Erik Bugge
@erikbugge.bsky.social
CEO and founder of privacy adtech company Kobler (kobler.no/en).
Building adtech and policy for (in all senses) sustainable digital advertising.
Building adtech and policy for (in all senses) sustainable digital advertising.
Pinned
As we write in The Guardian this morning, the Commission’s plan to gut EU digital rules will hurt Europe’s startups and give U.S. tech an unassailable advantage, confirming Europe as a digital vassal.
Piece by George Riekeles and I.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Piece by George Riekeles and I.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
The GDPR is Europe’s defence against digital oligarchy and child harm. Deregulation plans are misguided, say Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
www.theguardian.com
I don't think the Commission understands how much this attack on the GDPR will hurt innovation done by European companies, and instead cement Google's and Meta's position as the inescapable middle-men and turn our SMEs into their cash-cows. WAKE UP!
Reposted by Erik Bugge
"Thoma Bravo, the private equity fund that owns RealPage, hired well-connected lobbyists Ballard Partners, where Pam Bondi and a bunch of Trumpers used to work. So we know what happened next…" www.thebignewsletter.com/p/an-odd-set...
November 26, 2025 at 5:26 AM
"Thoma Bravo, the private equity fund that owns RealPage, hired well-connected lobbyists Ballard Partners, where Pam Bondi and a bunch of Trumpers used to work. So we know what happened next…" www.thebignewsletter.com/p/an-odd-set...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
The fight against surveillance must include infrastructure that enables it. We can’t just oppose collection we must also fight storage, analysis, corporate relationships…
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
November 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The fight against surveillance must include infrastructure that enables it. We can’t just oppose collection we must also fight storage, analysis, corporate relationships…
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
As someone writing a book on the history of government data storage and its harms, I’ll say that people in the past knew this!
This does sound like a promise, right?
Will you also make sure to restore competition in the advertising market, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu, so that European publishers and innovative companies are allowed to flourish?
Will you also make sure to restore competition in the advertising market, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu, so that European publishers and innovative companies are allowed to flourish?
The European digital rule-book is not up for negotiation.
We, Europeans, have adopted our rules to ensure fair markets and to protect consumers rights while backing Europe’s digital future.
It’s our duty to preserve our values and to defend our people. 🇪🇺
We, Europeans, have adopted our rules to ensure fair markets and to protect consumers rights while backing Europe’s digital future.
It’s our duty to preserve our values and to defend our people. 🇪🇺
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This does sound like a promise, right?
Will you also make sure to restore competition in the advertising market, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu, so that European publishers and innovative companies are allowed to flourish?
Will you also make sure to restore competition in the advertising market, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu, so that European publishers and innovative companies are allowed to flourish?
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Such decisions "reinforce the tech industry’s sense of impunity — its belief that it is an untouchable sovereign above the control of any mere human" and with that Weltanschauung they come to Europe 😱 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | The Bad Reasoning in the Meta Antitrust Ruling Isn’t Even the Worst Part
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Such decisions "reinforce the tech industry’s sense of impunity — its belief that it is an untouchable sovereign above the control of any mere human" and with that Weltanschauung they come to Europe 😱 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
The video of the #EuroskyLive morning sessions is up! You'll find time to jump to specific sessions in the description.
Featuring, among others @robin.berjon.com @seabass.bsky.social @gaurivangulik.bsky.social @alexandrageese.bsky.social @geurkink.bsky.social
vimeo.com/1140026673?s...
Featuring, among others @robin.berjon.com @seabass.bsky.social @gaurivangulik.bsky.social @alexandrageese.bsky.social @geurkink.bsky.social
vimeo.com/1140026673?s...
Eurosky Live: Berlin 2025 - morning sessions
Eurosky Live: Berlin 2025 brought together policymakers, media leaders, investors, and founders to explore how open infrastructure can enable European innovation.…
vimeo.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The video of the #EuroskyLive morning sessions is up! You'll find time to jump to specific sessions in the description.
Featuring, among others @robin.berjon.com @seabass.bsky.social @gaurivangulik.bsky.social @alexandrageese.bsky.social @geurkink.bsky.social
vimeo.com/1140026673?s...
Featuring, among others @robin.berjon.com @seabass.bsky.social @gaurivangulik.bsky.social @alexandrageese.bsky.social @geurkink.bsky.social
vimeo.com/1140026673?s...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
This isn't the largest data leak in history, but it's up there.
I'm sure that the DPC, Ireland's data protection agency, already has a crisis team urgently looking at ways to do nothing about this.
I'm sure that the DPC, Ireland's data protection agency, already has a crisis team urgently looking at ways to do nothing about this.
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
This isn't the largest data leak in history, but it's up there.
I'm sure that the DPC, Ireland's data protection agency, already has a crisis team urgently looking at ways to do nothing about this.
I'm sure that the DPC, Ireland's data protection agency, already has a crisis team urgently looking at ways to do nothing about this.
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Wow, how useful this is! We can now use the same AI that drives climate change and contributes to "extreme events"... to model and prepare for disasters! 🤦♀️
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Statement by President von der Leyen at the G20 Summit, Session III: A Fair and a Just Future for All
Dear Cyril, you introduced us to philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are”. It applies well to how the European Union sees the future of AI, namely as fueling a collective well-being for all, throug
ec.europa.eu
November 24, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Wow, how useful this is! We can now use the same AI that drives climate change and contributes to "extreme events"... to model and prepare for disasters! 🤦♀️
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
This is *amazing*. This goes straight to Deceptive Design Hall of Shame.
They made a "take a break" nudge that has no obvious "ok, I'll take a break" affordance. Its three affordances are:
1) Keep chatting (default, highlighted)
2) x out — keeps chatting
3) "This was helpful" — what is this?
🧵
They made a "take a break" nudge that has no obvious "ok, I'll take a break" affordance. Its three affordances are:
1) Keep chatting (default, highlighted)
2) x out — keeps chatting
3) "This was helpful" — what is this?
🧵
One of the changes that OpenAI has made to make ChatGPT safer is a "take a break" nudge. There's something quite interesting about the design here. Which thing does it make you want to click?
November 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This is *amazing*. This goes straight to Deceptive Design Hall of Shame.
They made a "take a break" nudge that has no obvious "ok, I'll take a break" affordance. Its three affordances are:
1) Keep chatting (default, highlighted)
2) x out — keeps chatting
3) "This was helpful" — what is this?
🧵
They made a "take a break" nudge that has no obvious "ok, I'll take a break" affordance. Its three affordances are:
1) Keep chatting (default, highlighted)
2) x out — keeps chatting
3) "This was helpful" — what is this?
🧵
Reposted by Erik Bugge
“To the company’s disappointment, “people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness and social comparison,” internal documents said.” www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
“To the company’s disappointment, “people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness and social comparison,” internal documents said.” www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Meta buried 'causal' evidence of social media harm, US court filings allege
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
#DSA
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
#DSA
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Meta buried 'causal' evidence of social media harm, US court filings allege
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
#DSA
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
#DSA
Reposted by Erik Bugge
The better thing to do is leave Chrome. I'm begging people, leave Chrome.
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
November 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The better thing to do is leave Chrome. I'm begging people, leave Chrome.
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Nope. Consent-or-pay is just an affront to fundamental rights. (The appearance of) easier portability is just a way for them to further legitimize those models. Hopefully CJEU doesn't fall for it.
(The largely ineffective DTI was founded by Big Tech, which uses it to deflect anti-trust scrutiny.)
(The largely ineffective DTI was founded by Big Tech, which uses it to deflect anti-trust scrutiny.)
With consumers now frequently being asked to decide between ad-funded and subscription-based access to digital content, it’s worth considering the role of data portability in preserving truly meaningful choice, writes Tom Fish, Head of Europe for the Data Transfer Initiative.
Data Portability Can Restore Real Consumer Choice Between ‘Consent or Pay’ Offerings Online | TechPolicy.Press
More choice is good, paying for services is normal, relevant advertising is useful, people must be able to say no, and monopolies need oversight, says Tom Fish.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Nope. Consent-or-pay is just an affront to fundamental rights. (The appearance of) easier portability is just a way for them to further legitimize those models. Hopefully CJEU doesn't fall for it.
(The largely ineffective DTI was founded by Big Tech, which uses it to deflect anti-trust scrutiny.)
(The largely ineffective DTI was founded by Big Tech, which uses it to deflect anti-trust scrutiny.)
Reposted by Erik Bugge
"Critics...noted that previous experimental features—Copilot, for instance—regularly become default capabilities for all users over time. Once that’s done, users who don’t trust the feature are often required to invest time developing unsupported ways to remove the features"
Microsoft's latest warning has set off a familiar response from security-minded critics: Why is Big Tech so intent on pushing new features before their dangerous behaviors can be fully understood and contained?
Critics scoff after Microsoft warns AI feature can infect machines and pilfer data
Integration of Copilot Actions into Windows is off by default, but for how long?
arstechnica.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:29 AM
"Critics...noted that previous experimental features—Copilot, for instance—regularly become default capabilities for all users over time. Once that’s done, users who don’t trust the feature are often required to invest time developing unsupported ways to remove the features"
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Closing argument in Google Adtech today: TL;DR judge basically had no questions (and no bladder), prolly means no divest.
November 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Closing argument in Google Adtech today: TL;DR judge basically had no questions (and no bladder), prolly means no divest.
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Like what you're seeing? This feed runs on @graze.social, where the feeds you love come to life - pitch in below to support the team and keep the lights on!
Graze Social Tip Jar
Donate to the Graze Social team and keep the feeds flowing!
buy.stripe.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Like what you're seeing? This feed runs on @graze.social, where the feeds you love come to life - pitch in below to support the team and keep the lights on!
Reposted by Erik Bugge
When EU digital sovereignty started gained traction it was grounded to a different way of doing business, one bound by EU rules.
With this week's #DigitalOmnibus ,the EU is sacrificing digital rules for the sake of an over-hyped AI race.
Who wins? Big Tech of course
www.somo.nl/the-real-win...
With this week's #DigitalOmnibus ,the EU is sacrificing digital rules for the sake of an over-hyped AI race.
Who wins? Big Tech of course
www.somo.nl/the-real-win...
The real winners of the AI Race : Amazon, Google, Microsoft - SOMO
Who really profits from the 'AI race'? Amazon, Google, and Microsoft own the AI infrastructure, and startups are dependent on Big Tech firms.
www.somo.nl
November 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM
When EU digital sovereignty started gained traction it was grounded to a different way of doing business, one bound by EU rules.
With this week's #DigitalOmnibus ,the EU is sacrificing digital rules for the sake of an over-hyped AI race.
Who wins? Big Tech of course
www.somo.nl/the-real-win...
With this week's #DigitalOmnibus ,the EU is sacrificing digital rules for the sake of an over-hyped AI race.
Who wins? Big Tech of course
www.somo.nl/the-real-win...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Zorgen in de Tweede Kamer over Amerikaanse overname van DigiD-partner
Het van oorsprong Nederlandse cloud-bedrijf Solvinity komt mogelijk in Amerikaanse handen.
nos.nl
November 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
I recently testified in EU Parliament that
“Fines on billionaires and fines on big tech companies and multinational corporations will do almost nothing for behavioural change.”
@reuters.com
@tomhals.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/world/zucker...
“Fines on billionaires and fines on big tech companies and multinational corporations will do almost nothing for behavioural change.”
@reuters.com
@tomhals.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/world/zucker...
www.reuters.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:44 AM
I recently testified in EU Parliament that
“Fines on billionaires and fines on big tech companies and multinational corporations will do almost nothing for behavioural change.”
@reuters.com
@tomhals.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/world/zucker...
“Fines on billionaires and fines on big tech companies and multinational corporations will do almost nothing for behavioural change.”
@reuters.com
@tomhals.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/world/zucker...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
📰"The announced reform package is here, and the #EU Commission remains on a collision course: instead of simplifying data protection, it is eroding fundamental rights. Instead of helping European companies, it is accommodating #BigTech." (from German)
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/digital...
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/digital...
Digitaler Omnibus: Auf Crash-Kurs mit digitalen Grundrechten
Das angekündigte Reformpaket ist da und die EU-Kommission bleibt auf Konfrontationskurs: Statt den Datenschutz zu vereinfachen, schleift sie Grundrechte. Statt europäischen Unternehmen zu helfen, kommt sie Big Tech entgegen. Ein Kommentar.
netzpolitik.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM
📰"The announced reform package is here, and the #EU Commission remains on a collision course: instead of simplifying data protection, it is eroding fundamental rights. Instead of helping European companies, it is accommodating #BigTech." (from German)
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/digital...
👉 netzpolitik.org/2025/digital...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Europe's gutting of its privacy rules would be yet another self-defeating capitulation to Trump. Instead, Europe should be ensuring that it can break free of American Big Tech. youtu.be/T4rC8x7WBf0
Digital Surrender: Why gutting Europe's GDPR is capitulating to Trump
YouTube video by Tech Gets Real
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Europe's gutting of its privacy rules would be yet another self-defeating capitulation to Trump. Instead, Europe should be ensuring that it can break free of American Big Tech. youtu.be/T4rC8x7WBf0
Reposted by Erik Bugge
I was asked today at #EuroskyLive what @transrights.northsky.social needs.
My immediate answer was developers as we’re 100% volunteer driven and getting deep into ATproto. It’s not just coding but also working together to design the service for the platform.
My immediate answer was developers as we’re 100% volunteer driven and getting deep into ATproto. It’s not just coding but also working together to design the service for the platform.
Sign up to Volunteer
northskysocial.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I was asked today at #EuroskyLive what @transrights.northsky.social needs.
My immediate answer was developers as we’re 100% volunteer driven and getting deep into ATproto. It’s not just coding but also working together to design the service for the platform.
My immediate answer was developers as we’re 100% volunteer driven and getting deep into ATproto. It’s not just coding but also working together to design the service for the platform.
Reposted by Erik Bugge
🤔 Impossible not to note the Commission’s desired power grab as GDPR regulator: approving pseudonymization & reidentification metrics; DPIA templates & harmonized lists for what requires & not a DPIA; data breach notification template & high risk contexts that require notifications
#GDPR #Omnibus
#GDPR #Omnibus
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Please stop referring to CCIA as "industry", journos. They do NOT represent European companies!
The new so-called EU 'Digital Omnibus' has finally arrived, and here are what the three of its biggest rollbacks of existing legislation means for internet users.
The Digital Omnibus has arrived — and here’s what it really changes
The new so-called EU 'Digital Omnibus' has finally arrived, and here are what the three of its biggest rollbacks of existing legislation means for internet users.
euobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Please stop referring to CCIA as "industry", journos. They do NOT represent European companies!
So that was what the Digital Omnibus was all about?? So that Virkkunen wouldn't have to click reject all the time?
“I think we can all agree we have spent too much of our time accepting or rejecting cookies,” Virkkunen said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
“I think we can all agree we have spent too much of our time accepting or rejecting cookies,” Virkkunen said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
European Commission accused of ‘massive rollback’ of digital protections
Proposed changes to AI Act would make it easier for tech firms to use personal data to train models without consent
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
So that was what the Digital Omnibus was all about?? So that Virkkunen wouldn't have to click reject all the time?
“I think we can all agree we have spent too much of our time accepting or rejecting cookies,” Virkkunen said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
“I think we can all agree we have spent too much of our time accepting or rejecting cookies,” Virkkunen said.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Erik Bugge
Volstrekt juist! Daarom mag NL niet akkoord gaan met de schandalige “Digitale Omnibus” die de rode loper nog verder uitrolt voor Amerikaanse Techbros. De mooie beloftes dat die Omnibus de Europese tech sector gaat helpen zijn vals.
Big tech is volgens Nederlandse media “een ernstige bedreiging voor de democratische weerbaarheid, de strategische autonomie en daarmee de veiligheid van Nederland”.
Noodkreet Nederlandse media over ‘ernstige bedreiging’ door grote techbedrijven
Big tech: De Nederlandse nieuwsbedrijven doen een beroep op de informateur om de veiligheid van de informatievoorziening tot urgent thema te maken in de formatiebesprekingen. Niet eerder zijn alle gro...
www.nrc.nl
November 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Volstrekt juist! Daarom mag NL niet akkoord gaan met de schandalige “Digitale Omnibus” die de rode loper nog verder uitrolt voor Amerikaanse Techbros. De mooie beloftes dat die Omnibus de Europese tech sector gaat helpen zijn vals.