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...

Had a great time catching up with everyone at the inaugural Summit on State AI Legislation (SSAIL) hosted by the Yale Digital Ethics Center and co-organized by Senator James Maroney. Thanks for having me! dec.yale.edu #techpolicy #statelegislation #aipolicy 📸 @matthewreisman.bsky.social

Thank you shoutout to VermontBiz for publishing our opinion piece - Priestley & Arsenault: Big Tech's privacy gamble, public servants’ lives are the stakes. "Big Tech's reckless disregard for privacy has created a nationwide crisis, and Vermont is not immune.” vermontbiz.com/news/2025/ma...

Looking forward to this!

I spent the past week in DC after speaking on a panel with a group of State AGs at a global summit for the Centre for Information Policy Leadership. I filled the remainder of the week catching up with and learning from experts on data privacy and AI. I am incredibly thankful for everyone’s time.

The #KidsCode is moving in VT, thanks to the leadership of Senator Harrison! But the fight isn't over. Big Tech is putting profits over our kids' well-being and the health of our democracy, right here in VT. This bill will give VT parents the tools they need to protect their children online!

Quote of the Day: [Overheard first thing this morning at the Vermont State House from a fellow legislator whom I deeply respect and enjoy.] "I logged my brains out this weekend." 🤣 A joyful reminder that we are indeed a working, citizen legislature. 🌲🌳🪚🚜💕

When Woody Hartzog asks you to jump on a Zoom call with his advanced privacy law class at a moment’s notice to discuss your legislation, you say yes! ☺️

Remember when I said, “Hold my coffee”? Well, the coffee is served, and it’s strong! ☕️ My three privacy bills are officially introduced and ready for you to explore. Dig into the details, read the full bill text, and subscribe for updates on my website: priestleyvt.com/bills #dataprivacy #techpolicy

Data privacy? Online surveillance? Protecting kids online? Data brokers run amok? Hold my coffee... ☕️ I'm dropping THREE separate bills this week to tackle it all. What was previously one bill has returned in full force x3. #dataprivacy #consumerprotection #techpolicy #vermontstrong

Another convening of the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Privacy. It’s always incredibly helpful to catch up with other state legislators as well as to connect with various players in these fields.

VT Rep. @mepriestley.bsky.social and I argue in @vtdigger.bsky.social that policymakers can’t tackle cost of living issues for their constituents without addressing the data privacy crisis. Data abuse is driving up the cost of insurance, groceries, rent, and more. vtdigger.org/2025/02/04/r...

"The national conversation has rightly focused on affordability. But these conversations are incomplete without addressing one of the root causes: the unchecked collection, use and sale of our personal data" @caitrionafitz.bsky.social & @mepriestley.bsky.social's op-ed: vtdigger.org/2025/02/04/r...

For the record, the shark may be the most inconvenient onesie for a pub crawl. BUT 100% worth it for the look on my neighbors’ faces just now. 🦈😳

My inbox has been extra busy today. It's almost as if the state legislative session season was about to start or something... 😏

Friday night fun = redlining legislative policy drafts. 🤓⌨️🎶 It’s actually been a lot of fun editing after more than 1,000 hours of follow-up since the end of last session. 😳 I’m pretty excited to start sharing the next drafts of comprehensive data privacy, age-appropriate design code, and more... 😏

VT State Reps Priestley & Cina join 60+ lawmakers from 32 states in co-authoring an op-ed urging AI regulation. They’ll introduce a 2025 VT bill ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI’s use. Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group Op-Ed via IAPP: iapp.org/news/a/open-...

Thank you to @pluribusnews.bsky.social Austin Jenkins for inclusion in his piece RE the industry-heavy AI 101 panel at CSG National: “That warning was unpersuasive to Vermont Rep. Monique Priestley (D), who attended…” [ Read Full Article: pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve... ] #airegulation #techpolicy