Aidan O’Brien
@aidanobrien.bsky.social
Policy Researcher @edmoireland.bsky.social (all views yadda yadda yadda)
Internet Governance, Tech Regulation and Disinformation.
Would honestly rather be talking about movies.
(He/Him)
Internet Governance, Tech Regulation and Disinformation.
Would honestly rather be talking about movies.
(He/Him)
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
HAHAHA Remember Jordan’s weaponization committee?? Remember them screaming about a “censorship Industrial complex” as researchers studied how misinfo like “Vaccines contain microchips” flowed across platforms & we tried to protect public health?
We knew it at the time:
They. Were. Full. Of. Shit.
We knew it at the time:
They. Were. Full. Of. Shit.
The New York Times reports that the Department of Homeland Security has sent Google, Meta, and other media corporations subpoenas for the names on accounts that criticize ICE enforcement. The department wants to identify Americans who oppose what it’s doing. I’ll save them time.
A short note to Kristi Noem
To a current Cabinet secretary from a former one
robertreich.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:16 PM
HAHAHA Remember Jordan’s weaponization committee?? Remember them screaming about a “censorship Industrial complex” as researchers studied how misinfo like “Vaccines contain microchips” flowed across platforms & we tried to protect public health?
We knew it at the time:
They. Were. Full. Of. Shit.
We knew it at the time:
They. Were. Full. Of. Shit.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
My first piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social - a primer of sorts on Ireland’s role in EU tech regulation
Context for the year ahead, as the 2 foundations of the economy - the 2 forces that dragged post independence Ireland out of poverty - the EU & US FDI - go to war
Context for the year ahead, as the 2 foundations of the economy - the 2 forces that dragged post independence Ireland out of poverty - the EU & US FDI - go to war
Tech Policy Press fellow Liz Carolan unpacks how Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, became the EU’s chief enforcer of the Digital Services Act, now facing lawsuits from tech companies and mounting political pressure from Washington.
Why Ireland is at the Center of the Transatlantic Battle Over Digital Regulation
Coimisiún na Meán is at the center of a transatlantic clash over EU tech rules, facing US political pressure and lawsuits as it enforces the DSA.
buff.ly
February 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM
My first piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social - a primer of sorts on Ireland’s role in EU tech regulation
Context for the year ahead, as the 2 foundations of the economy - the 2 forces that dragged post independence Ireland out of poverty - the EU & US FDI - go to war
Context for the year ahead, as the 2 foundations of the economy - the 2 forces that dragged post independence Ireland out of poverty - the EU & US FDI - go to war
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Please share✨
Great opportunities for young people in Ireland.
This work experience could bring your to new places, new spaces with people from so many cultures & could change the trajectory of your life 🤩💪🏾 Give it a go!
#spéirghorm #EU #Disabled #ChronicIllness #MS #JobFairy
Great opportunities for young people in Ireland.
This work experience could bring your to new places, new spaces with people from so many cultures & could change the trajectory of your life 🤩💪🏾 Give it a go!
#spéirghorm #EU #Disabled #ChronicIllness #MS #JobFairy
We offer up to six paid traineeships each year for EU nationals with disabilities. Interested in gaining work experience at the EU Council?
🗓️ Apply by 19 March.
More info 🔗 link.europa.eu/44GyXw
🗓️ Apply by 19 March.
More info 🔗 link.europa.eu/44GyXw
February 16, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Please share✨
Great opportunities for young people in Ireland.
This work experience could bring your to new places, new spaces with people from so many cultures & could change the trajectory of your life 🤩💪🏾 Give it a go!
#spéirghorm #EU #Disabled #ChronicIllness #MS #JobFairy
Great opportunities for young people in Ireland.
This work experience could bring your to new places, new spaces with people from so many cultures & could change the trajectory of your life 🤩💪🏾 Give it a go!
#spéirghorm #EU #Disabled #ChronicIllness #MS #JobFairy
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
"Regarding truth, generative #AI is fundamentally unreliable. It does not aim at factual accuracy”
"Flawed and opaque AI systems are undermining human reasoning, eroding a cornerstone of democratic citizenship and public debate."
–Dr Eileen Culloty, DCU,
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
"Flawed and opaque AI systems are undermining human reasoning, eroding a cornerstone of democratic citizenship and public debate."
–Dr Eileen Culloty, DCU,
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
AI is undermining democracy, Oireachtas committee to hear
TDs and senators to hear that AI portals' use of online journalism without payment is leaving quality journalism 'under existential threat'
www.irishexaminer.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:04 AM
"Regarding truth, generative #AI is fundamentally unreliable. It does not aim at factual accuracy”
"Flawed and opaque AI systems are undermining human reasoning, eroding a cornerstone of democratic citizenship and public debate."
–Dr Eileen Culloty, DCU,
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
"Flawed and opaque AI systems are undermining human reasoning, eroding a cornerstone of democratic citizenship and public debate."
–Dr Eileen Culloty, DCU,
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
If children were more politically active they would be quite pissed to be told that their screen time is “the most urgent public health issue” while the largest measles outbreak since the vaccine sweeps their schools because of conspiracies that the adults in their life believed from social media.
‘It’s the most urgent public health issue’: Dr Rangan Chatterjee on screen time, mental health – and banning social media until 18
‘It’s the most urgent public health issue’: Dr Rangan Chatterjee on screen time, mental health – and banning social media until 18
The hit podcaster, author and former GP says a failure to regulate big tech is ‘failing a generation of children’. He explains why he quit the NHS and why he wants a ban on screen-based homework
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:52 AM
If children were more politically active they would be quite pissed to be told that their screen time is “the most urgent public health issue” while the largest measles outbreak since the vaccine sweeps their schools because of conspiracies that the adults in their life believed from social media.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
I’m not normally that person but….
It’s really annoying that Democracy for Sale a has hardly been credited anywhere in last 24 hours for breaking story of Labour Together paying to spy on journalists *almost two weeks* ago
Hadn’t expected Tory press office to be the exception!
It’s really annoying that Democracy for Sale a has hardly been credited anywhere in last 24 hours for breaking story of Labour Together paying to spy on journalists *almost two weeks* ago
Hadn’t expected Tory press office to be the exception!
February 16, 2026 at 8:25 AM
I’m not normally that person but….
It’s really annoying that Democracy for Sale a has hardly been credited anywhere in last 24 hours for breaking story of Labour Together paying to spy on journalists *almost two weeks* ago
Hadn’t expected Tory press office to be the exception!
It’s really annoying that Democracy for Sale a has hardly been credited anywhere in last 24 hours for breaking story of Labour Together paying to spy on journalists *almost two weeks* ago
Hadn’t expected Tory press office to be the exception!
Whatever happened to the investigation into revoking Stephen Yaxley Lennon’s Irish passport?
February 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Whatever happened to the investigation into revoking Stephen Yaxley Lennon’s Irish passport?
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
The final item of this article feels like another early rumbling of something bigger – public services are getting swamped with AI-generated complaints and appeals, often citing fictitious legal precedents etc.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
London’s got a global viral video malaise www.londoncentric.media/p/london-cri...
Londoners are sick of viral videos telling lies about their city
Plus: Victoria Park battle over All Points East, the Hackney school war that wasn't, the AI-generated parking appeal mess, and wild swimming in the River Thames.
www.londoncentric.media
February 14, 2026 at 11:28 AM
The final item of this article feels like another early rumbling of something bigger – public services are getting swamped with AI-generated complaints and appeals, often citing fictitious legal precedents etc.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
“If you’re slugging back 4 creamy pints a day you need to hear this”
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
important message i want to pass along about the creamy pint addiction - please watch if you, like many, are still slugging back 4-6 creamy pints a day 👇
February 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
“If you’re slugging back 4 creamy pints a day you need to hear this”
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
They're already preparing BTW. The important visit from the State Dept this week is not Rubio in Munich.
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
February 14, 2026 at 1:39 PM
They're already preparing BTW. The important visit from the State Dept this week is not Rubio in Munich.
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 AM
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
when the Dáil was drafting abortion legislation following the 2018 referendum, Éamon Ó Cuív called on the government to make sure the language was gender-neutral so trans people wouldn't be excluded
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
when the Dáil was drafting abortion legislation following the 2018 referendum, Éamon Ó Cuív called on the government to make sure the language was gender-neutral so trans people wouldn't be excluded
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Yeas! That! what the fuck does Glinner think the Digital Services Act (enacted in 2024) had to do with the “debate” over the Gender Recognition Act (2015)?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Yeas! That! what the fuck does Glinner think the Digital Services Act (enacted in 2024) had to do with the “debate” over the Gender Recognition Act (2015)?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Facts.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
Fun fact: I wrote a paper in college examining the media coverage of the GRA in the six months leading up to its publication.
A) Plenty of media coverage of nuanced debate.
B) The Government delayed the passing of the bill to avoid public confusion with the referendum on SSM...
A) Plenty of media coverage of nuanced debate.
B) The Government delayed the passing of the bill to avoid public confusion with the referendum on SSM...
February 13, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Facts.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
A forensic look on X suggests the wrongful claim about Alan Shatter and Jeffrey Epstein - subsequently shared by Gary Gannon TD, who has now paid damages - was first posted by a little-known ‘news outlet’ solely sharing ethnonationalist content
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
February 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
A forensic look on X suggests the wrongful claim about Alan Shatter and Jeffrey Epstein - subsequently shared by Gary Gannon TD, who has now paid damages - was first posted by a little-known ‘news outlet’ solely sharing ethnonationalist content
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
civil society and right groups orgs that often keep a tab on and organise campaigns against these evil corporations are overstretched and underfunded. this internal memo from Meta is insidious and sickening
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
civil society and right groups orgs that often keep a tab on and organise campaigns against these evil corporations are overstretched and underfunded. this internal memo from Meta is insidious and sickening
When your name is all over the Epstein files, but you don’t want your reputation tarnished by being associated with Glinner
February 13, 2026 at 1:56 PM
When your name is all over the Epstein files, but you don’t want your reputation tarnished by being associated with Glinner
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
By lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap, delaying funding for public transport that has planning permission and opening the door to commercial LNG, Minister @darraghobrientd.bsky.social's message to his constituents seems to be: prepare for much more climate chaos.
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
Commuters disrupted as north Dublin hit by heavy rain
Follow developments as flooding is being reported in parts of the capital, with north Dublin particularly impacted.
www.rte.ie
February 13, 2026 at 10:33 AM
By lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap, delaying funding for public transport that has planning permission and opening the door to commercial LNG, Minister @darraghobrientd.bsky.social's message to his constituents seems to be: prepare for much more climate chaos.
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Mise ag an am seo.
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Mise ag an am seo.