Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
@legallyfeminist.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.9K following 1K posts
Am a Dr. Not the useful kind. Teach Evidence Law, International Human Rights, Gender & the Law at UC. Researching online abuse, human rights, law. ASD-Dyspraxia 🌈 Instagram: @legally.feminist Views are my own.
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legallyfeminist.bsky.social
We’ve published an Open Letter calling on NZ leaders to deliver risk-based AI regulation & a national oversight body. AI has huge potential, but harms (deepfakes, gendered abuse, bias) are real and rising. Read the Letter (and sign it if you agree!) #nzpol

regulateai.nz
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A call to the NZ Parliament to regulate AI
regulateai.nz
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
ninjakitty.bsky.social
We know how that’s actually going to play out 😑 #nzpol
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
This all started from disinformation based on homophobic tropes and moral panic. It spiraled into mass online violence against and about Doyle. And there was nothing else Doyle could have done to stop that. And that's the unacceptable state of online harm in this country right now.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
This all started from disinformation based on homophobic tropes and moral panic. It spiraled into mass online violence against and about Doyle. And there was nothing else Doyle could have done to stop that. And that's the unacceptable state of online harm in this country right now.
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
writagal.bsky.social
“The committee reported back on Friday, recommending “by majority” that it be passed.”

As Emeritus professor Jane Kelsey says, “this has the potential to be our ideologically driven version of the Trump administration.”

The progression of the RSB needs more scrutiny than a Friday night news dump.
Changes recommended for Seymour's controversial bill, Opposition criticises 'egregious failure'
The Act leader's proposed legislation has been contentious for a list of reasons.
www.nzherald.co.nz
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
"Further arrests are likely as police continue their investigation into the online threats."
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
riddhishp.bsky.social
Mayor Rowley says,

"attacking someone for being young and Māori is not just cowardly, it’s racist and divisive. Criticising a programme is one thing. Targeting a young person for participating in it is another entirely. We condemn it."

#nzpol
‘We condemn it’: Mayor takes stand against racist comments
Waimate’s mayor has issued a firmly worded statement condemning “racist and divisive” online attacks on a young leadership programme participant.
www.thepress.co.nz
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
jamesw228.bsky.social
It's a crime to stop and board shops in international water. It's a crime to remove people from those ships.

Detained suggests that the Israeli government had the right to stop these ships and take these people. They absolutely didn't #nzpol

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
NZ flotilla members detained by Israeli forces arrive back in Auckland
The three New Zealanders were welcomed at Auckland International Airport by a crowd of supporters.
www.rnz.co.nz
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
I mean, I'm not pleased about criminal prosecution of a 19 year old. I wish we weren't so reliant on criminal justice responses.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
Likely against Benjamin Doyle? 🤔
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
Positive step toward recognising online threats as serious matters of political safety. Holding people accountable for digital harm helps safeguard democratic engagement. #nzpol

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Man charged after string of death threats made against MP
A 19-year-old man has been charged.
www.rnz.co.nz
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
contrapoints.bsky.social
It might be easier to start listing the things that don’t cause autism
justinbaragona.bsky.social
Besides linking Tylenol in pregnant women to autism, RFK Jr. now says circumcision is part of the reason why kids are autistic.

"Children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, and it's highly likely because they're given Tylenol. None of this is positive..."
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
drdeanknight.bsky.social
And, to be clear, both proposals worry me:
1. legislating police power to take photographs
2. allowing police to close areas due to antisocial behaviour or risks to public safety etc.
The latter is extraordinarily worrying discretionary power.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
Genuinely frustrated by the lack of contexual analysis around political violence and online violence this week.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
You had a brick thrown through your window? We need legislation!

You got hundreds of messages about how you and your child should die? They started because of some homophobic disinformation about you? You have to leave your job for your safety? lol okay bye.

(imo both these things are bad)
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
cucumber.bsky.social
the powerful are petrified of wahine māori and the haka.

got emotional watching this wee clip of oriini kaipara in the house.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
There's going to be small human in my house in, like, a few months. That's wild.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
Which he should, regardless (imo)
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
Sounds like they don't even understand the Tamiefuna decision that they're obviously mad about. Makes sense.
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
clrenney.bsky.social
The decision is a demonstration of the organising power of trade unions, charities, NGO's and the wider Living Wage movement. We should celebrate their victory and the lasting good it will achieve for thousands of households in New Zealand.
Reposted by Dr. Cassandra Mudgway
clrenney.bsky.social
#nzpol

GOOD NEWS ALERT 🚨

Today the government relented to pressure from the @livingwageaotearoa.bsky.social and retained the requirement for contracted workers to be paid at least the Living Wage rate in Government Contracts. Around 5,000 workers will likely benefit from this decision
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
And when I say "online violence", I'm not talking about saying someone is acting like a fascist. I'm talking about threats of sexual assault and violence against them, their families, their staff. I'm talking about harassment. I'm talking about gendered or racist disinformation.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
From my work, I would argue that it is all part of the same process of normalising political violence that will be weaponised by certain political actors (perhaps themselves) in a way that is much more harmful to certain groups of people than others. Experience in the UK supports this argument.
legallyfeminist.bsky.social
I think it's important to thread the needle carefully here. Just because you or I don't agree with their politics or tactics doesn't mean they are not experiencing online violence. I do not agree that online violence is miraculously "good" because they are "bad" people. You may disagree w that.