Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Rocco

Mr Peculiar 🔞 @mrpecu.bsky.social · Aug 14

Ah fun, more vague ToS wording that puts 80% of art at risk.

BlueSky is asking for feedback. We should ask them for a bit of clarity!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Zachary Berger @zacharyberger.bsky.social · Aug 13

Friends (esp if you live in CA) we REALLY need signatures on this petition supporting Bill AB412 - the AI Copyright Transparency Act.

TLDR = this will require AI corps to be transparent about what is in their datasets!

Signing takes 1 min. Once you sign, PLEASE SHARE!! tinyurl.com/4uxbp963

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Frances Pauli @francestypes.bsky.social · Aug 14

And on a brighter note :)

skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · Aug 14

“None Of These Books Are Obscene”: Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida’s Book Ban Bill

This is a big win for intellectual freedom and will have big implications in other ongoing lawsuits and future laws aiming to ban books.

bookriot.com/penguin-rand...

"None Of These Books Are Obscene": Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida's Book Ban Bill

In a major win for intellectual freedom, a judge rules against Florida law that led to removing hundreds of books from school libraries.

bookriot.com

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tamm(allegedly)draws @tammdraws.bsky.social · Aug 13

Multiple reps with multiple customers in multiple locales being told that LGBTQ content was banned and only after several posts started making the rounds do they send one of their board members to go NONONONO DON'T REPORT US TO YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT!!
You should report them to your local government.

Aftermath @aftermath.site · Aug 13

Stripe says support team reps were "totally wrong" about LGBTQ ban

aftermath.site/stripe-lgbtq...

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Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 14

Stripe says it’s accepting payments for LGBTQ content
JVA site starts working with Visa again
Mastercard reportedly panicking and making Riot moderate messages

The tide is turning
We are going to win this
Keep calling
Keep writing
Keep fighting

You can do this

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Kittz @kittz.cool · Aug 14

Just when you thought the UK Online Safety Act was a massive invasion of privacy, along comes the EU Chat Control proposal!

fightchatcontrol.eu

Speaking as a member of several historically (and currently) persecuted minorities, I can't see any potential problems at all with this.

Not. :P

Fight Chat Control - Protect Digital Privacy in the EU

Learn about the EU Chat Control proposal and contact your representatives to protect digital privacy and encryption.

fightchatcontrol.eu

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 13

Please keep making calls to all 4 payment processors

Please keep contacting your congressmen and demanding they oppose KOSA, IODA and the SCREEN act

Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 7

CONGRATS SOLDIER, we've hit 2 weeks of solid #SaveSpeech pressure! Youre doing a great job! Reward yourself!

And keep on calling/mailing!

stop-paypros.neocities.org
yellat.money

www.congress.gov/members/find...

SCREEN ACT:
-full age verification. (biometric scans, ID uploads, background checks)

-Deeply unsafe for personal and data privacy. Security/data breaches are rampant, and uploading so much sensitive data to every single we site is just asking for mass ID theft.

-id verification is much, much harder on small websites than larger ones, creating a chilling effect and stifling speech for anyone that isnt a massive corporation

-draw comparison to UK's OSA [online safety act] and the backlash it is receiving

KOSA:
-creates "duty of care,” meaning that tech companies and platform giants would be required to take steps to prevent potentially harmful encounters, such as posts about eating disorders and instances of online bullying, from impacting minors.

-who gets to decide what is or is not "unsafe for minors"? Especially under the current administration

-it will block access to important info minors could use to keep themselves safe or advocate for themselves. Ex: sex ed.

-the vague nature of the bill will almost certainly be used to target LGBT content under the guise of "protecting children"

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Malachite Tigerbunny @malachitetiger.bsky.social · Aug 13

Regardless of how well or poorly you think Itch handled the situation that Stripe shoved onto them, keep the pressure on the payment processors.

If you get completely fixated on Itch's missteps (and I think they made some real ones), then you're giving the actual source of the problem a free pass.

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 13

CALL STRIPE
CALL PAYPAL
CALL MASTERCARD
CALL VISA

DO NOT. STOP. CALLING!
#rocktheboat

stop-paypros.neocities.org

UPDATED
Stripe A
Stripe is currently a major priority, as they have the ability to deny itch.io's eligibility to their services according to itch.io's owner.
• 354 Oyster Point Blvd. South San Francisco,
CA 94080 US (United States HQ)
• 10 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN, 75009 PARIS
(France HQ)
• Grand Canal Street Lower, The One Building,
Dublin D02 HD59 (Ireland HQ) (yes, it's called The One Building)
• +1 888 926 2289 - State you are from California when calling this number
• 1(888) 963-8955 (San Franeisco HQ)
• 353 1 903 8449 (Ireland HQ)
• (877) 887-7815 (Customer Support/Complaints)
• UPDATED +33-805-11-19-67 (France-HQ) Seems like the line was disconnect due to our calls.
• complaints@stripe.com
• Complaints Form

PayPal !
Unfortunately, PayPal doesn't seem to have any e-mail address, as it uses its website's customer support. You will need to log in to your PayPal account if you wish to access Customer Support lines or messages. Here's a few lines we found so far :
• 2211 N 1st St. San Jose, CA 95131 US
• 1-402-935-2050 (US + Canada)
• 1800 931 678 (Australia)
• Customer Complaints Form (Australia)
• enquiry@paypal.com thank you sassinthedark.bsky.social for the info!

UPDAIED
MasterCard
• 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577
US
UPDATED +1 914 249 2000
• CEO of MasterCard: 0 -> 6432224#
→> 1
• President of Mastercard: 0 -
54757287425# →> 3
• Play the roulette: 0 -> Any numbers until you get connected to someone
1 800 307 7309 (US) - Options for operator
: 1-1-2-2-2-1
List of toll-free numbers by region
1 636 722 6100 (St. Louis Office)
• 914.249.2000 (Global Headquarters, US)
• 636.722.6100 (Operaction Center, US)
• 971.4.391.4200 (Dubai HQ)
• 305.539.2300 (Latin America HQ)
• 914.249.6518 (North America HQ)
• 1-800-627-8372 (US Only)
• 1800-120-113 (Australia)
• +1-636-722-7111 (International)
• customer_support@mastercard.com
List of executives' Linkedin profiles

UPDATED
Visa !
900 Metro Center Bivd, Foster City, CA
94404
NEW +1 650 432 3200 (Headquarters, US)
• Ryan McInerney (CEO) - 4 ->
6246376397926#
• Paul Fabara (Chief Risk Officer) - 4 - > 3222727285#
• Kelley Tullier (Chief People and Corp. Affairs Officer) - 4 ->
885543753559#
• Source
• Thank you profbadvibes.bsky.social
for these finds!
1-800-847-2911 (US + Canada) - US Option
Selection for Operator: 1-1-2 / 1-1-3
• List of phone numbers by region
• 1-888-289-9322 (Confidential Compliance
Hotline)
• askvisa@visa.com

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Reposted by Rocco

Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 11

#SaveSpeech

Updated list of major US bills ya'll need to yell at your congressmen about, w/ talking points.

Tell em to say NO to:

SCREEN ACT
KOSA
IODA

www.congress.gov/members/find...

CALL EM. MAIL EM. EMAIL EM. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

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Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 13

CALL STRIPE
CALL PAYPAL
CALL MASTERCARD
CALL VISA

DO NOT. STOP. CALLING!
#rocktheboat

stop-paypros.neocities.org

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Rocco @roundanimal.bsky.social · Aug 13

Tuck looks great in a one piece! Really great stuff here, love the proportions <3

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 12

Listen. If we get through this?

(And i do think we will get through this)

I hope a lot if you internalize how -easy- it is to just call your reps and give em a piece of your mind.

Theres more of US than there are those loudmouthed shitheads out there, we just gotta be loudmouths too.

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Trishka Valtear @flashfennec.bsky.social · Aug 12

No lie, this calling campaign is one of the most effective levers we have at the moment.

If we sustain the campaign through the financial quarter we'll be sending a strong message that this administration is bad for business.

Please continue making censorship unprofitable.

Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 12

We're not in theoretical "they could come after sfw queer content LATER" territory anymore. It is being used to come after sfw queer content NOW.

Spread this around, send the article to any and every news outlet/content creator you can think of. The alarms need to be sounded

And KEEP CALLING

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 12

www.thegamer.com/adult-game-b...

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 12

remember to call Stripe at 1+ 888-926-2289, and say youre from "California" when prompted. try to get clarification on where Stripe stands on LGBTQ content on online storefronts

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Fatty's Den (MINORS DNI) @fattysden.bsky.social · Aug 9

The recent wave of restrictions of pornography (including kink / fetish stuff) in art, games, videos, etc. by payment processors and puritan groups runs to the political sphere at top. This recent censorship is a part of Project 2025, as it turns out. It's no conspiracy. THEY WANT TO CENSOR US!

A post on Twitter by the Gelbooru account that says:

Currently people are contacting Visa and Mastercard, en-masse, in an effort to get them to explain why they are banning legal content from being transacted through their systems. These arbitrary restrictions caused companies, such as Steam, Itch.io, and others to pull violent and adult video games from their platforms. They continue to remain silent on the reason WHY they enforced the restrictions on the companies. I surmise they are gagged from speaking through likely threat of regulatory pressure.

May I introduce, Russ Vought, a co-writer for Project 2025, Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, AND Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/images/cfpb_headshot-russell-vought_DA8Ama7.original.png

This man has already publicly stated his desire to have pornographic content, violent video games, and other types of content "harmful to children", banned from the internet. This claim he makes is not based on unbiased scientific testing.

In a two minute clip posted on YouTube by The Intercept the following transcript, highlighted in yellow, shows his intended starting point (start with children), and then he cuts himself off from explaining the next part of the plan, of violent video games, etc, as that route had failed twice already in the past few decades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0noIS9lmR0Y
https://imgur.com/CxpcUOs
https://theintercept.com/2024/08/16/project-2025-russ-vought-porn-ban/

Now, as his position in the CFPB, he has ultimate authority over payment providers and banks, and he has likely been abusing this power to strong-arm changes in these privately owned businesses regarding content he specifically had shown his distaste and hatred towards previously. All clearly telegraphed before hand, many years ago.

Continuing the tweet by the Gelbooru account:

This was ALL done in the guise of protecting the children. Admittedly, it is a very solid tactic, at the core. But, if you use the mantra of protecting the children, it tends to mean that it's just a ploy, usually to further a specific agenda.

They are a threat against the United States, nay, the entire world. They are a threat against our democracy, a threat against free speech, and a threat against gamers, a threat against media in general.

These are the same people who believe violent video games cause violent things. An entire generation of individuals have been playing Grand Theft Auto, playing Doom, Quake, and other games, but we are not currently, nor will we face a worldwide pandemic of armed car robberies, driving on sidewalks for the fun of it, or people running around with sawed off shotguns killing demons, or raping people, because a video game was made exploring the content.

Those in power have been eroding free speech in the law. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) provides immunity to online platforms from liability for content posted by their users. They are actively attempting to kill this protection to further their goals outlined in Project 2025, by passing liabilities of their userbase onto the operators via financial regulation threats and pressure, thus killing speech directly, while still keeping in the shadows publicly.

"He filmed the crimes and posted monetized rape videos on P*rnhub, earning revenue for him and the site owners."

https://x.com/BillAckman/status/1898747162306937184

This is their attempt to kill section 230 immunity.

You should not be frightened that they MAY come into power, they are ALREADY IN POWER. They are exercising it spectacularly, taking baby steps to erode away your speech, and we've all been asleep at the wheel.

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 12

We're not in theoretical "they could come after sfw queer content LATER" territory anymore. It is being used to come after sfw queer content NOW.

Spread this around, send the article to any and every news outlet/content creator you can think of. The alarms need to be sounded

And KEEP CALLING

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 12

www.thegamer.com/adult-game-b...

Game Devs Says That Itch Adult Content Ban Is Targeting Lesbian Games, Even If They're Safe For Work

Game devs say that yuri games are being disproportionately targeted for delisting and deindexing on Itch.

www.thegamer.com

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(nsfw) Rabid Cowolf (18+) @rabidcowolf.bsky.social · Aug 12

This is a Canadian politician who is actively looking at the situation in the UK and what Mastercard is doing and saying, yes us too please :3

Maybe you should tell her what you think about online censorship. 🤔

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ThirtyHelens🔞 @thirtyhelens.bsky.social · Aug 11

"This bill is old"

Yes, Congress has been on summer break. When it is back in session, both congress and the senate should be arriving with their ears ringing from all the screaming their constituents have been doing about this and many other bills. Make sure they come back already opposed.

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Suzanne ✨🌑 @tendermiasma.com · Aug 11

This doesn't mean its inevitable-- it means we have a track record of repeatedly shutting bad policy down and we will need to continue to wield our voices in this way forever

Suzanne ✨🌑 @tendermiasma.com · Aug 11

the thing about KOSA, SCREEN and IODA is that they will keep trying until they can finally shove it through a crack in the wall. That's why it's so important to keep telling your reps no!

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matt’s slutty lil halloween name @windows98support.bsky.social · Aug 11

The UK is about to ban access to Wikipedia, just remember this bill was originally pitched as a means to protect kids from accessing porn.

The National @scotnational.bsky.social · Aug 11

Wikipedia has lost a High Court challenge against the UK Government over verification requirements in the Online Safety Act

Wikipedia loses Online Safety Act legal challenge

www.thenational.scot

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Jul 27

Cheat Sheet v.2

nothing from the prior version is incorrect, but ive made it a little easier to read, plus included a bit more helpful information

imgur link: imgur.com/a/wWaLY2i

more comprehensive info can be found here:
stop-paypros.neocities.org
yellat.money

MAKE YOUR CALLS!!!

WHY?
On July 2025, Steam, a popular storefront to purchase games on PC, and itch.io, a storefront that sells
games, comics, tools, resources and much more, have recently delisted several NSFW games, after the
group Collective Shout published an open letter to payment processors such as Visa, MasterCard, PayPal,
and more. As a result of this letter, payment processors have strongarmed Valve and itch.io into enforcing
restrictive new TOS policies on what kind of content their platforms can host and sell.

Visa, Mastercard, Stripe and Paypal have been censoring free speech and legal business on the internet for TOO LONG. Their most recent targets are Steam and Itch.io, but they have also been pressuring websites like Pixiv, Patreon, Fansly, Onlyfans and MORE for years, applying draconian standards for what kind of adult/pornographic content platiorms and their users can host and sell.

If we as consumers and creators want to regain ground on this issue, we have to make our voice heard.

HOW?
BOMBARD THEM WITH PHONE CALLS
Collective Shout, the organization that lobbied to have Steam and Itch.io change their TOS, did so with only around 1000 phone calls. Visa and MC have backed down from pressuring Onlyians to remove adult content entirely due to public backlash. Clogging their phone lines for an extended perlou, over a mont at the absolute least, will almost gudrantee that these compantes will at least have to pay attention to the backlash. this list is not exhaustive. but some contact points for the 4 targets are:

1. VISA:
(US + Can): +1 [8001-847-2911
US option selection for operator: 1-1-2 or 1-1-3

2. MASTERCARD:
(US): +1 (8001-307-7309
US option selection for operator: 1-1-2-2-2-1
Phone (outside US): 1-636-722-7111

3. STRIPE:
(Headquarters): +118881 963-8955
(France): +33 805-11-19-67
Stripe: complaints@stripe.com

4. PAYPAL:
(US): +1 (888)-221-1161
(outside US): 1-402-935-2050
Customer Service: +1 (877)-569-1116

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Lena of Lune @lena.realitywerks.com · Aug 10

Today's reminder to keep the pressure on! They're hoping we'll shut up, get tired or bored, and just walk away.

If we keep trashing their operational metrics, they'll fold first.

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 6

Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Stripe. Don’t forget to complete your dailies!!

stop-paypros.neocities.org

MasterCard A
• 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577
US
NEW +1 914 249 2000
• CEO of MasterCard: 0 > 6432224#
-> 1
• President of Mastercard : 0 ->
54757287425# →> 3
1 800 307 7309 (US) - Options for operator
: 1-1-2-2-2-1
NEW List of toll-free numbers by region
NEW 1 914 249 200 (NY Office) - Hit 0, type random numbers, hit pound. You'll be in contact with a random executive or white collar MC worker.
NEW 1 636 722 6100 (St. Louis Office)
• 914.249.2000 (Global Headquarters, US)
• 636.722.6100 (Operaction Center, US)
• 971.4.391.4200 (Dubai HQ)
• 305.539.2300 (Latin America HQ)
• 914.249.6518 (North America HQ)
• 1-800-627-8372 (US Only)
• 1800-120-113 (Australia)
• +1-636-722-7111 (International)
• customer_support@mastercard.com
• List of executives' Linkedin profiles

Visa A
• 900 Metro Center Blvd, Foster City, CA
94404
• +1 650 432 3200 (Headquarters, US)
• 1-800-847-2911 (US + Canada) - US Option
Selection for Operator: 1-1-2 / 1-1-3
• List of phone numbers by region
• 1-888-289-9322 (Confidential Compliance
Hotline)
• askvisa@visa.com

UBAED Stripe
Stripe is currently a major priority, as they have the ability to deny itch.io's eligibility to their services according to itch.io's owner.
• 354 Oyster Point Blvd. South San Francisco,
CA 94080 US (United States HQ)
NEW 10 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN, 75009
PARIS (France HQ)
• NEW Grand Canal Street Lower, The One Building, Dublin D02 HD59 (Ireland HQ) (yes, it's called The One Building)
• +1 888 926 2289 - State you are from California when calling this number
• 1(888) 963-8955 (San Franeisco HQ)
NEW 353 1 903 8449 (Ireland HQ)
• (877) 887-7815 (Customer Support/Complaints)
UPDATED +33-805-11-19-67 (France HQ) Reports suggest the line was closed due to too many calls.
• complaints@stripe.com
• Complaints Form
Thank you bukopanda.bsky.social for EU phones and addresses!

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 10

#SaveSpeech

The Stop-paypros website has been updated by @cereza.zone with additional info/contacts etc about the Interstate Obscenity Definitions Act [IODA]

Check it out and give em hell!

stop-paypros.neocities.org

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · Aug 10

something i tried today that seemed to get good mileage was using the "hey i saw this statement by Visa that said:-" as an opener, and then segueing it into "and i bring that up because i want to buy (mainstream thing that technically is against their content policy. ex: GoT)"

Suzanne ✨🌑 @tendermiasma.com · Aug 7

There's a good tactic to keep them on the phone longer in here: Start by saying you're concerned about a statement that the processor has put out, and then read the entire statement without stopping. This will cause confusion and awkwardness if they just repeat it back to you, which they likely will

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Canna Beth, The Herb Catte🌳VTUBER @theherbcatte.bsky.social · Aug 10

KEEP UP THOSE CALLS PEOPLE!!!
It IS working. The pressure is having an effect. Keep it up!!

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · Aug 6

Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Stripe. Don’t forget to complete your dailies!!

stop-paypros.neocities.org

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