In a new interview, Vermont Representative @mepriestley.com broke down what Big Tech is up to in statehouses and how advocates like her are fighting for protections.

We’ve spent October traveling Vermont to talk with you about your privacy concerns. What started as 6 town halls turned into requests from 25 more towns. We’re kicking off another round this week in Morrisville. Your stories and your energy are pushing this work forward. Join us: peoplevsbigtech.com

Had such a good time chatting everything data privacy laws with @achapell.bsky.social!

More thoughts on the private right of action for.privacy laws as i tease my upcoming pod interview with VT rep Monique Priestly which will be out Wed. open.substack.com/pub/chapell/...

Kicked off the Monique for VT State Senate campaign with manager, Hudson Ranney. So many have already reached out to knock doors, make calls, host events, and get involved. That’s what this campaign is about. Politics should be candid, inclusive, and fun. Let’s do this! priestleyvt.com/senate2026

Thank you to VTDigger for featuring a recent Op-Ed by the leadership team of the Rural Caucus: Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Dover; Rep. Lisa Hango, R-Berkshire; Rep. Monique Priestley, D-Bradford; and Rep. Lucy Boyden, D-Cambridge. Full piece: vtdigger.org/2025/11/14/r...

Identity thief. 🎃👻🤓 #privacynerd

Grateful to VTDigger for including my announcement in today's coverage. '“Vermonters sent a clear message this year: it’s time for leadership that listens and responds. We can’t afford to ignore the pressures facing everyday people any longer.”' vtdigger.org/2025/10/29/o... #vtpoli

vermontbiz.com/news/2025/octo… @mepriestley.com is running for Vermont State Senate, and I couldn’t be more excited. Her dedication to public service and commitment to Vermont communities make her the leader we need. Let’s flip this seat and build what’s next for Vermont, together#vtpolili

Big news: I’m running for the Vermont State Senate! This isn’t just a campaign – it’s an invitation to build what’s next. Together, we can make Vermont more affordable, transparent, and inclusive for everyone. Let’s do this: priestleyvt.com/senate2026 #vtpoli #priestleyvt2026 #community #leadership

FINAL PUBLISHED VERSION - The Great Scrape: The Clash Between Scraping and Privacy by Prof Solove and Prof Hartzog papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... #PrivacyMatters

Extremely grateful for being included in this morning’s roundtable hosted by the Atlantic Council and Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE). It was further confirmation that the struggles to regulate Big Tech know no borders – and neither do the harms that are affecting our youth (and all ages).

Signal to leave EU rather than comply w/ Chat Control, which would scan all messages sent over end-to-end encrypted platforms. Vote on Chat Control's future Oct 14. Germany is the swing vote. Officials there opposed the measure in past but new govt silent re position therecord.media/signal-calls...

Thank you shoutout to Austin Jenkins of Pluribus News for reaching regarding neural data privacy proposals. You can catch his new piece, “Lawmakers push for neural data protections as wearable devices surge” at mpvt.co/pluribusneural

It’s hard to believe that “let’s swim across this body of water” season is overlapping with flannel season. There is nothing quite like driving the backroads of VT & NH during foliage season, but it’s typically not the same season I swim and sunbathe in. 🍁☀️🏊‍♀️

One of my favorite speaking requests is visiting with students. So thankful to have the opportunity to visit with the University of Arkansas Information Privacy Law class tonight from the State House. If any teachers/professors catch this, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

So inspired by the privacy champions at tonight’s EPIC Champions of Freedom event: lawyers, academics, civil society leaders, and more, all pushing back against authoritarianism. Huge thanks to EPIC and the incredible speakers for their vision and energy!

“A fundamental shift is needed in how we approach the development and deployment of AI agents,” argues Meredith Whittaker. “Basic lessons in privacy and digital security are being discarded,” she warns

It was such a pleasure to connect with and learn from everyone at this year’s Privacy + Security Academy Privacy Law Salon Washington Roundtable hosted at the National Press Club by Professors Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz. Had a great time on the keynote Policymaker Panel with Drew and Ben.

I'm excited to head to the National Press Club in DC in a couple of weeks to participate in the Privacy + Security Academy's Privacy Law Salon Washington Roundtable hosted by Professors Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz. Opening session: "Policymaker Panel: The Front Lines of Privacy and AI".

Huge thank you shoutout to @firewalldragons.bsky.social. Carey did an incredible job framing and level setting for this episode. Plus, he’s just an awesome human and I had a blast visiting with him. Listen to the episode here: mpvt.co/firewalls #dataprivacy #digitalpolicy #techpolicy

Passing #privacy legislation in the US is a seriously uphill battle - and it's hardly a fair fight. Today Vermont House Representative @mepriestley.com takes us behind the scenes, sharing crucial lessons that citizens & their reps need to learn. podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2025/08/18/i...

Tune in Monday when I'll be speaking with Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley about trying to pass meaningful #privacy legislation in the face of fierce opposition from #BigTech lobbyists. @mepriestley.com Subscribe here: firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/

States are where tech policy happens. Spoke at MIT Media Lab on Big Tech vs state bills. Slides show: +57% state tech bills since 2023, AI +210%. 90%+ want delete, opt out, kid safe defaults. Full post: mpvt.co/kmy #techaccountability #digitalpolicy #techpolicy Slide Source: Project Liberty

Repeat after me: this is authoritarian extortion, this is authoritarian extortion, this is authoritarian extortion.

Vermont gave 140K SNAP recipients’ personal data to the Trump admin. Experts say it violated federal law and could be weaponized. Gov. Scott should work with the Attorney General, Legislature & privacy experts to limit damage & pass real protections. Full: priestleyvt.com/statement-sn...

Heading to Lexington, KY tomorrow with Rep. Edye Graning for the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship—an incredible opportunity to grow, connect, and represent Vermont alongside 47 inspiring state leaders. Full release: priestleyvt.com/csg-toll-fel... Class list: csgovts.info/tolls

From NCSL to the State Leadership Summit, it’s been a nonstop week in Boston with some of the sharpest minds in state tech policy. Grateful for the chance to learn, connect, and push for legislation that protects people and fosters innovation.

Spoke at the State Leadership Summit on Digital Choice & the Future of Social Media at MIT, joining Rep. Brandon Guffey, Casey Mock & Elizabeth Bramson for “So, Big Tech Tried to Kill My Bill.” Grateful to Project Liberty & The Anxious Generation. We’re not backing down. #TechAccountability

Honored to join the Case for Tech Legislation panel in Boston with youth, advocates & experts pushing for safer digital spaces. Big Tech’s harms are real—and state action is urgent. Grateful to Fairplay, Becca Schmill Foundation & all who made Can’t Look Away a powerful night.

The Scott Admin gave Vermonters’ SNAP data to the Trump Admin—despite legal experts saying it wasn’t required and 20+ states refusing. This wasn’t law. It was a choice. We deserve better. My full statement: priestleyvt.com/statement-sn... #vtpoli #dataprivacy #digitalpolicy #techpolicy

Had the pleasure of moderating a panel on the Digital Choice Act at our NCSL AI, Cybersecurity & Privacy Task Force meeting today. Great insights from Rep Doug Fiefia (R-UT), Matthew Lipka (Project Liberty), and Patrick Hedger (NetChoice) on what this means for states, consumers, and industry.

Huge thanks to @suzannesmalley.bsky.social for covering the growing coalition of state lawmakers taking on the data broker industry. Grateful to work alongside so many smart, dedicated leaders fighting for consumer protection across the country.

No notes. *chef’s kiss* 🤌

We're excited to see young state legislators embracing the challenge of AI policy. Applause & respect to Vermont Rep. Monique Priestley @mepriestley.bsky.social and Utah Rep. Doug Fiefia for stepping up and leading this bipartisan Future Caucus task force.

This week on the #podcast, @heartofprivacy.bsky.social and @europaulb.seriousprivacy.eu talk with Vermont representative @mepriestley.bsky.social, about state data protection laws and the recently adopted Vermont Children's Code. #PoweredByTrustArc seriousprivacy.buzzsprout.com/840448/episo...

“With the Governor’s signature, the Age-Appropriate Design Code is officially law in VT,” said sponsor @mepriestley.bsky.social. “This is a big step forward for families across our state. It sends a clear message that we won’t let Big Tech write the rules when it comes to protecting kids online."

Shit is getting deep. "In legislative text unveiled Thursday night, Senate Republicans proposed denying states federal funding for broadband projects if they regulate AI.” apnews.com/article/ai-r...

A huge thanks to @mepriestley.bsky.social and Rep. Kathleen James for leading the way alongside the incredible young advocates in VT.

State lawmakers call the GOP’s Big Tech giveaway “an abdication of responsibility,” in an open letter signed by Katie Fry Hester, @michelle4va.bsky.social James Maroney, Robert Rodriguez, @kristinbahnermn.bsky.social @sengonzalezny.bsky.social , @mepriestley.bsky.social, and Steve Elkins.

This week, I joined a group of state lawmakers urging Congress not to block state AI laws for 10 years. We can’t afford a decade of deregulation. Read our open letter: garymarcus.substack.com/p/when-it-co... #aipolicy #techpolicy #actnow

Looking forward to this!

Panel 2–Solutions to Further Consumer Protection–with @mepriestley.bsky.social (VT House of Representatives), @nathaliemarechal.net (@cendemtech.bsky.social), Neil Richards (Washington University School of Law), and moderator @nadinefj.bsky.social. More below.

Had to clear away some of the dirt to add a little @eff.org #techpolicy love to my tailgate. Always supportive of defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation. ❤️😘

✊ #resist #fightback #handsoff #50501 #50501vt

Last night, Virginia Gov. Youngkin vetoed a proposed Virginia bill seeking to regulate high-risk AI systems used in key decision contexts, such as housing and employment. 🚨 🧵 epic.org/virginia-gov...

Efforts such as VT H.342 are timely for so many reasons. "The attempts at intimidation have taken many forms: bomb threats, [SWATting], even the delivery of pizzas, a seemingly innocuous prank but one that carries a message.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/us/trump-judges-threats.html

Thank you to VTDigger for publishing our opinion piece - Reps. Monique Priestley and Angela Arsenault: Public servants’ lives are the stakes in Big Tech’s privacy gamble: We must begin to dismantle the system that allows Big Tech to profit from jeopardizing lives. vtdigger.org/2025/03/19/r...

Inspiring to hear from legislators like @mepriestley.bsky.social and colleagues working to advance thoughtful AI policy at the Yale Digital Ethics Center Summit on State #AI Legislation. Kudos @emmiehine.com and team for a terrific event and thank you for the opportunity to join!