Silvia Lorenzo Perez
@silvperez.bsky.social
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Programme Director at CDT Europe, Security, Surveillance & Human Rights.
reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
5 months ago
Outgoing 🇵🇱 EU Presidency's
@kaziku.bsky.social
: “It is an extremely uncomfortable situation for any
@consilium.europa.eu
representative to speak on a topic like
#Pegasus
, because we need to represent the position of 27 member states, which on such a comprehensive topic does not exist.” [1/5]
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
5 months ago
⚠️ In an open letter published today in response to recent
#spyware
abuse cases in 🇪🇺, a coalition of 12 civil society orgs (incl.
@cdteu.bsky.social
@accessnow.org
@amnesty.org
@efjeurope.bsky.social
) call on EU institutions to take concrete action to respond to the growing threat posed by spyware. 👇
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
5 months ago
📺 WATCH: 'EU Action on Spyware & Surveillance' 🇪🇺EP event ft.
@fcancellato.bsky.social
@krzysztofbrejzamep.bsky.social
@birgitsippel.bsky.social
,
@kaziku.bsky.social
@ec.europa.eu
's Audrius Perkauskas,
@cdteu.bsky.social
@silvperez.bsky.social
@accessnow.org
's Rand Hammoud.
youtu.be/MD6RVn1vci0?...
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Silvia Lorenzo Perez
euobserver — EU news that matters
6 months ago
We are alarmed by Europol arrogating to itself the right to develop surveillance tools, which are likely to dramatically transform the landscape of policing across the EU, in almost complete secrecy. Yet, despite this opacity, political support for Europol is growing in Brussels and EU capitals.
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Europol's deepening aversion to transparency
We are alarmed by Europol arrogating to itself the right to develop surveillance tools, which are likely to dramatically transform the landscape of policing across the EU, in almost complete secrecy. Yet, despite this opacity, political support for Europol is growing in Brussels and EU capitals.
https://euobserver.com/migration/ara76e008c
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
7 months ago
Of concern is that the Code of Practice appears to rest on the assumption that all CICCs can be used for a well-defined, lawful purpose. “We would caution States not to treat this COP as a green light to begin systematically relying on these tools,” says
@cdteu.bsky.social
's
@silvperez.bsky.social
.
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Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
8 months ago
📢 CDT Europe is hiring! We have two exciting employment opportunities: 🔹 Operations & Finance Manager (part-time) 🔹 EU Advocacy Intern (6-month paid internship) Passionate about digital rights & EU tech policy? Apply by April 23, 2025! Details ⬇️
cdt.org/careers/
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Careers
Do the possibilities presented by an innovative, open, and free internet inspire you? Do you find yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? If so, you might be a great fit for...
https://cdt.org/careers/
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@rightscon.org
travelling to Africa next year! What a truly inspiring and overall wonderful experience this year has been. I go back to Brussels full of energy, ideas, and renewed motivation to keep fighting for
#spyware
regulation in the
#EU
. This community is unstoppable
9 months ago
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
9 months ago
MUST READ: @cdteu.bsky.social's @silvperez.bsky.social latest analysis looks at the impact of the White House’s dismissal of 3 Democratic members of the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which left the independent watchdog without a quorum & unable to function.
cdt.org/insights/wha...
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What the PCLOB Firings Mean for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework
On 27 January, the Trump Administration dismissed three Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), an independent body responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in U.S. surveillance practices. With the removal of these members, including the Chair, PCLOB has lost its quorum, leaving it unable to function effectively, as only one […]
https://cdt.org/insights/what-the-pclob-firings-mean-for-the-eu-us-data-privacy-framework/
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If you've been curious about how the recent PCLOB firings impact the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, I provide a detailed EU-specific overview in the blogpost below.
#DPF
#PCLOB
#transatlanticdataflows
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9 months ago
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Sophie in't Veld
9 months ago
A “Democracy Shield” is just blah-blah as long as there is impunity for the use of
#spyware
by EU governments against their critics and opponents.
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
9 months ago
“One possible explanation is that Paragon believes the 🇮🇹Italians are lying, as the company can review client usage of its system when there are credible concerns of misuse or violations of its so-called "end user agreement," as was allegedly the case here.”
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
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Israeli spyware firm Paragon cuts Italy's access after journalists targeted
***
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2025-02-06/ty-article/.premium/israeli-spyware-firm-paragon-kills-italys-access-after-journalists-targeted/00000194-da39-d390-a1b6-ffbb3bdf0000?gift=29b64577988944409d829b2576f94d23
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
9 months ago
Our
@silvperez.bsky.social
weighs in on this concerning story: "The longer the EU delays action, the greater the risk of becoming a safe haven for spyware companies. By setting up in the EU, these firms gain unrestricted access to the bloc and benefit from more favourable export controls."
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
9 months ago
Paragon Solutions, the Israeli spyware vendor linked to new surveillance of journalists and civil society, has set up shop in the 🇪🇺EU’s most powerful country: 🇩🇪 Germany and thus gaining unrestricted access to the bloc. My debut for
@euractiv.bsky.social
. 👇
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
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EXCLUSIVE: Spyware firm behind new surveillance of journalists, civil society operates from the EU
Paragon's establishment in Germany comes as places like Italy and Barcelona are becoming key European hubs for the spyware industry, attracting international hacking talent.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/tech/news/exclusive-spyware-firm-behind-new-surveillance-of-journalists-civil-society-operates-from-the-eu/
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Daphne Papadopoulou
9 months ago
⚠️ Greece's Data Protection Authority says it is launching an investigation after WhatsApp informed it that Greek users are among those targeted by spyware
#Paragon
.
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
9 months ago
Paragon Solutions, whose military-grade spyware was allegedly used to target 90 journalists & civil society members, in 2 dozen countries, has terminated its client relationship with 🇮🇹 Italy, according a person familiar with the matter. ✍️
@skirchy.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
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Owner of spyware used in alleged WhatsApp breach ends contract with Italy
Exclusive: Decision comes after it emerged an Italian investigative journalist and two activists targeted by Paragon Solutions spyware
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/06/owner-of-spyware-used-in-alleged-whatsapp-breach-ends-contract-with-italy
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
9 months ago
The firing of PCLOB members cripples its oversight & threatens privacy rights. Without a quorum, PCLOB can’t investigate intelligence overreach, undermining EU-U.S. data protections. Our director
@silvperez.bsky.social
explains what it means for fundamental rights in the EU 👇
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
9 months ago
CDT’s @silvperez.bsky.social in The Cyber Wire on how the changes to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board could impact the Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TDPF).
thecyberwire.com/new...
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US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment.
Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.
https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/caveat-briefing/3/4
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
9 months ago
“@silvperez.bsky.social stated that the TDPF ‘hinges on the PCLOB’s independence and operational capacity.’”
thecyberwire.com/new...
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US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment.
Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.
https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/caveat-briefing/3/4
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
9 months ago
“@silvperez.bsky.social continued by stating that ‘if the PCLOB is weakened or rendered non-functional, it undermines trust in the TDPF and the adequacy of protections for EU citizens’ data transferred to the US.’”
thecyberwire.com/new...
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US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment.
Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.
https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/caveat-briefing/3/4
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Lawfare
9 months ago
On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump fired all of the Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Greg Nojeim and
@silvperez.bsky.social
write that this removal threatens the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and puts civil liberties at risk.
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Trump’s Sacking of PCLOB Members Threatens Data Privacy
The firing of Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board is a danger to civil liberties and trans-Atlantic data flows.
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trump-s-sacking-of-pclob-members-threatens-data-privacy
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
9 months ago
❗️ Nearly 100 journalists and other members of civil society using WhatsApp were targeted by spyware owned by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli maker of hacking software, the company alleged today.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
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WhatsApp says journalists and civil society members were targets of Israeli spyware
Messaging app said it had ‘high confidence’ some users were targeted and ‘possibly compromised’ by Paragon Solutions spyware
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/31/whatsapp-israel-spyware
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Melissa Murray
9 months ago
Former Secretary of Transportation--who was not on The Real World or Road Rules--weighs in on the President's efforts to blame the fatal air traffic accident on DEI.
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
10 months ago
“The credibility of the safeguards Europe has come to rely on as a prerequisite for allowing cross-border data flows ‘hinges on the PCLOB’s independence and operational capacity,’ @silvperez.bsky.social said.”
therecord.media/poli...
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Politicization of intel oversight board could threaten key US-EU data transfer agreement
The Trump administration’s decision to order the resignations of all Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) could jeopardize a transatlantic data privacy agreement designed to protect the flow of commercial data between Europe and the U.S.
https://therecord.media/politicization-of-pclob-could-threaten-key-eu-us-data-transfer-agreement
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
10 months ago
“The PCLOB’s role in ensuring limited bulk data collection by U.S. intelligence agencies is vital for Europe, @silvperez.bsky.social said.”
therecord.media/poli...
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Politicization of intel oversight board could threaten key US-EU data transfer agreement
The Trump administration’s decision to order the resignations of all Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) could jeopardize a transatlantic data privacy agreement designed to protect the flow of commercial data between Europe and the U.S.
https://therecord.media/politicization-of-pclob-could-threaten-key-eu-us-data-transfer-agreement
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
10 months ago
severely compromised. These developments should prompt EU policymakers to closely monitor the situation and seek assurances from the U.S. that robust oversight mechanisms will remain firmly intact. See the CDT US press release here:
cdt.org/press/cdt-co...
3/3
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https://cdt.org/press/cdt-condemns-brazen-attempt-to-gut-independent-government-surveillance-watchdog/3/3
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
10 months ago
Undermining the bipartisan & independent functioning of PCLOB jeopardises the oversight mechanisms necessary to uphold EU data protection standards. Without an independent & operational PCLOB, the EU’s confidence in the durability and effectiveness of the already fragile privacy safeguards is... 2/3
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
10 months ago
CDT Europe is deeply concerned by President Trump’s attempt to remove members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), a critical body for ensuring accountability and safeguarding the fundamental rights of EU citizens under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. 1/3
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
10 months ago
Even if we lose 🇺🇸 U.S. leadership in the fight for collective responses to
#spyware
regulation, the fight must go on, writes
@asaflubin.bsky.social
. In this context, initiatives like the 🇬🇧🇫🇷Pall Mall Process become "even more vital."
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/unpa...
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Unpacking WhatsApp’s Legal Triumph Over NSO Group
How precedent-setting is it?
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/unpacking-whatsapp-s-legal-triumph-over-nso-group
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Center for Democracy & Technology
11 months ago
A federal court in California has found that the installation of the notorious
#spyware
, Pegasus, violated the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse in a case that WhatsApp brought against NSO Group, which makes Pegasus.
www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/u...
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https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/whatsapp-vs-nso-technologies-order-partial-summary-judgment-sanctions.pdf
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Together with other 13 civil society organisations, we've called on the Poland to live up to its international commitments regarding the proliferation of spyware by including specific action against spyware in its Presidency's programme. Full letter here
cdt.org/insights/civ...
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11 months ago
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
John Scott-Railton
11 months ago
🚨NEW INVESTIGATION: When Kirill Parubets was released from a harrowing detention by 🇷🇺#Russia's FSB, he got his phone back.. It was covertly bugged with spyware... New
@citizenlab.ca
investigative collab w/legal aid org First Dept. READ:
citizenlab.ca/2024/12/devi...
#infosec
#cybersecurity
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US officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid cyberattack that exposed live phone calls
nbcnews.com/tech/securit...
via @nbcnews Meanwhile, in the EU, the Hungarian Presidency prepares to vote on a legislative proposal that introduces CSS to bypass encryption
#EUCSAM
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U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid cyberattack that exposed live phone calls
FBI and CISA officials said it was impossible to predict when the telecommunications companies would be fully safe from interlopers.
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/us-officials-urge-americans-use-encrypted-apps-cyberattack-rcna182694
11 months ago
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Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
11 months ago
🚩 Last week, CDT Europe &
@disinfo.eu
hosted a webinar on
#DSA
Art.22 to explore the vetting process, benefits, and insights for
#CSOs
considering applying as Trusted Flaggers.
cdt.org/insights/tru...
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Trusted Flaggers in the DSA: Challenges and Opportunities
Key Recommendations isinfo.eu/">EU DisinfoLab organised a webinar on Article 22 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a follow-up to a workshop from CDT Europe’s Civil Society Roundtable on ‘Vetting Ke...
https://cdt.org/insights/trusted-flaggers-in-the-dsa-challenges-and-opportunities/
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Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
11 months ago
People are leaving Twitter because it’s not fun anymore and no one is obligated to be on a platform they don’t enjoy. It’s not rocket science.
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
11 months ago
“A member of 🇵🇱Poland’s central bank’s management board was detained by police on Monday to make him cooperate with a parliamentary investigation into the use of Pegasus
#spyware
under the previous government.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Poland Detains Central Bank Board Member in Pegasus Spyware Case
A member of Poland’s central bank’s management board was detained by police on Monday to make him cooperate with a parliamentary investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware under the previous govern...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-02/poland-detains-central-bank-board-member-in-pegasus-spyware-case?embedded-checkout=true
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Silvia Lorenzo Perez
The Guardian
12 months ago
Ronan Farrow on surveillance spyware: ‘It threatens democracy and freedom’
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Ronan Farrow on surveillance spyware: ‘It threatens democracy and freedom’
The investigative journalist takes on the shadowy world of invasive surveillance technology in frightening new documentary Surveilled In 2017, while reporting a story on Harvey Weinstein that would, along with a New York Times report, kick off the #MeToo…
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/nov/23/ronan-farrow-surveilled-documentary?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Vas Panagiotopoulos
12 months ago
A source at Paragon Solutions told
@ronanfarrow.bsky.social
that the deal with 🇺🇸 ICE "followed a vetting process, during which the company was able to demonstrate that it had robust tools to prevent other countries that purchase its
#spyware
from hacking Americans."
www.newyorker.com/news/news-de...
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The Technology the Trump Administration Could Use to Hack Your Phone
Other Western democracies have been roiled by the use of spyware to target political opponents, activists, journalists, and other vulnerable groups. Could it happen here?
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-technology-the-trump-administration-could-use-to-hack-your-phone
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
12 months ago
Yesterday, CDT Europe held a workshop with the Spyware Coordination Group to discuss international efforts to regulate
#spyware
and reflect on Europe’s progress. Huge thanks to all members who joined and contributed to this crucial conversation!
#StopSpyware
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
Transparency International EU
12 months ago
Why Transparency International EU decided to leave X:
transparency.eu/why-transpar...
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Why Transparency International EU left X - Transparency International EU
You may have noticed our recent announcement that we would be leaving X, Elon Musk’s social media platform. This was a decision that was not done in haste, borne from many internal discussions, and a ...
https://transparency.eu/why-transparency-international-eu-left-x/
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News to absolutely no-one. The Parliament does what it was expected to do since the nominations were announced. All the in-between was just noise and smokes. Can we please get to work now?
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12 months ago
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As the privacy community migrates to Bluesky, find below a comprehensive starter pack on spyware compiled by
@vaspanagiotopoulos.com
go.bsky.app/ECCGbqE
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12 months ago
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Very insightful thread by
@jsrailton.bsky.social
, extracting key elements from the unredacted filings published in connections to Whatsapp's court proceedings against NSO Group.
#stopspyware
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12 months ago
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reposted by
Silvia Lorenzo Perez
CDT Europe
12 months ago
As more and more people are joining Bluesky, we decided to provide you with a first list of journalists working on tech and digital policy in the EU. Feel free to let us know which journalists to add/if you want to be added yourself!
go.bsky.app/JRd4TeF
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you reached the end!!
feeds!
log in