals trade and monetise personal data, using it for identity theft, scams, grooming, and ultimately to exploit minors. Read: www.europol.europa.eu/publication-...
Digital footprint is raw material for cybercrime.
❌Cybercriminals trade and monetise personal data, using it for identity theft, scams, grooming, and ultimately to exploit minors. Read: www.europol.europa.eu/publication-...
Digital footprint is raw material for cybercrime.
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
🚨Exposed: how a secretive alliance of US companies is working to tear down the CSDDD.
They:
- Aimed to get “the most extreme position” in the European Parliament
- Worked to mobilise pressure from non-EU countries
- Paid for a think tank report
Full analysis: www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
They:
- Aimed to get “the most extreme position” in the European Parliament
- Worked to mobilise pressure from non-EU countries
- Paid for a think tank report
Full analysis: www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
December 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🚨Exposed: how a secretive alliance of US companies is working to tear down the CSDDD.
They:
- Aimed to get “the most extreme position” in the European Parliament
- Worked to mobilise pressure from non-EU countries
- Paid for a think tank report
Full analysis: www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
They:
- Aimed to get “the most extreme position” in the European Parliament
- Worked to mobilise pressure from non-EU countries
- Paid for a think tank report
Full analysis: www.somo.nl/the-secretiv...
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
'I am as afraid of the rain as I was of the war': How severe weather compounds the suffering of displaced Gazans
'I am as afraid of the rain as I was of the war': How severe weather compounds the suffering of displaced Gazans
Men, women and children are facing their third winter in a territory where more than 80% of infrastructure has been destroyed, including drainage networks and water evacuation and sanitation systems.
www.lemonde.fr
December 4, 2025 at 12:39 AM
'I am as afraid of the rain as I was of the war': How severe weather compounds the suffering of displaced Gazans
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
You either grow out of being a Libertarian when you're 15 or you spend your whole life as an intellectual clown arguing things like
*checks notes*
"Maybe allowing war crimes would be great for the drone strike & missile industries."
Libertarianism NEVER leads to utopia; it ONLY leads to despotism
*checks notes*
"Maybe allowing war crimes would be great for the drone strike & missile industries."
Libertarianism NEVER leads to utopia; it ONLY leads to despotism
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Alex Karp vows to use his "whole influence" on immigration and defense policy.
gizmodo.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
You either grow out of being a Libertarian when you're 15 or you spend your whole life as an intellectual clown arguing things like
*checks notes*
"Maybe allowing war crimes would be great for the drone strike & missile industries."
Libertarianism NEVER leads to utopia; it ONLY leads to despotism
*checks notes*
"Maybe allowing war crimes would be great for the drone strike & missile industries."
Libertarianism NEVER leads to utopia; it ONLY leads to despotism
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
(a) this really is a bloody great piece and
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
an important read for at least 2 reasons:
1. shows how big tech operates on intuitions and vibes and not rigorous research
2. this is a masterpiece in how to breakdown complex scientific concepts in simple language and elegant pros that captivate the lay reader
taranis.ie/datacenters-...
1. shows how big tech operates on intuitions and vibes and not rigorous research
2. this is a masterpiece in how to breakdown complex scientific concepts in simple language and elegant pros that captivate the lay reader
taranis.ie/datacenters-...
Datacenters in space are a terrible, horrible, no good idea.
There is a rush for AI companies to team up with space launch/satellite companies to build datacenters in space. TL;DR: It's not going to work.
taranis.ie
December 3, 2025 at 7:17 PM
(a) this really is a bloody great piece and
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
‘Prior to the GFC, the BIS made itself unpopular with monetary authorities around the world by pointing to the risks being created by accommodative monetary policies, excessive leverage, high asset prices and a lack of transparency. Once again, it is sounding the alarm.’
www.ft.com/content/fd09...
www.ft.com/content/fd09...
December 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
‘Prior to the GFC, the BIS made itself unpopular with monetary authorities around the world by pointing to the risks being created by accommodative monetary policies, excessive leverage, high asset prices and a lack of transparency. Once again, it is sounding the alarm.’
www.ft.com/content/fd09...
www.ft.com/content/fd09...
Reposted by Paul Ward (IRL/EU)
The EU’s push to “simplify” its digital legislation has far-reaching consequences for data protection.
RENÉ MAHIEU argues that the Digital Omnibus proposal risks weakening the right of access to personal data — a key accountability tool.
verfassungsblog.de/digital-omni...
RENÉ MAHIEU argues that the Digital Omnibus proposal risks weakening the right of access to personal data — a key accountability tool.
verfassungsblog.de/digital-omni...
December 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The EU’s push to “simplify” its digital legislation has far-reaching consequences for data protection.
RENÉ MAHIEU argues that the Digital Omnibus proposal risks weakening the right of access to personal data — a key accountability tool.
verfassungsblog.de/digital-omni...
RENÉ MAHIEU argues that the Digital Omnibus proposal risks weakening the right of access to personal data — a key accountability tool.
verfassungsblog.de/digital-omni...