Sebastian Becker C.
@sebabecks.bsky.social
at @internationalidea.bsky.social . Defending Democracies and Digital Rights. Before in EDRi & FIDH. Personal opinions. Based in Brussels. ES/EN/FR
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Putin wants a weak and divided Europe.
Now Trump has joined him.
Their weapon: social media.
Pro-European voices are silenced.
Far-right extremists are boosted.
Europe has a weapon too, the Digital Services Act.
So why aren’t you using it, dear European Commission?
Now Trump has joined him.
Their weapon: social media.
Pro-European voices are silenced.
Far-right extremists are boosted.
Europe has a weapon too, the Digital Services Act.
So why aren’t you using it, dear European Commission?
December 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Putin wants a weak and divided Europe.
Now Trump has joined him.
Their weapon: social media.
Pro-European voices are silenced.
Far-right extremists are boosted.
Europe has a weapon too, the Digital Services Act.
So why aren’t you using it, dear European Commission?
Now Trump has joined him.
Their weapon: social media.
Pro-European voices are silenced.
Far-right extremists are boosted.
Europe has a weapon too, the Digital Services Act.
So why aren’t you using it, dear European Commission?
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
An 🇪🇺 @viginum.bsky.social?
@ec.europa.eu is expected to suggest a "European Centre for Democratic Resilience", per a draft of the European Democracy Shield initiative seen by my @euractiv.com colleagues @anupriyadatta.bsky.social & @elisabraun.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/eu-pitc...
@ec.europa.eu is expected to suggest a "European Centre for Democratic Resilience", per a draft of the European Democracy Shield initiative seen by my @euractiv.com colleagues @anupriyadatta.bsky.social & @elisabraun.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/eu-pitc...
EU pitches new agency to fight Russian disinformation and bots | Euractiv
The Commission wants a new "European Centre for Democratic Resilience", per a draft of the European Democracy Shield initiative seen by Euractiv
www.euractiv.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
An 🇪🇺 @viginum.bsky.social?
@ec.europa.eu is expected to suggest a "European Centre for Democratic Resilience", per a draft of the European Democracy Shield initiative seen by my @euractiv.com colleagues @anupriyadatta.bsky.social & @elisabraun.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/eu-pitc...
@ec.europa.eu is expected to suggest a "European Centre for Democratic Resilience", per a draft of the European Democracy Shield initiative seen by my @euractiv.com colleagues @anupriyadatta.bsky.social & @elisabraun.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/eu-pitc...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Article 19's Barbora Bukovská and Mark Dempsey make the case for why Europe must recognize civil society as a critical piece of the democratic puzzle, not an optional accessory.
Full piece here: buff.ly/2GsXgHC
Full piece here: buff.ly/2GsXgHC
October 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Article 19's Barbora Bukovská and Mark Dempsey make the case for why Europe must recognize civil society as a critical piece of the democratic puzzle, not an optional accessory.
Full piece here: buff.ly/2GsXgHC
Full piece here: buff.ly/2GsXgHC
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Targeted MEP Daniel Freund told me he was "shocked" that Orbàn's government would allegedly pay over €1 million to spy on him.
@danielfreund.bsky.social
@danielfreund.bsky.social
MEP alleges that Hungary paid over €1 million to spy on his Brussels office
"Apparently, they think I'm dangerous enough to put this kind of money on the table," the targeted German MEP Daniel Freund told The Brussels Times.
www.brusselstimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Targeted MEP Daniel Freund told me he was "shocked" that Orbàn's government would allegedly pay over €1 million to spy on him.
@danielfreund.bsky.social
@danielfreund.bsky.social
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Belgium (Brussels), Ipsos poll:
PS/Vooruit-S&D: 23% (-1)
PVDA PTB-LEFT: 22% (+3)
MR/OVLD-RE: 18% (-5)
Ecolo/Groen-G/EFA: 12% (+2)
LE/CD&V-: 11% (+1)
VB-PfE: 4%
DéFI-*: 4% (+1)
...
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 800
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(brussels)
PS/Vooruit-S&D: 23% (-1)
PVDA PTB-LEFT: 22% (+3)
MR/OVLD-RE: 18% (-5)
Ecolo/Groen-G/EFA: 12% (+2)
LE/CD&V-: 11% (+1)
VB-PfE: 4%
DéFI-*: 4% (+1)
...
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 800
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(brussels)
September 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Belgium (Brussels), Ipsos poll:
PS/Vooruit-S&D: 23% (-1)
PVDA PTB-LEFT: 22% (+3)
MR/OVLD-RE: 18% (-5)
Ecolo/Groen-G/EFA: 12% (+2)
LE/CD&V-: 11% (+1)
VB-PfE: 4%
DéFI-*: 4% (+1)
...
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 800
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(brussels)
PS/Vooruit-S&D: 23% (-1)
PVDA PTB-LEFT: 22% (+3)
MR/OVLD-RE: 18% (-5)
Ecolo/Groen-G/EFA: 12% (+2)
LE/CD&V-: 11% (+1)
VB-PfE: 4%
DéFI-*: 4% (+1)
...
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 800
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(brussels)
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Belgium (Flanders), Ipsos poll:
VB-PfE: 27% (+4)
N VA-ECR: 23% (-3)
Vooruit-S&D: 14% (+1)
CD&V-EPP: 13% (-2)
PVDA-LEFT: 9% (+1)
Groen-G/EFA: 7%
Open VLD-RE: 6%
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(flanders)
VB-PfE: 27% (+4)
N VA-ECR: 23% (-3)
Vooruit-S&D: 14% (+1)
CD&V-EPP: 13% (-2)
PVDA-LEFT: 9% (+1)
Groen-G/EFA: 7%
Open VLD-RE: 6%
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(flanders)
September 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Belgium (Flanders), Ipsos poll:
VB-PfE: 27% (+4)
N VA-ECR: 23% (-3)
Vooruit-S&D: 14% (+1)
CD&V-EPP: 13% (-2)
PVDA-LEFT: 9% (+1)
Groen-G/EFA: 7%
Open VLD-RE: 6%
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(flanders)
VB-PfE: 27% (+4)
N VA-ECR: 23% (-3)
Vooruit-S&D: 14% (+1)
CD&V-EPP: 13% (-2)
PVDA-LEFT: 9% (+1)
Groen-G/EFA: 7%
Open VLD-RE: 6%
+/- vs. 27 May - 3 June 2025
Fieldwork: 16-23 September 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/belgium-(flanders)
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
📹 VÍDEO | Netanyahu modifica su ruta de vuelo a Estados Unidos ante la amenaza de un posible arresto por crímenes de guerra en Gaza y evita sobrevolar España y Francia social.elpais.com/_icko7
September 26, 2025 at 9:12 AM
📹 VÍDEO | Netanyahu modifica su ruta de vuelo a Estados Unidos ante la amenaza de un posible arresto por crímenes de guerra en Gaza y evita sobrevolar España y Francia social.elpais.com/_icko7
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Fact checking IS NOT AND CANNOT BE "censorship." It is literally the "more speech" that pretend free speech supporters always claim they want. It's more speech weighing in on the accuracy of other speech. It's literally a part of the "marketplace of ideas." Yet, over the last decade, the GOP...
September 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Fact checking IS NOT AND CANNOT BE "censorship." It is literally the "more speech" that pretend free speech supporters always claim they want. It's more speech weighing in on the accuracy of other speech. It's literally a part of the "marketplace of ideas." Yet, over the last decade, the GOP...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
I spoke to various MEPs about von der Leyen's back to school speech yesterday 👇
"She has delivered on around 10% of the promises she previously made – that's too little," one MEP told The Brussels Times.
‘EU is lacking results’ – MEPs react to von der Leyen’s speech
'EU is lacking results' - MEPs react to von der Leyen's speech
www.brusselstimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I spoke to various MEPs about von der Leyen's back to school speech yesterday 👇
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Lo que se sabe del atentado contra el comentarista ultra Charlie Kirk:
🔴Ha recibido un disparo en el cuello y ha perdido mucha sangre
🔴Está ingresado en estado crítico (AP)
🔴 La policía confirma que el detenido que hay NO es el autor (NYT)
🔴En el momento respondía a una pregunta sobre tiroteos (CNN)
🔴Ha recibido un disparo en el cuello y ha perdido mucha sangre
🔴Está ingresado en estado crítico (AP)
🔴 La policía confirma que el detenido que hay NO es el autor (NYT)
🔴En el momento respondía a una pregunta sobre tiroteos (CNN)
September 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Lo que se sabe del atentado contra el comentarista ultra Charlie Kirk:
🔴Ha recibido un disparo en el cuello y ha perdido mucha sangre
🔴Está ingresado en estado crítico (AP)
🔴 La policía confirma que el detenido que hay NO es el autor (NYT)
🔴En el momento respondía a una pregunta sobre tiroteos (CNN)
🔴Ha recibido un disparo en el cuello y ha perdido mucha sangre
🔴Está ingresado en estado crítico (AP)
🔴 La policía confirma que el detenido que hay NO es el autor (NYT)
🔴En el momento respondía a una pregunta sobre tiroteos (CNN)
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
From internet access to #cybersecurity, new rights are shaping the digital era. A new @internationalidea.bsky.social report examines how #constitutions are prepared and adapting to protect fundamental rights in a changing world. Read the report the full report ⬇️ doi.org/10.31752/ide...
Rights in the Digital Age
This report advocates for thorough protection of human rights in the digital age, emphasizing the strength of constitutional safeguards over ordinary legislation. As digital technologies increasingly ...
doi.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
From internet access to #cybersecurity, new rights are shaping the digital era. A new @internationalidea.bsky.social report examines how #constitutions are prepared and adapting to protect fundamental rights in a changing world. Read the report the full report ⬇️ doi.org/10.31752/ide...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
🔴 PFAS ('forever chemicals') found in wild fish across multiple EU countries!
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
September 9, 2025 at 6:15 AM
🔴 PFAS ('forever chemicals') found in wild fish across multiple EU countries!
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
New EEB report shows that:
🧪 Most samples exceed proposed safety limits
⚠️ Some exceed by 10,000x
🕰️ Member States want to delay action until 2051
Link in comments ⬇️
#PFAS #Environment #PublicHealth #ForeverChemicals
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
No es habitual que recomiende yo para Europa una medida de Trump, pero tampoco es la primera. Si él puede convertir las ayudas estatales a las grandes tecnológicas en una participación accionarial del estado, nosotros no? Mi columna de hoy en @elpais.com elpais.com/opinion/2025...
Un socialista llamado Trump
El presidente de EE UU ha tomado la decisión más sensata convirtiendo las ayudas estatales a Intel en una participación accionarial
elpais.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:36 AM
No es habitual que recomiende yo para Europa una medida de Trump, pero tampoco es la primera. Si él puede convertir las ayudas estatales a las grandes tecnológicas en una participación accionarial del estado, nosotros no? Mi columna de hoy en @elpais.com elpais.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
A new AI-generated website unveiled by an Israeli minister claims to “uncover the hidden ties” between Palestinian journalists and Hamas.
Sloppiness aside, it follows a pattern of dangerous smears against Palestinians.
Tariq Nafi reports.
Sloppiness aside, it follows a pattern of dangerous smears against Palestinians.
Tariq Nafi reports.
September 6, 2025 at 9:19 AM
A new AI-generated website unveiled by an Israeli minister claims to “uncover the hidden ties” between Palestinian journalists and Hamas.
Sloppiness aside, it follows a pattern of dangerous smears against Palestinians.
Tariq Nafi reports.
Sloppiness aside, it follows a pattern of dangerous smears against Palestinians.
Tariq Nafi reports.
¿Autoridades anti-monopólicas armarán casos en sus propias jurisdicciones para sancionar estas conductas?
Google's monopoly power rips off consumers, pollutes our information environment, and destroys the news media.
Today's €2.95 billion fine is a start, but won't touch Google's toxic ad-tech monopoly. The EU @ec.europa.eu must hold firm and now break up Google. www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
Today's €2.95 billion fine is a start, but won't touch Google's toxic ad-tech monopoly. The EU @ec.europa.eu must hold firm and now break up Google. www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
EU slaps Google with €2.95B fine despite Trump trade threat
Brussels hammers U.S. search giant after internal Commission feud.
www.politico.eu
September 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
¿Autoridades anti-monopólicas armarán casos en sus propias jurisdicciones para sancionar estas conductas?
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
The multibillion fine against Google proves that the EU can act. Google’s ad monopoly bleeds media dry. This ruling is only the first crack in Google’s monopoly in the ad tech market — but it sends a signal far beyond Europe.
Next step: structural remedies!
www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
Next step: structural remedies!
www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
EU slaps Google with €2.95B fine despite Trump trade threat
Brussels hammers U.S. search giant after internal Commission feud.
www.politico.eu
September 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The multibillion fine against Google proves that the EU can act. Google’s ad monopoly bleeds media dry. This ruling is only the first crack in Google’s monopoly in the ad tech market — but it sends a signal far beyond Europe.
Next step: structural remedies!
www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
Next step: structural remedies!
www.politico.eu/article/eu-s...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
🔴 Bruselas multa a Google con 2.950 millones por abuso de mercado y le pide que venda parte de su negocio de publicidad digital social.elpais.com/ploek13
Bruselas multa a Google con 2.950 millones por abuso de mercado y le pide que venda parte de su negocio de publicidad digital
La Comisión Europea da 60 días al gigante tecnológico para plantear medidas que corrijan la situación y le recuerda que su opción preferida es la desinversión
social.elpais.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🔴 Bruselas multa a Google con 2.950 millones por abuso de mercado y le pide que venda parte de su negocio de publicidad digital social.elpais.com/ploek13
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Listen to Renate Schroeder, EFJ Director's words at yesterday's solidarity action in #Brussels, where we paid tribute to the 219 journalists who lost their lives while reporting on the massive killing of the population in #Gaza. "Stop killing the journalists". @renateschroeder.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Listen to Renate Schroeder, EFJ Director's words at yesterday's solidarity action in #Brussels, where we paid tribute to the 219 journalists who lost their lives while reporting on the massive killing of the population in #Gaza. "Stop killing the journalists". @renateschroeder.bsky.social
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Palestinian journalists are being routinely, deliberately killed in Gaza. Israel's strikes on Nasser Hospital are just the latest example.
HRW has documented scores of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have caused thousands of civilian casualties.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4aGoYfz
HRW has documented scores of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have caused thousands of civilian casualties.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4aGoYfz
August 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Palestinian journalists are being routinely, deliberately killed in Gaza. Israel's strikes on Nasser Hospital are just the latest example.
HRW has documented scores of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have caused thousands of civilian casualties.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4aGoYfz
HRW has documented scores of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have caused thousands of civilian casualties.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4aGoYfz
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
The EU must use the anti coercion instrument now, or be humiliated. Europe must be free to enforce its own law on its own soil.
August 26, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The EU must use the anti coercion instrument now, or be humiliated. Europe must be free to enforce its own law on its own soil.
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
When Is It Genocide?
Philippe Sands discusses how to think about the tragedies in Gaza through the lens of international law.
open.spotify.com/episode/0ZBm...
youtu.be/RrhBypHFYPY?...
When Is It Genocide?
Philippe Sands discusses how to think about the tragedies in Gaza through the lens of international law.
open.spotify.com/episode/0ZBm...
youtu.be/RrhBypHFYPY?...
Israel, Gaza and the Debate Over Genocide | The Ezra Klein Show
YouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
youtu.be
August 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
When Is It Genocide?
Philippe Sands discusses how to think about the tragedies in Gaza through the lens of international law.
open.spotify.com/episode/0ZBm...
youtu.be/RrhBypHFYPY?...
When Is It Genocide?
Philippe Sands discusses how to think about the tragedies in Gaza through the lens of international law.
open.spotify.com/episode/0ZBm...
youtu.be/RrhBypHFYPY?...
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
🧨 New revelation in the Pfizergate affair over Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s texts with the Pfizer CEO.
The European Commission admitted to the New York Times this week that it lost the texts only after I made an official request for them.
🧵
The European Commission admitted to the New York Times this week that it lost the texts only after I made an official request for them.
🧵
August 1, 2025 at 5:43 AM
🧨 New revelation in the Pfizergate affair over Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s texts with the Pfizer CEO.
The European Commission admitted to the New York Times this week that it lost the texts only after I made an official request for them.
🧵
The European Commission admitted to the New York Times this week that it lost the texts only after I made an official request for them.
🧵
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
BREAKING: The number of Palestinians who have died from Israeli-induced starvation in Gaza has risen to 147 people, including 88 children, says Gaza's health ministry.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ym2wr7
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ym2wr7
July 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
BREAKING: The number of Palestinians who have died from Israeli-induced starvation in Gaza has risen to 147 people, including 88 children, says Gaza's health ministry.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ym2wr7
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/ym2wr7
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
Es difícil no concordar con la última columna de Daniel Matamala y al mismo tiempo no sentir una profunda culpa, mezclada con impotencia, por no hacer nada y no poder hacer mucho para salvar a los palestinos de esta aberración humanitaria, que el gobierno de Netanyahu los está forzando a padecer
July 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Es difícil no concordar con la última columna de Daniel Matamala y al mismo tiempo no sentir una profunda culpa, mezclada con impotencia, por no hacer nada y no poder hacer mucho para salvar a los palestinos de esta aberración humanitaria, que el gobierno de Netanyahu los está forzando a padecer
Reposted by Sebastian Becker C.
“if anybody should be awarded for excellence in journalism, it is all of those Palestinian journalists in Gaza who have risked their lives to live stream a genocide”
– @dianabuttu.bsky.social on journalists like @Anas al-Sharif covering Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Full report ▶️ youtu.be/YeQD6spHyEU
– @dianabuttu.bsky.social on journalists like @Anas al-Sharif covering Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Full report ▶️ youtu.be/YeQD6spHyEU
July 27, 2025 at 8:14 AM
“if anybody should be awarded for excellence in journalism, it is all of those Palestinian journalists in Gaza who have risked their lives to live stream a genocide”
– @dianabuttu.bsky.social on journalists like @Anas al-Sharif covering Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Full report ▶️ youtu.be/YeQD6spHyEU
– @dianabuttu.bsky.social on journalists like @Anas al-Sharif covering Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Full report ▶️ youtu.be/YeQD6spHyEU