Anna Bacciarelli
@abacci.bsky.social
Human rights nerd trying to make AI OK. Human Rights Watch Senior AI Researcher + REAL ML Executive Director.
I'm on @themaybe.org's latest podcast with Shazeda Ahmed, talking about building a movement for resistance against AI everywhere www.themaybe.org/podcast/real...
The Collective Fight for Our Humanity - REAL Resistance
Anna Bacciarelli and Shazeda Ahmed discuss what it takes to knit together a global community and resist the material harms of big tech.
themaybe.org
"a ubiquitous automation and surveillance system, adopted and maintained by those in positions of power with promises of progress and improvement, despite inspiring widespread disdain among those it is promoted it as serving" @bcmerchant.bsky.social on VAR 👌🏻 www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/what-var-t...
What VAR tells us about AI
FIFA's semi-automated refereeing system promises neutrality but brims with bias. It's widely despised yet embraced by elites. It is, in other words, a lot like AI.
bloodinthemachine.com
The Supreme Court just effectively gutted two key laws for suing tech over human rights abuses, says Tech Justice Law's Madeline Batt. The result in Doe v. Cisco leaves companies and executives "less constrained by liability fears"—and victims with fewer pathways to redress.
Supreme Court Decimates Key Remedies for Tech Complicity in Human Rights Abuse
Following the ruling in Doe v. Cisco, victims are left searching for new pathways to redress, writes Tech Justice Law legal fellow Madeline Batt.
techpolicy.press
New @hrw.org report: European Union countries exports surveillance tech to governments around the world with well-documented histories of using similar tech to spy on activists, journos and other critical voices. And we've got the receipts.
Documents reveal that a European company linked to Israeli spyware seller NSO Group has been exporting surveillance technology to government agencies in repressive countries for years, despite EU regulations intended to curb such sales: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Circles Sold Phone Spy Tools to Repressive States, Report Says
A Bulgaria-based company sold controversial surveillance technology to governments in countries with records of repression, enabling authorities to track mobile phones and eavesdrop on private communi...
bloomberg.com
HRW investigation shows the Bulgarian government licensed exports of surveillance equipment to countries that were likely to use it for internal repression or to commit serious human rights violations ⤵️ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Circles Sold Phone Spy Tools to Repressive States, Report Says
A Bulgaria-based company sold controversial surveillance technology to governments in countries with records of repression, enabling authorities to track mobile phones and eavesdrop on private communi...
bloomberg.com
Ryan Gallagher@rjgallagher.co.uk · 2mo agoDocuments reveal that a European company linked to Israeli spyware seller NSO Group has been exporting surveillance technology to government agencies in repressive countries for years, despite EU regulations intended to curb such sales: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
New: In 2018-2023 Circles was licensed by the Bulgarian government to export surveillance tools to a long list of countries with well-documented histories of using similar tools to spy on journalists, activists, dissenters and others. (illustrations by the great @glennharvey.bsky.social)
EFF joined a letter with @hrw.org, @foxglovelegal.bsky.social and dozens more organizations telling the UK Home Office not to use racist and faulty AI facial age estimation tech on asylum-seeking children. www.foxglove.org.uk/open-letter...
Foxglove, Human Rights Watch and 60 other organisations write open letter to Government condemning Home Office border tool aimed at asylum-seeking children
This open letter has been prepared by Foxglove and Human Rights Watch. A full list of signatories can be found at the bottom of the page.
foxglove.org.uk
Stop facial age estimation tech in the UK asylum process! Some of the most vulnerable children in the world will be exposed to inaccurate and biased AI tools. Read the open letter to the Home Office signed by ORG and 60 organisations, led by @foxglovelegal.bsky.social and @hrw.org ⬇️ #RefugeeWeek
Foxglove, Human Rights Watch and 60 other organisations write open letter to Government condemning Home Office border tool aimed at asylum-seeking children
This open letter has been prepared by Foxglove and Human Rights Watch. A full list of signatories can be found at the bottom of the page.
foxglove.org.uk
ICYMI: we're calling on the UK Home Office to stop experimenting with AI on asylum-seeking children: www.foxglove.org.uk/2026/06/18/h...
More than 60 groups tell Home Office to stop using racist and faulty AI facial age estimation tech on asylum-seeking children
The Home Office itself has admitted that: “facial age estimation performance can vary depending on ethnicity” and skin tone.
foxglove.org.uk
NEW: The UK plans to use AI face scans to determine the age of asylum seekers at the border from next year. However, a leaked report shows the government has known the tech isn’t accurate for more than a year. In some cases, the technology could predict a 13.5-year-old to be an adult
The UK Will Scan Asylum-Seekers’ Faces for Age Checks—Despite Knowing the Tech Is Flawed
Internal Home Office tests of age-verification technology show the risks of life-altering errors. It’s moving forward anyway.
wired.com
UK Home Office plans to experiment with facial age estimation technology on child refugees should be scrapped www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...
The UK’s Discriminatory AI Experiment on Child Refugees
The UK Home Office is pushing ahead with plans to use AI technology to guess the age of young people arriving at UK borders to seek asylum, starting in 2027. Yet the Home Office’s own tests found the ...
hrw.org
If a business model works only because it evades workers’ rights, it's an argument for regulation, not against it. @abacci.bsky.social & I wrote about AI, gig work, & why governments negotiating a new @ilo.org standard need to act before exploitation becomes the blueprint: fpif.org/ai-runs-the-...
Absolutely brain dead decision from a UK gov desperate to ingratiate themselves to big tech, while palantir secures a bigger foothold in the UK’s critical state infrastructure www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Palantir extends reach into British state as it gets access to sensitive FCA data
Exclusive: Allowing US tech firm to analyse intelligence in name of tackling fraud raises fresh concerns over privacy
theguardian.com
This clip show's Palentir's Maven platform acting as the "brain" during a military op. In the Iran war so far, AI has turned torrents of battlefield data into thousands of strikes. Read the story in today's #FTEdit 👉 The AI-driven 'kill chain’ transforming how the US wages war ft.trib.al/oOhkW77
And bc shutting down the internet is unfortunately part of the playbook in Iran & countless other countries, policymakers & companies should explore technical & regulatory measures to help civilians access the internet inc by building out satellite connectivity. Some ideas 👉 www.direct2cell.org
When Governments Shut Down the Internet, Satellite Connectivity Keeps Communities Alive
Direct-to-Cell satellite technology can keep people connected when authoritarian regimes cut internet access. Join the movement to make humanitarian access a reality.
direct2cell.org
Amid US/Israeli airstrikes & brutal repression, Iranians are entering day 8 of an internet shutdown, placing civilians at risk, restricting their ability to access lifesaving info & reach loved ones, and contributing to psychological harm. Iranian authorities should urgently restore internet access
Human Rights Watch@hrw.org · 5mo agoIranian authorities should immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown and communications restrictions. These shutdowns violate human rights and place civilians at further risk of serious harm.
UK accused of 'collective punishment' over Sudanese students ban - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-accused-collective-punishment-over-sudanese-students-ban
UK accused of 'collective punishment' over Sudanese students ban
Students accepted to British universities say visa ban could shatter their plans to study abroad and help rebuild their war-torn countries
middleeasteye.net
Iranian authorities should immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown and communications restrictions. These shutdowns violate human rights and place civilians at further risk of serious harm.
Iran: Internet Shutdown Violates Rights, Escalates Risks to Civilians
Iranian authorities should immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown and communications restrictions, which place civilians at risk of further harm.
hrw.org
"This rubble is of my first home. The home where my father also grew up. Where my husband and I said our marriage vows." What’s happening in Lebanon is a “human rights and humanitarian disaster in the making,” says HRW’s @lamafakih.bsky.social, whose family home in Beirut was struck.
The US Department of Defense is reportedly using artificial intelligence from tech company Anthropic in its strikes in Iran. Why is this important? HRW's @abacci.bsky.social and @verityc.bsky.social explain ⤵️
Internet shutdowns in Iran are tormenting a population under attack. Unable to communicate with loved ones, call for medical help, or stay up to date with potentially life-saving news, Iranians are once again being kept in the dark by their government. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03...
Iran: Internet Shutdown Violates Rights, Escalates Risks to Civilians
Iranian authorities should immediately end the ongoing internet shutdown and communications restrictions, which place civilians at risk of further harm.
hrw.org
NEW: Since Jan 2023, ICE + CBP together have spent at least $515 million on products from Palantir, Microsoft, Amazon, & Google. But where is the money actually going, & what specifically is it powering? Here, I break down everything we know about both of these things: www.wired.com/story/how-bi...
How Big Tech Is Powering Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
A WIRED analysis shows that ICE and CBP have collectively spent at least $515 million on products from Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Palantir in the last few years alone.
wired.com
New from 404 Media: CBP tapped into the online advertising ecosystem to track peoples' movements, according to an internal DHS document. Shows for the first time DHS tracked phones via process for putting ads in ordinary apps—video games, fitness apps, many more www.404media.co/cbp-tapped-i...
CBP Tapped Into the Online Advertising Ecosystem To Track Peoples’ Movements
An internal DHS document obtained by 404 Media shows for the first time CBP used location data sourced from the online advertising industry to track phone locations. ICE has bought access to similar t...
404media.co
The Pentagon's rift with Anthropic signals a clear and alarming intent to use AI for autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. @hrw.org is calling on states at the UN this week to ban and regulate autonomous weapons. @verityc.bsky.social is at negotiations. Our dispatch: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03...
US Military’s Dangerous Slide Toward Fully Autonomous Killing
The United States Department of Defense’s decision on February 27 to reject the artificial intelligence company Anthropic’s ethical red lines for AI for military use is a clear sign that the Pentagon ...
hrw.org
I'm at the #UN meeting on autonomous weapons systems with partners from @stopkillerrobots.bsky.social - states have the opportunity to draw legal red lines around emerging weapons systems. Will they? New @hrw.org dispatch with @abacci.bsky.social www.hrw.org/news/2026/03...
US Military’s Dangerous Slide Toward Fully Autonomous Killing
The United States Department of Defense’s decision on February 27 to reject the artificial intelligence company Anthropic’s ethical red lines for AI for military use is a clear sign that the Pentagon ...
hrw.org
Anthropic’s PR win: signing a $200M contract with Trump’s DoD 7 months ago, then being outraged that their tech may be used for nefarious purposes. In any case, great to see pushback on mass surveillance (note: domestic US only) and lethal autonomous weapons.
TechCrunch@techcrunch.com · 5mo agoAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday that he "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demands to give the military unrestricted access to its AI systems.
Deeply alarming plans for the Met police to use facial recognition for “identity checks”, likely using smartphones. This would be an absolute disaster for human rights. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Met police to pilot facial recognition identity checks, mayor confirms
Sadiq Khan reveals 100 officers will use roaming technology for six months but opponents call its use ‘alarming’
theguardian.com
NEW: Records reviewed by WIRED show DHS’s facial recognition app (Mobile Fortify) isn’t designed to actually "verify" identity—despite DHS claims and its agents relying on its matches to support probable cause in the field.
ICE and CBP’s Face-Recognition App Can’t Actually Verify Who People Are
ICE has used Mobile Fortify to identify immigrants and citizens alike over 100,000 times, by one estimate. It wasn't built to work like that—and only got approved after DHS abandoned its own privacy r...
wired.com
A retiree wrote this email to a DHS attorney. Within five hours, DHS demanded Google turn over records for his account. A Kafkaesque form of domestic surveillance, intimidating Americans for lawful speech. New from us at the Post: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio... @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social
