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Dr Benjamin Thorne

@benjaminthorne.bsky.social
1K followers 528 following 599 posts

Lecturer in Criminal Law @unirdg-law.bsky.social Via PhD @SussexUni ; Interests: socio-legal studies, transitional justice, critical theory. Book tinyurl.com/v77a942b

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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
Regulating is part of the response to the many and diverse challenges of AI and governance. However, governance is also a social phenomenon, and regulation is only one way that governance is understood and enacted across diverse networks of actors. - news.un.org/en/story/202...
news.un.org
‘The clock on AI regulation is ticking’, warns UN rights chief
The world is running out of time to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Monday, as a “ruthless race” between companies and countries rai...
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 20h
In the current landscape of Responsible AI we're moving further away from the crucial ethical questions. Some thoughts from me on the occasion of the 2026 Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs Global Ethics Day www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/online-exclu...
ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org
The Ethics of Responsibility in a World of Military AI
Responsibility in warfare remains a human affair. Rather than ask “what is required to make instruments of violence legally compliant?,” we should ask “is what we are doing right now likely to propel ...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
‘The clock on AI regulation is ticking’, warns UN rights chief - news.un.org/en/story/202...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
a frame of 'the AI problem is primary a problem of regulation' to one that meaningfully understands the variety of influencing factors and the diverse ways governance manifests across different groups. #AI #AIgovernance #AIregulation
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
The frame or lens we use to understand AI and all its related challenges is crucial, and arguably if the many challenges are going to be addressed and navigated in a sustainable manner as possible then we need to move away from
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
to understand a network requires close investigation of all of its component parts and cannot be understood as wholly social or purely technological, rather is a nuanced and complex constellation of human and non-human and their entangled webs of influence: both influencing and being influenced.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
Bruno Latour's concept of actor-network theory is one lens to understand the ways various actors (human and non-human) shape and influence how governance is understood and engaged with. As Latour states, #AIregulation #AIgovernance
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 19h
Regulating is part of the response to the many and diverse challenges of AI and governance. However, governance is also a social phenomenon, and regulation is only one way that governance is understood and enacted across diverse networks of actors. - news.un.org/en/story/202...
news.un.org
‘The clock on AI regulation is ticking’, warns UN rights chief
The world is running out of time to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Monday, as a “ruthless race” between companies and countries rai...
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
404 Media @404media.co · 05/10/2026
According to a Meta source, as well as internal security documentation and internal posts viewed by 404 Media, at least one of the vulnerabilities could have allowed an outside attacker — that is, a normal Muse user — to access data in sensitive internal Meta databases.
404media.co
Meta Rushed to Fix Muse ‘VM Escape' Vulnerability Immediately Before Launch
The vulnerability could have let a Muse user access sensitive internal Meta databases.
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Tom Dannenbaum @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The ICC has unsealed the Akhundzada & Haqqani warrants issued in July '25 for gender & political persecution in Afghanistan and has announced & unsealed two further warrants (for Habibullah Agha & Neda Mohammad Nadim), issued w/out announcement in Sept '25 www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-pre...
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The new Meta AI Muse marketing video feels like the opening segment of a science fiction dystopian horror film - youtu.be/XO244jk7xH4?... #AI #privacy #data
youtu.be
Meet Muse: your personal AI agent
YouTube video by Muse
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The new Meta AI Muse marketing video feels like the opening segment of a science fiction dystopian horror film - youtu.be/XO244jk7xH4?... #AI #privacy #data
youtu.be
Meet Muse: your personal AI agent
YouTube video by Muse
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Joanna Hardy-Susskind @joannahs.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Be under no illusion: this is a significant victory for everyone who stuck their neck out and defended jury trials, day after day, clause by clause. But it is not a comprehensive victory. Magistrates should not be allowed to send people to prison for two years.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Going forward there needs to be more dialogue within OSINT on digital sovereignty and more joint up and collaborative approaches to respond to the geopolitics of technologies. #digitalsovereignty #OSINT #atrocities #justice #accountablity
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
is arguably an underacknowledged challenge going forward, especially so to make sure that risks and threats to these organisation’s really important work can be addressed and mitigated as best as possible.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Whilst there have been some conversations on over dependency on big tech for human rights orgs (see here, lnkd.in/eZ7sN5sJ, and here lnkd.in/et5aUbJh), this still
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LinkedIn
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Whilst the open-source nature of OSINT organisations and groups does give access to vast quantities of digital information (potential evidence), maybe in part, because of this they tend not to be widely focused on within discussions on challenges and issues of tech dependency.
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Indeed the digital evidence gathered by OSINT organisations and groups are playing an increasingly important role in contributing towards evidence for accountability/justice processes.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
However, alongside this, are ongoing broader conversations and debates around digital sovereignty and resilience for international justice, such as at the International Criminal Court and over reliance on US tech, such as Microsoft.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
a variety of technologies to support their work. It is the open-source terrain of their work that has widely been seen as democratising investigations and widely increasing participation for a diverse variety of actors.
lnkd.in
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Open-source investigations are making a significant contribution to accountability and justice effects for atrocity crimes and human rights violations, with many investigation organisations and groups increasingly using #digitalsovereignty #OSINT #atrocities #justice #accountablity
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Reading Law School @unirdg-law.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Dr @benjaminthorne.bsky.social interviewed on the International Criminal Court's use of technology against the backdrop of US sanctions: www.justiceinfo.net/en/166197-us...
justiceinfo.net
US sanctions: “The US administration may see the ICC as an institutional pilot”
Against the backdrop of US sanctions and increasing pressure on the International Criminal Court, how is the ICC dealing with the need to depart from its reliance on US technology? Some key explanatio...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
EU ‘fully rejects’ US threat to ban diesel exports unless bloc releases more fuel stocks - www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
france24.com
EU ‘fully rejects’ US threat to ban diesel exports unless bloc releases more fuel stocks
The European Union on Friday pushed back against a US threat to ban any diesel exports unless the 27-member bloc releases more of its fuel stocks, “fully” rejecting the move, an EU official said. Fren...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New Everpure research finds a gap between organisations’ growing focus on data sovereignty and their ability to deliver it - www.thinkdigitalpartners.com/news/2026/10... #datasovereignty
thinkdigitalpartners.com
Organisations lack data sovereignty strategy despite geopolitical risks | THINK Digital Partners
New Everpure research finds a gap between organisations’ growing focus on data sovereignty and their ability to deliver it.
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It is being reported that the International Criminal Court is stopping its contract with French insurance firm Axa as of today. Whilst the court did not state a specific reason, it is very likely it directly relates to the ongoing #USsanctions #ICC www.aol.co.uk/articles/icc...
aol.co.uk
ICC, insurer Axa cut ties amid Trump campaign against court - AOL
Oct 1 (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court has ended its contract with French life and health insurer Axa starting October 1 and will now be using a new health insurance provider, a
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
ensure that justice and accountability remains a human-centred process. #internationalcriminaljustice #technologies #atrocities #justice #accountablity
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
digital evidence, there is one really important point which should always take centre stage: Atrocity crimes are deeply human experiences, with the increase in reliance on technologies within all facets of international criminal justice it is crucial to
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Within the rapidly growing uses of technologies within international criminal justice and ongoing (necessary) debates around issues such as over reliance on AI, digital sovereignty and resilience, vast quantities of #internationalcriminaljustice #technologies #atrocities #justice #accountablity
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Last week the Deputy Prosecutor had insulated itself from US sanctions, insurance is one of several elements that would require being protected if the court itself was sanctioned. #ICC #internationalcriminalcourt #USsanctions
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
the "risks arising from the extraterritorial application of US sanctions", which reflected "an international environment that has become increasingly tense and complex for businesses."
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
US sanctions against ICC staff and threats of sanctioning the court itself. According to Axa (in FT piece) the contract was terminated due to
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It is being reported that the International Criminal Court is stopping its contract with French insurance firm Axa as of today. Whilst the court did not state a specific reason, it is very likely it directly relates to the ongoing #USsanctions #ICC www.aol.co.uk/articles/icc...
aol.co.uk
ICC, insurer Axa cut ties amid Trump campaign against court - AOL
Oct 1 (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court has ended its contract with French life and health insurer Axa starting October 1 and will now be using a new health insurance provider, a
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
We are both obviously very 'rock n roll' international justice enthusiasts.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Fond memories of important ICC PR messaging that made sure the crucial work of the court was communicated (still available to read in all its glory)
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
'We need to understand what is happening at the International Criminal Court regarding technological risks within the much broader context in which technology has become central to geopolitics' - www.justiceinfo.net/en/166197-us... #internationalcriminalcourt #ICC #AI
justiceinfo.net
US sanctions: “The US administration may see the ICC as an institutional pilot”
Against the backdrop of US sanctions and increasing pressure on the International Criminal Court, how is the ICC dealing with the need to depart from its reliance on US technology? Some key explanatio...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"Do what I want or I will have (another) gigantic tantrum".
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
U.S. Court Allows Challenge to Trump’s ICC Sanctions to Proceed - lnkd.in/ejf7-egr #internationalcriminalcourt #ICC
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Janet H Anderson @janethanderson.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
www.justiceinfo.net/en/166197-us...
justiceinfo.net
US sanctions: “The US administration may see the ICC as an institutional pilot”
Against the backdrop of US sanctions and increasing pressure on the International Criminal Court, how is the ICC dealing with the need to depart from its reliance on US technology? Some key explanatio...
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Thank you very much to @janethanderson.bsky.social for the opportunity to talk through some of the issues and challenges.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I was interviewed for this longread piece discussing potential challenges for technologies at the International Criminal Court in light of the recent reported threats that the US administration is going to sanction the court itself. #ICC #USsanctions lnkd.in/eB4QWzMz
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“This body of records that has really important information of Survivors … is going to be destroyed." Canada plans to destroy thousands of residential school testimonies. These women think survivors should have a choice thenarwhal.ca/trc-resident...
thenarwhal.ca
Canada plans to destroy thousands of residential school testimonies. These women think survivors should have a choice
The 38,000 testimonies are the largest body of evidence about children’s experiences in these institutions. Journalist Connie Walker and lawyer Kimberly Murray say losing it would mean losing history — both painful and illuminating
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Reposted by Dr Benjamin Thorne
Iva Vukušić @vukusiciva.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
For process and procedure enthusiasts, here's an informative post about the new round of electing #ICC #judges, by Michael Karnavas. Evening read (and especially relevant given the drama of this past summer). #ICC #ASP michaelgkarnavas.net/blog/2026/09...
michaelgkarnavas.net
COULD IT BE DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN FOR THE ICC: When the “high moral character” standard in judicial elections goes unexamined? - michaelgkarnavas.net/Blog
Can the ICC assess judges’ “high moral character” before misconduct allegations are fully vetted? A look at due diligence, integrity, and judicial elections.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This 👇
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Sergey Vasiliev @sevslv.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The ASP Bureau decided that the 25th ASP session will be held in The Hague rather than in New York — the only sensible decision. This will allow delegates from all States Parties and NGO representatives to participate, and candidates standing in judicial elections to be present.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
also limited/lack of guidelines/policies on its use of AI which would seem crucial to contributing towards transparency which directly aids the legitimacy of both the process and outputs.
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
the speed in which the OTP has embraced AI in the last few years which has meant, in a sense, that workable processes and procedures are playing catch-up, but #ICC
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The types of issues raised by Duterte's defence team will likely only become more prominent going forward. More broadly, one of the issues with the OTP's use of technologies, including AI and machine learning, is not only #ICC
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Dr Benjamin Thorne @benjaminthorne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
An example of current challenges for defense regarding the overwhelming amount of digital evidence & uses of tech platforms which have become a central apparatus within international criminal trials. #ICC ICC rejects Duterte defense bid for expert verification on evidence - tinyurl.com/3nrcw5pp
abs-cbn.com
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Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 25/09/2026
"After leading US AI labs warned that recursively self-improving models could kill all humans, the risk of runaway AI began making headlines around the world." But not everyone has bought into this runaway AI theory... And rightly so. www.euractiv.com/news/what-is...
euractiv.com
What is Europe's plan if AI doesn’t self-improve? | Euractiv
Civil society AI experts are eyeing a ‘commodified’ alternative future
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UCLA Law The Promise Institute for Human Rights (Europe) @uclapromiseeurope.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Special Briefing: The Impact of ICC Sanctions and Strategies for Resistance 🗓️ Tuesday, 29 September 🕕 9:00 Los Angeles / 12:00 New York / 18:00 The Hague International experts examine the impact of US sanctions against the ICC. Register: bit.ly/BriefingICCSanctions
Special Briefing The Impact of New Sacntions on the ICC and Strategies for Resistance. ONLINE, Tuesday 29 September 2026, 9:00 Los Angeles, 12:00 New York, 18:00 The Hague. And a photo of the ICC building
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