Corbin Barthold
@corbinkbarthold.bsky.social
Husband and father. Internet Policy Counsel @techfreedom.org. Host of the Tech Policy Podcast. Just 'cause you're hungry doesn't mean that you're lean.
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
I’m teaching child safety cases to my class today, and it’s super hard to distill down key points in the deluge. But maybe I’ll just start by quoting @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social.
“‘having lawyers get up and give speech contests in front of a jury’ is one of the worst ways he can imagine of settling the scientific disputes about social media and its effects on mental health.” — @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Can Instagram Ruin Your Life? The Jury Will Decide.
The first in a wave of legal cases alleging that social media is dangerously addictive is now on trial.
www.theatlantic.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:26 PM
I’m teaching child safety cases to my class today, and it’s super hard to distill down key points in the deluge. But maybe I’ll just start by quoting @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social.
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
What does meaningful work look like in a world of genius machines?
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Brent Orrell (AEI) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social explore and debate how AI will disrupt the job market.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/429...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Brent Orrell (AEI) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social explore and debate how AI will disrupt the job market.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/429...
February 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM
What does meaningful work look like in a world of genius machines?
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Brent Orrell (AEI) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social explore and debate how AI will disrupt the job market.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/429...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Brent Orrell (AEI) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social explore and debate how AI will disrupt the job market.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/429...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
“‘having lawyers get up and give speech contests in front of a jury’ is one of the worst ways he can imagine of settling the scientific disputes about social media and its effects on mental health.” — @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Can Instagram Ruin Your Life? The Jury Will Decide.
The first in a wave of legal cases alleging that social media is dangerously addictive is now on trial.
www.theatlantic.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:14 PM
“‘having lawyers get up and give speech contests in front of a jury’ is one of the worst ways he can imagine of settling the scientific disputes about social media and its effects on mental health.” — @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Nothing says "there will be no technical glitches with age verification so need to worry about privacy!" like the guy from the age verification trade association being surprised when each new slide he shows starts playing music while a small dog yaps incessantly in the background
January 28, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Nothing says "there will be no technical glitches with age verification so need to worry about privacy!" like the guy from the age verification trade association being surprised when each new slide he shows starts playing music while a small dog yaps incessantly in the background
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
LIVE today: FTC Age Verification Workshop. I'll livestream commentary here, starting at 9 ET/6 PT
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
January 28, 2026 at 1:56 PM
LIVE today: FTC Age Verification Workshop. I'll livestream commentary here, starting at 9 ET/6 PT
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
www.ftc.gov/news-events/...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Relax, they just want the discretion to reward friends and punish enemies.
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Thom Lambert (Mizzou Law) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Trump II administration’s new right antitrust regulators.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/428...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Thom Lambert (Mizzou Law) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Trump II administration’s new right antitrust regulators.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/428...
January 28, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Relax, they just want the discretion to reward friends and punish enemies.
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Thom Lambert (Mizzou Law) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Trump II administration’s new right antitrust regulators.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/428...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Thom Lambert (Mizzou Law) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Trump II administration’s new right antitrust regulators.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/428...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
5 year old at bedtime: “You‘re the best dad ever. I hope you never die. But you will.”
January 22, 2026 at 12:35 AM
5 year old at bedtime: “You‘re the best dad ever. I hope you never die. But you will.”
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Wrote about Rand Paul totally flipping his position on Section 230... because someone was mean to him on the internet. But also, he's blatantly violating the law he himself proposed to make it illegal for gov't employees to demand internet companies remove any content.
Rand Paul Only Wants Google To Be The Arbiter Of Truth When The Videos Are About Him
Just a year and a half ago, Senator Rand Paul sponsored a bill that would make it illegal for federal government employees to ask internet companies to remove any speech. Now, in a NY Post op-ed, Paul proudly…
Just a year and a half ago, Senator Rand Paul sponsored a bill that would make it illegal for federal government employees to ask internet companies to remove any speech. Now, in a NY Post op-ed, Paul proudly…
Rand Paul Only Wants Google To Be The Arbiter Of Truth When The Videos Are About Him
Just a year and a half ago, Senator Rand Paul sponsored a bill that would make it illegal for federal government employees to ask internet companies to remove any speech. Now, in a NY Post op-ed, Paul proudly announces that he did exactly that—formally contacting Google executives to demand they remove a video he didn't like. The video apparently (falsely) claims Paul took money from Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan President the US recently kidnapped.
www.techdirt.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Wrote about Rand Paul totally flipping his position on Section 230... because someone was mean to him on the internet. But also, he's blatantly violating the law he himself proposed to make it illegal for gov't employees to demand internet companies remove any content.
You should maybe look at this piece bc it has my thoughts on a hypocritical (possibly theocratic?) FTC commissioner named Mark Meader.
But you should definitely look at it bc I convinced @mmasnick.bsky.social to put a picture (!) on top of a Techdirt article.
www.techdirt.com/2026/01/20/c...
But you should definitely look at it bc I convinced @mmasnick.bsky.social to put a picture (!) on top of a Techdirt article.
www.techdirt.com/2026/01/20/c...
Can You Trust Mark Meador?
The FTC remains politicized. One commissioner is leading the way—when it suits him. The Federal Trade Commission under Lina Khan was not a well-run institution. I wrote about this at the time, ofte…
www.techdirt.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:32 PM
You should maybe look at this piece bc it has my thoughts on a hypocritical (possibly theocratic?) FTC commissioner named Mark Meader.
But you should definitely look at it bc I convinced @mmasnick.bsky.social to put a picture (!) on top of a Techdirt article.
www.techdirt.com/2026/01/20/c...
But you should definitely look at it bc I convinced @mmasnick.bsky.social to put a picture (!) on top of a Techdirt article.
www.techdirt.com/2026/01/20/c...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
It is fair to say that @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social and I don't always see eye to eye, but I think he's dead on with this one.
open.substack.com/pub/corbinkb...
open.substack.com/pub/corbinkb...
Can You Trust Mark Meador?
The FTC remains politicized. One commissioner is leading the way—when it suits him.
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:26 PM
It is fair to say that @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social and I don't always see eye to eye, but I think he's dead on with this one.
open.substack.com/pub/corbinkb...
open.substack.com/pub/corbinkb...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
This is a must-read from friend of the show @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social about the state of the FTC (not great, Bob!) and the hypocritical balls-and-strikes, finger-wagging rhetoric coming from one of its most politicized actors.
Go check it out!
corbinkbarthold.substack.com/p/can-you-tr...
Go check it out!
corbinkbarthold.substack.com/p/can-you-tr...
Can You Trust Mark Meador?
The FTC remains politicized. One commissioner is leading the way—when it suits him.
corbinkbarthold.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM
This is a must-read from friend of the show @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social about the state of the FTC (not great, Bob!) and the hypocritical balls-and-strikes, finger-wagging rhetoric coming from one of its most politicized actors.
Go check it out!
corbinkbarthold.substack.com/p/can-you-tr...
Go check it out!
corbinkbarthold.substack.com/p/can-you-tr...
🚨 SO MUCH STATE TECH POLICY 🚨
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, Scott Babwah Brennan, director of NYU’s Center on Technology Policy, breaks down how states are shaping the regulatory landscape on AI, child online safety, data privacy, and more.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/427...
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/427...
January 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
🚨 SO MUCH STATE TECH POLICY 🚨
Ring in the new year with (what else?) a tech policy podcast. (Ahem, *the* Tech Policy Podcast.)
First: Some thoughts from me on the tech + kids moral panic.
Then: We revisit an epic 2025 episode on age verification, featuring the great @ericgoldman.bsky.social.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
First: Some thoughts from me on the tech + kids moral panic.
Then: We revisit an epic 2025 episode on age verification, featuring the great @ericgoldman.bsky.social.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
New Year’s Message / From the Vault: Age Verification
Podcast Episode · Tech Policy Podcast · 12/29/2025 · Bonus · 1h 11m
podcasts.apple.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Ring in the new year with (what else?) a tech policy podcast. (Ahem, *the* Tech Policy Podcast.)
First: Some thoughts from me on the tech + kids moral panic.
Then: We revisit an epic 2025 episode on age verification, featuring the great @ericgoldman.bsky.social.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
First: Some thoughts from me on the tech + kids moral panic.
Then: We revisit an epic 2025 episode on age verification, featuring the great @ericgoldman.bsky.social.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
🇦🇺: 67% support the new legal ban on all social media for minors under 16 BUT only 29% will actually enforce that for their own kids
“Bans for thee and thine, but not for me and mine!”🤦♂️
“Bans for thee and thine, but not for me and mine!”🤦♂️
December 19, 2025 at 4:09 AM
🇦🇺: 67% support the new legal ban on all social media for minors under 16 BUT only 29% will actually enforce that for their own kids
“Bans for thee and thine, but not for me and mine!”🤦♂️
“Bans for thee and thine, but not for me and mine!”🤦♂️
Attention Internet law nerds!
The legendary Pamela Samuelson joined me this week to talk about Cox v. Sony -- a SCOTUS case in which Internet access is under threat from rampaging copyright law.
It was an honor to have her on the show. Do check it out.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
The legendary Pamela Samuelson joined me this week to talk about Cox v. Sony -- a SCOTUS case in which Internet access is under threat from rampaging copyright law.
It was an honor to have her on the show. Do check it out.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
426: Copyright v. The Internet
Podcast Episode · Tech Policy Podcast · 12/11/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Attention Internet law nerds!
The legendary Pamela Samuelson joined me this week to talk about Cox v. Sony -- a SCOTUS case in which Internet access is under threat from rampaging copyright law.
It was an honor to have her on the show. Do check it out.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
The legendary Pamela Samuelson joined me this week to talk about Cox v. Sony -- a SCOTUS case in which Internet access is under threat from rampaging copyright law.
It was an honor to have her on the show. Do check it out.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
New Tech Policy Podcast!
@pamelasamuelson.bsky.social (UC Berkeley) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Supreme Court oral argument in Cox v. Sony, a copyright case that could have major ramifications for the internet.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/426...
@pamelasamuelson.bsky.social (UC Berkeley) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Supreme Court oral argument in Cox v. Sony, a copyright case that could have major ramifications for the internet.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/426...
December 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New Tech Policy Podcast!
@pamelasamuelson.bsky.social (UC Berkeley) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Supreme Court oral argument in Cox v. Sony, a copyright case that could have major ramifications for the internet.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/426...
@pamelasamuelson.bsky.social (UC Berkeley) and @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social discuss the Supreme Court oral argument in Cox v. Sony, a copyright case that could have major ramifications for the internet.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/426...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Two amazing First Amendment litigation spots are open at Protect Democracy. Deadline is December 7th.
This is someone's dream job and they may not know about it, so please send to good lawyers you know!
protectdemocracy.recruitee.com/o/counsel-fi...
This is someone's dream job and they may not know about it, so please send to good lawyers you know!
protectdemocracy.recruitee.com/o/counsel-fi...
Protect Democracy - Counsel, First Amendment | Protect Democracy
Protect Democracy is hiring for an attorney experienced with First Amendment law help ensure that communities can continue to speak out and engage politically.
protectdemocracy.recruitee.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Two amazing First Amendment litigation spots are open at Protect Democracy. Deadline is December 7th.
This is someone's dream job and they may not know about it, so please send to good lawyers you know!
protectdemocracy.recruitee.com/o/counsel-fi...
This is someone's dream job and they may not know about it, so please send to good lawyers you know!
protectdemocracy.recruitee.com/o/counsel-fi...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Hey folks: this morning we're launching a monthlong fundraiser for @techdirt.com. Over the last year, we've been steadfast in not self-censoring, not capitulating, not sanewashing bullshit. But that's come at a cost. And we need help: rtb.techdirt.com/products/fri...
Friend Of Techdirt
Get an Insider Badge on your profile
rtb.techdirt.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Hey folks: this morning we're launching a monthlong fundraiser for @techdirt.com. Over the last year, we've been steadfast in not self-censoring, not capitulating, not sanewashing bullshit. But that's come at a cost. And we need help: rtb.techdirt.com/products/fri...
In which Mike Masnick and I have a long talk about the state of social media, and Mike still finds a way to wrap things up with a note of optimism.
Crossover time!
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
December 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
In which Mike Masnick and I have a long talk about the state of social media, and Mike still finds a way to wrap things up with a note of optimism.
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Crossover time!
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
December 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Crossover time!
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social heads over to the @techdirt.com Podcast, hosted by the one and only @mmasnick.bsky.social, for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of social media.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/425...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
This is, of course, a fascinating thread from Kate asking why Google is effectively cannibalizing its own market for both digital ads on third party properties and search ads, by effectively taking away the incentive to click through to third party sites. I have a theory as to why they're doing it.
So this ad revenue metric is indicative of such a fascinating and weird set of business decisions by Google to inexplicably kill of SEO-- and I honestly don't get how they think this is going to pay off for them in the long run.
🧵
1/
🧵
1/
Stereogum says Google's switch to AI Overviews reduced its ad revenue by *70 percent* www.theverge.com/entertainmen...
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This is, of course, a fascinating thread from Kate asking why Google is effectively cannibalizing its own market for both digital ads on third party properties and search ads, by effectively taking away the incentive to click through to third party sites. I have a theory as to why they're doing it.
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
They promised us free speech—but all they’ve given us is hypocrisy!
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @aricohn.com (@thefireorg.bsky.social) and host @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social survey the Trump administration’s many attacks on the First Amendment.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/423...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @aricohn.com (@thefireorg.bsky.social) and host @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social survey the Trump administration’s many attacks on the First Amendment.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/423...
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
They promised us free speech—but all they’ve given us is hypocrisy!
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @aricohn.com (@thefireorg.bsky.social) and host @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social survey the Trump administration’s many attacks on the First Amendment.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/423...
On a new Tech Policy Podcast, @aricohn.com (@thefireorg.bsky.social) and host @corbinkbarthold.bsky.social survey the Trump administration’s many attacks on the First Amendment.
podcast.techfreedom.org/episodes/423...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
I couldn’t be more delighted to announce that I’ve accepted an offer to join the faculty of Tulane Law School. law.tulane.edu/news/tulane-...
Tulane Law Welcomes Professor Brian Frye to the Faculty
Tulane University Law School News
law.tulane.edu
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I couldn’t be more delighted to announce that I’ve accepted an offer to join the faculty of Tulane Law School. law.tulane.edu/news/tulane-...
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
Uh, we've literally gone to bat for countless students protesting against Israel's actions in Gaza.
Immense money? Do you know how nonprofits work? I could easily be making 3-4x as much, at a minimum, in private practice.
Immense money? Do you know how nonprofits work? I could easily be making 3-4x as much, at a minimum, in private practice.
November 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Uh, we've literally gone to bat for countless students protesting against Israel's actions in Gaza.
Immense money? Do you know how nonprofits work? I could easily be making 3-4x as much, at a minimum, in private practice.
Immense money? Do you know how nonprofits work? I could easily be making 3-4x as much, at a minimum, in private practice.
Reposted by Corbin Barthold
This is so unhinged.
And he wondered why I thought they were taking up the campus drag ban case in Texas to purposely get bad precedent in the 5th Circuit. I don't trust these people. They hate trans folks and think our existence is one of the greatest impingements on free speech ever. It's pure hatred.
November 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
This is so unhinged.