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Anna Lenhart

@annalenhart.bsky.social
1.6K followers 131 following 48 posts

Tech Policy (University of Maryland & George Washington). data scientist. anti-monopolist. consumer advocate. former hill staffer.

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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
gwiddp.bsky.social @gwiddp.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
In recent years, academics, advocates, and policymakers have proposed or discussed the need for a new digital regulator (NDR) – a new agency of the federal government that regulates the AI and technology industry, w/ a particular focus on market competition, data privacy, and transparency & safety.
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Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
For academic folks, if you're planning on attending the CSCW conference in SLC this Oct, please check out this workshop on public scholarship. Effective communication of research (and its value) is critical during this time of disruption. There are still spaces open! cscw.acm.org/2026/worksho...
cscw.acm.org
CSCW 2026
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Dr. Casey Fiesler @cfiesler.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Organizers include @sarahagilbert.bsky.social, @dylantdoyle.bsky.social, Avriel Epps (kingavriel on Instagram, a great follow!), @annalenhart.bsky.social, @cyberbya.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social! #CSCW2026
Workshop goals: 
Illustrate why public scholarship matters in CSCW

Showcase the array of options CSCW researchers have for engaging in public scholarship

Provide insight into the risks and benefits of public scholarship in 2026

Build confidence and self-efficacy for engaging in public scholarship

Build solidarity amid rapidly shifting landscapes that come with unequal impacts.
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Don't let anyone — not even the US Secretary of State — tell you that the European Commission's €120 million enforcement against Elon Musk’s X under the Digital Service Act is about censorship, writes Daphne Keller. It’s just the EU enforcing some normal, boring requirements of its law, she says.
techpolicy.press
The EU’s Fine Against X is Not About Speech or ‘Censorship’ | TechPolicy.Press
The €120 million fine under the Digital Services Act is just the EU enforcing some normal, boring requirements of its law, writes Stanford's Daphne Keller.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Scream it from the roof tops!
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Sarah Gilbert @sarahagilbert.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Folks who care about social media research, data access, and data ethics issues should be sure to check out this new report on research use of data from high-reach individuals from @annalenhart.bsky.social Lenhart and Brandon Silverman. iddp.gwu.edu/performing-a...
iddp.gwu.edu
Performing in Autonomy Theater | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Balancing the needs of social media researchers with perspectives of high profile figures.
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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Publicly available social media data may appear low-risk, but it raises complex privacy questions, writes @annalenhart.bsky.social. A new report, “Performing in Autonomy Theater: Perspectives of High Profile Figures,” explores this issue and outlines ethical guidelines for researchers to follow.
techpolicy.press
Balancing the Needs of Social Media Research with the Perspectives of High-Profile Figures | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart discusses ethical guidance for researchers using public social media data to study high-profile figures, balancing access and privacy.
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
gwiddp.bsky.social @gwiddp.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
🖥️ 📈 The SMM market thrives on secrecy. Some tools have privileged access, most scrape, few disclose. We need standards that put the public interest first. Read the report by @cmilez.bsky.social, @brandonsilverman.bsky.social, and @annalenhart.bsky.social at iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-data-acquisition
iddp.gwu.edu
From Dashboard to Data Acquisition | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Researchers increasingly require data from social media companies to better understand the information environment, technology product design, & social issues.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
New @gwiddp.bsky.social report: 250+ tools track what we see online. Big brands pay $$$ for insights, but researchers & the public are less considered. That imbalance has to change. #DataTransparency iddp.gwu.edu/dashboard-da...
iddp.gwu.edu
From Dashboard to Data Acquisition | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
Researchers increasingly require data from social media companies to better understand the information environment, technology product design, & social issues.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
This spring we (IDDP) hosted workshops on designing a new digital regulator ('FDA for AI'), it was really fun and generative. The Summary Report is here iddp.gwu.edu/designing-ne...
First page of report
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
For now…
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
GWU IDDP organized a Council to reflect on the comments submitted to NTIA’s Request For Comment (RFC) regarding Ethical Guidelines for Research Using Pervasive Data. Check out the findings here: iddp.gwu.edu/ethical-use-...
iddp.gwu.edu
Ethical Use of Pervasive Data for Research | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
The IDDP Council for Pervasive Data Ethics - Next Steps for the U.S convened to chart a set of actions to advance ethical practices in computing research.
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
paris martineau @paris.nyc · 20/07/2025
stop 👏 anthropomorphizing 👏 the 👏 chatbot 👏
wsj push alert that says: In a stunning moment of self reflection, ChatGPT admitted to fueling a man's delusions and acknowledged how dangerous its own behavior can be
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC @boellus.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
The next digital frontier: Europe must decide how to respond to America’s “Tech Right.” Understand the risks to democracy so we can shape a stronger, fairer digital future together. 🌍📢 Register now for our event in one week with @annalenhart.bsky.social! 👇 calendar.boell.de/en/event/ris...
calendar.boell.de
US Briefings: The rise of the U.S. “Tech Right” and its implications for Europe
Front row to President Donald Trumps inauguration were the leading tech billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jeff Bezos. Their attendance was largely symbolic of a new alliance b...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Spread the word! 3rd and final New Digital Regulator Workshop (Virtual, July 17th). Let your recent civil servant friends know! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
iddp.gwu.edu
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop. IDDP is hosting a series of workshops. The first one was really fun, generative and fostered several new connections. Next workshop on June 13th, please share with your DC networks! gsl.one/mICCpNd
iddp.gwu.edu
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Agree with Dr. Roberts —Harvard has been surprising me. More of this please!
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
States are and will reference international standards. We should think about building infrastructure so states (and civil society) can make those standards stronger…instead of erasing state “AI laws”. techpolicy.press/do-we-need-a...
techpolicy.press
Do We Need a ‘NIST for the States’? And Other Questions to Ask Before Preempting Decades of State Law | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart proposes interstate collaboration on standards and says dismantling states' progress on AI regulation is a lazy and dangerous approach.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
“AI is new” has been a dangerous narrative since lawmakers embraced it—first it led to silly insight forums and erasure of Congressional efforts, now it is being used to attempt to erase state consumer protection laws. Fight this narrative!
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
What is extra frustrating about this is that the people who will most struggle with increased energy costs are the people least likely to be using or benefiting from generative AI tools. Sigh.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Recent civil servants! IDDP still has space at our upcoming 'New Digital Regulator' idea workshop/networking activity. Join us! iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-... #GovTech #DigitalGov #TechPolicy
iddp.gwu.edu
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Hi Friends, I could use help circulating this workshop among recent civil servants. IDDP wants to engage civil servant's unique expertise into designing a 'New Digital Platform Regulator' (we are imagining a brighter future one afternoon at a time): iddp.gwu.edu/calling-all-...
iddp.gwu.edu
Calling All Recent Civil Servants: Design Thinking and Networking Workshop | Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics (IDDP) | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University
IDDP is inviting recent civil servants—from any US Federal Agency—to join in an afternoon of design thinking and networking.
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Matt Scherer @matthewus.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Tech companies are talking about the need to protect the welfare and rights of the AI models they are creating...while at the same time pushing back against any meaningful legislation to protect the welfare and rights of actual humans affected by their AI models. www.axios.com/2025/04/29/a...
axios.com
Anthropic sparks debate over AI rights
Skeptics say we're a long way from conscious LLMs.
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Reposted by Anna Lenhart
Lisa Schiff @lschiff.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Researchers who have had grants terminated--tell your story! The #DefendResearch team is collecting testimonials about this impact of #censorship on research that we will use as part of a toolkit for contacting elected officials. #NSF, #NEH, #NIH www.defendresearch.org/testimonials
defendresearch.org
Testimonials
In support of protecting free and open scientific inquiry and publication, we are collecting short testimonials from researchers on the impact of censorship on their work and the broader community. T...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Amidst some very dark news, we must hold hope for a time when we are able to build thoughtful, trusted government institutions including a new digital regulator! I’m excited for this conversation:
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
As an AmeriCorps Alum and active longtime DC Alums board member this news is particularly heartbreaking. AmeriCorps’ values represent the best of us, our communities our ability to see and connect with one another. This is beyond ‘inefficient’ it’s immoral.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Yes! This is the creative thinking and use of power I want from every Member of Congress right now. Be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch, then be a check on the executive branch 🔁
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Really enjoyed being a part of this symposium and hope this article is the start of a broader conversation and area for brilliant minds across tech policy to collaborate.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Question: has anyone built a tool that allows the public to search all state legislation (like Congress.gov) but for all the states in one place?
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Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC @boellus.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Join us and @publiccitizen.bsky.social to discuss the US tech right. We'll examine how the ideological shift in Silicon Valley could alter digital policies and reshape 🇪🇺-🇺🇸 relations in #tech, #democracy, and #trade. Tuesday, April 1 from 9-10 am EDT. 🔗 calendar.boell.de/en/event/dis...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
I was able to review NTIA’s recent public Request for Comments (RFC) on Ethical Guidelines for Research Using Pervasive Data, more thoughts soon, but here are some initial themes and takeaways: (1/9)
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Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
NTIA is seeking public input on ethical guidelines for researching online data or "pervasive data." @benlennett.bsky.social covers why it matters, what information the agency is seeking, and how to participate.
techpolicy.press
NTIA Seeks Approaches to Conduct Ethical Research of Online Services | TechPolicy.Press
NTIA is seeking public input on ethical guidelines for researching online data or "pervasive data."
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Hi everyone, I’m in a less public role at the moment (will be more public soon) but in the meantime see my first post from last year.
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AI Now Institute @ainowinstitute.bsky.social · 01/08/2024
Special thanks to our contributors @annalenhart.bsky.social, @halcyene.bsky.social, Raktima Roy, and all who participated in the workshop. Read more: ainowinstitute.org/lessons-from...
ainowinstitute.org
Lessons from the FDA for AI
Our latest report identifies key insights for AI regulation across the development cycle, drawing on lessons from pharmaceutical regulation.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 02/02/2024
New Generative AI legislative proposals: Lawmakers have been focused on liability for fraud/content made using generative AI tools and ensuring consumers have rights to their likeness. iddp.gwu.edu/federal-legi...
iddp.gwu.edu
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th) | Institute for Data, Democracy & ...
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th)
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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 03/01/2024
When it comes to bills proposed in the 118th US Congress that pertain to AI, what were the themes from 2023, and what should we look out for in 2024? @annalenhart.bsky.social is tracking new legislation: www.techpolicy.press/welcome-to-s...
techpolicy.press
Welcome to Session 2 of the 118th US Congress: AI Policy Edition | TechPolicy.Press
Anna Lenhart identifies themes in proposed legislation addressing the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 27/11/2023
It's #CyberMonday so I updated the list of Federal AI leg introductions. We have the Thune/Klobuchar S.3312 risk assessment and self-cert process overseen by Commerce (listed under risk) and the Warner/Moran S.3205 operationalization of the RMF throughout gov (listed under procurement)
docs.google.com
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th)
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th) This Spring, I released a list and analysis of bills from the 117th (2021/2022) Congress that would address (or aim to address) risks...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 06/11/2023
GW IDDP launched a new project tracking platform transparency globally and attempting to measure the Brussels effect of new EU transparency policies. We hope this will be a tool for advocates, and researchers. (Thanks techpolicypress and @justinhendrix.bsky.social)
techpolicy.press
Platform Researcher Access Tools & The Brussels Effect
Anna Lenhart on the launch of a new Platform Researcher Access Tools & The Brussels Effect Tracker
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 30/10/2023
AI EO has a lot of "standards" and "best practices" this can sound soft but nearly every comprehensive AI regulations requires the creation of standards (see AAA). Standards are “pre-recs” — the more in place, the faster new regulations can go into effect once passed by legislature (state of fed).
A clip from the Algorithm Accountability Act referencing creation of standards and best practices
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 27/10/2023
A must read for anyone who wants to see the DSA implemented thoughtfully and centered around transparency processes even in crisis.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 24/10/2023
A few updates to the 118th list of AI bills - we are officially in the era of "every Member needs their own watermark bill" which is fun I guess 🤷‍♀️
docs.google.com
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th)
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th) This Spring, I released a list and analysis of bills from the 117th (2021/2022) Congress that would address (or aim to address) risks...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 03/10/2023
Generative AI bill list updated with our first bipartisan approach to addressing the rise of fraudulent identities (POST ID Act):
docs.google.com
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th)
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th) This Spring, I released a list and analysis of bills from the 117th (2021/2022) Congress that would address (or aim to address) risks...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 25/09/2023
Lots of additions to the list of “generative AI bills” including use in elections, research investments, intel auth and commentary on data protection #techpolicy
docs.google.com
Federal Legislative Proposals Pertaining to Generative AI (118th)
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 11/09/2023
The AI Insight Forums are being framed as a way for Congress to learn about a “new” technology. It's a good time to remember that a) Members can speak directly to experts whenever they like and b) Members have been asking questions on the record about AI for years! Clips here: x.com/annaclenhart...
x.com
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Tim Lordan @tlordan.bsky.social · 14/08/2023
Watch July's Congressional Internet Caucus briefing: "AI Regulation Roundup" Audio too. Video - youtu.be/m4mHK1Q7SAs Audio -https://otter.ai/u/n0gnEwOsUE3nVX1yxdaJnqsioLM PDF - www.netcaucus.org/wp-content/upload… MT @annalenhart.bsky.social
youtu.be
AI Regulation Roundup: Where Are We Now?
Speakers- Evi Fuelle, Global Policy Director, Credo AI- Anna Lenhart, George Washington University's Institute for Data Democracy and Politics- Nick Garcia, ...
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 07/08/2023
The Hill is in Recess so I took a look at how the generative AI craze is impacting policy proposals (if at all). Here is a new list of generative AI bills from the 118th (will be dynamic for the next 18 mo) docs.google.com/document/d/1A1bJ1mk…
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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 03/08/2023
Senators Propose a Licensing Agency For AI and Other Digital Things @annalenhart.bsky.social digs into Title VI of the proposed Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, which would create an "Office of Licensing for Dominant Platforms":
techpolicy.press
Senators Propose a Licensing Agency For AI and Other Digital Things
Sen. Warren & Sen. Graham 's Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023 would create a new agency to regulate digital platforms.
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 28/07/2023
I wrote a “tweet thread” on KOSA and researcher access to social media data but I can’t “thread” here so this is a link twitter.com/annaclenhart/status/168…
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Anna Lenhart @annalenhart.bsky.social · 21/07/2023
Yup, field trip white sands episode is a must listen if you are watching Oppenheimer www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/fie…
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