Alec Muffett
@alecmuffett.bsky.social
everybody deserves good security.
https://alecmuffett.com/about
https://alecmuffett.com/about
Proposal: British people should be able to sue any MP or former-MP who made promises in support of #Brexit which were later found to be either inaccurate or not delivered.
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
Well this is misconceived and is going to end badly, if it goes anywhere at all. Perhaps the British people ought to be able to sue members of parliament for losses caused by legislation?
alecmuffett.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Proposal: British people should be able to sue any MP or former-MP who made promises in support of #Brexit which were later found to be either inaccurate or not delivered.
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Which version of national security is more important:
The one that would mandate secure software by law with the threat of fines for failing adhere the rules, or the current one requiring software be made insecure by order of the Home Secretary with the threat of prison for failing to comply?
The one that would mandate secure software by law with the threat of fines for failing adhere the rules, or the current one requiring software be made insecure by order of the Home Secretary with the threat of prison for failing to comply?
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
Well this is misconceived and is going to end badly, if it goes anywhere at all. Perhaps the British people ought to be able to sue members of parliament for losses caused by legislation?
alecmuffett.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Which version of national security is more important:
The one that would mandate secure software by law with the threat of fines for failing adhere the rules, or the current one requiring software be made insecure by order of the Home Secretary with the threat of prison for failing to comply?
The one that would mandate secure software by law with the threat of fines for failing adhere the rules, or the current one requiring software be made insecure by order of the Home Secretary with the threat of prison for failing to comply?
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
Well this is misconceived and is going to end badly, if it goes anywhere at all. Perhaps the British people ought to be able to sue members of parliament for losses caused by legislation?
alecmuffett.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Software companies must be held liable for British economic security, say MPs | The Record
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
https://alecmuffett.com/article/127856
#BrokenRecord #liability #software
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Woah.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Woah.
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Daily Mail owner DMGT has just signed a deal to buy the Telegraph, which would unite the UK’s two strongest right-wing papers under one owner.
It will almost certainly trigger a competition probe. Another major moment coming for Lisa Nandy as culture secretary.
It will almost certainly trigger a competition probe. Another major moment coming for Lisa Nandy as culture secretary.
Daily Mail owner strikes £500mn deal for Telegraph on.ft.com/3JSdIFj
Daily Mail owner strikes £500mn deal for Telegraph
Tie-up would create one of the most powerful right-leaning media groups in Britain
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Daily Mail owner DMGT has just signed a deal to buy the Telegraph, which would unite the UK’s two strongest right-wing papers under one owner.
It will almost certainly trigger a competition probe. Another major moment coming for Lisa Nandy as culture secretary.
It will almost certainly trigger a competition probe. Another major moment coming for Lisa Nandy as culture secretary.
WANTED: Nintendo Switch 2 game recommendations (especially 2p co-op) where Player 2 is a 4yo protogeek
November 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
WANTED: Nintendo Switch 2 game recommendations (especially 2p co-op) where Player 2 is a 4yo protogeek
They are *so* close to getting it.
While that's been true for a while, this week marks a change: European lawmakers like @alexandrageese.bsky.social are no longer alone in arguing that regulating Big Tech isn't enough, and that building better alternatives are possible.
The more people use Bluesky, the clearer that argument becomes
The more people use Bluesky, the clearer that argument becomes
November 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
They are *so* close to getting it.
“Key Management” is the cryptographic community’s version of “…it’s always DNS”
https://alecmuffett.com/article/126061
#cryptography #iacr
https://alecmuffett.com/article/126061
#cryptography #iacr
“Key Management” is the cryptographic community’s version of “…it’s always DNS”
International Association for Cryptologic Research runs secure vote and then loses the keys so nobody knows what the result is. As one commenter put it: “So a single member can collude to res…
alecmuffett.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“Key Management” is the cryptographic community’s version of “…it’s always DNS”
https://alecmuffett.com/article/126061
#cryptography #iacr
https://alecmuffett.com/article/126061
#cryptography #iacr
I know it’s hard for folk to detach themselves from emotion regarding child protection, hate speech or trolling, but it’s important to understand that Ofcom’s duty to deliver online safety is incipient[…]
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125978
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125978
I know it’s hard for folk to detach themselves from emotion regarding child protection, hate speech or trolling, but it’s important to understand that Ofcom’s duty to deliver online safety is incipient censorship
Excellent post here from Preston Byrne, full text attached below for those without X accounts. This is not right-wing American bombast or imperialism, this is just them wanting to be left alone as …
alecmuffett.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM
I know it’s hard for folk to detach themselves from emotion regarding child protection, hate speech or trolling, but it’s important to understand that Ofcom’s duty to deliver online safety is incipient[…]
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125978
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125978
In Case You Missed It This Week: Ofcom, pursuing its lawful duties, is about to drive the UK over a cliff and into online censorship; here’s how…
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125827
#AgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125827
#AgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpn
In Case You Missed It This Week: Ofcom, pursuing its lawful duties, is about to drive the UK over a cliff and into online censorship; here’s how…
Here’s how Ofcom will bring about censorship in the UK; it will… 1/ declare itself (truthfully) to be acting on behalf of the UK sovereign government… Ofcom has claimed it has “sovereign immu…
alecmuffett.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 AM
In Case You Missed It This Week: Ofcom, pursuing its lawful duties, is about to drive the UK over a cliff and into online censorship; here’s how…
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125827
#AgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125827
#AgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpn
I asked ChatGPT to explain why Ofcom, acting as an agent of the sovereign UK Government, cannot enforce penalties or sanctions in the USA against 4chan &al
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125617
#1StAmendment #4chan #FreeSpeech #censorship #ofcom #popcorn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125617
#1StAmendment #4chan #FreeSpeech #censorship #ofcom #popcorn
I asked ChatGPT to explain why Ofcom, acting as an agent of the sovereign UK Government, cannot enforce penalties or sanctions in the USA against 4chan &al
If Ofcom clarifies its role as an agency of a sovereign government, this is what happens next: Good, now we’re in the domain where the constraints become absolute rather than merely procedural. And…
alecmuffett.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I asked ChatGPT to explain why Ofcom, acting as an agent of the sovereign UK Government, cannot enforce penalties or sanctions in the USA against 4chan &al
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125617
#1StAmendment #4chan #FreeSpeech #censorship #ofcom #popcorn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125617
#1StAmendment #4chan #FreeSpeech #censorship #ofcom #popcorn
“MPs and peers warned of China spy risk on LinkedIn” | Translation: “Horny / Lazy Spooks Targeted by Fake Hot Chinese Girls via LinkedIn, GCHQ Panic”
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125547
#nerds #spies
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125547
#nerds #spies
“MPs and peers warned of China spy risk on LinkedIn” | Translation: “Horny / Lazy Spooks Targeted by Fake Hot Chinese Girls via LinkedIn, GCHQ Panic”
Hot Asian Women Seek Fun In Cheltenham: The MI5 alert identifies two LinkedIn profiles … used on behalf of … Chinese MSS … “actively reaching out to individuals in our community” … to &…
alecmuffett.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
“MPs and peers warned of China spy risk on LinkedIn” | Translation: “Horny / Lazy Spooks Targeted by Fake Hot Chinese Girls via LinkedIn, GCHQ Panic”
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125547
#nerds #spies
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125547
#nerds #spies
“‘We’re Going to DESTROY the Online Safety Act’: Meet the Top Lawyer Waging War on Ofcom” | OrderOrder | …it’s an interesting thesis that…
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125515
#4chan #EdgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpns
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125515
#4chan #EdgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpns
“‘We’re Going to DESTROY the Online Safety Act’: Meet the Top Lawyer Waging War on Ofcom” | OrderOrder | …it’s an interesting thesis that…
…the credibility of the online safety act now hinges upon its (in)ability to make Britain the safest place to be online, by virtue of inability to effectively sanction the rest of the world. Instea…
alecmuffett.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
“‘We’re Going to DESTROY the Online Safety Act’: Meet the Top Lawyer Waging War on Ofcom” | OrderOrder | …it’s an interesting thesis that…
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125515
#4chan #EdgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpns
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125515
#4chan #EdgeVerification #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #censorship #ofcom #surveillance #vpns
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Which of this three is not like the other?
(Muffet with the spoiler, but *still*, yiii)
(Muffet with the spoiler, but *still*, yiii)
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Which of this three is not like the other?
(Muffet with the spoiler, but *still*, yiii)
(Muffet with the spoiler, but *still*, yiii)
The simple test that blew up the FTC’s case against Meta | …absolutely fascinating read re: puncturing wild claims of “monopoly” in social networking
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125080
#dsa #interoperability #meta #monopoly
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125080
#dsa #interoperability #meta #monopoly
The simple test that blew up the FTC’s case against Meta | …absolutely fascinating read re: puncturing wild claims of “monopoly” in social networking
I wish we did something similar in the EU re: interoperability: In the end, it was a simple experiment that undid the FTC’s case. To determine whether Meta held a monopoly, Meta hired an expert to …
alecmuffett.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The simple test that blew up the FTC’s case against Meta | …absolutely fascinating read re: puncturing wild claims of “monopoly” in social networking
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125080
#dsa #interoperability #meta #monopoly
https://alecmuffett.com/article/125080
#dsa #interoperability #meta #monopoly
I'm frankly astonished at the number of people who read "Trump demands <thing>" and instantly, reflexively say it's terrible.
Clarity: like the UK's Ofcom, the Australian e-safety commissioner has been trying to get American websites in the USA to censor themselves on behalf of Australian Gov't:
Clarity: like the UK's Ofcom, the Australian e-safety commissioner has been trying to get American websites in the USA to censor themselves on behalf of Australian Gov't:
Australia: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant called to testify before US Congress by Donald Trump ally over ‘threat’ to Americans’ free speech | Sky News
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
Australia: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant called to testify before US Congress by Donald Trump ally over ‘threat’ to Americans’ free speech | Sky News
Chickens coming home to roost: Sky News has obtained a bombshell letter from a US House of Representatives committee chairman and ally of President Donald Trump accusing eSafety Commissioner Julie …
alecmuffett.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I'm frankly astonished at the number of people who read "Trump demands <thing>" and instantly, reflexively say it's terrible.
Clarity: like the UK's Ofcom, the Australian e-safety commissioner has been trying to get American websites in the USA to censor themselves on behalf of Australian Gov't:
Clarity: like the UK's Ofcom, the Australian e-safety commissioner has been trying to get American websites in the USA to censor themselves on behalf of Australian Gov't:
Interesting to compare and contrast EU attempts to force chat control, with failed Australian attempt at the same from 2024:
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124507
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #EuropeanUnion #australia #censorship #encryption #surveillance
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124507
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #EuropeanUnion #australia #censorship #encryption #surveillance
Interesting to compare and contrast EU attempts to force chat control, with failed Australian attempt at the same from 2024:
2024 Australia: In November, the eSafety commissioner announced draft standards that would require the operators of cloud and messaging services to detect and remove known child abuse and pro-terro…
alecmuffett.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Interesting to compare and contrast EU attempts to force chat control, with failed Australian attempt at the same from 2024:
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124507
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #EuropeanUnion #australia #censorship #encryption #surveillance
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124507
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #EuropeanUnion #australia #censorship #encryption #surveillance
Australia: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant called to testify before US Congress by Donald Trump ally over ‘threat’ to Americans’ free speech | Sky News
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
Australia: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant called to testify before US Congress by Donald Trump ally over ‘threat’ to Americans’ free speech | Sky News
Chickens coming home to roost: Sky News has obtained a bombshell letter from a US House of Representatives committee chairman and ally of President Donald Trump accusing eSafety Commissioner Julie …
alecmuffett.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Australia: eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant called to testify before US Congress by Donald Trump ally over ‘threat’ to Americans’ free speech | Sky News
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
https://alecmuffett.com/article/124487
Reposted by Alec Muffett
The long running HOPE hacking conference just got banned from its current venue because someone told the university the conference had an “anti-police agenda.” Based it seems on a single pamphlet?
www.404media.co/hope-hacking...
www.404media.co/hope-hacking...
HOPE Hacking Conference Banned From University Venue Over Apparent ‘Anti-Police Agenda’
"The lack of due process on its own is extremely disturbing," the conference said.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The long running HOPE hacking conference just got banned from its current venue because someone told the university the conference had an “anti-police agenda.” Based it seems on a single pamphlet?
www.404media.co/hope-hacking...
www.404media.co/hope-hacking...
Part of the problem with the British approach to regulating the internet is that it follows the British constitutional approach of "everything is allowed unless it's forbidden, but we're a bit hazy on the details so the judges will sort it out".
This has consequences:
This has consequences:
The difference between British regulation vs: American regulation: Rat Shit in Food vs: CSAM
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
The difference between British regulation vs: American regulation: Rat Shit in Food vs: CSAM
US regulation is binary: FDA permits 9ppm of rat droppings in flour, realising it’s inevitable. You are within limits, yes or no? UK regulation is analogue: banning any & all poop in expe…
alecmuffett.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Part of the problem with the British approach to regulating the internet is that it follows the British constitutional approach of "everything is allowed unless it's forbidden, but we're a bit hazy on the details so the judges will sort it out".
This has consequences:
This has consequences:
The difference between British regulation vs: American regulation: Rat Shit in Food vs: CSAM
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
The difference between British regulation vs: American regulation: Rat Shit in Food vs: CSAM
US regulation is binary: FDA permits 9ppm of rat droppings in flour, realising it’s inevitable. You are within limits, yes or no? UK regulation is analogue: banning any & all poop in expe…
alecmuffett.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The difference between British regulation vs: American regulation: Rat Shit in Food vs: CSAM
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
https://alecmuffett.com/article/123236
#AgeVerification #IanRussell #LiberaChat #OnlineSafety #OnlineSafetyAct #PrestonByrne #censorship #surveillance #vpn
Reposted by Alec Muffett
In case you're not familiar with the name, Cellebrite are a notorious provider of tooling to break into people's phones on behalf of law enforcement, with commensurate amounts of concern from civil society.
www.theverge.com/24199357/fbi...
www.theverge.com/24199357/fbi...
It’s never been easier for the cops to break into your phone
The FBI says it “gained access” to the Trump rally shooter’s phone just two days later.
www.theverge.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:07 PM
In case you're not familiar with the name, Cellebrite are a notorious provider of tooling to break into people's phones on behalf of law enforcement, with commensurate amounts of concern from civil society.
www.theverge.com/24199357/fbi...
www.theverge.com/24199357/fbi...
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Reposted by Alec Muffett
Ooooh, that's a good question. I don't have anything pre-assembled and I don't think I'll have the time to try to narrow my own enormous list, but Mike Masnick at Techdirt has written extensively (and very readably) about the issue: www.techdirt.com/tag/content-...
content moderation at scale – Techdirt
Posts about content moderation at scale written by Techdirt
www.techdirt.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Ooooh, that's a good question. I don't have anything pre-assembled and I don't think I'll have the time to try to narrow my own enormous list, but Mike Masnick at Techdirt has written extensively (and very readably) about the issue: www.techdirt.com/tag/content-...