Ben Whitelaw
@benwhitelaw.bsky.social
Founder and editor of everythinginmoderation.co. Co-host & writer of ctrlaltspeech.com puns. Media consultant by day. #LUFC fan by birthright.
I wrote Disrupting Politics for many reasons, but one was that I didn't want anyone else telling my story. This book is dedicated to the people in the arena with me: trust and safety, campaigns, tech policy, doing hard work that rarely gets the nuance it deserves. open.substack.com/pub/anchorch...
Why I Wrote Disrupting Politics and Why It's Not Just About Facebook
An insider's look at the decisions nobody had a playbook for and why I had to tell it myself
open.substack.com
Here’s the exercise I use in my media law & ethics course using Trust & Safety Tycoon - a very fun game from @techdirt.com & Copia Gaming Initiative where you run content moderation for a social media startup.
Techdirt@techdirt.com · 21h agoUsing Trust & Safety Tycoon In The Classroom Early in the media law and ethics course I teach, as I shift gears from the ethics section to the law and core free speech issues, I try to build... https://www.techdirt.com/2026/08/04/using-trust-safety-tycoon-in-the-classroom/
There’s lots of reasons to listen to Ctrl-Alt-Speech this week including Zuck being compared to Stone Cold Steve Austin. But the #1 reason is @masnick.com managing to insult both Scooby Doo and my fair homeland in one breadth.
A brilliant read that's as much about the bonkers relationship between local media and football clubs as it is about #LUFC. Go and read. Warning: contains mentions of Helder Costa.
Graham Smyth@grahamsmyth.bsky.social · 2d agoMy last Inside Elland Road newsletter is unlocked and free to read - Leeds United and what it has been like to cover this club. #lufc newsletters.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/inside-ellan...
ICYMI - great read in the FT feat. @dncampbell.bsky.social and @foxglovelegal.bsky.social's work on data centres. The big question: how can we shape this market so new compute doesn't suck up so much of the power and water we need to live? With the homes we must build? www.ft.com/content/67db...
Data centres vs housing: how London became a central battleground
The city has become the largest hub for AI power centres across Europe, competing with homes for energy, space and water. Its priorities are being called into question
ft.com
Spotted a bloke wearing the purple 25/26 #LUFC goalkeeper shirt while on my bike in a random part of east London. Shouted and gave the salute. Poor chap almost soiled himself. We really do get everywhere
This a wild story, particularly if you’re in the newsletter game www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
EBay, former executives to pay $56 million to settle couple's harassment case
EBay and three former top executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to resolve a lawsuit by a Massachusetts couple who fell victim to a bizarre stalking and harassment campaign carried out by seve...
reuters.com
Apologies to the journalists for my inability to speak over the past 1.5 years. It was truly beyond my control! But now I can talk again, and I’ve already done two interviews this week. Happy to chat Section 230, cybersecurity, or other issues any time!
Blog Post: Announcing the 2026 Edition of My Internet Law Casebook blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/202...
Announcing the 2026 Edition of My Internet Law Casebook - Technology & Marketing Law Blog
I’m pleased to announce the 2026 edition (17th edition) of my Internet Law casebook, Internet Law: Cases & Materials. The book is available in multiple formats: a PDF for $10, a Kindle ebook for $10, ...
blog.ericgoldman.org
In this week’s Week in Review, fresh from #TrustCon: - DMA fine sets up EU vs US - Political reaction to OpenAI hack - Meta lawsuit dropped - Matt Halprin on YouTube’s policy shift Read, share, subscribe www.everythinginmoderation.co/european-com...
Europe bears its teeth, political panic about OpenAI hack and YouTube refines partner policy
The week in content moderation - edition #345
everythinginmoderation.co
Someone in DC set up a “little free blockbuster” with DVDs inside instead of books lol
Ben and I are the final act of TrustCon with a live Ctrl-Alt-Speech, today at 4. Joined by special guests @rightsduff.bsky.social & @zoedarme.bsky.social. If you're at TrustCon don't miss it. And if you can track down Ben or I, we have gifts for listeners...
Ben Whitelaw@benwhitelaw.bsky.social · 2w agoFinally get to record an episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech in actual person with @masnick.com this week. Real-life audience too (if folks show up). Lots of good stories to chew over. Episode out on Friday — and earlier for Patreon supporters.
Finally get to record an episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech in actual person with @masnick.com this week. Real-life audience too (if folks show up). Lots of good stories to chew over. Episode out on Friday — and earlier for Patreon supporters.
I’m quoted in CNN’s coverage of new research out today from Common Sense Media about teens’ interactions with nudify apps and AI-generated CSAM: www.cnn.com/2026/07/21/h...
AI-generated sexual content is starting to affect how teenagers view sex, consent and body image | CNN
As generative AI becomes more widespread and sophisticated, experts urge parents to keep an eye on how teens use the technology to create explicit content.
cnn.com
New episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech with brilliant co-host @niklaseder.bsky.social, in which we discuss UK & EU social media bans and *that* Federal Court ruling on T&S researchers podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...
Putting Some Meat On The Bans - Ctrl-Alt-Speech
Become a Ctrl-Alt-Speech supporter to get extended episodes of the podcast plus the chance to submit stories for us to cover.In this week’s roundup of the latest news in online speech, content mo...
podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com
I’m generally a fan of @wired.com’s coverage and particularly its focus on platform power. But this critique of Atlantic writer Ian Bogost doesn’t sit well at all. Talk about playing the man not the ball.
Or as @benwhitelaw.bsky.social called out in his latest newsletter, some parents (especially single parents) just don't have the time or capacity to police their kids' screen use, thus the need for the industry to implement a "protective floor for families that are less equipped to set boundaries".
Frédéric Dubut@fredericdubut.com · 4w agoA couple of things I would add: 1. Parental controls are a good first line of defense but not all parents care or know how to implement them, so I don't think they are necessarily a complete substitute for robust defaults and primary (privacy-preserving) verification methods.
*highly* recommend this @doctorow.pluralistic.net essay thread. & read Muskism alongside it for the receipts on elon's deep belief in this demotion of human dignity/agency.
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C)@doctorow.pluralistic.net · 4w agoBut the biggest difference between a machine and a person is *moral consideration*. A person deserves and demands moral consideration: for their wellbeing, their feelings, even their bladders. A machine gets none of this: you can curse it, kick it, snap out orders without please or thank you. 12/
In this week’s Ctrl-Alt-Speech, @masnick.com and I discuss why Meta has little incentive to improve its ads T&S plus, for Patreon supporters, the closing in of who gets to use the big AI models. Have a listen! www.patreon.com/CtrlAltSpeec...
Sell Me Lies, Sell Me Sweet Meta Lies | Ctrl-Alt-Speech
Sell Me Lies, Sell Me Sweet Meta Lies by Ctrl-Alt-Speech on Patreon. Join Ctrl-Alt-Speech's community for exclusive content and updates.
patreon.com
The estimable @coricrider.com joined me on this week’s Ctrl-Alt-Speech to talk better social media bans, the promise of Eurosky and TikTok expands to AI moderation. You won’t regret listening! www.patreon.com/CtrlAltSpeec...
Making the Best of a Ban Situation | Ctrl-Alt-Speech
Making the Best of a Ban Situation by Ctrl-Alt-Speech on Patreon. Join Ctrl-Alt-Speech's community for exclusive content and updates.
patreon.com
It’s only in 35 degree heat that you quite realise the value of eyebrows
India's Telegram block lasted six days; the power behind it doesn't expire, writes TPP fellow Apar Gupta. The Delhi High Court let the government treat an entire platform — used by 150M Indians — as blockable "information."
India’s Telegram Ban Was Temporary. The Power Behind It Is Not.
The Telegram ban represents a dangerous escalation by the government, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Apar Gupta.
buff.ly
Something a bit different for this week's Ctrl-Alt-Speech: @masnick.com and I discuss six of our must-read books about online speech, platform power, and content moderation. www.patreon.com/CtrlAltSpeec...
The Ctrl-Alt-Speech Reading List (Bonus Episode) | Ctrl-Alt-Speech
The Ctrl-Alt-Speech Reading List (Bonus Episode) by Ctrl-Alt-Speech on Patreon. Join Ctrl-Alt-Speech's community for exclusive content and updates.
patreon.com
This week's Ctrl-Alt-Speech podcast is patriotic in the same way that Thomas Tuchel is about not singing God Save the King in full view of his players. podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com/2315966/epis...
Close Your Apps and Think of England - Ctrl-Alt-Speech
Become a Ctrl-Alt-Speech supporter to get extended episodes of the podcast plus the chance to submit stories for us to cover.In this week’s roundup of the latest news in online speech, content mo...
podcast.ctrlaltspeech.com
Strong Bill Clinton vibes to this quote: “Images taken later during the match showed that I repeated this movement many times while holding a pen between my fingers” www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
World Cup 2026: Shaun Evans says gesture was 'involuntary, subconscious twitch'
Video assistant referee Shaun Evans has denied "intentionally" making a hand gesture "to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind" and claimed it was a "an involuntary, subconsci...
bbc.co.uk
In 1999, the PowerMac G4 was was classified as a "restricted supercomputer" by the U.S. government due to its processing power breaking the 1-gigaflop threshold. It was then banned from being exported to 50 countries. So Apple ran ads bragging about the fact. History doesn’t repeat but it rhymes.
I cannot read enough of Jalen Brunson (free agent?!) and OG Anunoby (Harlesden boy?!), pls send all good profiles and long-reads my way
David Sacks is a proponent of trust & safety, pass it on
Sung Kim@sungkim.bsky.social · 2mo agoJust FYI on Anthropic's Fable 5 fiasco.
At the start of this episode, I told @masnick.com that Chipotle wasn’t in London, and maybe not the UK. It turns out that there are 22 (!) restaurants, most of which are, er, in the capital. I’d like to apologise for my Mexican fast food ignorance and am happy to take free burritos to make amends.
Ben Whitelaw@benwhitelaw.bsky.social · 2mo agoThis week's Ctrl-Alt-Speech is live on Patreon! Featuring @masnick.com on Anthropic's Fable 5 model, its approach to safety issues and the "real-time public tweaking of the knobs as to what's allowed and not allowed". Plus me Apple's T&S focus at #WWDC. Live via all other platforms later today.