Justin Hendrix
@justinhendrix.bsky.social
Concerned with tech, media and democracy. CEO & Editor at Tech Policy Press. Research & Adjunct Professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Opinions mine.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Trump nominated a legit white nationalist to a top post at the State Department. I asked him some basic questions about his belief in the “erasure of white culture”. Watch this embarrassing, fumbling answer. Like he has never before been asked to explain his views.
February 12, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Trump nominated a legit white nationalist to a top post at the State Department. I asked him some basic questions about his belief in the “erasure of white culture”. Watch this embarrassing, fumbling answer. Like he has never before been asked to explain his views.
Next week’s India AI Impact Summit is framed around “democratizing AI.” But as India expands AI-driven surveillance, predictive policing, and welfare automation, minorities and marginalized communities are bearing the costs, writes Tavishi.
India’s Global AI Pitch Masks A Troubling Reality At Home
Without regulatory oversight and guardrails, AI in India will continue to function less as a public good and more as a tool of oppression, writes Tavishi.
www.techpolicy.press
February 14, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Next week’s India AI Impact Summit is framed around “democratizing AI.” But as India expands AI-driven surveillance, predictive policing, and welfare automation, minorities and marginalized communities are bearing the costs, writes Tavishi.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
As AI becomes more central to how public institutions operate, these early policy signals can shape everything from procurement to ethical standards. It’s worth paying attention to how they unfold.
A ProPublica report on plans to use AI to write regulations at the US Department of Transportation should be a warning signal for public interest advocates and litigators, writes Jordan Ascher, policy counsel at Governing for Impact. It’s time to prepare for a flood of machine-generated rules.
Trump Administration Official Says Quiet Part Out Loud on AI-in-Government Plans
A ProPublica report on plans to use AI to write regulations at the US Department of Transportation should be a warning signal, writes Jordan Ascher.
www.techpolicy.press
February 14, 2026 at 1:40 AM
As AI becomes more central to how public institutions operate, these early policy signals can shape everything from procurement to ethical standards. It’s worth paying attention to how they unfold.
"[DHS] is expanding its efforts to identify Americans who oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement by sending tech companies legal requests for the names, email addresses, telephone numbers and other identifying data behind social media accounts that track or criticize the agency."
Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:20 AM
"[DHS] is expanding its efforts to identify Americans who oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement by sending tech companies legal requests for the names, email addresses, telephone numbers and other identifying data behind social media accounts that track or criticize the agency."
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
In 2021, I reported on an internal meeting at Facebook about discussions to put facial recognition on new smartglasses. One of their execs complained about the coverage and said the co would have a "very public discussion" about the tech.
They never did. And now: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
They never did. And now: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:21 PM
In 2021, I reported on an internal meeting at Facebook about discussions to put facial recognition on new smartglasses. One of their execs complained about the coverage and said the co would have a "very public discussion" about the tech.
They never did. And now: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
They never did. And now: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Vibecoding regime change www.axios.com/2026/02/13/a...
Pentagon used Anthropic's Claude during Maduro raid
Anthropic is currently in tense discussions with the Pentagon about whether to loosen guardrails when its models are being used by the military.
www.axios.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Vibecoding regime change www.axios.com/2026/02/13/a...
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
The most important question about AI isn't determining whether the machine thinks — it's whether interacting with it displaces the conditions under which we think, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
The Illusion of AGI, or What Language Models Can Do Without Thought
It is not simple stubbornness that LLMs are not “intelligent,” much less a form of “general” intelligence, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
buff.ly
February 13, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The most important question about AI isn't determining whether the machine thinks — it's whether interacting with it displaces the conditions under which we think, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
Of roughly 7,000 global languages, only a handful are thriving digitally, with a mere 10 languages making up 82% of all internet content. This disparity is the core challenge for content moderation write Sujata Mukherjee and Sasha Maria Mathew. Measurement is part of the solution, they say.
How Measurement Can Fix Content Moderation's Language Equity Gap
Of roughly 7,000 global languages, only a handful are thriving digitally, write Sasha Maria Mathew and Sujata Mukherjee.
techpolicy.press
February 13, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Of roughly 7,000 global languages, only a handful are thriving digitally, with a mere 10 languages making up 82% of all internet content. This disparity is the core challenge for content moderation write Sujata Mukherjee and Sasha Maria Mathew. Measurement is part of the solution, they say.
Anger as US report on EU ‘censorship’ leaves commission, NGOs’ names unredacted euobserver.com/202908/anger...
Anger as US report on EU ‘censorship’ leaves commission, NGOs’ names unredacted
The recent US report on 'EU censorship' left dozens of names of civil society and EU officials unredacted in emails – while carefully hiding company employee names.
euobserver.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Anger as US report on EU ‘censorship’ leaves commission, NGOs’ names unredacted euobserver.com/202908/anger...
Tech Policy Press fellow Tatiana Dias reports on X’s efforts in Brazil to distance itself from Grok after the AI tool generated millions of sexualized images. Brazilian regulators aren’t buying it, and now X Brasil is facing demands for technical safeguards backed by the threat of daily fines.
X Tried to Sidestep Brazil's Inquiry on AI Deepfakes. The Government Just Pushed Back.
Tatiana Dias reports on Brazilian authorities efforts to confront X over Grok, after the AI tool generated millions of sexualized images.
www.techpolicy.press
February 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Tech Policy Press fellow Tatiana Dias reports on X’s efforts in Brazil to distance itself from Grok after the AI tool generated millions of sexualized images. Brazilian regulators aren’t buying it, and now X Brasil is facing demands for technical safeguards backed by the threat of daily fines.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Tell that to China.
Google’s top legal officer Kent Walker warned that Europe risks undermining its own competitiveness drive by restricting access to foreign technology by ‘erecting walls’ as Brussels steps up efforts to reduce its reliance on US tech giants.
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Interview ⬇️
as.ft.com/r/9ff5c35a-d...
Google warns EU against ‘erecting walls’ in tech sovereignty push
[FREE TO READ] Europe risks undermining its own competitiveness drive through curbs on US groups, tech company says
as.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Tell that to China.
"Meta, Facebook’s parent company, plans to add the feature to its smart glasses, which it makes with the owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley, as soon as this year, according to four people involved with the plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about confidential discussions."
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:12 PM
"Meta, Facebook’s parent company, plans to add the feature to its smart glasses, which it makes with the owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley, as soon as this year, according to four people involved with the plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about confidential discussions."
"My organisation exercises free speech in a free market with the goal of improving transparency for everyone. We don’t buy or sell ads. We do not dictate editorial decisions. We have no power to take down content."
Clare Melford, targeted directly by the Trump administration, speaks out in the FT:
Clare Melford, targeted directly by the Trump administration, speaks out in the FT:
Combating disinformation must not be confused with censorship
Exercising free speech in a free market requires independent assessments of online content
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:37 AM
"My organisation exercises free speech in a free market with the goal of improving transparency for everyone. We don’t buy or sell ads. We do not dictate editorial decisions. We have no power to take down content."
Clare Melford, targeted directly by the Trump administration, speaks out in the FT:
Clare Melford, targeted directly by the Trump administration, speaks out in the FT:
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
New: Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
How ICE Will Spy On Protesters, And How You Can Protect Your Privacy
Jake Laperruque explains how ICE’s expanding surveillance tools can track protesters through phones, faces, and vehicles.
www.techpolicy.press
February 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM
New: Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
The Trump Justice Department admits: It "logs all searches" by members of Congress who view the unredacted versions of the Epstein files on their data systems.
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
Epstein files: DOJ says it logs Congress members' searches to 'protect' victim information
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Rep. Pramila Jayapal exchanged sharp words at a hearing when Jayapal asked victims of Jeffrey Epstein about meeting with the DOJ.
www.cnbc.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:10 AM
The Trump Justice Department admits: It "logs all searches" by members of Congress who view the unredacted versions of the Epstein files on their data systems.
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Ring cancels its partnership with Flock Safety after surveillance backlash
Ring cancels its partnership with Flock Safety after surveillance backlash
Flock off
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Ring cancels its partnership with Flock Safety after surveillance backlash
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Glad to see a Columbia administrator speaking the plain sense about AI so many college leaders refuse to contend with. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/o...
Opinion | A.I. Companies Are Eating Higher Education
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Glad to see a Columbia administrator speaking the plain sense about AI so many college leaders refuse to contend with. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/o...
Good to see @hartzog.bsky.social and @jessicasilbey.bsky.social getting coverage for their excellent paper, “How AI Destroys Institutions.”
Researchers: How AI undermining democracy
Paper argues tech threatens democratic foundations.
www.sfexaminer.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Good to see @hartzog.bsky.social and @jessicasilbey.bsky.social getting coverage for their excellent paper, “How AI Destroys Institutions.”
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
I've wondered if we're living through a different sort of epistemic closure: not one of the right cocooning itself in participatory nonsense, but rather one of billionaires grown confident that closing on—i.e., purchasing—the means of knowledge production will let them dictate what's real or true.
Trump on the endangerment finding: "This radical rule became the legal foundation for the green new scam. One of the greatest scams in history, maybe even greater than the Russia Russia Russia hoax."
February 12, 2026 at 7:23 PM
I've wondered if we're living through a different sort of epistemic closure: not one of the right cocooning itself in participatory nonsense, but rather one of billionaires grown confident that closing on—i.e., purchasing—the means of knowledge production will let them dictate what's real or true.
Now that the underlying decision in the European Commission’s €120 million fine against X is in the public domain, Oliver Marsh and LK Seiling examine what it reveals about data access under the Digital Services Act.
What the X Fine Reveals About Data Access Under Article 40 of the Digital Services Act
Oliver Marsh and LK Seiling unpack the recently published X enforcement decision and what it says about DSA researcher data access rules.
www.techpolicy.press
February 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Now that the underlying decision in the European Commission’s €120 million fine against X is in the public domain, Oliver Marsh and LK Seiling examine what it reveals about data access under the Digital Services Act.
New: Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
How ICE Will Spy On Protesters, And How You Can Protect Your Privacy
Jake Laperruque explains how ICE’s expanding surveillance tools can track protesters through phones, faces, and vehicles.
www.techpolicy.press
February 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM
New: Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
"Millions of Russians were abruptly cut off from the encrypted WhatsApp messaging service on Wednesday afternoon after months of efforts to force them on to a 'national messenger' built for surveillance."
Russia blocks Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service
Move follows months of pushing users to state-controlled app
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:41 AM
"Millions of Russians were abruptly cut off from the encrypted WhatsApp messaging service on Wednesday afternoon after months of efforts to force them on to a 'national messenger' built for surveillance."
"Elon Musk announced a reorganization of xAI, his artificial-intelligence startup, just days after merging it with SpaceX, his rockets-and-satellites business."
Musk Announces xAI Reorganization, Staff Departures
The co-founders exit as the artificial intelligence startup merges with SpaceX.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:39 AM
"Elon Musk announced a reorganization of xAI, his artificial-intelligence startup, just days after merging it with SpaceX, his rockets-and-satellites business."
Reposted by Justin Hendrix
Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
How ICE Will Spy On Protesters, And How You Can Protect Your Privacy
Jake Laperruque explains how ICE’s expanding surveillance tools can track protesters through phones, faces, and vehicles.
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Tech Policy Press fellow Jake Laperruque discusses the privacy risks ICE observers and protesters now face, given the agency’s surveillance practices and tools. Although there are steps the public can take to protect itself, lawmakers ultimately need to enact meaningful policy reforms.
"Instagram’s chief executive said on Wednesday that social media was not 'clinically addictive,' disputing claims that the platform prioritized making money over the mental health of young users in a landmark tech addiction case."
Some of those claims, of course, come directly from internal docs.
Some of those claims, of course, come directly from internal docs.
Instagram Chief Says Social Media Is Not ‘Clinically Addictive’ in Landmark Trial
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:12 AM
"Instagram’s chief executive said on Wednesday that social media was not 'clinically addictive,' disputing claims that the platform prioritized making money over the mental health of young users in a landmark tech addiction case."
Some of those claims, of course, come directly from internal docs.
Some of those claims, of course, come directly from internal docs.