⚡️ Apple removes Russia's biggest social network from App Store. Russia's largest social media platform, VK, is a major channel for information distribution and state-backed narratives.

A total of 160 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were released in the latest major exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 26.

Google is transforming Search from a list of links into an AI-powered experience filled with conversational answers, autonomous agents, and interactive interfaces — a shift that could further reduce traffic to publishers across the web.

⚡️Update: Russian drones, missiles strike residential buildings in multiple Ukrainian regions, injuring at least 20.

Excited to kick off the 10th GIG-ARTS Conference “Digital Futures, Sustainable Freedoms: Rights, Responsibilities & Governance” taking place at @dublincityuni.bsky.social 14-15 May! gig-arts.eu/dublin-2026/ @dculawandtech.bsky.social #gigarts @icpc-unisa.bsky.social @digiconstnetwork.bsky.social

What China and Zambia did to RightsCon, and to all the human rights advocates scheduled to convene there, is outrageous. www.rightscon.org/rc26-stateme...

BREAKING: The Chinese government pressured Zambia to screen + exclude Taiwanese speakers attending @rightscon.org, leading to the largest international convention on digital rights being canceled a week before it takes place, the host org @accessnow.org tells WIRED. By @telliotter.bsky.social + me

This is well worth reading open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...

The Chinese Government Just Got the World’s Largest Digital Rights Conference Canceled www.wired.com/story/the-ch...

Following our April 29 announcement, we believe it's important to be transparent about the context that led to the decision. We want to explain, where we can, why this was made on such short notice, only days before we were set to host RightsCon. Read: www.rightscon.org/rc26-stateme...

We are pleased to announce that the programme for the 10th GIG-ARTS Conference is now available! You can find it here: lnkd.in/dFhQ9PYT @dculawandtech.bsky.social @emildai-eu.bsky.social @adaptcentre.bsky.social @hiigberlin.bsky.social @tanyalokot.bsky.social @msantaniello.bsky.social

According to the SBU, Russian operatives hacked vulnerable home and office routers that lacked up-to-date security measures. After gaining access, they rerouted internet traffic through a network of controlled servers.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), together with the FBI, Polish counterintelligence, and EU law enforcement agencies, has uncovered a large-scale cyber-espionage operation by Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) targeting users in Ukraine, Europe, and the US via compromised Wi-Fi routers.

In this interview with the Kyiv Independent, renowned Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy discusses why there’s no question that Russia has always been an empire, why Russia is more fixated on destroying Ukraine than any other country, and more.

Attacks and threats against journalists in Ukraine surged in 2025, with 160 cases recorded so far this year, while the total number of media workers killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion has risen to 147, according to Ukraine’s National Union of Journalists.

Power outages have been reintroduced in parts of the country since the start of the bad weather— including in Kyiv and several western regions. Front-line regions have struggled regardless of the weather, as Russia continues to target their energy infrastructure.

The hum of generators — long a constant soundtrack of winter — once again reverberates across Ukraine as a spell of cold and overcast weather triggers fresh blackouts in the country.

⚡️New details, leaked audio show Hungary coordinating with Kremlin to stall Ukraine's EU accession. "Sometimes good-willed direct blackmailing is the best option," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tells his Hungarian counterpart in one call as the EU opened accession negotiations for Kyiv.

New work! Asking who controls the infrastructure of our social lives online—and what happens as AI agents mediate Co-authored with @mallory.techpolicy.social.ap.brid.gy @thelastjosh.bsky.social sh.bsky.social Sarah Nicole and Jessica Theodule @projectliberty.io www.projectliberty.io/news/ai-agen...

Documenting violations, conducting legal analysis, and publicly discussing lawlessness in Ukraine's occupied territories is more than research; it is a form of resistance to its normalization. Regional Center for Human Rights krymbezpravil.org.ua/en/analytics...

In my latest policy brief, I argue policymakers should anticipate further escalation of Russian internet censorship, including the blocking of all remaining foreign platforms and messaging apps *very soon*. #Russia #Censorship #InternetGovernance #Polisky #IRsky #commsky

Very excited to co-organise the online conference and data sprint “Witnessing and Justice in Data-Based Research” with War Sensing project (ENS), the Telegram Archive of War (Center for Urban History) and @dcu-conflict.bsky.social on 31/03-1/04. See details of programme and how to register here:

Registration is open for the 10th #GIGARTS Conference! 🗓 14-15 May 2026 📍 @dublincityuni.bsky.social 🎓 Reduced fees available for students More info: gig-arts.eu/dublin-2026/ Registration: lnkd.in/dp4ikZan

Drawing on my shifting fieldwork experiences in conflict zones, the full article (link below) delineates what it means to do ethnographic research when your interlocutors can reach you anywhere, at any time, through a smartphone - online.ucpress.edu/cpcs/article...

New article: On-the-ground fieldwork in conflict zones is becoming harder, rarer, and more institutionally discouraged. I'd argue that's a problem, and that hyperconnectivity is precisely why it matters more than ever. 1/4

Very excited to co-organise the online conference and data sprint “Witnessing and Justice in Data-Based Research” with War Sensing project (ENS), the Telegram Archive of War (Center for Urban History) and @dcu-conflict.bsky.social on 31/03-1/04. See details of programme and how to register here:

⚡️Update: Russian mass attack on Ukraine kills 7 in Kharkiv, including children. Russian troops struck a five-story building in the city of Kharkiv with a ballistic missile overnight on March 7, killing seven people, including two children, and injuring at least 15, local authorities reported.

A reminder that this post closes in one week! 👀👀

A huge loss indeed, especially in a space where truly open access journals are still the exception. First Monday was home to cool interdisciplinary work I’ve cited many times.

The location-based workers post information: www.ucd.ie/ics/vacancie...

The online creators post information: www.ucd.ie/ics/vacancie... 2/3

I am advertising two postdoctoral researchers to join the team on the ERC-funded Live Platforms project - one in online creation and the other in location-based work. See the thread for more information. Do share and apply. Deadline is March 20 1/3 #jobfairy #postdoctoralresearch #platformwork

Four years of fire—and Ukraine is still standing. From Zmiinyi Island to today, the message hasn’t changed. Thank you to everyone helping shield Ukraine's sky and save lives. Donate to air defence via @u24.gov.ua

Today, four years ago Russia started its full-scale and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. We stand firm with Ukraine for a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe. Read the joint statement: link.europa.eu/k3BB3x

This is very interesting. h/t @olivierschmitt.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...

⚡️ 'The worst damage we have seen' — Ukraine's energy crisis deepens after latest mass Russian attack. "This is a war crime committed by Russia," Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

7 dead, 8 injured as Russia strikes Donetsk Oblast city market with cluster munitions; North Korean troops in Russia attack Ukrainian border communities, HUR says; 'Epic detonation' – Russian fuel tanks on fire after drone strikes in Tambov Oblast; and more.

⚡️'Targeted attack' — Tens of thousands without power in Zaporizhzhia as Russia hammers region's energy system. "The Russians are conducting a targeted attack on Zaporizhzhia and the region all day long. As a result of the attacks, over 53,000 subscribers...are without electricity."

New article just published in @digitaljournalism.bsky.social with Olga Dovbysh, in which we conceptualise the nexus of authoritarianism and digital innovation uptake in Russian media and introduce the concept of 'authoritarian algorithmic publics' (AAP). #Commsky #Polisky #CEEsky #Academicsky

Happy Birthday, ECREAns!

The live stream of the event, "DATAS: Data and Sovereignty in Revolution, War, and Occupation," featuring Dr. Tetyana Lokot, Dr. Svitlana Matviyenko, and Daria Hetmanova, will discuss the use of data during revolutions, war, and occupation in Ukraine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSUA...

⚡️Death toll has risen to 20, including children, as a result of Russia's mass attack against Ukraine on Nov. 19. In the city of Ternopil, which suffered the most damage, the search continues for people who may be trapped under the rubble.

⚡️Ukrainian public broadcaster in Dnipro badly damaged in overnight Russian attack. A mass Russian drone attack on the city of Dnipro on the evening of Nov. 17 caused major damage to the regional office of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, the outlet reported.

'Are you ready for war?' In my latest piece for @prospectmagazine.co.uk, I use Ukraine’s emergency bag—tryvozhna valizka—to explore what we as individuals and societies need to safeguard when we’re under threat. The text is free to access. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...

⚡️ Russian attacks kill 6, injure 45 in Ukraine over past day, hit energy grid. The attacks come amid Russia's intensifying aerial campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of the winter months.

🌐 Save the date! GIG-ARTS 2026 will take place in Dublin (14–15 May 2026), hosted by Dublin City University. Theme: “Digital Futures, Sustainable Freedoms: Rights, Responsibilities and Governance.” More info 👉 gig-arts.eu/2025/10/01/s... #InternetGovernance #DigitalLaw #TechPolicy #GIGARTS2026

⚡️Russian-installed authorities check students' phones in occupied Crimea. Occupation authorities in Crimea are checking students' phones in schools for content and settings that may indicate a pro-Ukrainian position, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported on Oct. 7.

ECC 2026 call is out! Save the dates: Brno, Czech Republic, September 8–11, 2026. And don’t forget the deadline — January 8, 2026 😉.

Out in the open: the US administration’s attempt to undermine the EU Digital Services Act (and other regulations) was evident. Now it has been elevated to formal policy and goal of diplomatic efforts. www.reuters.com/sustainabili...