"Put those together and you see the playbook: redefine 'obscenity' or create adjacent categories to criminalize content that has long been protected when no real person is harmed—often with explicit carve-outs aimed at queer and trans communities." c4osl.org/cosl-files-a...

"In the Anderegg case, the government is testing the waters with a defendant for whom it may be difficult to feel sympathy." https://c4osl.org/september-2025-newsletter

"If this were just about one defendant, it wouldn’t make our front page. It’s about the bigger project we’re seeing from some lawmakers and prosecutors to expand obscenity until it swallows everything they don’t like, then use that label to police culture and private life." c4osl.org/cosl-files-a...

Free speech thrives when safety does, too. 🌐❤️ On Sept 22, we’re bringing together experts from @penamerica.bsky.social, @glaad.bsky.social, and @19thnews.org to talk about protecting expression online. Free | ASL included Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/connected-...

New research recommends "abandoning the fallacy that we can simply “nerd harder” our way to youth safety—and instead embracing the more challenging work of developing comprehensive, nuanced approaches". https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/poi3.70012

"It's for this reason that so many free speech battles concern pornography, a stigmatized form of expression with few vocal defenders (think of the Hustler lawsuit, immortalized in the film The People vs Larry Flynt)." https://c4osl.org/september-2025-newsletter

"At the heart of the appeal is a bedrock principle from a 1969 case Stanley v. Georgia: the state cannot criminalize the private possession of obscene material in the home." https://c4osl.org/cosl-files-an-anti-thoughtcrime-amicus-brief/ #FreeSpeech

Wrote about The Heritage Foundation's plan to weaponize the FBI against transgender people's existence, which includes banning me from saying that's what they're doing

When Arizona's "porn" age-verification bill goes into effect next week, conservative parents will be able to sue websites offering transgender education, says the author of the bill. "Fight it out in court." www.yourvalley.net/stories/ariz...

Do NOT believe the misinfo going around There absolutely have been MASSIVE TOS updates Most notably: 1) Specifying no FICTIONAL noncon 2) No "dangerous" kink 3) No DISCUSSING self harm, suicide, or substance abuse unless its "educational" So what can we DO about it? #SaveSpeech 1/🧵

“Rhetoric around social media is largely *anti*-social media, like people think it will somehow be a good thing if the government forces us off our devices…. We are living through fascism, folks, and the primary way we connect with and inform and organize with each other is under lethal attack.”

Here's how banning noncon will hurt SA survivors like me: ✨️ noncon artists will be less likely to label their art for fear of being banned ✨️ some survivors use noncon art to process their trauma ✨️ facial expressions can be misinterpreted, putting consensual art at risk too #bskycensorship

COSL is seeking a Vibe Coder (volunteer dev) to help finish a moderation plugin for WordPress/BuddyBoss. Open source, PHP, flexible schedule. [email protected] https://c4osl.org/job/vibe-coder-for-wordpress-plugin-development/ #volunteer #trustandsafety #wordpress

Before the events of Sep 10th, KOSA was reported to be dead in the committee. Now they're using said events as an excuse to try to get the bill through. Just because the debate guy got killed for his free speech doesn't mean they should take away yours. Linking resources below

Many politicians are scheming to lock down the Internet + increasingly turning their attention to VPNs, considering banning them. This will be disastrous for people living under authoritarian regimes. We're asking you to join us and make a stink about this before they go on the VPN attack for real.

"Porn bans" ALWAYS lead to trans bans Michigan bill seeks to lock up trans people for posting selfies.

"If bills like HB 4938 are the future of the conservative movement, then the true obscenity isn’t pornography—it’s the authoritarian urge to strip people of their rights under the guise of protecting morality: No one is protected; everyone is a criminal."

Not enough people are paying attention to a major target for Brendan Carr and the Trump admin’s crackdown on free speech: social media. It’s under bipartisan attack, even though it’s a crucial forum for reaching the public and fighting back. spitfirenews.com/p/is-anyone-...

Despite the clickbaity headline there's no "sickening cache of porn" (or a "pedophile friend", either). Just an attempt by right-wing media to demonize people for their sexuality.

COSL is looking for a Vibe Coder to help build tools that make fan communities safer. Just a few hours a week, working with PHP and WordPress plugin development — fully flexible and remote. Learn more & apply: https://c4osl.org/job/vibe-coder-for-wordpress-plugin-development/ #DevForGood #O

The President just got a national broadcaster for lack of "civility." Can the left please understand why giving the government more power to threaten platforms and punish speakers using vague and expansive legal terminology like "harmful to minors" might be a bad idea?

Steam may be clamping down on post-launch NSFW content for adult games. I take a look at the issue, whether Steam Early Access NSFW titles are actually going away (spoiler: it's complicated), and analyze a leaked copy of the Steam Mature Content Survey nsfw.beehiiv.com/p/steam-is-c...

Russian authorities are escalating their crackdown on encrypted communication. After blocking Signal, they're now threatening WhatsApp and others. COSL and over 30 other orgs condemn these moves and stand with those being silenced. #DefendEncryption c4osl.org/wp-content/u...

Hi! We think you are a child. Can you give us personal identifying information :)?

PHP + WP plugin devs — lend your skills for digital good! COSL needs a volunteer Vibe Coder to finish a CheckStep integration plugin for BuddyBoss. Plugin work includes REST APIs, testing, and debugging. Remote/flexible. [email protected]

People upset about the Michigan "antiporn" law don't realise the power the state already has to deeem vast swaths of sex related content illegal — and the power to harass those who challenge them. This 2 Live Crew arrest is a good refresher.

COSL is seeking a volunteer Vibe Coder to finish a WordPress plugin supporting trust & safety in fan communities. Remote, flexible, PHP/REST API focused. Email: [email protected] https://c4osl.org/job/vibe-coder-for-wordpress-plugin-devel

The EU’s Chat Control proposal has been stopped, for now, thanks to opposition from Germany and Luxembourg. But the fight isn’t over. We’ve been opposing this dangerous attempt to weaken encryption since 2022, and the EU will likely try again.

"The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, announced this week that industry-designed codes covering adult content and extreme violence or self-harm content would go into force in two tranches – in December this year and March next year." www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... #censorship

Excellent article by @eurogamer.bsky.social. Fantastic work & a model for how other games outlets & games journalists should be covering this issue. Please read it and share widely. It's giving a voice to many developers often left unheard on paypro censorship www.eurogamer.net/queer-develo...

The problem with payment processor censorship is that there's nowhere to run. All roads lead back to Mastercard & Visa

Be aware that when the Missouri AG says protect children from "online pornography," the law actually reads "material harmful to minors" — the same legal term used to pressure Target to discontinue Pride merchandise. hoodline.com/2025/09/miss...

"Powerful emotional appeals must not lead us into policies that erode the very freedoms and protections that make justice and safety possible for everyone." https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41700062.html

Last call to apply! COSL is hiring a Comms Lead to support Drawing the Line, Liberato, and Fan Refuge. Short-term, part-time, remote $2.5K–$3.5K/month Apply by Sept 15 → https://c4osl.org/job/strategic-communications-outreach-lead-contract

"The age verification push has always been about looking like you’re 'doing something' rather than actually solving problems. It’s pure regulatory theater." https://www.techdirt.com/2025/09/08/uk-age-verification-data-confirms-what-critics-always-predicted-mass-migration-to-sketchier-sites/

"And a lot of people don't know this, but the adult entertainment does fund parental filters. There are companies that develop widely used parental filtering software that are funded by the adult entertainment industry." https://c4osl.org/beyond-the-filter-porn-and-censorship/ @mdmcjr.press‬ #OSA

VPNs must not face the chop 🚫 Next week the Lords will debate whether VPNs undermine the Online Safety Act. Banning or blocking VPNs will shatter security and free expression in a self-defeating attempt to make the unworkable workable. Read our briefing ⬇️ www.openrightsgroup.org/publications...

Get ready to help lead COSL’s mission as a Director. Guide projects like Drawing the Line to transform digital rights worldwide. Steer strategy, build partnerships, and champion safe, free online spaces. ->https://c4osl.org/job/director/

"The future of content moderation doesn’t have to be a choice between censorship and chaos. With tools like Dead Dove, we can build online spaces that respect both individual autonomy and community safety." https://c4osl.org/dead-dove-beyond-blanket-censorship/ #Censorship #FreeSpeech

"It's not necessarily the most palatable content, but people do resort to their fantasies in order to live and function in a society." https://c4osl.org/beyond-the-filter-porn-and-censorship/ @mdmcjr.press‬ #fantasy #censorship #FreeSpeech

Whether you're a creator or a fan, with increasing government #censorship you deserve a hosting provider that is willing to stand up for your right to Freedom of Expression and the freedom to make/enjoy legal content. At https://liberato.io/, that's exactly what we do. #Art #FreeExpression #fandom

Join the fight for digital rights! COSL is hiring a part-time remote Comms Lead to support campaigns like Drawing the Line. Sept 15–Nov 15 $2,500–$3,500/month Apply by Sept 15 ➡️ https://c4osl.org/job/strategic-communications-outreach-lead-contract

Bluesky says it will now require users in Wyoming and South Dakota to verify their age or identity in order to comply with those state's new online censorship laws. Both states allow for prosecution of sites that allow any amount of "harmful" or "obscene" material.

Neatly meshing in with that is the part where Project 2025 declares that LGBTQ people are by definition obscene. But also, once every site requires positive ID, there will be no anonymous dissent to Dear Leader.

"Mastercard and Visa in particular have always had very, very troubling policies against NSFW content, anything that is even remotely erotic or anything that is considered a high risk." https://c4osl.org/beyond-the-filter-porn-and-censorship/ @mdmcjr.press‬ #Censorship #PaymentProcessors

🚨 Our work protecting digital privacy & freedom is critical! Governments are increasingly seeking to control information – we need your help to fight back. Donate today & become a digital defender! 👉 https://c4osl.org/support-us/ #Censorship #DigitalRights #PrivacyMatters #Donate

"Age verification laws by definition restrict speech and certain groups of people from viewing that speech. That harms people's ability to make a bottom line, that harms revenue generation, that harms people's incomes." https://c4osl.org/beyond-the-filter-porn-and-censorship/

While you’re calling your legislators to oppose bad Internet bills and calling your paypros and banks to push back against censorship, you should also call your Senators and Reps to defend Section 230 and leave it alone!

"While we celebrate this milestone, we’re already looking toward future innovations that will make Dead Dove even more powerful and compliant with rapidly-changing rules around age verification." https://c4osl.org/dead-dove-beyond-blanket-censorship/ #AgeVerification

Turn digital rights into powerful stories. COSL is hiring a Comms Lead to support Drawing the Line, Liberato, and Fan Refuge. Remote | Part-time | Sept–Nov $2.5K–$3.5K/month Media, advocacy, or content skills needed Apply by Sept 15 👉 https://c4osl.org/job/strategic-communications-out