Torin Monahan
@torinmonahan.bsky.social
Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Studies surveillance, tech, platforms. Co-Editor-in-Chief of Surveillance & Society.
https://www.torinmonahan.com/
https://www.torinmonahan.com/
Reposted by Torin Monahan
All these edtech and AIed testbeds don't follow the evidence-based "what works" policy model that's dominated education for years. They're *making* AI work in real-world school settings to generate insights for policy and tech. Schools are AI testing labs now.
November 29, 2025 at 10:49 PM
All these edtech and AIed testbeds don't follow the evidence-based "what works" policy model that's dominated education for years. They're *making* AI work in real-world school settings to generate insights for policy and tech. Schools are AI testing labs now.
"Critics of adversarial fashion say because the surveillance state is so complex and wide-reaching, anti-surveillance fashion is more effective at raising awareness than actually changing the status quo." Yes, I'm one of the critics! #surveillance #resistance
How to Disappear: The Rise of Anti-Surveillance Fashion
Read our reporting on adversarial fashion. We put the top anti-surveillance fashion to the test including Reflectacles, AntiAI Clothing, Yelo Pomelo, Cap_able Design, Oogaly, and RiotAssembly.
www.mozillafoundation.org
November 27, 2025 at 2:49 AM
"Critics of adversarial fashion say because the surveillance state is so complex and wide-reaching, anti-surveillance fashion is more effective at raising awareness than actually changing the status quo." Yes, I'm one of the critics! #surveillance #resistance
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Regardless of how many researchers highlight the cultural trends against "AI" data centers, & the increasingly widepread public awareness of the unequal economic & environmental harms of these systems, a lot of tech-pilled ppl will only pay attention once it shows up somewhere like WIRED.
So here:
So here:
The Data Center Resistance Has Arrived
A new report finds that local opposition to data centers skyrocketed in the second quarter of this year.
www.wired.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Regardless of how many researchers highlight the cultural trends against "AI" data centers, & the increasingly widepread public awareness of the unequal economic & environmental harms of these systems, a lot of tech-pilled ppl will only pay attention once it shows up somewhere like WIRED.
So here:
So here:
Reposted by Torin Monahan
BREAKING: Amnesty International, S.T.O.P. Lawsuit Reveals NYPD Surveillance Abuses #BanTheScan @amnestyuk.bsky.social
"New York promises to be a sanctuary city, but we’ve created nothing short of a surveillance state." - S.T.O.P. Executive Director Michelle Dahl
www.stopspying.org/latest-news/...
"New York promises to be a sanctuary city, but we’ve created nothing short of a surveillance state." - S.T.O.P. Executive Director Michelle Dahl
www.stopspying.org/latest-news/...
Amnesty International, S.T.O.P. Lawsuit Reveals NYPD Surveillance Abuses — S.T.O.P. - The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project
www.stopspying.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
BREAKING: Amnesty International, S.T.O.P. Lawsuit Reveals NYPD Surveillance Abuses #BanTheScan @amnestyuk.bsky.social
"New York promises to be a sanctuary city, but we’ve created nothing short of a surveillance state." - S.T.O.P. Executive Director Michelle Dahl
www.stopspying.org/latest-news/...
"New York promises to be a sanctuary city, but we’ve created nothing short of a surveillance state." - S.T.O.P. Executive Director Michelle Dahl
www.stopspying.org/latest-news/...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Alongside armored vehicles, local police are getting surveillance technology with help from the federal government. Learn what tech law enforcement have in your area with EFF's Atlas of Surveillance, where we’ve documented thousands of examples: atlasofsurveillance.org/
Atlas of Surveillance
Documenting Police Tech in Our Communities with Open Source Research
www.atlasofsurveillance.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Alongside armored vehicles, local police are getting surveillance technology with help from the federal government. Learn what tech law enforcement have in your area with EFF's Atlas of Surveillance, where we’ve documented thousands of examples: atlasofsurveillance.org/
Reposted by Torin Monahan
"If they have this much money, this much ability to peer into everyone’s private lives, it raises some fundamental questions about where American democracy is going." @foxcahn.bsky.social #ICE
www.aljazeera.com/video/digita...
www.aljazeera.com/video/digita...
How ICE is ramping up its surveillance
Al Jazeera's Linh Nguyen looks at how ICE is expanding its surveillance network.
www.aljazeera.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:43 PM
"If they have this much money, this much ability to peer into everyone’s private lives, it raises some fundamental questions about where American democracy is going." @foxcahn.bsky.social #ICE
www.aljazeera.com/video/digita...
www.aljazeera.com/video/digita...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
This is one of the best analyses of the total grift and scammery of AI in education I’ve seen, and it is a MUST Read: “Higher Ed’s Rush To Adopt AI Is About So Much More Than AI - defector.com/higher-eds-r...
Higher Ed’s Rush To Adopt AI Is About So Much More Than AI | Defector
If you don’t work at a university or have college-age kids, you may have missed the flurry of news stories and social media banter about AI adoption in higher ed, stories which have snowballed into th...
defector.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This is one of the best analyses of the total grift and scammery of AI in education I’ve seen, and it is a MUST Read: “Higher Ed’s Rush To Adopt AI Is About So Much More Than AI - defector.com/higher-eds-r...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Roomba should have been a warning.
Man Alarmed to Discover His Smart Vacuum Was Broadcasting a Secret Map of His House
One man's robot vacuum was constantly communicating with its manufacturer, sending a detailed 3D map of his house halfway across the world.
futurism.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Roomba should have been a warning.
Reposted by Torin Monahan
What an unsurprising decision by corporations that desperately need to make money with AI. If every other company with a chatbot isn't already doing this, then expect them to be following Meta's lead soon. The chatbot is not your friend; it's a corporate listening device. www.ft.com/content/22f7...
October 2, 2025 at 3:49 AM
What an unsurprising decision by corporations that desperately need to make money with AI. If every other company with a chatbot isn't already doing this, then expect them to be following Meta's lead soon. The chatbot is not your friend; it's a corporate listening device. www.ft.com/content/22f7...
In my experience, climate committed youth are especially unaware of the impact meat eating has on the planet.
“Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions – second only to the burning of fossil fuels.”
#vegetarianism
“Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions – second only to the burning of fossil fuels.”
#vegetarianism
Meat is a leading emissions source – but few outlets report on it, analysis finds
Sentient Media reveals less than 4% of climate news stories mention animal agriculture as source of carbon emissions
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
In my experience, climate committed youth are especially unaware of the impact meat eating has on the planet.
“Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions – second only to the burning of fossil fuels.”
#vegetarianism
“Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions – second only to the burning of fossil fuels.”
#vegetarianism
Quite disturbing unlawful collection of DNA by CBP.
US border patrol collected DNA from thousands of US citizens for years, data shows
CBP officers took DNA samples from about 2,000 citizens, some as young as 14 and many who never faced criminal charges, new analysis shows
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Quite disturbing unlawful collection of DNA by CBP.
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 Episode 62
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Come to hear @mharrisondupre.bsky.social , @alexhanna.bsky.social and I dismantle the misplaced enthusiasm for chatbots in therapy, stay for the literal word sausages.
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Come to hear @mharrisondupre.bsky.social , @alexhanna.bsky.social and I dismantle the misplaced enthusiasm for chatbots in therapy, stay for the literal word sausages.
September 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 Episode 62
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Come to hear @mharrisondupre.bsky.social , @alexhanna.bsky.social and I dismantle the misplaced enthusiasm for chatbots in therapy, stay for the literal word sausages.
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Come to hear @mharrisondupre.bsky.social , @alexhanna.bsky.social and I dismantle the misplaced enthusiasm for chatbots in therapy, stay for the literal word sausages.
🚨New Publication Alert: “Silencing Dissent: Surveillance and Police Actions on University Campuses during Pro-Palestinian Protests” 🚨
This article explores #surveillance, #violence, and #dissent on university campuses in the United States.
tinyurl.com/4fr95zxy
This article explores #surveillance, #violence, and #dissent on university campuses in the United States.
tinyurl.com/4fr95zxy
September 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
🚨New Publication Alert: “Silencing Dissent: Surveillance and Police Actions on University Campuses during Pro-Palestinian Protests” 🚨
This article explores #surveillance, #violence, and #dissent on university campuses in the United States.
tinyurl.com/4fr95zxy
This article explores #surveillance, #violence, and #dissent on university campuses in the United States.
tinyurl.com/4fr95zxy
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Surveillance & Society has published a great new issue—w/ articles on data leaks, ceasefire monitoring, campus #protests, & much more! The journal is always fully #openaccess.
Check it out, and please spread the word: ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
Check it out, and please spread the word: ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
September 2, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Surveillance & Society has published a great new issue—w/ articles on data leaks, ceasefire monitoring, campus #protests, & much more! The journal is always fully #openaccess.
Check it out, and please spread the word: ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
Check it out, and please spread the word: ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Flock lied to cities and it has come out that federal immigration agents had direct access to Flock's networks. www.9news.com/article/news...
www.9news.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Flock lied to cities and it has come out that federal immigration agents had direct access to Flock's networks. www.9news.com/article/news...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Give @kashhill.bsky.social all the garlands for her dogged, brave reporting yet again.
It's shameful, outrageous and enraging that we allow tech companies to deploy AI products that cause harm to people--teenagers, Black fathers, mentally ill persons--every day. Enough is enough.
It's shameful, outrageous and enraging that we allow tech companies to deploy AI products that cause harm to people--teenagers, Black fathers, mentally ill persons--every day. Enough is enough.
Why publish one story about A.I. gone wrong when you can publish two?
Here's my other story today on how the NYPD used facial recognition tech to arrest the wrong man for public lewdness.
The perp was 5'6''. Cops charged Trevis Williams, who is 6'2''.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/n...
Here's my other story today on how the NYPD used facial recognition tech to arrest the wrong man for public lewdness.
The perp was 5'6''. Cops charged Trevis Williams, who is 6'2''.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/n...
How the N.Y.P.D.’s Facial Recognition Tool Landed the Wrong Man in Jail
www.nytimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Give @kashhill.bsky.social all the garlands for her dogged, brave reporting yet again.
It's shameful, outrageous and enraging that we allow tech companies to deploy AI products that cause harm to people--teenagers, Black fathers, mentally ill persons--every day. Enough is enough.
It's shameful, outrageous and enraging that we allow tech companies to deploy AI products that cause harm to people--teenagers, Black fathers, mentally ill persons--every day. Enough is enough.
Paul Lynch’s _Prophet Song_ is an absolutely devastating novel that really got under my skin. It convincingly depicts a gradual slide into #totalitarianism, but on an intimate, human level. @ubisurv.net, if you haven’t read this one, I’m pretty sure you would like it.
August 22, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Paul Lynch’s _Prophet Song_ is an absolutely devastating novel that really got under my skin. It convincingly depicts a gradual slide into #totalitarianism, but on an intimate, human level. @ubisurv.net, if you haven’t read this one, I’m pretty sure you would like it.
Reposted by Torin Monahan
OPD is attempting to expand its surveillance system to be able to easily integrate footage from public and private security cameras into one centralized database under the Flock system, a massive AI-powered tracking system that has been metastasizing across the country in the past two years.
1/x
1/x
August 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM
OPD is attempting to expand its surveillance system to be able to easily integrate footage from public and private security cameras into one centralized database under the Flock system, a massive AI-powered tracking system that has been metastasizing across the country in the past two years.
1/x
1/x
[Publication Alert]: "Leaving Academia: Dual-Career Relationships and Partners’ Attrition from Academic Careers"
22% of aspiring academics who have an academic partner end up leaving academia. Women are most impacted. That's a lot of attrition! #openaccess
www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10....
22% of aspiring academics who have an academic partner end up leaving academia. Women are most impacted. That's a lot of attrition! #openaccess
www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10....
Leaving Academia: Dual-Career Relationships and Partners’ Attrition from Academic Careers | Women's Health Reports
Background: More than one third of academics are coupled with another academic, with more women being in such dual-career relationships. Little is known about how these couples’ experiences affect the...
www.liebertpub.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
[Publication Alert]: "Leaving Academia: Dual-Career Relationships and Partners’ Attrition from Academic Careers"
22% of aspiring academics who have an academic partner end up leaving academia. Women are most impacted. That's a lot of attrition! #openaccess
www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10....
22% of aspiring academics who have an academic partner end up leaving academia. Women are most impacted. That's a lot of attrition! #openaccess
www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10....
“Is it surprising that Trump’s stormtroopers are acting with impunity? [No.] But is it shocking to see a man—someone’s family member, someone’s friend, someone’s neighbor—being brutalized by agents who are fully aware they’re being watched and recorded? Yes. And I hope it remains shocking.”
New — I wrote about the violent assault on a DC delivery worker this morning by masked federal agents, and how these agents have made the disturbing turn from quiet thugs to playing for the cameras.
Federal agent during violent DC arrest: “Liberals already ruined” this country
Trump's thugs are proving their skull-bashing loyalty in broad daylight.
www.thehandbasket.co
August 17, 2025 at 1:01 AM
“Is it surprising that Trump’s stormtroopers are acting with impunity? [No.] But is it shocking to see a man—someone’s family member, someone’s friend, someone’s neighbor—being brutalized by agents who are fully aware they’re being watched and recorded? Yes. And I hope it remains shocking.”
Reposted by Torin Monahan
teachers!
excited to share a new website at this late date of Aug 15 to try to help us collectively prepare for back to school in the interpretative humanities classroom assaulted by the AI grift, so we don't have to go it alone.
take a look, share, + most importantly: CONTRIBUTE
against-a-i.com
excited to share a new website at this late date of Aug 15 to try to help us collectively prepare for back to school in the interpretative humanities classroom assaulted by the AI grift, so we don't have to go it alone.
take a look, share, + most importantly: CONTRIBUTE
against-a-i.com
AGAINST AI
against-a-i.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
teachers!
excited to share a new website at this late date of Aug 15 to try to help us collectively prepare for back to school in the interpretative humanities classroom assaulted by the AI grift, so we don't have to go it alone.
take a look, share, + most importantly: CONTRIBUTE
against-a-i.com
excited to share a new website at this late date of Aug 15 to try to help us collectively prepare for back to school in the interpretative humanities classroom assaulted by the AI grift, so we don't have to go it alone.
take a look, share, + most importantly: CONTRIBUTE
against-a-i.com
Reposted by Torin Monahan
I feel very lucky to have gotten a chance to talk about “AI” with @emilymbender.bsky.social and @alexhanna.bsky.social — authors of The AI Con.
Enjoy the episode!
pca.st/episode/ee9c...
Enjoy the episode!
pca.st/episode/ee9c...
Con, with Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna
pca.st
July 28, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I feel very lucky to have gotten a chance to talk about “AI” with @emilymbender.bsky.social and @alexhanna.bsky.social — authors of The AI Con.
Enjoy the episode!
pca.st/episode/ee9c...
Enjoy the episode!
pca.st/episode/ee9c...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
The Surveillance Studies Network (SSN) invites nominations (including self-nominations) for the annual Surveillance Studies Book Award. The deadline for receipt of books from the publisher is October 15th, 2025.
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
July 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The Surveillance Studies Network (SSN) invites nominations (including self-nominations) for the annual Surveillance Studies Book Award. The deadline for receipt of books from the publisher is October 15th, 2025.
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
Reposted by Torin Monahan
Hybrid workshop where you can hear from Lucy Suchman, HCI legend and organizer with Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the amazing Joan Greenbaum with Computer People for Peace, and other awesome organizers from #notechforapartheid and other tech-ademia organizing efforts
Very excited to share this workshop I'm helping to host on August 19: "From Tech Lash To Tech Fash: Strategic reflections on a decade of collective organizing in computing"
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
July 25, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Hybrid workshop where you can hear from Lucy Suchman, HCI legend and organizer with Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the amazing Joan Greenbaum with Computer People for Peace, and other awesome organizers from #notechforapartheid and other tech-ademia organizing efforts
Reposted by Torin Monahan
The Surveillance Studies Network (SSN) invites nominations (including self-nominations) for its 2026 Arts Prize. The deadline for receipt of nominations is August 15th, 2025.
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
July 24, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The Surveillance Studies Network (SSN) invites nominations (including self-nominations) for its 2026 Arts Prize. The deadline for receipt of nominations is August 15th, 2025.
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...
ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/su...