Kate Klonick
@klonick.bsky.social
Law professor & journalist looking at tech geopolitics, free expression, internet law, online governance, & AI.
Senior Editor at Lawfare.
https://klonick.substack.com/
www.kateklonick.com
Senior Editor at Lawfare.
https://klonick.substack.com/
www.kateklonick.com
www.nytimes.com/interactive/... Unpopular opinion: Meme law is bad and if you have the New York Times movie and poetry critic writing your legal analysis it’s still the bad place even if the outcome is righteous.
Annotating the Judge’s Decision in the Case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE
Our critic annotates the barbed wordplay of a decision challenging the Trump administration’s theory of executive power.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:01 AM
www.nytimes.com/interactive/... Unpopular opinion: Meme law is bad and if you have the New York Times movie and poetry critic writing your legal analysis it’s still the bad place even if the outcome is righteous.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
No masks on cops. No masks on cops. No masks on cops. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
The Real Reason ICE Agents Wear Masks
Face-coverings may work less to protect federal agents from danger than to make it easier for them to do unconstitutional things.
www.theatlantic.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:41 PM
No masks on cops. No masks on cops. No masks on cops. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Here’s a tell: when you point to their hypocrisy it doesn't move them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
February 2, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Here’s a tell: when you point to their hypocrisy it doesn't move them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
Hypocrisy is a feature not a bug of autocracy. Because it proves that the rules apply to you but not to them.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
America's digital empire has a trust problem. U.S. hyperscalers' future may depend less on the commercial deals they strike and more on their commitment to protect the democracy that made their global dominance possible. My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/us-hyperscal...
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/us-hyperscal...
America’s Digital Empire Has a Trust Problem
One year into Donald Trump’s presidency, foreign nations are increasingly skittish about their dependence on U.S. tech companies.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:31 PM
America's digital empire has a trust problem. U.S. hyperscalers' future may depend less on the commercial deals they strike and more on their commitment to protect the democracy that made their global dominance possible. My latest for @wpr.bsky.social
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/us-hyperscal...
www.worldpoliticsreview.com/us-hyperscal...
It's a well placed fear.
Brilliant writing by @adamserwer.bsky.social in The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Brilliant writing by @adamserwer.bsky.social in The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 5:28 PM
It's a well placed fear.
Brilliant writing by @adamserwer.bsky.social in The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Brilliant writing by @adamserwer.bsky.social in The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I’ve been thinking lately about this experience and the immense gratitude I’ll never stop having for the nurses who helped us through it as the #NYCnursestrike stretches on.
In solidarity ✊
In solidarity ✊
A break from my regularly scheduled political and legal posting to express some gratitude.
This week, my 18 month old daughter had to have open heart surgery. 💔
As you might imagine, this was utterly terrifying.
1/
This week, my 18 month old daughter had to have open heart surgery. 💔
As you might imagine, this was utterly terrifying.
1/
January 26, 2026 at 3:19 AM
I’ve been thinking lately about this experience and the immense gratitude I’ll never stop having for the nurses who helped us through it as the #NYCnursestrike stretches on.
In solidarity ✊
In solidarity ✊
Watching the skid steer plow with snacks
January 25, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Watching the skid steer plow with snacks
I’m not sure how many more people I can watch die on social media.
January 24, 2026 at 9:32 PM
I’m not sure how many more people I can watch die on social media.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
January 19, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Reposted by Kate Klonick
This guy is basically inviting China to take Taiwan.
January 17, 2026 at 2:35 AM
This guy is basically inviting China to take Taiwan.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
Lots of stunning data in here. There's a reason Trump has been a manic, impulsive mess these last few days.
January 13, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Lots of stunning data in here. There's a reason Trump has been a manic, impulsive mess these last few days.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
Right of publicity question of the day, Fed edition
“Please note that buying this will not in any direct way support Jerome Powell, but if we sell a decent number we’ll donate the profits to the FT’s Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign, to slightly reduce the chance this happens again.”
Keep Alphaville free* by investing in our Free** Jay Powell merch.
* without cost
** not under the control of another
as.ft.com/r/82db28aa-3...
* without cost
** not under the control of another
as.ft.com/r/82db28aa-3...
January 12, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Right of publicity question of the day, Fed edition
Even before I had children, Leslie Odom’s “Dear Theodosia” moved me to tears every time I heard it.
“When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart;
And I thought I was so smart”
God that solo is 2 minutes of absolute emotive perfection
“When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart;
And I thought I was so smart”
God that solo is 2 minutes of absolute emotive perfection
January 10, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Even before I had children, Leslie Odom’s “Dear Theodosia” moved me to tears every time I heard it.
“When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart;
And I thought I was so smart”
God that solo is 2 minutes of absolute emotive perfection
“When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart;
And I thought I was so smart”
God that solo is 2 minutes of absolute emotive perfection
Reposted by Kate Klonick
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— George Orwell, 1984
— George Orwell, 1984
January 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— George Orwell, 1984
— George Orwell, 1984
Everything we’ve predicted from science fiction about police weaponization, constant surveillance, misinformation, and the threat of AI to truth is in this moment.
All of those pictures of that ICE agent’s face are AI.
Here’s the proof.
Here’s the proof.
January 8, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Everything we’ve predicted from science fiction about police weaponization, constant surveillance, misinformation, and the threat of AI to truth is in this moment.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
I've made this point elsewhere, but it seems bananas to me that in the state where I live, I would have to enter a valid ID to watch consensual, ethically produced pornography but if I want to watch actual, honest to gawd CSAM all I have to do is log on Twitter and holler at Elon's little bot.
January 7, 2026 at 3:28 AM
I've made this point elsewhere, but it seems bananas to me that in the state where I live, I would have to enter a valid ID to watch consensual, ethically produced pornography but if I want to watch actual, honest to gawd CSAM all I have to do is log on Twitter and holler at Elon's little bot.
The United States uses 20 M barrels of oil a day.
This is at most 1.5 to 2.5 days worth of oil.
Sure sounds good though!
This is at most 1.5 to 2.5 days worth of oil.
Sure sounds good though!
If Trump is really stealing spending power from Congress then it would be insanity for Democrats to vote to fund the government later this month. Shut it down until the president stops wiping his ass with the Constitution.
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 AM
The United States uses 20 M barrels of oil a day.
This is at most 1.5 to 2.5 days worth of oil.
Sure sounds good though!
This is at most 1.5 to 2.5 days worth of oil.
Sure sounds good though!
Liars dividend
I really encourage folks to check out the document he sent me. Once you know it's fake, the mistakes are easy to spot. But it still amazes me to think that he likely generated this within a few minutes www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Fake Reddit Post
www.documentcloud.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Liars dividend
Reposted by Kate Klonick
It's Tuesday on the east coast, but lucky for you, we're based in California, so this offer is still good for a few more hours...
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
January 6, 2026 at 5:21 AM
It's Tuesday on the east coast, but lucky for you, we're based in California, so this offer is still good for a few more hours...
Reposted by Kate Klonick
Since I first began pubic speaking on freedom of expression issues in the 1990s, I never use the word "censorship" because the label itself has no significance and everyone has their own meaning for the word. The key is whether what you are doing promotes or hinders the freedom of speech.
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Since I first began pubic speaking on freedom of expression issues in the 1990s, I never use the word "censorship" because the label itself has no significance and everyone has their own meaning for the word. The key is whether what you are doing promotes or hinders the freedom of speech.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.
I am not a Section 230 expert but being that Twitter is creating and publishing these photos I wonder if they actually have any civil legal protection? @kenwhite.bsky.social ? @akivamcohen.bsky.social ?
What X is allowing Grok to do is unlawful or regulatory-illegal in multiple jurisdictions, creates clear DSA violations, and continues despite regulator scrutiny. The images do not need to be pornographic, non-consensual sexualised or intimate depictions are enough.
January 5, 2026 at 11:10 PM
I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
@nycbarassociation.bsky.social condemns the illegal use of force in Venezuela and calls on Congress to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Congress Must Act to Halt the President’s Violations of U.S. And International Law in Venezuela. Read the City Bar's statement here: bit.ly/4jrLChb
Congress Must Act to Halt the President’s Violations of U.S. And International Law in Venezuela | New York City Bar Association
New York City Bar Association Statement The New York City Bar Association condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the blatantly […]
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 3:08 AM
@nycbarassociation.bsky.social condemns the illegal use of force in Venezuela and calls on Congress to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Reposted by Kate Klonick
My latest with @ichotiner.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 1:14 AM
My latest with @ichotiner.bsky.social.
Next press conference we hear that Trump is going to deal with the guerrillas in Venezuela by drafting veterinarians
January 3, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Next press conference we hear that Trump is going to deal with the guerrillas in Venezuela by drafting veterinarians
