Mullvad VPN - Privacy is for the people

https://mullvad.net/

> Free the internet from mass surveillance and censorship. Fight for privacy with Mullvad VPN and Mullvad Browser.

#vpn #mulvad #privacy #democracy

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https://mullvad.net/

Interview: The Woman Who Predicted Tech Fascism — Paulina Borsook Was Right

How Silicon Valley’s toxic libertarianism evolved into a global far-right propaganda machine, and why tech journalists failed to sound the alarm.

And what happens next with AI, surveillance, & billionaire power?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DL-kwZdkiOA

#USPol #EUPol #TechFascism #AI #Democracy .

Interview: The Woman Who Predicted Tech Fascism — Paulina Borsook Was Right

How Silicon Valley’s toxic libertarianism evolved into a global far-right propaganda machine, and why tech journalists failed to sound the alarm.

And what happens next with AI, surveillance, & billionaire power?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DL-kwZdkiOA

#USPol #EUPol #TechFascism #AI #Democracy .

But even Christians have their idols (dogmas, creedos, liturgies, customs, rituals) that blind them to the one and only one truth.

"My people perish for lack of knowledge ..."

Instead many Christians believe they have chosen the right narrow path, which is just one lane in the broad road superhighway to hell.

Real democracy for electing rulers is done by lottery, not by party ballot. Every citizen puts a name in the ballot box and then a random name is selected, and the candidate is examined. If the candidate passes muster, then he is the one put in the office. No campaigns, no campaign finance, no speeches, none of that garbage has any place in actual democracy.

The Bible has multiple instances in the law of God for casting lots (lottery) to choose a leader or successor for an office. That is real democracy. The Greeks called ballots for party or public candidate by a Greek word: Oligarchy.

Everyone who calls elections by the name of democracy doesn't know what democracy is. Democracy is not the 'choice of the people' but rather the 'random choice of God' from among the people. This is how the Greeks and Israelites originally practiced democratic elections. The idea of 'running for office' was anciently seen as a form of insurrection or oligarchy, not democracy.

#Democracy #Elections #Oligarchy #Vote #Government

Trump started a war with Iran to cover up the Epstein Files and make money. Ballroom Republicans supported this disaster. It's not going well:

Trump reversed on his "Operation Freedom" after Saudi's threatened to suspend use of their bases. Trump's just an errand boy for whoever yells at him last. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trumps-abrupt-u-turn-plan-re-open-strait-hormuz-came-backlash-allies-rcna343845

The top Iranian negotiator is openly mocking Trump. https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/05/07/top-iran-negotiator-mocks-operation-trust-me-bro-and-questions-reports-of-trumps-peace-proposal/

#iran #iranwar #uspol #democracy #politics

Preliminary findings confirm OpenAI abused our personal information, but the privacy commissioner considers the issues related to the BC mass shooting "resolved". BUT they are saying that there are wider problems and legislation needs to be updated. Time to contact our elected officials.

(still WAY too much deference given to the industry IMO)

Press conference live now on CBC News Network

#CdnPoli #privacy #ai #democracy

There are many problems with #USA #democracy

Like the stupid #ElectoralCollege

Gore beat Bush in 2000, Clinton beat Trump in 2016. In the popular vote. The EC erased it

Well here's another reason for you to #vote in the #primaries and the general #election:

The #Democrats, if they win enough in November, can kill the EC

It's been a 20 year effort of states agreeing to void the EC if enough agree: the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

https://www.vox.com/politics/487766/national-popular-vote-interstate-compact-electoral-college

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact

"We write as lawyers and law professors [in] privacy law and constitutional rights... [C]ertain provisions of the bill as ...drafted raise serious constitutional concerns and fail to strike a reasonable balance [btwn] the legitimate needs of law enforcement and the privacy rights of Canadians."

#Canada #cdnpoli #privacy #cybersecurity #democracy

https://robertdiab.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-on-bill-c-22

🚨 911

The government has limited committee study to 3 days. This will pass next week if we don’t stop it. The “Lawful Access” bill, Bill C22 allows warrantless access to all your digital devices. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, The Canadian Civil Liberties Union, and 25 tech & privacy orgs have written an open letter urging the government to repeal it.

Please help stop it and contact your MPs #Canada 🇨🇦

#privacy #surveillance #tech #cdnpoli #democracy

https://www.openmedia.org/StopC22-bsky

Democrats are increasingly bullish on the midterms as the Ballroom Republicans flail. https://thehill.com/newsletters/morning-report/5861844-midterm-battleground-six-months/

The Ballroom Republicans and the Epstein Class are getting verry worried about the midterms. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5860118-senate-republicans-house-infighting-gridlock/

#midtersm #uspol #democracy #democrats #ballroomrepublicans #epsteinclass

Report: UK's Starmer says people who chant 'globalise the intifada' must be prosecuted.

Yet, "there have been no recorded incidents in the UK of an antisemitic attack involving the phrase 'globalise the intifada'."

Anti-genocide protesters "have strongly denied that 'globalise the Intifada' is antisemitic or a call for violence, & British Jews have been prominent in pro-Palestine marches in the UK".

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/starmer-accused-weaponising-antisemitic-attack-target-pro-palestine-protests

#UKPol #USPol #EUPol #palestine #news #UKRepression #Democracy .

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Starmer with caption "globalise the anti-starmer"

Salon:
An arch bigger than the Arc de Triomphe? Hitler wanted that too

Tyrants and dictators often dream of building gigantic monuments to themselves. It usually doesn't work.

It might be a bit too convenient, at this moment in history, to observe that failing tyrants, as they feel their power slipping away, start building grandiose monuments to themselves.
https://www.salon.com/2026/05/03/an-arch-bigger-than-the-arc-de-triomphe-hitler-wanted-that-too/

#News #Politics #Democracy #Democrats #Trump

Why we need more Zero-knowledge tools?

[Part 1 of 2]

Zero-knowledge tools (often called zero-knowledge encryption or zero-knowledge architecture services) are privacy-focused apps and platforms where the service provider has zero knowledge of the actual data. Even if they are subpoenaed, hacked, or compelled by authorities (relevant in India under DPDP [1] or other laws), they literally cannot access or hand over your readable content. This goes beyond basic End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). E2EE protects data in transit between users, but the provider might still hold keys or access metadata. Zero-knowledge ensures the provider is completely blind to the content [2].

Popular zero-knowledge tools are Proton mail, Tuta mail, Standard Notes, Notesnook, Proton Drive, Bitwarden, Filen.io, Simplex Chat, Threema (banned in India since May 2023) etc.

WhatsApp, with fully visible metadata to Meta, Gmail, Outlook, Telegram and Arattai are not zero knowledge tools. WhatsApp heavily advertise their E2EE features as sufficient for privacy, often misleading Indian users into believing basic E2EE equals full protection while downplaying metadata risks and provider access.

Signal prioritizes usable, strong E2EE with excellent metadata protection over pure zero-knowledge. It's "privacy by design + policy," is not absolute zero-knowledge. Many experts still call it the gold standard for messaging.

In India lack of awareness, network affect, convenience, habit, and zero cost keep WhatsApp, Gmail, and Google Drive dominant. Zero-knowledge tools offer stronger privacy but demand more effort and paid subscriptions or one time fee for comfortable and carefree usage in a price-sensitive market like India. This limits mass adoption and keeps strong privacy tools largely confined to tech-savvy or high-risk users.

1. Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2190655&reg=3&lang=2
2. https://www.ghostvolt.com/blog/end-to-end-vs-zero-knowledge-encryption.html

#ZeroKnowledge #Privacy #Democracy #Metadata

Report: UK's Starmer says people who chant 'globalise the intifada' must be prosecuted.

Yet, "there have been no recorded incidents in the UK of an antisemitic attack involving the phrase 'globalise the intifada'."

Anti-genocide protesters "have strongly denied that 'globalise the Intifada' is antisemitic or a call for violence, & British Jews have been prominent in pro-Palestine marches in the UK".

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/starmer-accused-weaponising-antisemitic-attack-target-pro-palestine-protests

#UKPol #USPol #EUPol #palestine #news #UKRepression #Democracy .

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Pic of starmer Caption Globalise the anti Starmer

Are we witnessing the end of an empire?

#poll #america #democracy

Heather Cox Richardson:
Today in Politics | Explainer

“What you are seeing right now, in what has been just a bonkers week, is an administration that is crumbling at the same time that it's grabbing for as much power as it can possibly get. And let me start by trying to prove that point by the fact, there are new poll numbers out for President Donald J. Trump, and they're abysmal.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVMxorHG3Q

#News #Politics #Democracy #Democrats #Trump

"Purge Palantir" is a campaign "to raise awareness of the need to get Palantir out of our government & our lives."

"Purge Palantir is working with organizers across the country to put a spotlight on the company & its abuses—& anyone can join."

https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-to-purge-palantir/

#USPol #EUPol #UKPol #Palantir #Fascism #Racism #Democracy #PurgePalantir #news .

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Trump, thiel

Big ups to the legions of Mastodonians linking to their vetted sources.

Protect and nourish our information ecosystems!

#Mastodon #media #journalism #science #knowledge #democracy

Anyone asserting encryption is a tool for crime is either painfully misinformed or is attempting to manipulate legislators to gain oppressive power over the people.

Encryption is not a crime,
encryption is a shield.

Encryption protects you from cyberattack, identity theft, discrimination, doxxing, stalking, sexual violence, physical harm, and much more.

For safety, for privacy, for democracy, and for all our human rights, it's critical that we defend our right to encryption.

https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/04/11/encryption-is-not-a-crime/

#Privacy #Encryption #DigitalRights #HumanRights #Democracy #RootForE2EE

RE: https://mastodon.thenewoil.org/@nateb/116482814748540996

We can not have democracy without privacy.

#Democracy #Privacy #Dissent #HumanRights #FreeSpeech #Resistance #Law

Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right rule was a dark time for social movements in Brazil.

Since Lula’s return to power, housing activists have had a renewed role not just in the streets but in setting government policy.
https://jacobin.com/2026/04/brazil-lula-housing-youth-social-movements

#left #LeftWing #leftist #LulaDaSilva #Lula2026 #Democracy #SocialJustice #SocialMovement #MTST #Housing #HomelessWorkersMovement #brazil

I’m gonna tell you fascists
You may be surprised
The people in this world
Are getting organized
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose

#uspol #fascism #democracy #fcknzs #fckafd #europe #germany

https://loops.video/v/fgqDEw3GmG

Purge Palantir is a "campaign to raise awareness of the need to get Palantir out of our government and our lives."

"Purge Palantir is working with organizers across the country to put a spotlight on the company and its abuses—and anyone can join."

https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-to-purge-palantir/

#USPol #EUPol #UKPol #Palantir #Fascism #Racism #Democracy #PurgePalantir #news .

Purge Palantir is a "campaign to raise awareness of the need to get Palantir out of our government and our lives."

"Purge Palantir is working with organizers across the country to put a spotlight on the company and its abuses—and anyone can join."

https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-to-purge-palantir/

#USPol #EUPol #UKPol #Palantir #Fascism #Racism #Democracy #PurgePalantir #news .

It's heartbreaking to see that there's a growing number of people who no longer feel safe in their own home or country.

Unfortunately, for people in precarious situations, digital footprints of all kind can be enough to threaten safety.

Whether you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, a queer person living in a hostile environment, or a human rights activist located in regions adverse to their cause, Tails might be able to help.

Here's a beginner-friendly guide on how to install Tails, for yourself or for others.

https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/01/29/installing-and-using-tails/

#Privacy #Tails #Tor #TransSafety #DomesticViolence #LGBTQ #Democracy #HumanRights #Censorship

Purge Palantir is a "campaign to raise awareness of the need to get Palantir out of our government and our lives."

"Purge Palantir is working with organizers across the country to put a spotlight on the company and its abuses—and anyone can join."

https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-to-purge-palantir/

#USPol #EUPol #UKPol #Palantir #Fascism #Racism #Democracy #PurgePalantir #news .

Purge Palantir is a "campaign to raise awareness of the need to get Palantir out of our government and our lives."

"Purge Palantir is working with organizers across the country to put a spotlight on the company and its abuses—and anyone can join."

https://www.thenerdreich.com/how-to-purge-palantir/

#USPol #EUPol #UKPol #Palantir #Fascism #Racism #Democracy #PurgePalantir #news .

2/4
Newsweek:
Amanda Ungaro Says Melania Trump Knows She Saw ‘Compromising Interactions’

"... while she did not threaten me directly, she knows that I witnessed highly compromising interactions over the course of 20 years," Ungaro said. "She does not know the full extent of what I know—for I lived with Paolo for 20 years."
https://www.newsweek.com/amanda-ungaro-says-melania-trump-knows-she-saw-compromising-interactions-11849920

#News #Politics #Democracy #Democrats #Trump #Epstein #EpsteinFiles

There are many reasons why I'm against age verification and social media bans for teens.

Youth is part of society and their voices should be heard. When we take a look on how they use social media, we can see they use them for expressing themselves, mobilizing for important causes such as climate action and fair wages.

Imposing restrictions on young people is not the way to protect them. In fact, it's taking their right to freedom of expression and speech. It also harms society as young people very often have smart and accurate ideas on how to make society better.

Another reason is that to verify age, you need to collect ID. This exposes people to risks such as exploitation, identity theft, fraud, scams, etc. Breaches are happening, we saw many severe breaches in the past. Making the use of ID documents mandatory for age verification would make life easier for cybercriminals.

There are more reasons.

Yes, we need to act to protect children and fight against child abuse. There is no doubt about it. But what we need to do it in a reasonable, safe and transparent way that is not cutting young people from social media, or exposes people to risks to their privacy.

#AgeVerification #privacy #HumanRights #SocialMedia #security #youth #activism #democracy #technology #internet #SocialWeb

@buherator
I think voting rights should be based on morality.
Kraterocrats, imperialists, group blamers and judgers, and the like shouldn't be allowed to vote.
But the problem there is corruption from those who determine those people.
One easy fix might be to stop convicted criminals from voting. Just for a period of time, to allow for rehabilitation. Maybe just for crimes with victims. So not drug possession.
Thoughts?
#politics #democracy #suffrage
@brewsterkahle

I've been putting off posting about my 5,000+ essay downloads in deference to more 'important' pieces, but since my weekend was occupied plotting a new story idea, I have space for a short celebratory piece. Hooray for me. 🥳

https://philosophics.blog/2026/04/06/celebration/?utm_source=masto&utm_medium=social

The two favourites were 'Objectivity Is an Illusion' and 'Rational Ghosts: Why Enlightenment Democracy Was Built to Fail'. Follow the link.

#philosophy #essays #writing #reading #democracy #fiction #nonfiction #objectivity #rationality #celebrate

This looks like becoming a defining photo for the Court of the Tangerine Tyrant's attack on democracy

#NoKings #politics #democracy

h/t @mastodonmigration
@patrickhadfield

Alt...

Photo: No Kings demonstrator dresses as the Statue of Liberty is manhandled (and arrested?) by two US policemen Photo by Etienne Laurent / AFP / Getty

Instantly shadow-banned on #youtube algorithms BTW. As my previous video about #ageverification and Big Tech

The closed platforms are quite a lot about #censorship now. They lie about being open, but in fact they implement reality manufacturing on-mass

We still do have freedom of speech, but perhaps it’s not a long way until posting this would cause my money to stop working

We need to build more #fediverse, that’s the best and perhaps last hope for #democracy #BigTech embraced fascism already

Alt...

Two thumbnails for youtube shorts that got no views except one from me. The topics are such that the current US administration does not like to hear.

@aho

they can't

see people are worried about the erosion of #democracy in the #usa and they are correct

and the solution is we vote *more* and get real leftists in power and close the loopholes

but there is this unfortunate human hopelessness where people just give up (or outright troll #psyop cosplaying left encouraging that)

i don't understand why people don't #vote. they only help #fascism. it's #entitlement: "won't affect me." or cluelessness (it will affect them but they don't know)

In 2026, artificial intelligence is advancing at an exponential pace while global regulation remains fragmented, ineffective, and years behind the technology.

The UN Secretary General has called for a $3 billion global AI capacity fund. But he also openly acknowledged a fundamental problem: international institutions lack the authority to enforce meaningful regulation on transnational tech corporations.

This regulatory vacuum creates real and present dangers:

Mass surveillance systems deployed without public debate or legislative oversight

AI-generated political propaganda capable of manipulating elections at unprecedented scale

Autonomous weapons systems developed under the guise of "defense innovation"

Social credit models exported from authoritarian states to developing nations

What makes this particularly dangerous is the asymmetry. Tech corporations possess technical expertise that regulators cannot match. They define their own limits. They exploit regulatory gaps across jurisdictions. Meanwhile, developing countries lack the resources to assess risks or build their own safeguards.

This is technological colonialism in real time.

We need international standards. Algorithmic transparency. Technical assistance for vulnerable nations. And genuine public oversight before these systems become impossible to regulate.
https://newsgroup.site/ai-regulation-2026-human-rights-threat/
#AI #regulation #tech #humanrights #democracy

#BernieSanders Interview With #Claude Revealed Intelligence Is Abundant. Power Is Concentrated.

https://thetechpencil.com/article/bernie-sanders-interview-with-claude-revealed-intelligence-is-abundant-power-is-concentrated

#privacy #AI #democracy