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Khari Johnson

@khari.bsky.social
7.9K followers 702 following 63 posts

proud dad, snack enthusiast, tech reporter at CalMatters/The Markup, formerly at WIRED and VentureBeat Signal —> kharijohnson.67

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Reposted by Khari Johnson
CalMatters @calmatters.org · 01/09/2026
The bills are a new test of whether California will set limits on an industry that’s becoming a flashpoint over water, electricity and the environmental consequences of artificial intelligence. cal.news/4ybVT7t 📸 Stephen Lam
An aerial view of the Digital Realty SFO12 Data Center in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, on Dec. 16, 2025. Photo by Stephen Lam, San Francisco Chronicle via AP
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 16/07/2026
The latest Public Policy Institute of California poll of 1,578 adult Californians finds that 73% oppose the construction of data centers in their communities. cal.news/4feOTih 📸 Mario Tama
An aerial view of a data center in Vernon on Oct. 20, 2025. Photo by Mario Tama, Getty Images
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 09/07/2026
Kaiser Permanente nurses who answer advice and triage calls say their duty of care for patients is being increasingly threatened by workplace surveillance. cal.news/4vpKEGK 📸 Chad Surmick
Kaiser Permanente advice nurse Raquel Alvarez Sanchez works from her home office in Santa Rosa on April 6, 2026. Kaiser Permanente nurses have raised concerns about the growing use of AI to monitor their work ahead of upcoming contract negotiations. Photo by Chad Surmick for CalMatters
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 09/07/2026
The College Journalism Network at CalMatters investigated how public campuses throughout California were complying with a state law that requires transparency about military equipment. This guide is for student journalists to investigate their own campuses. cal.news/4faihq9 📸 Adriana Heldiz
University of California campus police officers line up at a pro-Palestinian protest at UC San Diego in San Diego on May 6, 2024. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 08/07/2026
AB 311 would let insurance companies use telematics — technology installed in vehicles that allows them to transmit information such as location, speed, braking force, swerving and more — when setting rates for drivers who choose to allow themselves to be tracked. cal.news/4wvy6hU 📸 Fred Greaves
An aerial view of the Yolo causeway highway connecting Sacramento and Davis on July 12, 2024. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 16/06/2026
In 2024, Kaiser Permanente announced the rollout of Abridge. Described in a press release as “ambient listening technology,” the AI-powered scribe is designed to help clinicians including mental health providers securely capture clinical notes during patient visits. 🎨 Roxsy Lin
An illustrated composite image shows two people in conversation, one taking notes while the other appears distressed. Audio waveforms, a microphone icon and the word “REC” are layered over the scene, suggesting a recorded or transcribed discussion. Illustration by Roxsy Lin, American Community Media
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 16/06/2026
California admits using high-risk AI — including systems it failed to report last year State officials have found they are using six high-risk AI-like systems that could affect you or someone you love. One year ago, they reported using zero.
cal.news
California admits using high-risk AI — including systems it failed to report last year
State officials have found they are using six high-risk AI-like systems that could affect you or someone you love. One year ago, they reported using zero.
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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Important reporting from @khari.bsky.social —its not only the private sector that succumbed to AI irrational exuberance and risk
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Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
“Anti diversity stance” there’s a shorter way to say that www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/u...
nytimes.com
Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List
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Alex Hanna @alexhanna.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Today!
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Dr. Damien P. Williams, dread portent down from a mountain cave @wolven.blacksky.app · 26/05/2026
The proposed moratorium on Data Centers is the 8th item on today's agenda; you can watch along here: charlotte.cablecast.tv/internetchan...
charlotte.cablecast.tv
Council Meeting - May 26, 2026
Watch Council Meeting - May 26, 2026
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Edward Hasbrouck @edwardhasbrouck.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I stand by my statements to @khari.bsky.social and @wendyfry.bsky.social of @calmatters.org and the accuracy of their report.
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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Awesome reporting on the covert license plate readers that provide mass surveillance of Californians on public roadways by @khari.bsky.social and @wendyfry.bsky.social More in this EFF letter to Caltrans: www.eff.org/document/coa... calmatters.org/justice/2026...
calmatters.org
The hidden surveillance network sending Californians' license plates to Border Patrol
California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.
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Reposted by Khari Johnson
The Verge @theverge.com · 11/02/2026
“The dissent I’ve seen is like a whisper. It’s a fear-based culture right now.” Across the industry, workers describe a ‘fear-based culture’ and pressure to ‘fall in line.‘ Read more from @haydenfield.bsky.social: buff.ly/NArp66x
Verge headline: ‘Shut up and focus on the mission’: Tech workers are frustrated by their companies’ silence about ICE
by Hayden Field

Photo illustration depicts a person in a window on a PC, typing at a laptop. Looming in the background are ICE law enforcement agents
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Yousef Baig @yousefbaig.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
"The pressure campaign on the governor underlines not only how important such protections are to unions but also how much Newsom is expected to resist them." @khari.bsky.social calmatters.org/economy/tech...
calmatters.org
Gavin Newsom hesitated on AI. Labor says he must regulate it if he wants the presidency
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
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Reposted by Khari Johnson
The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 22/01/2026
NEW whistleblower disclosure has revealed that ICE Director Todd Lyons gave agents permission to forcibly enter homes—in violation of the Fourth Amendment—in a secret memo distributed in May 2025. trib.al/23sZU1m
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Adam Rose @adamrose.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
I'm looking for witnesses/victims of DHS retaliating against people who were recording their agents (ICE, Border Patrol, FPS, etc.) in Southern California. This is for LA Press Club v. Noem case, but victim does NOT need to be press/journalist. Everyone has right to record. We're fighting for all.
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Rebecca Williams @rebeccawilliams.info · 22/01/2026
you skim the article about AI summaries killing traffic to news sites and get to the end and see who the editor is mediacopilot.ai/publishers-s...
CONTRIBUTORS
Edited by:
MC
I'm a generative AI writer for The Media Copilot. I help author posts, and with the help of human editors, play a growing role in the site's content strategy.
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Maria Sacchetti - reporter - The Washington Post @mariasacchetti.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
SCOOP from Douglas Macmillan Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
washingtonpost.com
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
A fellow detainee says he witnessed Geraldo Lunas Campos being choked to death by guards at the ICE detention center in Texas on Jan. 3.
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Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
New: meet ELITE, the Palantir app ICE is using to find neighborhoods to raid. Map interface; officers search for immigrants; click person to bring up individual dossier. This is clearest link between what Palantir is building and ICE's activities on the ground yet www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
404media.co
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
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Ben Goggin @bengoggin.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
xAI is now suing Ashley St. Clair in federal court, alleging over $75,000 in damages, saying she violated their terms of service with her lawsuit against them earlier today.
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Psst.org @psst-org.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
@calmatters.org reporter @khari.bsky.social details California AG Rob Bonta’s inquiry into Elon Musk’s Grok over alleged AI-generated non-consensual explicit imagery and spoke with Psst.org about why laws should add whistleblower protections for employees who work on these systems.
calmatters.org
California investigates Elon Musk’s AI company after ‘avalanche’ of complaints about sexual content
Attorney General Rob Bonta will investigate into whether deepfakes from Elon Musk's new AI tool Grok violate California law.
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Reposted by Khari Johnson
Yousef Baig @yousefbaig.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Common Sense Media and OpenAI, two groups usually at odds with tech regulations, are working together to put an initiative on the California ballot that would help protect kids from AI companion chatbots. @khari.bsky.social got an advance look at the language calmatters.org/economy/tech...
calmatters.org
OpenAI, childrens' advocates join forces on initiative to protect kids from chatbots
ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Common Sense Media had rival ballot initiatives to protect kids from chatbots. Today they merged their efforts.
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Reposted by Khari Johnson
Society of Professional Journalists @spj-posts.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
SPJ strongly condemns the FBI’s execution of a search warrant at the home of Hannah Natanson, a reporter for The Washington Post Congress passed the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 to prevent this. Press freedom isn’t a courtesy — it’s the law. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/4by2IIo
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Tim Dickinson @timdickinson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
When in doubt redact i guess?
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The Markup @themarkup.org · 13/12/2025
Since 2016, California enacted more AI regulations than any other state. The president's new order against such laws worries state officials. bit.ly/44Xkrox 📝 @khari.bsky.social 📸 Chip Somodevilla, Getty
President Donald Trump issued an executive order cracking down on state AI regulations. The order would likely hit California hardest of all states. Trump speaks on election night in West Palm Beach, Fla. in November 2024 Photo by Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
How might the Trump AI EO affect California? @calmatters.org tech reporter @khari.bsky.social on the possible impact:
calmatters.org
Trump’s new order against AI regulation hits California especially hard
Since 2016, California enacted more AI regulations than any other state. The president's new order against such laws worries state officials.
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Tech workers are trying to make change inside tech companies. How do those efforts clash with trends like generative AI adoption and data center expansion? Join us to discuss!
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Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 04/12/2025
DOJ's newest recruitment ad features Judge Dredd, the comic satire about the dangers of lawless policing and authoritarian power
dhsgov
Deliver justice to criminal illegal aliens.

Become a deportation judge.

Save your country.
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Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
This Harper’s pullout on media consolidation caught my attention from across the concourse. As I wrote last month, this might be in my top ten list of things to make sense of.
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jenn schiffer 😎 @jennschiffer.com · 12/11/2025
Britney Spears in an old interview saying “everyone has been doing emails”
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Lora Kolodny @lorak.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Tesla faces widening federal probe into door handle safety issues - www.cnbc.com/2025/11/03/t...
cnbc.com
Tesla faces widening federal probe into door handle safety issues
Elon Musk's automaker faces a widening probe concerning alleged safety defects with the company's flush-mounted, electronic door handles.
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 31/10/2025
The company behind ChatGPT is converting to a for-profit company and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates say the company could still exploit its charitable roots. bit.ly/4oJqKnd 📝 @levisu.bsky.social& @khari.bsky.social 📸 Eric Risberg, AP
OpenAI restructured to a for-profit company in a moved tied to an agreement with California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Company CEO Sam Altman participates in a discussion in San Francisco on Nov. 16, 2023. Photo by Eric Risberg, AP Photo. Hed: OpenAI just cut a deal with California. Critics say it’s full of holes
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Dana Hull @danahull.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Hot event alert!! this Thursday at Oakland Public Library
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Dana Hull @danahull.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
🎁 link to the investigation on Tesla's doors: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
bloomberg.com
Trapped Inside: Tesla’s Dangerous Doors
When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time.
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
“The Defense Department has confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said

Oct. 15, 2025
PENTAGON PRESS ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT
Today, the Defense Department confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America. It did this because reporters would not sign onto a new media policy over its implicit threat of criminalizing national security reporting and exposing those who sign it to potential prosecution.
The Pentagon Press Association's members are still committed to reporting on the U.S. military. But make no mistake, today, Oct. 15, 2025 is a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening U.S. commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all.
PPA
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JA Westenberg @joanwestenberg.com · 15/10/2025
If I genuinely believed I was 18 months away from superintelligence that could solve cancer, I would probably not be pivoting to horny chatbots, but that's just me (a person with priorities)
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Thank you to the remarkable audience of people who showed up for the documentary and asked me and Terry insightful questions. I was fortunate to share space with you to talk about the unique and lasting legacy of Black journalists in America
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
To all my friends in The Town: Join the incomparable @nitasha.bsky.social for a talk about AI and your 🧠 at the library downtown next week
How AI can mess with our minds a discussion with Washington Post tech culture reporter Nitasha Tiku October 23 6:30-7:30 pm at Oakland Main Library
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Late notice but join me tomorrow at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival to discuss the National Association of Black Journalists and how member support played a pivotal role in me becoming a tech journalist
16th annual Silicon Valley African film festival http://www.svaff.off
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Ben Goggin @bengoggin.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Tesla's Full-Self Driving software is now under federal investigation, including its behavior at train crossings, after an NBC News investigation. In September, NBC News found that Tesla owners repeatedly complained about Teslas failing to detect oncoming trains. www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-mu...
nbcnews.com
Tesla's Full Self-Driving software under investigation after railroad incidents
NBC News reported last month that Tesla vehicles using Full Self-Driving software sometimes fail to stop for train tracks.
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Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Drake sitting there reading about how good the judge thought the song was and how everyone really enjoyed it
The song contains lyrics explicitly accusing Drake of being a pedophile, set to a catchy beat and propulsive
bassline. "Not Like Us" went on to become a cultural sensation.
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CalMatters @calmatters.org · 09/10/2025
Exclusive - California’s outgoing cybersecurity commander tells us the state is mismanaging its limited cybersecurity resources by letting unqualified officials set priorities. cal.news/4q1i1hH 📝 @khari.bsky.social
cal.news
After getting fired, California's top cybersecurity official calls for change
The governor fired the top California cybersecurity official. He says the people who oversaw him were unqualified.
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Commander Edward Bómbita told me California’s cybersecurity is being mismanaged by the California Office of Emergency Services, which responds to wildfires and natural disasters. Another state cyber employee told me @caloes.bsky.social is “completely out of their depth when it comes to cyber.”
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Stephen Totilo @stephentotilo.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
SCOOP: Last year, Ubisoft cancelled an Assassin's Creed game set during Reconstruction. Was to feature a Black Assassin who, among other things, fought the rise of the Klan Sources: Leadership nixed it over concerns re: U.S. political climate, backlash to Yasuke www.gamefile.news/p/scoop-ubis...
gamefile.news
Scoop: Ubisoft cancelled a post-Civil War Assassin’s Creed last year
Company leadership deemed the project too controversial for the moment, sources tell Game File
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Khari Johnson @khari.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Join us Thursday!
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Tamara Kneese @tamigraph.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Join @datasociety.bsky.social's Climate, Technology, and Justice program+ Kapor Foundation for a webinar on CA data centers in context, connecting data center buildout + policy interventions to histories of environmental racism + resistance 10/9, 12-1:30 PM PT kaporcenter.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
California Data Centers in Context: Histories, Impacts, Policies with Khari Johnson, Masheika Allgood, and Nicole Merino Tsui. Moderated by Cecilia Marrinan and Tamara Kneese. October 9, 12-1:30 pm. Registration link for Zoom is in the post
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Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Good job Sora 2 has watermarks on its videos (people have already made tools that instantly remove the watermark) www.404media.co/sora-2-water...
404media.co
Sora 2 Watermark Removers Flood the Web
Bypassing Sora 2's rudimentary safety features is easy and experts worry it'll lead to a new era of scams and disinformation.
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Brendan @chibdm.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop
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