Vincent Denault
@vincentdenault.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, School of Criminology, University of Montreal
Reposted by Vincent Denault
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Vincent Denault
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Many have asked for the LLM Survey paper. The release was bungled a bit by PNAS, but it is live now: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The potential existential threat of large language models to online survey research | PNAS
The advancement of large language models poses a severe, potentially existential threat
to online survey research, a fundamental tool for data coll...
www.pnas.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Many have asked for the LLM Survey paper. The release was bungled a bit by PNAS, but it is live now: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:38 PM
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Through FOIA requests, we found that local police were performing lookups for ICE in Flock's nationwide network of cameras, and that a cop in Texas searched the country for a woman who self-administered an abortion.
ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows
Flock's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are in more than 5,000 communities around the U.S. Local police are doing lookups in the nationwide system for ICE.
www.404media.co
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Through FOIA requests, we found that local police were performing lookups for ICE in Flock's nationwide network of cameras, and that a cop in Texas searched the country for a woman who self-administered an abortion.
They really take us for fools.
New American, Trump-ally, owners of notorious #spyware firm, #NSOGroup, say that they 'want to use NSO’s eavesdropping and surveillance technologies to “achieve a safer world.”' Sure, sure...
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...
Israeli Spyware Maker NSO Gets New Owners, Leadership and Seeks to Mend Reputation
Investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have taken a controlling stake in the company behind Pegasus, and former Trump official David Friedman has been named executive chairman.
www.wsj.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 AM
They really take us for fools.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Bien entendu… ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
États-Unis : les Canadiens bientôt tous photographiés à la frontière
Les États-Unis étendent leur programme de reconnaissance faciale à leurs frontières terrestres et maritimes.
ici.radio-canada.ca
October 28, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Bien entendu… ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Of course they are.
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds. www.wired.com/story/chatbo...
Chatbots Are Pushing Sanctioned Russian Propaganda
ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Grok are serving users propaganda from Russian-backed media when asked about the invasion of Ukraine, new research finds.
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Of course they are.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
So for-profit AI companies have trained on the world's largest collaborative volunteer project and a precious free resource, to make money for their for-profit enterprises. They have crushed traffic to the volunteer project, starving it of donors and volunteers
www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Wikipedia Says AI Is Causing a Dangerous Decline in Human Visitors
“With fewer visits to Wikipedia, fewer volunteers may grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors may support this work.”
www.404media.co
October 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
So for-profit AI companies have trained on the world's largest collaborative volunteer project and a precious free resource, to make money for their for-profit enterprises. They have crushed traffic to the volunteer project, starving it of donors and volunteers
www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
And I was worried about students...
Top US Army general says he’s using ChatGPT to help make key command decisions
Top US Army general says he’s using ChatGPT to help make key command decisions
Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor told reporters that he's been using ChatGPT to refine how he makes choices affecting thousands of troops.
nypost.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
And I was worried about students...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
So much for Facebook's renewed commitment to free speech.
And so much for this administration's condemnation of social media censorship.
How long will it be before the DOJ demands platforms remove news reporting on ICE?
And so much for this administration's condemnation of social media censorship.
How long will it be before the DOJ demands platforms remove news reporting on ICE?
Facebook suspends popular Chicago ICE-sightings group at Trump administration’s request
The group ICE Sighting-Chicagoland has been increasingly used in the last five weeks of President Donald Trump’s intense deportation campaign to warn neighbors that federal agents are nearby.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
So much for Facebook's renewed commitment to free speech.
And so much for this administration's condemnation of social media censorship.
How long will it be before the DOJ demands platforms remove news reporting on ICE?
And so much for this administration's condemnation of social media censorship.
How long will it be before the DOJ demands platforms remove news reporting on ICE?
Reposted by Vincent Denault
This is particularly remarkable given that he called for vigilante action against people who celebrated K*rk’s death - urging their employment termination. Free speech for me, but not for thee!
www.mediaite.com/media/news/c...
www.mediaite.com/media/news/c...
‘College Group Chat’: JD Vance Dismisses ‘Pearl Clutching’ Over Young Republicans Leak to Attack Jay Jones
Liberals hit back at Vance's blunt dismissal of racist, antisemitic and misogynistic messages leaked from a Young Republicans group chat.
www.mediaite.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
This is particularly remarkable given that he called for vigilante action against people who celebrated K*rk’s death - urging their employment termination. Free speech for me, but not for thee!
www.mediaite.com/media/news/c...
www.mediaite.com/media/news/c...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
The Central Park Five—whom Trump wanted executed for a crime they did not commit—were 14 to 16 years old.
NEW @motherjones.com: Nobody in that GOP group chat praising Hitler or making racist comments was a “kid,” as JD Vance claimed today
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
No one in the GOP Hitler chat was a "kid"
We checked. Sorry, JD Vance.
www.motherjones.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM
The Central Park Five—whom Trump wanted executed for a crime they did not commit—were 14 to 16 years old.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
I've been wondering why Dominion Voting Systems suddenly reached settlements with Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and One America News.
Turns out, it's been purchased by a Republican-owned election tech firm that insisted on it, per Axios.
www.axios.com/2025/10/09/d...
Turns out, it's been purchased by a Republican-owned election tech firm that insisted on it, per Axios.
www.axios.com/2025/10/09/d...
October 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I've been wondering why Dominion Voting Systems suddenly reached settlements with Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and One America News.
Turns out, it's been purchased by a Republican-owned election tech firm that insisted on it, per Axios.
www.axios.com/2025/10/09/d...
Turns out, it's been purchased by a Republican-owned election tech firm that insisted on it, per Axios.
www.axios.com/2025/10/09/d...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
ICE has bought access to an “all-in-one” surveillance tool that gives it updated location data from hundreds of millions of phones, putting us all at risk of being tracked.
The government can’t be allowed to surveil us simply for having a cell phone.
The government can’t be allowed to surveil us simply for having a cell phone.
ICE to Buy Tool that Tracks Locations of Hundreds of Millions of Phones Every Day
Documents show that ICE has gone back on its decision to not use location data remotely harvested from peoples' phones. The database is updated every day with billions of pieces of location data.
www.404media.co
October 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
ICE has bought access to an “all-in-one” surveillance tool that gives it updated location data from hundreds of millions of phones, putting us all at risk of being tracked.
The government can’t be allowed to surveil us simply for having a cell phone.
The government can’t be allowed to surveil us simply for having a cell phone.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Undermining students' trust in teachers/professors might also be by design. Because tech companies have a great deal to gain financially if they can persuade families, students, and policymakers that AI can replace teachers/professors in schools.
“One of the negative consequences AI is having on students is that it is hurting their ability to develop meaningful relationships with teachers, the report finds. Half of the students agree that using AI in class makes them feel less connected to their teachers.”
Rising Use of AI in Schools Comes With Big Downsides for Students
A report by the Center for Democracy and Technology looks at teachers' and students' experiences with the technology.
www.edweek.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Undermining students' trust in teachers/professors might also be by design. Because tech companies have a great deal to gain financially if they can persuade families, students, and policymakers that AI can replace teachers/professors in schools.
Reposted by Vincent Denault
This is the lesson of 2025
he's going to come after you either way, so you might as well act with integrity
October 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is the lesson of 2025
Reposted by Vincent Denault
American citizen, read this. www.koin.com/news/portlan...
October 9, 2025 at 12:30 AM
American citizen, read this. www.koin.com/news/portlan...
Let’s have a chat about polygraphs...
The Pentagon plans to require thousands of employees and staff to sign nondisclosure agreements and subject them to random polygraph testing, in its latest move to combat leaks and root out officials deemed insufficiently loyal.
Pete Hegseth targets news outlets, leakers as defense secretary
Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers …
pressfreedomtracker.us
October 4, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Let’s have a chat about polygraphs...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
This may be as close as we’ll ever get to an official confirmation
Google is blocking AI searches for Trump and dementia
With Biden, AI Mode will provide a summarized answer.
www.theverge.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:34 AM
This may be as close as we’ll ever get to an official confirmation
Reposted by Vincent Denault
Honestly in some ways this is the epitome of this administration. This is a government of podcasters and TV presenters led by a reality TV star who doesn't actually want to govern, he just wants to create *content*
October 3, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Honestly in some ways this is the epitome of this administration. This is a government of podcasters and TV presenters led by a reality TV star who doesn't actually want to govern, he just wants to create *content*
Reposted by Vincent Denault
“It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
At Saudi Comedy Fest, American Free Speech Becomes the Punchline
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:40 AM
“It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
— Dave Chappelle, doing his shtick in front of a whooping, cheering crowd in … Riyadh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
Reposted by Vincent Denault
“Joey Shea, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that the festival came at the same time as “a crackdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied.””
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
At Saudi Comedy Fest, American Free Speech Becomes the Punchline
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“Joey Shea, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that the festival came at the same time as “a crackdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied.””
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/w...