Sascha Meinrath
@saschameinrath.bsky.social
Feisty professor, open tech champion, civil liberties maven, tinkerer, gardener, biker, hiker. Founder: Open Technology Institute, X-Lab; Co-Founder: Open Technology Fund, M-Lab; President: Defending Rights and Dissent
My team created the Broadband Nutrition Label in 2009 to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The FCC botched the rollout. and is now looking to eliminate this modest win: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Analysis | Your internet bill is about to get more confusing
Internet service ‘nutrition labels’ can help you spot hidden fees and predict price increases. Here’s how to use them —and why they might get less useful.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
My team created the Broadband Nutrition Label in 2009 to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The FCC botched the rollout. and is now looking to eliminate this modest win: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
New York Times' headline be like: "Mamdani, who cannot possibly win, wins" (followed by an above-the-fold picture of grumpy cat).
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
New York Times' headline be like: "Mamdani, who cannot possibly win, wins" (followed by an above-the-fold picture of grumpy cat).
WOW -- this was just presented by Netflix research staff at IRTF Montreal -- documents massive rebuffering/variability problems for streaming via Starlink:
datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/124/...
Basically underscores everything we'd been warning about here: thexlab.org/starlinkcapa...
datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/124/...
Basically underscores everything we'd been warning about here: thexlab.org/starlinkcapa...
datatracker.ietf.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:37 AM
WOW -- this was just presented by Netflix research staff at IRTF Montreal -- documents massive rebuffering/variability problems for streaming via Starlink:
datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/124/...
Basically underscores everything we'd been warning about here: thexlab.org/starlinkcapa...
datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/124/...
Basically underscores everything we'd been warning about here: thexlab.org/starlinkcapa...
This is a terrifying development, and an obvious end run around the Posse Comitatus Act.
This is one of the most important pieces of journalism this year. Some thoughts on the magnitude of its significance. 1/
Revealed: Pentagon orders states’ national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces’ for ‘crowd control’
Pentagon memo details plan to train over 20,000 national guard members across the US to carry out Trump’s order on subduing civil unrest
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This is a terrifying development, and an obvious end run around the Posse Comitatus Act.
Reposted by Sascha Meinrath
This is one of the most important pieces of journalism this year. Some thoughts on the magnitude of its significance. 1/
Revealed: Pentagon orders states’ national guards to form ‘quick reaction forces’ for ‘crowd control’
Pentagon memo details plan to train over 20,000 national guard members across the US to carry out Trump’s order on subduing civil unrest
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
This is one of the most important pieces of journalism this year. Some thoughts on the magnitude of its significance. 1/
This research paper is absolutely bonkers -- "Don’t Look Up: There Are Sensitive Internal Links in the Clear on GEO Satellites": satcom.sysnet.ucsd.edu/docs/dontloo... the amount of sensitive cellular, military, and other intel being leaked is crazy! This needs getting wider coverage.
satcom.sysnet.ucsd.edu
October 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This research paper is absolutely bonkers -- "Don’t Look Up: There Are Sensitive Internal Links in the Clear on GEO Satellites": satcom.sysnet.ucsd.edu/docs/dontloo... the amount of sensitive cellular, military, and other intel being leaked is crazy! This needs getting wider coverage.
October 18th is No Kings Day! Come out to show your support for Civil Liberty & celebrate our Constitutional Rights! Join the national day of resistance & if you're in State College, PA, we'll be meeting up near Old Main on the Penn State campus. See you there!!! #nokings #1018 www.nokings.org
No Kings
As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power ...
www.nokings.org
October 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
October 18th is No Kings Day! Come out to show your support for Civil Liberty & celebrate our Constitutional Rights! Join the national day of resistance & if you're in State College, PA, we'll be meeting up near Old Main on the Penn State campus. See you there!!! #nokings #1018 www.nokings.org
Declaring a *political philosophy* as a *terrorist organization* is equal parts unconstitutional, stupidity, and laughably absurd. The fact that the political philosophy in question is literally "anti-fascism" begs the question: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential... Read it for yourself!
Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization
Section 1. Antifa as a Terrorist Threat. Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States
www.whitehouse.gov
September 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Declaring a *political philosophy* as a *terrorist organization* is equal parts unconstitutional, stupidity, and laughably absurd. The fact that the political philosophy in question is literally "anti-fascism" begs the question: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential... Read it for yourself!
Reposted by Sascha Meinrath
Had a great time talking about the nuances of free spee, the importance of Section 230, and the dangerous path we are on:
CENSORED: 2 CenterD special guests this week: @saschameinrath.bsky.social on how Section 230 may be impacted by a renewed focus on radicalization/hate speech online. Then ex Vice FM Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez on U.S. troops being deployed in Panama. Full episode:
centerd.substack.com/p/censored-w...
centerd.substack.com/p/censored-w...
September 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Had a great time talking about the nuances of free spee, the importance of Section 230, and the dangerous path we are on:
So let's be clear -- the US government's official communications agency is actively censoring a comedy show. When we talk about the dangers of government censorship, *this* is what it looks like:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments After F.C.C. Pressure
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:51 AM
So let's be clear -- the US government's official communications agency is actively censoring a comedy show. When we talk about the dangers of government censorship, *this* is what it looks like:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...
Looking forward to celebrating 15 years of the Open Technology Institute this afternoon starting at 1pm ET -- we'll have an all-star cast! Streaming at:
www.newamerica.org/oti/events/o...
I'll be on stage for the directors' panel at 3:45pm ET -- tune in for our take on the past & future of OTI!
www.newamerica.org/oti/events/o...
I'll be on stage for the directors' panel at 3:45pm ET -- tune in for our take on the past & future of OTI!
Open Technology Institute at 15
Join New America to celebrate the Open Technology Institute’s 15 years of impact and reimagine the next 15 years of tech policy.
www.newamerica.org
September 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Looking forward to celebrating 15 years of the Open Technology Institute this afternoon starting at 1pm ET -- we'll have an all-star cast! Streaming at:
www.newamerica.org/oti/events/o...
I'll be on stage for the directors' panel at 3:45pm ET -- tune in for our take on the past & future of OTI!
www.newamerica.org/oti/events/o...
I'll be on stage for the directors' panel at 3:45pm ET -- tune in for our take on the past & future of OTI!
Trump orders unconstitutional removal of a peace vigil that has operated continuously since 1981 by making up the excuse that it is a "hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas." apnews.com/article/whit... At what point is it acceptable to talk about traitorous action?
A decades-long peace vigil outside the White House is dismantled after Trump's order
Officials removed a peace vigil that stood outside the White House for more than four decades after Trump ordered it to be taken down as part of the clearing of homeless encampments.
apnews.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Trump orders unconstitutional removal of a peace vigil that has operated continuously since 1981 by making up the excuse that it is a "hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas." apnews.com/article/whit... At what point is it acceptable to talk about traitorous action?
Anyone hearing about a super-secret "Best and Final Offer" procurement process whereby NTIA is over-ruling States and requiring them to lower their costs for various broadband infrastructure builds (all without public disclosure -- which is illegal)... anyone else hearing this?
September 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Anyone hearing about a super-secret "Best and Final Offer" procurement process whereby NTIA is over-ruling States and requiring them to lower their costs for various broadband infrastructure builds (all without public disclosure -- which is illegal)... anyone else hearing this?
Hey look: Starlink slowed down (to the point of not being able to provide broadband speeds) during burning man -- an important and timely cautionary tale for all those states looking to deploy the service without proper capacity analysis and engineering due diligence: www.ookla.com/articles/sta...
Starlink Slows Down during Burning Man | Ookla®
www.ookla.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Hey look: Starlink slowed down (to the point of not being able to provide broadband speeds) during burning man -- an important and timely cautionary tale for all those states looking to deploy the service without proper capacity analysis and engineering due diligence: www.ookla.com/articles/sta...
Hey look: Starlink slowed down (to the point of not being able to provide broadband speeds) during burning man -- an important and timely cautionary tale for all those states looking to deploy the service without proper capacity analysis and engineering due diligence: www.ookla.com/articles/sta...
Starlink Slows Down during Burning Man | Ookla®
www.ookla.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Hey look: Starlink slowed down (to the point of not being able to provide broadband speeds) during burning man -- an important and timely cautionary tale for all those states looking to deploy the service without proper capacity analysis and engineering due diligence: www.ookla.com/articles/sta...
ICE's descent into concentration camp tactics: reason.com/2025/08/15/t... This crisis, metastasizing under Trump, has roots in the Biden admin. Building solidarity across the political spectrum, to hold accountable violators of civil liberty from across the political spectrum, is critical!
The human rights crisis in ICE detention centers
Reports of human rights abuses are piling up as the number of people in immigrant detention reaches all-time highs.
reason.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
ICE's descent into concentration camp tactics: reason.com/2025/08/15/t... This crisis, metastasizing under Trump, has roots in the Biden admin. Building solidarity across the political spectrum, to hold accountable violators of civil liberty from across the political spectrum, is critical!
A New Broadband Boondoggle:
The Trump Administration's broadband strategy requires us to overlook a fundamental paradox:
1. Starlink is now considered "broadband";
2. Starlink already serves the areas it's requesting funding for;
3. By definition, this is overbuilding an already-served area.
The Trump Administration's broadband strategy requires us to overlook a fundamental paradox:
1. Starlink is now considered "broadband";
2. Starlink already serves the areas it's requesting funding for;
3. By definition, this is overbuilding an already-served area.
August 15, 2025 at 4:20 PM
A New Broadband Boondoggle:
The Trump Administration's broadband strategy requires us to overlook a fundamental paradox:
1. Starlink is now considered "broadband";
2. Starlink already serves the areas it's requesting funding for;
3. By definition, this is overbuilding an already-served area.
The Trump Administration's broadband strategy requires us to overlook a fundamental paradox:
1. Starlink is now considered "broadband";
2. Starlink already serves the areas it's requesting funding for;
3. By definition, this is overbuilding an already-served area.
This is happening right now: unknown federal agents are setting up checkpoints in our nation's capital, pulling people from their cars, and arresting them.
Situation on 14th St and W St. NW, with federal agents -- no specific agency identified -- pulling cars over for checks. They arrested a Black woman in this car.
BIG crowd of people shouting at police.
"Fuck you!"
"What is wrong with you!"
"You don't need to terrorize people like this!"
BIG crowd of people shouting at police.
"Fuck you!"
"What is wrong with you!"
"You don't need to terrorize people like this!"
August 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This is happening right now: unknown federal agents are setting up checkpoints in our nation's capital, pulling people from their cars, and arresting them.
More follow-up on our analysis of Starlink capacity limits (and their profound implications/warning for NTIA's BEAD program -- Starlink may not be able to meet federal mandated minimum broadband speeds without substantial due diligence):
communitynetworks.org/content/new-...
communitynetworks.org/content/new-...
New Research: Starlink Unlikely to Meet BEAD Speed Needs At Scale | Welcome to Community Networks
Four leading broadband deployment scholars release new analysis today that may help state broadband offices evaluate “the capacities and saturation limits of the Starlink satellite infrastructure.” Th...
communitynetworks.org
July 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM
More follow-up on our analysis of Starlink capacity limits (and their profound implications/warning for NTIA's BEAD program -- Starlink may not be able to meet federal mandated minimum broadband speeds without substantial due diligence):
communitynetworks.org/content/new-...
communitynetworks.org/content/new-...
Great follow-up analysis by @waldo.net
Starlink's connection speeds drop below the federal definition of "broadband" at a density of ~7 customers per square mile, according to recent research. The more the customers in an area, the slower everybody's connections get. Data shows that 83% of US Starlink customers get sub-broadband speeds.
thexlab.org
July 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Great follow-up analysis by @waldo.net
"Elon Musk’s Starlink internet works great if hardly anyone uses it" www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
NTIA's $42.45 billion broadband funding program is heading for a train wreck if it doesn't change course. The US *desperately* needs a coherent National Broadband Strategy.
NTIA's $42.45 billion broadband funding program is heading for a train wreck if it doesn't change course. The US *desperately* needs a coherent National Broadband Strategy.
Analysis | Elon Musk’s Starlink internet works great if hardly anyone uses it
A new analysis digs into the irony of satellite internet: The more popular it becomes, the worse speeds and reliability tend to get.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:13 PM
"Elon Musk’s Starlink internet works great if hardly anyone uses it" www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
NTIA's $42.45 billion broadband funding program is heading for a train wreck if it doesn't change course. The US *desperately* needs a coherent National Broadband Strategy.
NTIA's $42.45 billion broadband funding program is heading for a train wreck if it doesn't change course. The US *desperately* needs a coherent National Broadband Strategy.
It's hard to imagine a more deafening silence than the non-cacophony from advertisers on X -- my question to those corporations, "How do you justify supporting the company that created MechaHitler?" Surely, we can agree to boycott the company that created a pro-Nazi MechaHitler? #boycottmechahitler
July 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It's hard to imagine a more deafening silence than the non-cacophony from advertisers on X -- my question to those corporations, "How do you justify supporting the company that created MechaHitler?" Surely, we can agree to boycott the company that created a pro-Nazi MechaHitler? #boycottmechahitler
Today's *overwhelming* vote to remove the federal ban on protecting consumers from AI abuses shows 2 things:
1. The general public overwhelming supports consumer protections to rein in nefarious AI;
2. How dangerous lobbying by tech conglomerates has become.
See: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
1. The general public overwhelming supports consumer protections to rein in nefarious AI;
2. How dangerous lobbying by tech conglomerates has become.
See: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
July 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Today's *overwhelming* vote to remove the federal ban on protecting consumers from AI abuses shows 2 things:
1. The general public overwhelming supports consumer protections to rein in nefarious AI;
2. How dangerous lobbying by tech conglomerates has become.
See: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
1. The general public overwhelming supports consumer protections to rein in nefarious AI;
2. How dangerous lobbying by tech conglomerates has become.
See: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...