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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

@olivermmarsh.bsky.social

270 followers 220 following 120 posts

Head of Tech Research, @algorithmwatch.bsky.social. Will bridge worlds of technology & society for money. Counter-online-harms, government&tech, regulation, data access, etc. Based in Berlin. https://www.oliver-marsh.com/

www.oliver-marsh.com

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jan 26

My latest newsletter is some further reflection on Meta and online speech, plus Rupert Murdoch. (You can subscribe to the newsletter at the top right corner of the page).

www.oliver-marsh.com/post/sideway...

Sideways Looks #34: More on Meta, also Rupert Murdoch

I try to put the politics of Meta's changes aside for a bit and think about the actual problems to be solved.

www.oliver-marsh.com

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · 2d

I'm excited - I genuinely believe this is an exciting step in exploring what DSA Data Access can do. The request is now with the platforms, so let's see what happens.

More on DSA anniversary: algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...

We also did a happy birthday video: www.instagram.com/reel/DPTE9fd...

algorithmwatch on Instagram: "The Digital Services Act (DSA) will be 3 years old on Oct 4! 🎂 But how is it going so far? We unpack this question, plus our birth…"

The Digital Services Act (DSA) will be 3 years old on Oct 4! 🎂 But how is it going so far? We unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with the DSA 40 Collaboratory and @mozilla Foundation.View all comments

www.instagram.com

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · 2d

We are making a request to 6 big tech platforms to provide regular delivery of their most viewed content — specifically, top 1,000 most viewed posts, per platform, per EU member state, for an initial six month period, to 20 civil society and research organisations who have signed on to this request.

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · 2d

V proud to be pushing a new approach for DSA Data Access - a "mass data access" request for highly viewed content - with the fantastic @clairepershan.bsky.social @lkseiling.bsky.social and @louisbarclay.bsky.social for @algorithmwatch.org .

More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...

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Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · 8d

The EU Digital Services Act is 3 years old! 🎂 But how’s its work to regulate online services going? Here we unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social & @mozilla.org Foundation: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...

Happy Birthday, Digital Services Act! – Time for a Reality Check - AlgorithmWatch

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) celebrates its third birthday. This landmark digital regulation is meant to give a better understanding of how online services decide what users see, and more power...

algorithmwatch.org

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · 29d

Done another update to the Tech Policy Jobs (Europe) sheet, including two from us @algorithmwatch.org ! There's a lot of new jobs flying around, it's hard to keep track, so please do add your own new jobs if you're hiring.

docs.google.com/document/d/1...

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 6

Forgot to post this here - latest blog piece, on academic / non-academic collaborations www.oliver-marsh.com/academic-non...

(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )

Sideways Looks #37: Academic/Non-Academic Collaborations. Also, Charity Donations.

I share some thouhts and tips from sitting in the middle of academic and non-academic collaborations.

www.oliver-marsh.com

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

I'm not sure I understand?

Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

Lilian Edwards @lilianedwards.bsky.social · Sep 4

Very happy to be a signatory to this letter drafted by @hutko.bsky.social countering Trumpian misinformation on DSA. Please read thread. I also note Martin's kind offer to provide DSA training to US politicians at 1% cost 🤣

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

But good news: We can get reliable information on laws such as the Digital Services Act via very helpful letters from a group of superb experts led by @hutko.bsky.social

husovec.eu/wp-content/u...

husovec.eu/wp-content/u...

husovec.eu

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

In the USA, we can clearly see certain views being punished by use of official powers, including the chair of the hearing Jim Jordan - see @mmasnick.bsky.social being excellent on the hypocrisy of censors like Jordan and Musk www.techdirt.com/2024/08/09/j...

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

The letters lay out, in a balanced and realistic way, how the laws are content-neutral - they don't hand the EU power to remove particular views they don't like, and if the EU was to try such a thing there's loads of safeguards to push against that. Unlike in the US, it increasingly seems.

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

husovec.eu

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Sep 4

1/4 Yday there was a hearing on "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in the US Congress. It's the latest in misleading attacks on Europe's ability to have its own laws. See this open letter signed by 40 NGOs inc. @algorithmwatch.org about that: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-lett...

Over 40 NGOs call for a firm stance against US threats - AlgorithmWatch

Over 40 NGOs and individuals from the digital rights field are calling on the European Commission to respond firmly to the recent warning from the US government. The US has threatened sanctions if the...

algorithmwatch.org

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Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · Aug 27

Non-consensual sexualization tools #NSTs are apps and websites that generate sexualized images of real people. Often called #NudifyApps, they don’t only create nudity but can also include non-consensual “undressing” via images in underwear or swimsuits: algorithmwatch.org/en/stop-nudi...

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Aug 3

Using my current laptop to search for a new laptop feels morally wrong somehow :/

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 27

Next post will be shorter, probably about academic-nonacademic collaborations. If you haven't subscribed already, do so or DM me your email.

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 27

It's a bit of a thought-dump, wayyy longer than I'd usually write, and I'm still not entirely happy with it - but it's good to have the thoughts on digital paper anyway. I'll be returning to these thoughts, so input welcome.

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 27

Part 2 of my thoughts on reaching a more "pro-democracy internet". In it I attempt to categorise & compare 4 models - from New Coffee Houses to Better Broadcasters - across a few different axes such as "expected participation" and "theory of change". www.oliver-marsh.com/a-better-int...

Sideways Looks #36: A Better Internet Part 2, also Mermaids

I attempt to categorise & compare ideas for a more pro-democracy internet.

www.oliver-marsh.com

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 26

Thanks Alex - but link is broken? Absolutely agree in principle though, and also you have to rely on what Google categorises as a "topic" etc. But I think it's still good for directional trends - looking for big clear shifts not v specific stuff

Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 25

Google Trends is getting an API, very useful development for internet research developers.google.com/search/blog/...

Introducing the Google Trends API (alpha): a new way to access Search Trends data | Google Search Central Blog | Google for Developers

developers.google.com

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Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · Jul 10

👋 For a 5th time, we are looking for new Algorithmic Accountability Reporting fellows. Apply now if you have research ideas concerning the relation between Artificial Intelligence and power and its consequences.

Application deadline: 15 September 2025 23:59 CET

algorithmwatch.org/en/open-call...

Illustration of a large crowd of people gathered in front an obelisk, with abstract network lines stretching across the sky. Overlaid text reads: "Apply now for the new round of the Algorithmic Accountability Reporting Fellowship."

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 9

Last few days to apply for our Technology & Democracy role (until Mon 14)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · Jun 17

💼 We are seeking a Senior Policy Manager with focus on the field of Technology and Democracy.
Feel invited to share this vacancy here and elsewhere – or, even better, apply for yourself 😊

🇬🇧 algorithmwatch.org/en/job-openi...
🇩🇪 algorithmwatch.org/de/job-openi...

Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · Jul 7

Last week, the Delegated Act on data access under the DSA was published. If it works effectively, it allows researchers to access to internal data of very large online platforms and search engines. The clue here is the 'if'. More: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/dsa-deleg...

New Data Access rules are here – but will they work in practice? - AlgorithmWatch

The EU Commission has published the delegated act on data access under the Digital Services Act (DSA). How much it will achieve remains to be seen in practice.

algorithmwatch.org

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Apr 21

On the off-chance anyone is trying to look at my personal website, it's currently offline while I migrate to a proper newsletter system. For now, if you want to be added to the subscription list, let me know. Posts coming up on pro-social design and how to predict the future [of political culture].

Reposted by Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

AlgorithmWatch @algorithmwatch.org · Apr 7

Today, we will submit expert input to the EU on systemic risks stemming from online platforms and search engines. We argue risks come not just from technology, but also (1) the attitudes of companies and (2) lack of transparency around enforcement. Read our full response here: t1p.de/uoc2y

Quote from Oliver Marsh: Backing up enforcement
with independent research can protect against the
increasing hostility of tech companies towards the DSA.

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Oliver Marsh (tech & politics) @olivermmarsh.bsky.social · Mar 3

Looking forward to this tomorrow!

Joanna Bryson @j2bryson.bsky.social · Mar 2

Join our online panel!
Tue, 4 Mar | 4:30-5:30 pm (CET/Berlin)

hosts: @hertieschool.bsky.social Centre for #digitalGovernance Student Advisory Board

@olivermmarsh.bsky.social Valerie Wirtschafter (Brookings) & Pamposh Raina (Misinfo Combat Alliance)

signup www.hertie-school.org/en/digitalgo...

Global Perspectives on Digital Technologies & Disinformation in 2024 Elections

Join us for a moderated panel discussion on the role of digital technologies and disinformation in global elections in 2024. Our guests include Oliver Marsh (AlgorithmWatch), Valerie Wirtschafter (Bro...