The Delegated Act on data access for vetted researchers has been adopted — a major step forward for independent research on systemic risks in the digital environment!

Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on. slate.com/technology/2...

Interested in improving researcher's access to social media data? Kate Dommett and myself are hiring for a Research Fellow (1 year; based at Sheffield) for an exciting new project to be announced soon: jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...

I asked ChatGPT to find out if a quote I heard from someone was a pop culture reference. It told me it was from True Detective. A quick search confirmed that to be false. Then it told me it 'misspoke'. When I asked for an explanation of why it gave me a fake answer first it said this:

We are delighted to share the publication of Risky Research: An AoIR Guide to Researcher Protection and Safety, the culmination of over two years of collaborative effort by the AoIR Risky Research Working Group. aoir.org/riskyresearc...

The European Commission is recruiting for 60 roles in their DSA enforcement team. ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/run...

In times of crisis, citizens look to the EU for decisive actions and solutions. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, EU citizens wants the EU to focus on defence and security (36%) as well as competitiveness, economy and industry (32%). 🔗 Read more: europa.eu/!Hdtf79

It's really disappointing to see how the DSA=censorship narrative appears in reporting on the DSA with no factual information provided about what it is and how it functions. There seems to be a growing fundamental misunderstanding about it but I'm not hearing much of a countering explanation.

The Irish DSC’s survey on vetted researcher data access under Article 40 of the DSA is open for one more week! Help shape how the procedures are designed and resourced to meet researcher needs. Key findings will be shared publicly. Please share with your networks. www.cnam.ie/industry-and...

As European leaders face pressure from the second Trump administration that is hostile to tech regulation, Jakob Ohme, LK Seiling, and Claes H. de Vreese write that Europe must protect the Digital Services Act (DSA) to ensure a democratic future, both online and offline:

NEW: Hossam Shabat’s Last Article Filed hours before his killing in an Israeli airstrike, journalist Hossam Shabat describes the resumption of Israel's scorched earth campaign in his hometown of Beit Hanoun. Translated through tears by Sharif Kouddous dropsitenews.com/p/hossam-sha...

This is precisely the problem @kesearles.bsky.social and I have been studying for the last few years. It’s why we created researchersupport.org. When experts are afraid to speak publicly, we all lose.

This story makes a really powerful (and tragically depressing) point: that there is no evidence strong enough to counter a world view anchored in conspiracy theory and reinforced by a multitide of motivated "influencers" — even the death of one's own child.

Roses are red Violets are blue

We know it… but seeing it is still mind blowing. Read this piece and search which of your works were used to train AI models. Without remuneration. Dozens of chapters, articles, books www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...

We have less awareness about what happens on social media platforms in 2025 than we did five years ago, writes markscott.bsky.social.

With usual sharpness and clarity @markscott.bsky.social writes here about the state of play in data access to social media platforms. Several points are urgent. Example: expansion of existing research networks so that data access best practices can be shared. www.techpolicy.press/the-next-ste...

Excited to share "Initial Analysis on the First Round of Risk Assessments under the EU Digital Services Act", in collaboration w/ the DSA Civil Society Coordination Group (of which ISD is a proud member)! Read about key trends, practices, gaps & reccs for better future risk assessment reports below.

Academic research centers that study the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation are still under attack, paulthedogman.bsky.social warns. He explains why and how their rights should be defended. www.justsecurity.org/109030/acade...

Fascinating anecdote about disinformation in the age of TikTok, and a reminder that a common tactic (to mislead) is to overlay subtitles onto short form video that don’t actually match the underlying audio. It can be even more effective when the original audio is ambiguous or in another language.

Are you interested in accessing platform data as a vetted researcher under Article 40 of the DSA? Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey from the Irish DSC and share it with colleagues. www.cnam.ie/industry-and...

A reminder that scholars who are facing harassment can find resources at researchersupport.org and should feel free to reach out via the email address listed on the “About Us” page.

Looks like we have a new VLOP under the DSA www.theverge.com/news/614445/...

Some facts about Meta's factchecking programme from a factchecking org who participate in it. Very interesting perspective from @susandaly.bsky.social www.thejournal.ie/readme/the-j...

Do you have a word you always spell wrong? Mine is commitments. I get spell checked always, despite leading on a report that used the word 88 times.

On Meta ending its fact-checking programme: Meta signed up to fact-checking commitments under the EU's Code of Practice on Disinformation, which is set to become a code of conduct under the DSA. Will it withdraw from these commitments? Or the CoP? Or will it operate differently in EU vs US?

Ridiculous this article does not recommend applying a SIM PIN as a crucial phone protection — phone theieves swap SIMs to a new phone and use them to access poorly 2FA-by-text protected accounts. Turn off notification content if your phone is locked, and set a SIM PIN. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"Shame needs to switch sides. I had no idea how much I needed that permission."

109 submissions to the public consultation on the draft del act on data access. Feels like Christmas to my nerdy self! Can't wait to go through them all in depth 🤓 So impressed with the level of detail and thought put into many submissions. These are valuable to everyone working on this topic.

I've been too doomer-y lately, need to balance it out a bit. Did you know Brian Jacques was 47 when he wrote his first novel? 47. And he wrote 22 more beloved and acclaimed children's novels before he passed. There are admittedly some dreams you can age out of but creativity isn't one. Go for it

I'm not saying that AI-written books are becoming a problem on Amazon, but here is the first page of a new book on the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege.

Ofcom looking for NEDs to join new Advisory Committee on Disinformation & Misinformation. 7-10 days (paid) per year. Closes 13 Jan Good opportunity for researchers with expertise in "disinformation, misinformation, foreign interference or related areas" ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Ofcom_...

Ok folks, let’s get organised & use BSky’s best feature for #Election24 Some lovely soul has created a *CUSTOM FEED* for the election count - a tab on your homepage that will have all the #GE24 content - you need to *click here & then “pin feed”* bsky.app/profile/did:...

Did you know? Black Friday is named in honor of Rebecca Black, who invented Friday in 2011.

I have a new piece out with @aisvarya17.bsky.social in @columjournreview.bsky.social in which we test how OpenAI's new search feature surfaces and attributes news content. Our findings were not promising for news publishers (1/9) www.cjr.org/tow_center/h...

Does anyone else get frustrated with the LinkedIn feed? I find a lot of useful info there and would prefer to use the most relevant posts feed but it insists on showing me weeks old content that I've seen multiple times already.

Hooray! It's DSA risk assessment & audit week — said no one ever. Still, we're starting to get the first reports from some of the biggest tech companies in the world about how they are complying w/ the EU's #DigitalServicesAct. Companies must publish these reports by Nov 29. Let's get started:

This is such a fascinating analysis! Also when does he sleep 👀

Deadline has been EXTENDED for the European Commission's public consultation on data access. Old deadline was 26 November, now it's 10 December. Read more here: ec.europa.eu/info/law/bet...

So this year's Digital News Report Ireland had Bluesky at 2% and X at 21% on social media use for any reason. Next year's survey will be in the field Jan/Feb with results in June. One to keep an eye out for! Source: www.cnam.ie/wp-content/u...

📑 📌 The Social Media Election Policy Tracker is a useful tool for keeping track of the ebb and flow of platform election policy since 2016

I've started building an eclectic starter pack of accounts that make the internet a happy, fun, inspiring place - but I need your help! Please reply with your favourite curated accounts - from farming to found photos, obscure etymology, music & LGBTQ history - I'm not fussy. go.bsky.app/NkKNkeL

I'm making a playlist of great songs from Irish bands and artists for some American friends and I'd love some recommendations of lesser known songs that you think are amazing. Discovering some great music along the way. My favourite find so far is this one - open.spotify.com/track/3qWT8P...

Are you interested in becoming a vetted researcher and getting access to data from VLOP/VLOSEs under Article 40 of the DSA? The European Commission is running a webinar on the draft Delegated Act 🏫 Nov 26th is the deadline for the public consultation 📑 ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/run...

The research community is key in safeguarding digital spaces. We are seeking views on the rules for researchers to access platform data under the Digital Services Act. For the first time, they'll study systemic risks and assess platforms’ risk mitigation measures in the EU. ℹ️ europa.eu/!8q9Y9T

Seems like a good time to make the jump from the bird site. Thanks @techpolicypress.bsky.social for the helpful starter pack!