Sebastian F.
banner
sebbfau.bsky.social
Sebastian F.
@sebbfau.bsky.social
Norwegian investigative reporter ✍️📸
www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-faugstad-707220218
EU has committed to protect citizens personal data as a fundamental right. This responsibility should be uncompromisable. A solid GDPR protects our personal data from being used freely by Big Tech companies. Yet, the commission is planning to dilute it, in fear of Trump and his tech-oligarchs.
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
The GDPR is Europe’s defence against digital oligarchy and child harm. Deregulation plans are misguided, say Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM
The proletariat's access to private communication channels is increasingly restricted, and mandatory communication apps are enforced. The Putin-regime seems inspired by Orwell's interpretation of authoritarian societies. They may soon claim that 2+2=5, and if you disagree "Big Brother will know".
Putin’s Panopticon - Coda Story
The Kremlin has rolled out a mandatory new messenger app that can spy on everyone all the time
www.codastory.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:48 AM
It's uplifting to see that some are still capable of speaking truth to power in one of the world's prior flagship democracies #NoKingsDay
Bernie Sanders No Kings Rally DC | Full Speech
YouTube video by WUSA9
www.youtube.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:58 AM
US county L-A is home to over 3 million immigrants. Many of these people are afraid of ongoing ICE raids, leading to less attendance at workplaces, schools, hospitals and houses of worship. The county has declared a state of emergency — prompted by federal US action.
Los Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raids
Los Angeles County officials voted on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency over ongoing federal immigration raids.
abcnews.go.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
The French flagships in European tech innovation are at risk of never leaving port, thanks to political instability and difficulty to allocate funds – writes Euronews.
Why France’s ‘slowly sinking’ ship is worrying startups and the tech s
The French government has been in flux for more than a year, and the uncertainty is hurting its tech sector.
www.euronews.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:14 AM
As an investigative reporter and a long time gamer I'm touched to see the potential intersection of two of my main interests in life. I'm also very excited to see the launch of some of these titles #occrp
Floodlight Investigative Journalism Gaming Summit
YouTube video by De Balie | Verhuur
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Why I gave the world wide web away for free | Tim Berners-Lee
Why I gave the world wide web away for free
My vision was based on sharing, not exploitation – and here’s why it’s still worth fighting for
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Trump and Putin are threatening to carve up Europe between them. Suddenly, it all feels a bit 1939 | Simon Tisdall
Trump and Putin are threatening to carve up Europe between them. Suddenly, it all feels a bit 1939 | Simon Tisdall
Forget the US president’s seeming volte-face on Ukraine this week: he and Putin fundamentally agree that European liberal democracy is the problem, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Fragmentation is holding back Europe’s defence drive
Fragmentation is holding back Europe’s defence drive
Europe's record defence spendings risk being squandered unless fragmentation gives way to standartisation
dlvr.it
September 28, 2025 at 8:28 AM
DOJ's antitrust trial against Google begins today. The company will seek to avoid a forced sale of part of its online advertising business.

No matter the outcome, Google says it will appeal the decision to label the ad network as a monopoly.
Google faces antitrust déjà vu as US seeks to break up its digital advertising business
After deflecting the U.S. Justice Department’s attack on its illegal monopoly in online search, Google is facing another attempt to dismantle its internet empire during a trial focused on its abusive ...
apnews.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
A Senate hearing this week featured testimony from parents whose children committed suicide after engaging with AI chatbots.
Capitol Hill's war on Big Tech hits AI chatbots
A Senate hearing this week featured testimony from parents whose children committed suicide after engaging with AI chatbots.
www.businessinsider.com
September 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
India signs deepsea mining exploration deal with International Seabed Authority reut.rs/4mqWFau
India signs deepsea mining exploration deal with International Seabed Authority
India has signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority for exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean, the government said on Saturday.
reut.rs
September 20, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Commentary: The new Trump-era cancel culture is here, and this is what it looks like
Commentary: The new Trump-era cancel culture is here, and this is what it looks like
Worried about a free-speech crackdown? As the case involving fired writer Karen Attiah shows, the private sector is stepping up to do that before the state even bothers.
www.latimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Trump or no Trump, Europe’s relationship with the US will never recover | Nathalie Tocci
Trump or no Trump, Europe’s relationship with the US will never recover | Nathalie Tocci
Optimists cling to a faith in the old alliance, but the best we can achieve is an amicable divorce, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci
www.theguardian.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Trump's threat to the bloc comes after he signed a major trade agreement with the EU in July.
Donald Trump threatens EU with major retaliation: 'Discriminatory'
www.newsweek.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This experiment is fascinating on so many levels. Might be my favorite movie experience of the year.
1000 Players Simulate Civilization: Rich & Poor
YouTube video by ish
www.youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Investigating Social Media Algorithms

In this reporting guide, GIJN offers tips, techniques, and best practices for covering the algorithms – and their corresponding impacts – used by tech giants’ social media platforms.
gijn.org
Guide to Investigating Social Media Algorithms 
twp.ai
September 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Sebastian F.
Every morning, 37-year-old journalist Mohamed Abu Shahma puts on his battered press jacket and leaves a note for his family — so they’ll know where to find his body if he doesn’t return. This is the life of a journalist in Gaza: www.occrp.org/en/feature/r...
Reporting From the Rubble: The Life of a Journalist in Gaza
OCCRP contributor Mohamed Abu Shahma reports between funerals, while dodging bullets and bombs, searching for food, and moving his family up and down the Gaza Strip.
www.occrp.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Ahead of the Norwegian election 8. September, the biggest editorials are focusing on quick and snappy social media posts – likely in an attempt to attract a younger audience. Consequentially, party leaders are spinning the coverage in their favor, circumventing critical political journalism.
(+) Har bi­dratt til den mest ukri­tis­ke valgkamp­dekningen på man­ge tiår
Hva skal partiene med PR-folk når de får slike muligheter servert uten å jobbe for det engang, spør Bernhard Ellefsen.
www.morgenbladet.no
September 4, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The Epstein survivors are seeking justice. Steps away from the US Capitol some of the victims shared their stories, and the news that they're unifying to compile a confidential list of "people who were regularly in the Epstein world – and it will be done by survivors and for survivors".
Epstein accusers say they are compiling list of his associates
Victims of the disgraced financier give emotional accounts of abuse in a news conference on the steps of the US Capitol.
www.bbc.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:05 AM
TikTok, and Big Tech social media platforms, are creating urgency in your feed at the cost of your mental health and wellbeing. TikTok knew about Kathryn Wheeler's pregnancy before her inner circle, and the algorithms played into her fears to keep her as a consumer and to keep generating revenue.
September 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Trump's offensive trade deals has pushed the EU to find new trading partners, accelerating its negotiation with the South American Mercosur bloc.
EU to present internal fix to Mercosur trade deal to appease France
The tweak seeks to make EU skeptics, led by France, more amenable to the Latin America trade accord.
www.politico.eu
September 3, 2025 at 8:33 AM
EU commission president’s flight was hit by suspected Russian gps jamming. Keir Giles says to the BBC that such inference is a ”constant feature“ of flying near Russia. NKOM did readings on the Norwegian border to Russia, and concluded the same as well as the origin direction of the interference.
GPS-jamming er den nye hverdagen over Finnmark
Frekvensforstyrrelser skjer nærmest daglig i Finnmark. Politimesteren sier situasjonen er alvorlig.
www.nrk.no
September 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Amnesty International are urging governments to break up the power of big tech monopolies, like Alphabet, Apple and Meta. They argue that their concentration of power has profound implications for human rights; right to privacy, non-discrimination, and access to information.
Amnesty launches ‘Breaking up with Big Tech’ briefing
Amnesty International has launched a new briefing calling on governments to rein in the power of Big Tech companies in order to safeguard human rights.
www.amnesty.org
August 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
CECOT are breaking down and scarring Venezuelan immigrants trying their best to make a better life for their families. The photographer has captured breathtaking moments from the reunion of some of the Venezuelan families.
What I Witnessed as I Photographed the Disappearances and the Homecomings of My Countrymen
Over the past four months, a photojournalist documented the lives of five families whose sons had been imprisoned in El Salvador, including their long-awaited reunions. CECOT left a mark on the men, t...
www.propublica.org
August 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM