Dr. Casey Fiesler
@cfiesler.bsky.social
information science professor (tech ethics + internet stuff)
kind of a content creator (elsewhere also @professorcasey)
though not influencing anyone to do anything except maybe learn things
she/her
more: casey.prof
Casey Fiesler is an American associate professor at University of Colorado Boulder who studies technology policy, internet law and policy, and public communication.
Source: Wikipedia
Computer science
40%
Communication & Media Studies
18%
Fears about TikTok’s policy changes point to a deeper problem in the tech industry
Following the app’s sale, the company’s updated privacy policy and terms of service set off alarm bells. The reaction shows Big Tech has lost the public’s trust.
theconversation.com
After going down a rabbit hole re: U.S. TikTok's new privacy policy, I couldn't stop thinking about how even if some of the alarm was based on misleading information, it's not surprising that everyone assumes the worst. Anyway, I wrote about this: theconversation.com/fears-about-...
Here's hoping for another one in the near future! <3
PhD Admissions Visit | What To Do on a PhD Interview
YouTube video by Casey Fiesler
youtube.com
I also made this video about PhD admissions visits five years ago so I don't 100% remember what's in it (probably something about virtual visits during lockdown too 😭 ) but probably the same things that are in this thread! youtube.com/watch?v=OugQPPVM-wc&feature=youtu.be
5. Even if this is pre-admission, these are conversations, not an oral exam. I know it's hard, but try not to become paralyzed by wanting to sound smart. If you got this far, you are already on a short list. You are worthy. Punch your imposter syndrome in the teeth.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Anything from "what are prelims exams like" to "where can I rock climb." And especially if you've already been admitted, asking financial questions is totally ok. Though current students can give you the best insight into e.g. cost of living relative to stipend.
3. The people you meet - faculty, current students, other prospective students - are very likely going to be your colleagues for years to come, even if you don't end up at that school. These are people you will see at conferences. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet so many people!
2. Don't be a jerk. TO ANYONE. Faculty hear about things like you being rude to an admin assistant in an email. And don't bad mouth programs especially the one you're at; "I hope this second tier program isn't my only option" doesn't sound good to the prospective for whom this is their dream school.
1. Talk to current students as much as you can, preferably when faculty aren't around. Ask them about what their lives are like, what their advisors are like, etc. And also consider how you get along with them because they might well be your primary social group.
PhD admissions visits/open houses are starting to happen, and I got a comment on an old Reddit post where I was offering advice, and realized that it's actually really good advice. So here it is! (And this applies whether you've already been admitted to the program or not.) 🧵
Noooooooo. 😭 I was afraid to look. I’m so sorry, you’ve truly been one of my favorite journalists to chat with over the years. I hope that another publication is smart enough to hire you ASAP.
When two years of academic work vanished with a single click
After turning off ChatGPT’s ‘data consent’ option, Marcel Bucher lost the work behind grant applications, teaching materials and publication drafts. Here’s what happened next.
www.nature.com
I suppose this is an important cautionary tale for some people (though not as bad as "I wrote a book with ChatGPT and it turns out there was no file"), but I'm gobsmacked someone wrote about this. You could not have pried this information out of me with a crowbar. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Robot Riot Brings Comedy and Science to RISE Comedy
New monthly show at RISE Comedy, Robot Riot, blends improv, standup and ethics for a uniquely Denver night of comedy and tech.
www.westword.com
Great article interviewing @tomwilliams.phd about the AI-themed comedy show happening at RISE Comedy in Denver this Friday... including me performing stand up! (Also brb adding "headliner" to my CV.) www.westword.com/arts-culture...
Oh sure. Just a comment on the rhetoric I’m seeing. And also that in this case trying to solve one of the problems created the other.
I don’t think the folks I’m talking about here trust China. I think they think that Larry Ellison has a much more vested interest in manipulating them than China does.
False Posts and Altered Images Distort Views of Minnesota Shooting
www.nytimes.com
I think this article is important in part because it’s mostly NOT about AI. It’s a combination of things that have contributed to our absolute mess of an information ecosystem right now including people in power outright lying constantly. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/u...
I do think it’s telling that many, many TikTok users are far more concerned about the U.S. government potentially having access to their data and control over their feed than the Chinese government.
I also frankly wonder what the Democrat politicians who voted for the ban think of this outcome.
I also frankly wonder what the Democrat politicians who voted for the ban think of this outcome.
I have never seen so many people absolutely appropriately quoting 1984 all at once. 😢
FYI if any journalists are doing stories about reactions to TikTok’s ownership change in the U.S. I would love to talk to you about the terms of service component, I think it’s interesting
My post was about a specific provision. But this video also speaks to the location data change, in case this is useful. bsky.app/profile/cfie...
Though importantly as I say in this video I'm NOT suggesting there's nothing to be concerned about.
Though importantly as I say in this video I'm NOT suggesting there's nothing to be concerned about.
This post was about one provision. But this video explains that in more detail and speaks to the location data change, in case this is useful. bsky.app/profile/cfie...
And as I say in this video I'm NOT suggesting thee's nothing to be concerned about. But we should be concerned about real things.
And as I say in this video I'm NOT suggesting thee's nothing to be concerned about. But we should be concerned about real things.
I’ve seen two different posts here about this so: Very valid reasons to be upset about new TikTok ownership! but this is not a list of data they collect, it’s a list of what you may disclose.Was also in the TikTok policy already. It didn’t change. (Right is today, left is from wayback machine.)
Gah! Sorry alt text didn’t save. The relevant bit here is that the list of sensitive data from the original post is identical, and also listed after “information you may disclose.”
There are very valid reasons to be upset about new TikTok ownership! but this is not a list of data they collect, it’s a list of what you may disclose.Was also in the TikTok policy already. It didn’t change. (Right is today, left is from wayback machine.)
Could you tell me about what specifically is concerning? These sites all have such similar policies that I’m not sure what you’re concerned boat. :)
Try a web browser on a computer :) (Or not, this is just in case you ever want to.)
Also just in case this comes up in the future I’m pretty sure you can view TikTok videos from a web browser without being logged into an account!
Replying to @queenofcharts New privacy policy for U.S. TikTok re: location tracking geolocation and sensitive data Ike citizenship and immigration status. (Following up from TimTok terms of service TO...
TikTok video by Professor Casey Fiesler
www.tiktok.com
And for what it’s worth, I went into this in more detail: www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fXoe7f/
I saw this yes! It doesn’t actually mention the component that is in your screenshot.
My apologies if I misstepped here, was just trying to provide accurate and hopefully helpful information. As I said, lots of things to be concerned about, I just want to focus on the right things.
Oh yep I read it today! And also the previous version from the way back machine. That’s how I knew this wasn’t something that changed. :)