jenna ruddock
@ruddock.bsky.social
researcher, organizer, a lot of hats
opinions my own and also my dog’s (probably)
opinions my own and also my dog’s (probably)
Pinned
jenna ruddock
@ruddock.bsky.social
· Oct 4
Amidst Violent Immigration Raids, DHS Turns to Big Tech to Silence Dissent | TechPolicy.Press
Free Press advocacy director Jenna Ruddock says the Trump administration is targeting anyone monitoring its expanding immigration enforcement operations.
www.techpolicy.press
the Trump admin just deported an award-winning journalist known for his reporting on ICE and got Apple to block ICE-spotter apps — all while churning out highly-produced social media content from violent ICE raids in Chicago. it’s their media or no media. www.techpolicy.press/amidst-viole...
Reposted by jenna ruddock
shared with consent from friend who was on site for this latest gassing of neighbors gathering outside for their community in Minnesota.
November 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
shared with consent from friend who was on site for this latest gassing of neighbors gathering outside for their community in Minnesota.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
It is wild that the LA jails are so dilapidated and dirty that the medical examiner bothers making note of it in autopsy reports.
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
It is wild that the LA jails are so dilapidated and dirty that the medical examiner bothers making note of it in autopsy reports.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
St. Paul police are absolutely relishing the ability to brutalize their citizens without fearing repercussions.
November 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM
St. Paul police are absolutely relishing the ability to brutalize their citizens without fearing repercussions.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
I am absolutely seeing this in real time. I get at least 3 emails a day from people I know and people I don't asking me if I have leads on work. I usually have to say I do not. The job market is NOT GOOD right now at all.
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
I am absolutely seeing this in real time. I get at least 3 emails a day from people I know and people I don't asking me if I have leads on work. I usually have to say I do not. The job market is NOT GOOD right now at all.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
My readers will not be surprised to hear that DHS and DOJ lied their asses off in an emergency filing to the Supreme Court: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u... (gift link)
November 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM
My readers will not be surprised to hear that DHS and DOJ lied their asses off in an emergency filing to the Supreme Court: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u... (gift link)
Reposted by jenna ruddock
When federal agents shoot people in D.C., there are few details — and little accountability.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports, with support from @spotlightdc.bsky.social:
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports, with support from @spotlightdc.bsky.social:
When federal agents shoot people in D.C., there are few details – and little accountability
D.C. police officers are held to one standard, federal agents another.
51st.news
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
When federal agents shoot people in D.C., there are few details — and little accountability.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports, with support from @spotlightdc.bsky.social:
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports, with support from @spotlightdc.bsky.social:
Reposted by jenna ruddock
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
using "device hoarding" to describe people who are *not* buying every new device on the market is some wild work
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
using "device hoarding" to describe people who are *not* buying every new device on the market is some wild work
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Christmas is coming, and the Black Friday sales signal we’re in peak gift-buying season.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
A tech critic’s guide to holiday gift-giving
Maybe your grandma doesn’t need that Alexa smart speaker
disconnect.blog
November 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Christmas is coming, and the Black Friday sales signal we’re in peak gift-buying season.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Ice is gassing neighbors in St. Paul this morning g during a paramilitary fascist raid on the city.
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Ice is gassing neighbors in St. Paul this morning g during a paramilitary fascist raid on the city.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
As Charlie notes, so many of America's top assignment editors still rely on Twitter to get and share their ideas. Here's reason # 735879374985783478509 why that is fucking nuts.
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
As Charlie notes, so many of America's top assignment editors still rely on Twitter to get and share their ideas. Here's reason # 735879374985783478509 why that is fucking nuts.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers inform a federal judge about the Washington Post's bombshell: The government's claim that Costa Rica will no longer accept Abrego has been exposed as a lie.
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyers inform a federal judge about the Washington Post's bombshell: The government's claim that Costa Rica will no longer accept Abrego has been exposed as a lie.
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
More evidence—"if any were needed"—of vindictive prosecution.
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by jenna ruddock
“Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health, according to unredacted filings in a lawsuit by U.S. school districts against Meta and other social media platforms.”
Meta buried 'causal' evidence of social media harm, US court filings allege - The Economic Times
Meta reportedly halted internal research into the mental health impacts of Facebook and Instagram after finding causal evidence of harm. Internal documents revealed users reported lower depression and...
m.economictimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health, according to unredacted filings in a lawsuit by U.S. school districts against Meta and other social media platforms.”
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Reposted by jenna ruddock
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Some incredible details in this piece
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
*one DOGE faction was planning the future of the US government at a venture capital firm
*illegally communicating on Signal to avoid transparency laws was deeply embedded into organizational culture to be taken for granted
November 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This is a story about how America’s world-leading cancer and dementia research system was destroyed by frauds and naifs who broke the law.
There must be consequences.
There must be consequences.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Reposted by jenna ruddock
My mom said from Raleigh that people there were squaded up against ICE & ICE is leaving Raleigh & Durham tomorrow. She said there were trainings at churches for ICE watch & all kinds of things. She said "these are our people & ICE is not welcome." Alright mommy!
November 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
My mom said from Raleigh that people there were squaded up against ICE & ICE is leaving Raleigh & Durham tomorrow. She said there were trainings at churches for ICE watch & all kinds of things. She said "these are our people & ICE is not welcome." Alright mommy!
Reposted by jenna ruddock
I wonder if this will make people actually slow their roll in terms of taking information from people they do not know as sacrosanct. Probably not. The amount of lying and deception online is overwhelming.
X rolled out a new feature overnight showing where accounts are based. This network of “Trump-supporting independent women” that claimed to be “real Americans” are based in Thailand.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
November 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I wonder if this will make people actually slow their roll in terms of taking information from people they do not know as sacrosanct. Probably not. The amount of lying and deception online is overwhelming.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Once again: read @mariahblake.bsky.social's "They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals"
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
EPA just approved new ‘forever chemical’ pesticides for use on food
Critics warn the EPA’s approvals of new PFAS pesticides could expose more Americans to “forever chemicals” through their food.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Once again: read @mariahblake.bsky.social's "They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals"
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
Reposted by jenna ruddock
Boast from EPA chief Lee Zelda: “We will do more deregulation in one year than entire federal governments in the past have done across all federal agencies combined.”
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Boast from EPA chief Lee Zelda: “We will do more deregulation in one year than entire federal governments in the past have done across all federal agencies combined.”