Social Media Lab
@socialmedialab.ca
SocialMediaLab.ca - News & analysis by @philipmai.com re: the politics of tech, social media, AI, immigration, democracy, mis/disinfo, & propaganda. Explore our suite of social media tools & dashboards for public interest research: socialmedialab.ca/apps/
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Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan Uni. is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions vs 28 Canadian citizens, incl. our rsrchrs Anatoliy Gruzd & Philip Mai, on the baseless claims that their rsrch promotes neo-Nazism & anti-Russian activism. socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
The plan is to make America white again. The first step is to stop non-whites from coming in; the second step is to restrict the status and growth opportunities for those already here so they can't grow their community. You already know about the final step. It's a matter of time and opportunity.
Last week, the U.S. suspended immigrant visas from 75 countries due to concerns about public assistance. www.npr.org/2026/01/14/g...
But in actuality, it was a way to reintroduce racial quotas back into the US immigration system. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
But in actuality, it was a way to reintroduce racial quotas back into the US immigration system. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Racial quotas for immigration are back | Heba Gowayed
The Trump administration’s immigration policies hearken back to the racist 1924 Immigration Act, meant to whiten the US
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:27 PM
The plan is to make America white again. The first step is to stop non-whites from coming in; the second step is to restrict the status and growth opportunities for those already here so they can't grow their community. You already know about the final step. It's a matter of time and opportunity.
Reposted by Social Media Lab
A compilation of EU organizations that are 💯 dependent on US clouds for their primary mission , and where society would be disrupted if they could no longer do their work. berthub.eu/articles/pos...
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
Dashboard totale Amerikaanse afhankelijkheden - Bert Hubert
Hier een lijst organisaties die voor hun primaire missie totaal afhankelijk zijn van Amerikaanse clouds, en waarbij de maatschappij ontwricht zou worden als ze hun werk niet meer konden doen, bijvoorb...
berthub.eu
January 19, 2026 at 1:10 PM
A compilation of EU organizations that are 💯 dependent on US clouds for their primary mission , and where society would be disrupted if they could no longer do their work. berthub.eu/articles/pos...
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
Reposted by Social Media Lab
A very nice explainer on "Why ICE Is Operating in Minneapolis — Beyond the '100-Mile Border Zone'" medium.com/armedwithrea...
ICE in Minneapolis — Beyond the “100-Mile Border Zone”
Unpacking two overlapping concepts: the government’s interpretation of the 100-mile border enforcement zone and 4th Amendment protections.
medium.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:58 AM
A very nice explainer on "Why ICE Is Operating in Minneapolis — Beyond the '100-Mile Border Zone'" medium.com/armedwithrea...
Drawing on our lab’s research, our @Philipmai.com explains how reactivated accounts on X and targeted messaging signal organized inauthentic activity aimed at shaping political narratives around Iran.
#SocialMediaResearch #InformationOperations #Disinformation #NYTimes #SocialMediaLab
#SocialMediaResearch #InformationOperations #Disinformation #NYTimes #SocialMediaLab
Battles Over Truth Rage Online Amid Iran’s Internet Blackout
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Drawing on our lab’s research, our @Philipmai.com explains how reactivated accounts on X and targeted messaging signal organized inauthentic activity aimed at shaping political narratives around Iran.
#SocialMediaResearch #InformationOperations #Disinformation #NYTimes #SocialMediaLab
#SocialMediaResearch #InformationOperations #Disinformation #NYTimes #SocialMediaLab
A compilation of EU organizations that are 💯 dependent on US clouds for their primary mission , and where society would be disrupted if they could no longer do their work. berthub.eu/articles/pos...
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
Dashboard totale Amerikaanse afhankelijkheden - Bert Hubert
Hier een lijst organisaties die voor hun primaire missie totaal afhankelijk zijn van Amerikaanse clouds, en waarbij de maatschappij ontwricht zou worden als ze hun werk niet meer konden doen, bijvoorb...
berthub.eu
January 19, 2026 at 1:10 PM
A compilation of EU organizations that are 💯 dependent on US clouds for their primary mission , and where society would be disrupted if they could no longer do their work. berthub.eu/articles/pos...
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
I suspect Canada is in the same boat. #cloudsovereignty #digitalsovereignty
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Some world leaders are known for their pettiness, but this is in a league of its own.
"Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter.
US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister."
"Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter.
US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister."
Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter
US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Some world leaders are known for their pettiness, but this is in a league of its own.
"Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter.
US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister."
"Donald Trump links threats to seize Greenland to Nobel prize snub in letter.
US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister."
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Now the U.S. has lost its only reliable way to verify whether Greenland’s “defense system” is still two dog sleds in a trench coat.
January 19, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Now the U.S. has lost its only reliable way to verify whether Greenland’s “defense system” is still two dog sleds in a trench coat.
This has got to be Trump's most brazen pro-Russia move yet.
The plan by Trump to rehabilitate and bring Putin back into the family of nations continues. It's reminiscent of the move under Biden to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Trump has invited Putin to join Gaza’s ‘Board of Peace’, says Kremlin – Europe live
Russia seeking to ‘clarify all the nuances’ of offer to join board meant to oversee governance and reconstruction of territory
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:02 PM
This has got to be Trump's most brazen pro-Russia move yet.
Reposted by Social Media Lab
The kids are alright
statsandsociety.substack.com/p/how-bad-is...
statsandsociety.substack.com/p/how-bad-is...
How bad is the youth life-satisfaction crisis?
Certain groups are hurting, but overall you're creating a moral panic
statsandsociety.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:57 PM
The kids are alright
statsandsociety.substack.com/p/how-bad-is...
statsandsociety.substack.com/p/how-bad-is...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Doing Putin's bidding by pretending to be anti-Russian is peak Trump.
January 19, 2026 at 6:45 AM
Doing Putin's bidding by pretending to be anti-Russian is peak Trump.
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
TRT World - Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race
The federation said the invitation was made by a private tourism company and withdrawn unilaterally, easing concerns over political symbolism.
www.trtworld.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
Justice is no longer blind in the US. "The US Department of Justice said Sunday it is investigating a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local official with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparently serves as a pastor." www.cnn.com/2026/01/18/u...
January 19, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Justice is no longer blind in the US. "The US Department of Justice said Sunday it is investigating a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local official with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparently serves as a pastor." www.cnn.com/2026/01/18/u...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
The plan by Trump to rehabilitate and bring Putin back into the family of nations continues. It's reminiscent of the move under Biden to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Trump has invited Putin to join Gaza’s ‘Board of Peace’, says Kremlin – Europe live
Russia seeking to ‘clarify all the nuances’ of offer to join board meant to oversee governance and reconstruction of territory
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:09 AM
The plan by Trump to rehabilitate and bring Putin back into the family of nations continues. It's reminiscent of the move under Biden to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
"More than 50% of America’s 16.2 million college and university students now attend institutions in states where there is at least one law, or school or state policy that restricts what can be taught." www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?sto...
‘Catastrophic’ year for US academic freedom and autonomy
The direct and indirect forms of US government-imposed censorship instituted against higher education in 2025 were a ‘catastrophe’ for academic fr...
www.universityworldnews.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:06 PM
"More than 50% of America’s 16.2 million college and university students now attend institutions in states where there is at least one law, or school or state policy that restricts what can be taught." www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?sto...
Starmer says he wants to restrict screen time for those under 5 and confirmed that a teen social media ban is under consideration.
January 19, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Starmer says he wants to restrict screen time for those under 5 and confirmed that a teen social media ban is under consideration.
A very nice explainer on "Why ICE Is Operating in Minneapolis — Beyond the '100-Mile Border Zone'" medium.com/armedwithrea...
ICE in Minneapolis — Beyond the “100-Mile Border Zone”
Unpacking two overlapping concepts: the government’s interpretation of the 100-mile border enforcement zone and 4th Amendment protections.
medium.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:58 AM
A very nice explainer on "Why ICE Is Operating in Minneapolis — Beyond the '100-Mile Border Zone'" medium.com/armedwithrea...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
He sounds almost Canadian. "Starmer says he does not accept UK has to choose between US and Europe."
January 19, 2026 at 11:30 AM
He sounds almost Canadian. "Starmer says he does not accept UK has to choose between US and Europe."
Reposted by Social Media Lab
Not much has changed in the past 250 years:
- They still love their king.
- They were never loyal to the United States.
- They still love their king.
- They were never loyal to the United States.
January 18, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Not much has changed in the past 250 years:
- They still love their king.
- They were never loyal to the United States.
- They still love their king.
- They were never loyal to the United States.
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
TRT World - Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race
The federation said the invitation was made by a private tourism company and withdrawn unilaterally, easing concerns over political symbolism.
www.trtworld.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Greenland cancels US envoy visit to annual dog sledge race www.trtworld.com/article/4cf4...
Anyone who insists on taking what you’re willing to lend cannot honestly be called a friend or ally.
January 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Anyone who insists on taking what you’re willing to lend cannot honestly be called a friend or ally.
Engage, not escalate. "The EU has ‘tools at its disposal’ to deal with Trump’s Greenland tariff threats. Olaf Gill says bloc will act to protect its economic interests but ‘priority is to engage, not escalate’" www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
EU has ‘tools at its disposal’ to deal with Trump’s Greenland tariff threats – Europe live
Olaf Gill says bloc will act to protect its economic interests but ‘priority is to engage, not escalate’
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Engage, not escalate. "The EU has ‘tools at its disposal’ to deal with Trump’s Greenland tariff threats. Olaf Gill says bloc will act to protect its economic interests but ‘priority is to engage, not escalate’" www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Keep calm and grovel harder ... "Starmer calls for ‘calm discussion’ on Greenland and plays down chance of retaliatory tariffs on US." www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Starmer calls for ‘calm discussion’ on Greenland and plays down chance of retaliatory tariffs on US – UK politics live
PM speaks to reporters amid crisis over the territory and Trump’s tariff threats to those who oppose him
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Keep calm and grovel harder ... "Starmer calls for ‘calm discussion’ on Greenland and plays down chance of retaliatory tariffs on US." www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Social Media Lab
January 19, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"Bid to woo US talent 'misguided and insulting', say Irish researchers" www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
Bid to woo US talent 'misguided and insulting', say Irish researchers
Launch of Global Talent Initiative leaves Irish researchers 'deeply disillusioned' despite empathy with colleagues as American scientific institutions 'decimated'
www.irishexaminer.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"Bid to woo US talent 'misguided and insulting', say Irish researchers" www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
The plan by Trump to rehabilitate and bring Putin back into the family of nations continues. It's reminiscent of the move under Biden to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Trump has invited Putin to join Gaza’s ‘Board of Peace’, says Kremlin – Europe live
Russia seeking to ‘clarify all the nuances’ of offer to join board meant to oversee governance and reconstruction of territory
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:09 AM
The plan by Trump to rehabilitate and bring Putin back into the family of nations continues. It's reminiscent of the move under Biden to rehabilitate Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...