It's okay to hate Meta and wish for its collapse and failure. But the two jury verdicts this week are not the vehicle for that. They're going to have widespread impact across the internet, and will do real damage to every other internet service.

New Tech Policy podcast! Host @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social speaks at State of the Net with @joellthayer.bsky.social (Digital Progress Institute), @ashkhen.bsky.social (@futurefreespeech.org) and Luke Hogg (FAI). They discuss how the First Amendment should work in a world of algorithms and AI.

This weekend, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters that running what he calls “hoaxes and news distortions” about the Iran war could jeopardize their broadcast licenses. But the First Amendment doesn't have a "fake news" exemption, and it never has, @ashkhen.bsky.social writes.

Thrilled to publish my latest article BAN COOKIE BANNERS: A CASE STUDY IN TECH REGULATION with the Harv. J. of Law & Tech! A cri de cœur to end this worse-than-useless regulatory compliance regime and let something that actually protects users take its place. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... 1/

Should your favorite influencer have to weigh in on the latest political controversy, even when they don't make political content? If we demand speech on command, @ashkhen.bsky.social explores what that means for our free speech culture.

Sharing this *excellent* explainer by @lawfaremedia.org 's Isabel Arroyo on the current stage of digital age assurance definitions and laws. Bookmark it, it's a fabulous resource: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/to-r...

Can the NFL really claim "neutrality" if it prevents players from expressing strong opinions while taking overt political stances on other issues? Given its immense cultural power and influence, @ashkhen.bsky.social argues that the NFL should do better if it wants to reflect American values.

Sen. Wyden, thank you for your leadership and foresight in enacting Section 230. I posted my thoughts about its past, present, and future this morning blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...

When I wrote Section 230 I did so knowing it would be critical for protecting free speech online. 30 years later and it’s one of the last things standing in the way of Republican censorship of the internet. Here’s to many more years of defending this vital safeguard of free speech.

Some thoughts from me in techdirt about Rand Paul’s journey to the wrong policy conclusion

Free speech advocates had a busy 2025, to say the least. But more battles are ahead. @ashkhen.bsky.social spoke with the Tallahassee Democrat about key First Amendment fights to expect in 2026— from proposed algorithm regulations to the speech rights of non-citizen students.

COMING SOON: New Australian social media law ban for everyone under 33.

Hey folks: this morning we're launching a monthlong fundraiser for @techdirt.com. Over the last year, we've been steadfast in not self-censoring, not capitulating, not sanewashing bullshit. But that's come at a cost. And we need help: rtb.techdirt.com/products/fri...

🇺🇸vs.🇪🇺: An energy company sued an advocacy organization in a U.S. court over pipeline protests. Now, the advocacy org is taking its claims to an EU court, alleging that the company launched a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) against them.

She’s back! On the latest Tech Policy Podcast, former host Ashkhen Kazaryan (@ashkhen.bsky.social) of @futurefreespeech.org returns for a wide-ranging discussion about powerful algorithms, attacks on Section 230, and much, much more. podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/422...

Tech Prom 2025 is around the corner— we’re highlighting some of the many voices that make the evening so memorable, including Future of Free Speech’s @ashkhen.bsky.social and Microsoft’s Chris Calabrese. 📍 The LINE DC 🗓️ Oct 23 | 6–10 PM cdt.org/event/2025-t...

As part of this year’s #FOSO2025 conference, don’t miss @ashkhen.bsky.social, India McKinney, @rude1.blacksky.team & Ryan Carroll as they unpack Section 230’s misunderstood legacy and its role in protecting users worldwide. 10/28 @ 1pm ET: standtogether.swoogo...

Free expression online faces new challenges—from AI to government pressure on platforms. At this year’s #FutureOfSpeechOnline 2025, experts will explore what’s at stake for speech in the digital age. 🗓️ Oct 28 & 29 | 🕛 12–3pm ET 🎟️ standtogether.swoogo...

At a panel hosted by the American Enterprise Institute, @ashkhen.bsky.social said normalizing jawboning sends a dangerous message to younger generations. 🔗 Watch the full panel here: aei.org/events/policing-the-public-interest-and-broadcast-content-at-todays-fcc

The Trump administration and the FCC have ramped up threats to broadcasters and media outlets. How does Jimmy Kimmel's suspension impact free speech in America going forward?

How can we use surveys to promote a culture of free speech? @ashkhen.bsky.social talks to @glukianoff.bsky.social and Kevin Goldberg in a panel sponsored by @thefireorg.bsky.social and @1stforall.bsky.social. #FreeSpeechSummit2025

🤔 Section 230? Algorithmic Curation? What do these buzzwords have to do with free expression? In our first Policy Paper Series report, @ashkhen.bsky.social explores how the First Amendment and federal law protect how platforms curate your feed, and why you should care.

@ashkhen.bsky.social explains how both scenarios mean fewer controls for users and likely more online censorship in a new Policy Paper and Bedrock Principle post. 🔗 Bedrock Principle: www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/why-you-sh...

When the FCC pressured ABC into pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air, they weren’t just threatening speech. @ashkhen.bsky.social said they were sending a message to younger generations that the First Amendment isn’t invincible.

We all yelled into a void about AG Bondi’s hate speech comments. Here are some thoughts and First Amendment doctrine to back them up www.bedrockprinciple.com/p/the-first-...

If you haven’t had time to follow the Internet crackdown and subsequent violent upheaval of govt in Nepal, here’s a recap. In addition to being an awful story about real people’s lives, it’s also an amazing microcosm or synechdoche or something for the bigger picture.

Bluesky a @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social question!! Ring the bells @jay.bsky.team @mmasnick.bsky.social

🚨 The Trump administration has signed an executive order to prosecute individuals who burn the American flag. Read our statement from Senior Legal Fellow @ashkhen.bsky.social:

The endorsement that speaks for itself listen here or wherever you get your podcasts podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...

Hey if you missed it at #TrustCon yesterday, our live Ctrl-Alt-Speech is now on the podcast feed! With special guests @aagh.bsky.social and @ashkhen.bsky.social podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...

California is trying to pass a law that seeks to regulate social media platforms’ algorithms as “conduct." @ashkhen.bsky.social explains why that would be a disaster.

Hello from Pride in NYC❤️If you have a minute pls read why 1A is so important!!

Catch @ashkhen.bsky.social's full interview here: underthedesknews.substack.com/p/ai-and-1a-...

What if Americans lose their cultural commitment to protecting even the most unpopular forms of speech? @ashkhen.bsky.social explains on @underthedesknews.bsky.social

President Trump signed the “TAKE IT DOWN Act,” the first federal law targeting nonconsensual intimate images, including AI deepfakes. @ashkhen.bsky.social and Ashley Haek recently raised free speech concerns over its broad enforcement powers.

Our public comment to the FTC on its inquiry into "tech censorship" was featured in @POLITICOPro. In our comment, @ashkhen.bsky.social makes the case for why an FTC that regulates platform content moderation policies would take on the unconstitutional role as a "Ministry of Truth."

🚨 The FTC wants to investigate "tech censorship." But we have urged them not to cross that constitutional line. In a public comment submitted to the FTC, we argue that this would transform the agency into an unconstitutional speech regulator.

🚨President Trump is signing the TAKE IT DOWN Act. While the law's intentions might be noble, @ashkhen.bsky.social and Ashley Haek recently warned that it could give the government sweeping powers to regulate online speech.

A new Tennessee law — the Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism Act (PEACE Act) — appears mundane but raise serious First Amendment concerns, writes @ashkhen.bsky.social with The Future of Free Speech, a nonpartisan think tank at Vanderbilt University. @futurefreespeech.org.

"The TAKE IT DOWN Act responds to real harms, but ... its broad provisions provide a powerful new tool for censoring lawful online expression, monitoring private communications, and undermining due process," said @ashkhen.bsky.social of the Future of Free Speech

Join us: The Future of Online Expression In The Trump Era: Freedom vs Regulation" lunch with @ashkhen.bsky.social, Jenna Leventoff @aclu.org, Chris Marchese @netchoice.bsky.social, @lehogg.bsky.social @fai.bsky.social. 📅 Wed, April 23 ⏰ 12:00 PM 📍 Rayburn Building & Online ✉️ RSVP lu.ma/o51ptz6j

folks, you should know that Mavs traded Luka to Lakers for AD and a first round pick. Things are wild

As we trace policy and legal battles around tech, a troubling pattern emerges - lawmakers and regulators proposing sweeping rules without considering that they will undermine the foundational principles of free speech and an open internet, writes Ashkhen Kazaryan.

Merry Armenian Christmas ❤️

I’m super excited to announce I'm part of an amazing team (<3 @williambrady.bsky.social @killianmcloughlin.bsky.social @mjcrockett.bsky.social) that just published a paper in @science.org on the role of outrage in spread of misinformation Link here: science.org/doi/10.1126/... Summary in🧵🔽 1/

Here's why I confronted transphobic bigot Nancy Mace: Not to convince haters to stop hating, but to spark a conversation in the tech policy space. Will we cozy up to authoritarians? Or build meaningful resistance to tech-enabled human rights abuses? touchgrass.fightforthefuture.org/p/8322f531-b...

First post here is about how I met @jay.bsky.team today and the future of Bluesky is bright