Louise Crow
@itscrowbot.bsky.social
Chief Exec for @mysociety.org. We run TheyWorkForYou, WhatDoTheyKnow, FixMyStreet and a host of other projects reimagining people power.
A quick one minute vid from our team on all the democratic participation their hard work has enabled this year 😍
mySociety@mysociety.org · last wk.Alex, Alice, Gemma, Julia & Zarino present mySociety's 2025-6 impact report. If you're feeling down about the state of democracy, you'll be glad to know that there's a lot to be hopeful about!
I couldnʼt be more proud that at mySociety we use digital tools to empower millions of people in the civic aspects of their lives. We’re a small organisation doing a lot, as our annual impact report makes clear - have a look and maybe let us know what you’d like to see us do next year 🙂
mySociety@mysociety.org · last wk.Ever wondered what effect our work has, who uses our services or how we connect with other organisations around the world? Sit back and enjoy a little dose of optimism and positivity with our annual impact report. www.mysociety.org/impact-repor...
We’ve got a vacancy in a unique and hugely valuable role, managing the day-to-day running of our digital services, focusing in particular on WhatDoTheyKnow, which helps millions of people each year find out something useful. Please do share with your networks to help us find the right person!
mySociety@mysociety.org · 4w agoWE'RE HIRING! Data protection, media law, online communities, and FOI: if that sounds like your jam, you might be just the person we're looking for as mySociety's new Digital Service Manager. See the details and apply here: apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/... And please do share!
On the train back to Glasgow now - but a great excuse to talk about FOI, Parliamentary transparency and AI at the same time. Thread walking between the links.
mySociety@mysociety.org · 3mo ago📺 Starting soon! @alexparsons.bsky.social, @benworthy.bsky.social & @jennacorderoy.bsky.social are giving evidence to the Procedure committee about Written Parliamentary Questions and FOI. Tune in here: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
My piece on government AI in Public Technology today www.publictechnology.net/2026/05/13/s... As more AI systems are used in government, we need to get better at asking questions about them and getting meaningful answers.
We need to get better at asking questions about government AI systems
As the use of LLMs and other automated tools grows across public services, citizens, civil society and external experts must be engaged in democratic oversight, argues Louise Crow of mySociety ...
publictechnology.net
Could you spare half an hour for a chat? We're keen to speak to youth groups of all types about collaboration, outreach and how (or if) you use data. Find out more - and please pass this on to your network - thanks! www.mysociety.org/community/yo...
Our research suggests that this donation comes within parliamentary transparency requirements and should have been declared
Alex Parsons@alexparsons.bsky.social · 3mo agoNot sure this is true - after the election there's a retrospective 12 months that covers donations.
How can public services manage AI-driven demand? My colleague @alexparsons.bsky.social has been thinking through an approach
mySociety@mysociety.org · 4mo ago@alexparsons.bsky.social has been thinking about the increased demand on public systems created by #AI - not just #FOI but for all areas where the public interface with government. Here's a suggestion for an approach that can work for the public benefit: www.mysociety.org/2026/04/14/r...
Response to a Parliamentary question from Mike Wood about the floated change to FOI cost limits www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?q=%2...
It seems we’re at the trial balloon-floating stage of restricting FOI. My colleague Alex Parsons explains what’s being suggested, and why it’s a bad idea www.mysociety.org/2026/03/19/r...
Reducing FOI cost limits will reduce government transparency
The proposed change would narrow the scope of information rights and undermine promises of greater openness across government.
mysociety.org
A weak case for restricting FOI, broken down by my colleague @alexparsons.bsky.social . As he says, governments that think they can't afford transparency will be amazed at the corruption and inefficiency they *can* afford in its absence. Or indeed that the next government will.
Alex Parsons@alexparsons.bsky.social · 5mo agoEven by the normal standards, a very weak case being made here. Almost all of the increase relates to records moving to the National Archives. www.ft.com/content/2c34...
Ever wondered about TheyWorkForYou? Whether you have a burning question or a minor query, we'll be answering the whos, whys, whens, wheres & whats in a Reddit AMA ('ask me anything') session. Kicks off on Mon 8th Dec at 1pm - www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics... Click 'remind me' and it'll do just that!
From the ukpolitics community on Reddit: AMA: mySociety (TheyWorkForYou, WriteToThem, WhatDoTheyKnow, etc.) - Monday 8th December 2025 @ 13:00
Explore this post and more from the ukpolitics community
reddit.com
At today’s National Emergency Briefing, Chris Packham delivered a clear message: act now. Decision-makers must step up and tackle the climate crisis before it’s too late. Add your signature to the open letter to Keir Starmer. #climatecrisis #neb2025 #netzero www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-keir
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we're sharing the work we've been doing alongside @evawuk.bsky.social. Find out about a crucial data gap that is impeding understanding of violence against women & girls: www.mysociety.org/2025/11/25/a... #EVAW
We prototyped a data hub for the VAWG sector, and it’s already raising important questions
Around the world today, organisations and communities are recognising the 26th International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This is a moment to reflect on one of the most prevalent...
mysociety.org
Gain knowledge from international experts at one of our next three TICTeC Community of Practice gatherings: free and online. Full details of each, and links to join, in-thread below 👇
*Sound of trumpets* There are now more than 1.25 million public Freedom of Information requests on WhatDoTheyKnow. #FOI We launched the site back in 2008 with two goals...
Twenty five years on, key parts of the compensation scheme for post office Horizon victims are just now being put in place. In the new era of generative AI, how do we bring issues to light and address them before they create this kind of tragedy? www.publictechnology.net/2025/10/07/s...
Our transparency rules need to adapt to the rise of AI
As automated technology becomes more widely used by public bodies, and for a broader range of purposes, Louise Crow of mySociety outlines why governance rules and processes must keep pace As th...
publictechnology.net
A new House of Commons register of interests has been released and uploaded to TheyWorkForYou https://www.theyworkforyou.com/interests
Register of Interests
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
theyworkforyou.com
Going to the #OGP summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz next week? Say hello to mySociety's Chief Executive @itscrowbot.bsky.social - and don't miss our session "Designing the public participation we want in a digitized world: AI & Civic Tech" which we're running with @politicalwatch.es.
Come and work with our brilliant team! We're looking for a Business Development Manager for SocietyWorks.
SocietyWorks@societyworks.org · 11mo agoWe’re hiring a Business Development Manager (remote role, with travel requirements)! 🔔 If that sounds like something you'd be good at, we’d be thrilled to hear from you. Find all of the job info and apply by following this link (you have until 31st October!): apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/...
Whenever we speak to public servants who are keen to involve the public more on decisions about data and AI, an early subject to be raised is always: who’s already done it, and how did they do it? @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social shares some examples here. 🔗 connectedbydata.org/resources/b...
Public sector public engagement on data and AI
Whenever we speak to public servants who are keen to involve the public more on decisions about data and AI, an early subject to be raised is always: who’s already done it, and how did they do it? People are understandably keen to learn from what has already been tried. This blog/case study is part of a series exploring how public sector organisations involve the public, workers and civil society in decisions about data and AI, and some of the consequences when they do not. Read more about our work on public involvement in public sector data and AI.
connectedbydata.org
This really was a great event - do watch it back if you couldn't make it!
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 11mo agoA massive thank you to @jennacorderoy.bsky.social @benworthy.bsky.social @itscrowbot.bsky.social @lynnwyeth.bsky.social, John Edwards & Charlie Falconer (& a great audience) for a terrific and constructive discussion on FOI @instituteforgovernment.org.uk today Watch back bit.ly/IfGFoI2025
A massive thank you to @jennacorderoy.bsky.social @benworthy.bsky.social @itscrowbot.bsky.social @lynnwyeth.bsky.social, John Edwards & Charlie Falconer (& a great audience) for a terrific and constructive discussion on FOI @instituteforgovernment.org.uk today Watch back bit.ly/IfGFoI2025
The Freedom of Information Act at 25: What next for freedom of information? | Institute for Government
The event includes proposals and discussion about how the Freedom of Information system can improve for the future.
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Next Weds, I'm chairing a Freedom of Info anniversary event @instituteforgovernment.org.uk with a great line-up: @jennacorderoy.bsky.social @itscrowbot.bsky.social @benworthy.bsky.social @lynnwyeth.bsky.social John Edwards & Lord Falconer Join us! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...
The Freedom of Information Act at 25: What next for freedom of information? | Institute for Government
The event includes proposals and discussion about how the Freedom of Information system can improve for the future.
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Back from a lovely couple of weeks away, lovely to be able to share @mysociety.org's Impact Report, highlighting the important work we do using digital tools to enable people to take part in democratic decision making and civic life www.mysociety.org/files/2025/0... Highlights in thread ⬇️
Happy Birthday to @theyworkforyou.com - 21 years in, I think it's got another few hundred in it. Here's some things we've done in the last few years:
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · last yr.Happy 21st Birthday to TheyWorkForYou.com, holding our national politicians to account for their votes and their words in Parliament.
Happy 21st Birthday to TheyWorkForYou.com, holding our national politicians to account for their votes and their words in Parliament.
TheyWorkForYou: Hansard and Official Reports for the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, and Northern Ireland Assembly - done right
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
theyworkforyou.com
