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Technologists for Democracy

@techfordemocracy.bsky.social
83 followers 55 following 38 posts

We are Canadians who work with technology towards better democracy for all. linktr.ee/technologistsfordemocracy Say No to Waymo techfordemocracy.ca/2026/04/29/say-…

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Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026
Here's the recording of Bradford's remarks, and the recording of the original campaign meeting in which a volunteer with ties to the Victory App itself explained how the rewards would work.
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Reposted by Technologists for Democracy
Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026
This morning — following two investigations into Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford's use of an app that rewards supporters for posting AI-generated comments and sharing contacts — Bradford called our reporting "inaccurate." We're now releasing the recording that proves our reporting.
nationalobserver.com
Bradford calls CNO reporting of AI app rewards ‘inaccurate.’ Here’s the recording proving our reporting.
Canada’s National Observer has decided to publish the segment of the Zoom call that corroborates its reporting.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
youtu.be/EMYKsUXdMk8?... Waymo recall on June 18th affected 3,900 vehicles after they drove to construction zones. Watch our short video on it! Sign the petition to Say No to Waymo in Ontario: techfordemocracy.ca/2026/04/29/s...
youtu.be
Waymo wants YOU to take up construction
YouTube video by Technologists for Democracy
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Presenting Earla Phillips and Camila Justino! Earla is a rideshare driver and advocate and Camila is a data annotator and an organizer. Come hear them speak on how their labour is impacted with driverless taxis being deployed in our streets. August 26th at 6:30pm, online: luma.com/7viunmc7
luma.com
Say No to Waymo Labour Webinar · Luma
Join us for a webinar on Wednesday August 26th to learn more about the jobs Waymo's driverless taxis seek to automate and the work they need to stay afloat.…
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Join us for a webinar on our Say No to Waymo campaign on August 26th at 6:30pm! Come hear from Earla Phillips, a rideshare driver and advocate, and Camila Justino, a data annotator. Driverless tech is built on the back of workers: what is their say in this? Register here: luma.com/7viunmc7
luma.com
Say No to Waymo Labour Webinar · Luma
Join us for a webinar on Wednesday August 26th to learn more about the jobs Waymo's driverless taxis seek to automate and the work they need to stay afloat.…
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OpenMedia @openmedia.org · 29/07/2026
LAST CHANCE to fix #BillC22 surveillance powers that threaten Canadians' rights and privacy! Major companies and civil society groups are raising the alarm. Demand the Senate #ReformC22 now! 👉 openmedia.org/ReformC22-bsky
openmedia.org
Tell the Senate: Reform Bill C-22
LAST CHANCE to fix #BillC22 surveillance powers that threaten Canadians' rights and privacy! Major companies and civil society groups are raising the alarm. Demand the Senate #ReformC22 now! 👉 https:/...
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Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র @bmitra.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Meanwhile beautiful acts of community resistance against AI is sprouting globally. E.g., People’s Consultation on AI by @jredden.bsky.social @cyn-k.bsky.social @jeff.doctor & others. I coorganized an event as part of the consultation w/ @techworkerscoalition.org & @techfordemocracy.bsky.social. 22/
Screenshot of slide showing screenshots of:
* https://www.surveillancewatch.io/
* https://nananwachukwu.github.io/media-capture-watch/
* https://www.datacenterwatch.org/

Also, on the slide a screenshot of https://www.peoplesaiconsultation.ca/wp-content/uploads/PCAI_Option2_TWCandTFD_20260309.pdf
* https://www.authoritarian-stack.info/
* https://data-workers.org/
* https://labor.dair-institute.org/
* https://airesistlist.org/
* https://www.peoplesaiconsultation.ca/
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The safety of AVs is not an agreed upon fact. Cities should be prioritising public transit that incorporates multiple modes of transport (cycling, rail, etc.) instead of boosting car culture above all. Most importantly we don't have to delegate transportation policy to a singular private company.
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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Averages obscure the fact that Waymos performed much better in some cities than others. Phoenix: 76% fewer crashes than human drivers LA: 71% fewer crashes SF: 35% fewer crashes Austin: 4% *more* crashes Local context matters a lot in AV safety.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
We've reached 100 signatures so far on our open letter to Ministry of Transportation in Ontario to Say No to Waymo. We're not stopping yet, we need more names to make sure our voices matter. Read the open letter and sign the petition techfordemocracy.ca/2026/04/29/s...
techfordemocracy.ca
Tell the MTO: Say NO to Waymo
Waymo is coming to Canada, and we believe they will cause issues around digital sovereignty, job loss, and accountability.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Technologists for Democracy is calling on the Minister of Transportation in Ontario (MTO) to reject Waymo's planned entry into our province. Read our open letter to the MTO for more details. Sign the petition to Say No to Waymo techfordemocracy.ca/2026/04/29/s...
techfordemocracy.ca
Tell the MTO: Say NO to Waymo
Waymo is coming to Canada, and we believe they will cause issues around digital sovereignty, job loss, and accountability.
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OpenMedia @openmedia.org · 03/07/2026
What can political parties do right now in 🇨🇦? - buy your #data from brokers - merge it with voter lists - track you without telling you - no consent required This isn’t hypothetical. It’s legal in 🇨🇦 right now! Learn more: voterprivacy.ca @leadnowca.bsky.social @techfordemocracy.bsky.social
voterprivacy.ca
Your Data. Your Vote.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
We are joining the global #StopKillingInternet movement to keep the internet private, free, democratic, and accessible. In Canada, parliament is passing bills that threaten our digital rights. The same trend is gaining steam around the world. www.stopkillingtheinternet.com
stopkillingtheinternet.com
Stop Killing the Internet
Governments are walling off the open internet. We are a global movement opposing restrictions — and building a better internet.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Every week, we post updates to our newsletter. Check it out and sign up here! buttondown.com/techfordemoc...
buttondown.com
TfD Weekly - 24th June 2026
TWC Canada marks a year of organising tech workers, plus Repair Cafés and the Canada Day potluck this week in TfD Weekly.
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OpenMedia @openmedia.org · 24/06/2026
Political parties collect people’s data and target communications in 🇨🇦, yet they aren’t subject to the same #privacy rules as companies or public institutions. People in Canada deserve better! ✍️ Sign & share by July 4: www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en... @bcfipa.bsky.social @cancivlib.bsky.social
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Annalee Newitz @annaleen.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
In Germany, Google is liable for false answers in its AI "overviews" that pop up at the top of search results. I wish we had this in the States. Make them pay for misleading users. the-decoder.com/landmark-ger...
the-decoder.com
Landmark German ruling declares Google's AI Overviews are Google's own words and makes it liable for false answers
A German regional court has ruled that Google is directly liable for the content of its AI search overviews. According to the court, previous limited liability protections for search engine operators ...
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
At Liberty Street and Pardee Avenue (Liberty Village) in Toronto, we saw that camera installation. Does anyone know anything about those surveillance cameras? Is that related to FIFA?
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Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
👉️️ Tue June 9 → 7pm • in-person & online Lightning updates from four Civic Tech projects: Landlord & Tenant Board data explorer, @bikespaceto.bsky.social, @techfordemocracy.bsky.social, and @civicdashboard.bsky.social. See what's new! ✚ discussions & breakouts! guild.host/events/civic...
Event poster for Civic Tech Toronto Meetup #546, Tuesday June 9th at 7pm, in person and online. Talk title: "Project Updates: Learn about the ongoing projects at Civic Tech Toronto." Blue-to-purple gradient background with the Civic Tech Toronto logo in the upper left, and three illustrated avatar portraits in the upper right corner.
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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
New research examines Waymo's California robotaxi trips btw Aug 2023 and Dec 2025. Conclusion: 46% of miles driven involved no one inside the car. That's 40 million miles of deadheading, with Waymo vehicles using road space w/o transporting a human. doi.org/10.32866/001...
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 02/06/2026
1/ Palantir is deeply embedded in the scariest activities of the Trump regime – enabling everything from mass deportations and lawless assassinations in international waters to ethnic cleansing, genocide, and war crimes.
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OpenMedia @openmedia.org · 29/05/2026
BREAKING: We just learned we WILL get a chance to testify to #BillC22's many problems; tune in June 2 at 3:30 EST to SECU committee. The *only* reason this is happening is because so many of you have written your MP about #BillC22's problems; if you haven't sent a message yet, please do! #cdnpoli
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 27/05/2026
5/ There's an official petition to withdraw C-22, sponsored by NDP MP @jennykwan.bsky.social. More than 2,600 Canadians have signed. We need more. Add your name and ask others to do the same while it's still at committee: www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
ourcommons.ca
Petition e-7416 - Petitions
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 27/05/2026
1/ Right now, a bill called C-22 is moving through Parliament. It would let police pull information on who you talk to, when, and where, all without a warrant. It's at committee this week. 🧵
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
TfD is urging the federal government to reject Bill C-22, which requires the retention of user metadata and forces platforms to provide information to authorized persons, thereby opening up our digital space to malicious actors. Read our full statement: techfordemocracy.ca/2026/05/22/c...
techfordemocracy.ca
Comment to SECU on Bill C-22
Bill C-22 would introduce major threats to Canadians’ privacy, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty.
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E.L. Guerrero @knights.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Dylan Reibling’s documentary “The End of the Internet” is an amazing film. I recommend everyone who uses the internet to watch it, i.e. all of youse! @techfordemocracy.bsky.social are hosting a screening at Revue Cinema on May 29. Get on it if you can! theendoftheinternetfilm.com/watch-the-tr...
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Join us on Friday May 29th for a screening of Dylan Reibling's "The End of the Internet" at Revue Cinema! TfD is presenting its first film club with Game Theory Films as part of Toronto Tech Week. Register on luma: luma.com/c3dlrrb8?loc... Make sure to purchase tickets through the luma page.
luma.com
TfD Film Club: The End of The Internet · Luma
Join Technologists for Democracy as we watch Dylan Reibling’s THE END OF THE INTERNET at the Revue Cinema! From Cold War military roots to Big Tech dominance,…
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OpenMedia @openmedia.org · 04/05/2026
🇨🇦's #BillC22 is entering committee study this week - and we're hearing it may become law by end of the month. We never say this: but this is the worst, most privacy-breaking bill we've seen. It MUST be stopped. Speak up against it and read on to learn more: www.openmedia.org/StopC22-bsky 1/
openmedia.org
Stop the Surveillance State: Stop Bill C-22!
🚨 Bill C-22 forces every Canadian internet provider, messaging app & cloud service to build surveillance backdoors and store a year of your data. Foreign state hackers exploited similar legislation in...
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RideFair @ridefairto.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
New report from RideFair. New Toronto Open Data about Uber and other ridehail platforms shows an industry in need of reform. ridefair.ca/wp-content/u...
ridefair.ca
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
We are hosting a Jane's walk on Sunday May 3rd! Join us on a walk from Union to St Andrew’s as we lead you on a privacy tour to better understand how privacy laws and rights look in practice across Toronto. Participants will use a ‘Privacy Checklist’ to spot privacy risks. luma.com/ja6l848q
luma.com
Jane's Walk - The Surveillance Stroll · Luma
Each day, we pass buildings and streets with cameras recording our movements, all hidden in plain sight. Have you ever wondered what role do cameras and other…
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Cycle Toronto @cycletoronto.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
More cars = more congestion: “Ride-hailing was responsible for approximately 50 percent of the increase in congestion between 2010 and 2016"
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Norm Di Pasquale🇨🇦 @normsworld.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Breaking from @policornerca.bsky.social: CityNews has cut ties with Queen’s Park reporter Tina Yazdani, while at least two of her stories about the Ford government have quietly vanished from the web without explanation. www.policorner.ca/p/scoop-the-... #topoli #onpoli
policorner.ca
SCOOP: The firing CityNews won’t explain
Gone from air, and gone from the web.
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Cynthia Khoo @cyn-k.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Can't believe I learned about this in my own city from a news outlet across the ocean (HT @savasavasava.myatproto.social), & also, *of course* it's Rosedale 🫠 For those not already aware of Flock, here is a thread showing why we need to push it out NOW, before it takes hold anywhere else in Canada:
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Terra Loire @terraloire.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Today’s Ontario budget isn’t just numbers on a page — it’s a snapshot of Doug Ford’s choices. While they talk about “fiscal responsibility,” our hospitals, schools, and public services are stretched to the breaking point. That’s why itsonford.ca exists. #ONpoli
itsonford.ca
It's On Ford
A public accountability tool exploring Ford's mismanagement of Ontario tax dollars.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
When you order a ride on Uber, or buy groceries on Amazon, everyone gets a different price - that's algorithmic pricing. Algorithmic pricing shouldn't be used on essential goods like food and housing. Listen to the full CBC segment here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... Link in bio to get inolved!
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
This week, we jointly submitted to the People's Consultation on AI alongside the Tech Workers Coalition. Read the People's demands here: techfordemocracy.ca/2026/03/23/j... @techworkerscoalition.org #pcai
techfordemocracy.ca
Joint Submission to the People’s Consultation on AI
On March 23, 2026, we submitted a report to the People’s Consultation on AI. We asked consultation participants to grapple with what their demands are, and for how the Government of Canada ca…
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
We now have a newsletter! Check it out here: buttondown.com/techfordemoc...
buttondown.com
Technologists For Democracy
Canadians using technology towards better democracy for all
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Canadians deserve to have a say over if, how, and to what extent AI is part of our future. That's why we're participating in the People's Consultation on AI, and we strongly encourage you and those in your community to as well. Submissions are due March 15: www.peoplesaiconsultation.ca
peoplesaiconsultation.ca
A civil society initiative to advance AI law, policy, and regulation centred around human rights and the public interest
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
“Privacy is an essential part of a healthy democracy and without privacy, we risk eroding a lot of the freedoms we have as Canadians,” says TfD's Khasir Hean.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
We've sent a letter to Cineplex Digital Media with our concerns surrounding use of facial detection by their digital billboards. Privacy is a fundamental human right. Read the letter here: techfordemocracy.ca/2025/12/04/l... #privacy #surveillance #advertising
techfordemocracy.ca
Letter to Cineplex on Facial Detection
In response to Cineplex Digital Media’s digital billboards performing facial detection, we submitted this letter.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Cineplex has ads at Union Bus Terminal and across Canada. These ads are performing facial detection on anyone passing by. This is a serious privacy concern. Read our open letter to Cineplex: drive.google.com/file/d/10B_C... Sign onto the letter by Sun Nov 30: cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/for... #privacy
One of the digital billboards that are performing facial detection at Union Station Bus Terminal.Close up of the camera on top of the billboard.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
“We should be calling the province to be accountable for spending funds and making sure that our money, our taxpayer dollars, are being spent accordingly, are being spent responsibly," says TfD's Khasir Hean. ricochet.media/climate/cana...
ricochet.media
Canada's next extractive industry: How AI is following the fossil fuel playbook
Ottawa is betting nearly a billion on artificial intelligence, ignoring warnings of its environmental risks. Just like Big Oil, Big Tech is building infrastructure that will be nearly impossible to di...
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
We've joined more than 160 civil society and human rights organizations, academics, field experts, and privacy and equality advocates across Canada, calling on Minister Solomon and ISED to extend national AI consultation and recreate the Task Force to include human rights representation. Read here:
bccla.org
OPEN LETTER to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation from civil society organizations and individuals opposing "National Sprint" consultation on AI strategy - BC Civil Liberti...
The Honourable Mélanie JolyMinister of IndustryHouse of CommonsOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A6 The Honourable Evan SolomonMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital InnovationHouse of CommonsOttawa, Ontar...
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Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 08/10/2025
We're going public today with a powerful new tool for researching, following and reporting on local governments across Canada. It’s dragging cities and towns into the 21st century by making 550 municipalities’ public meetings easy to search, all in one place, for the first time.
nationalobserver.com
Canada’s National Observer unveils a powerful tool for fighting disinformation
Civic Searchlight brings together municipal meeting transcripts from across Canada into a searchable database for the first time. It has already been used to fight disinformation, report on impact, di...
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Thanks to our volunteers who helped bring about awareness of the issues around this pilot! Innovation does not have to come at the cost of personal privacy and surveillance.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
PRESS RELEASE: Speed Cameras are an Effective Technology for Public Safety Read here: techfordemocracy.ca/2025/09/25/s...
techfordemocracy.ca
Speed Cameras are an Effective Technology for Public Safety
TfD’s press release on automated speed cameras in response to Ontario’s decision to ban them.
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joyelhidber.bsky.social @joyelhidber.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
🇨🇦’s Cybersecurity bill is back! Bill C-8 is Bill C-26’s twin. 👯‍♀️ Huge encryption risks, same secret orders. 🚨 Don’t let #BillC8 fast track through Parliament. Speak up and tell your MP to #FixBillC8 now! 📣 openmedia.org/FixBillC8-bsky @openmediaorg.bsky.social
openmedia.org
Fix Bill C-8: Stop the Fast-Track of a Flawed Cybersecurity Bill
Huge encryption risks, same secret orders. 🚨 Don’t let it fast track through Parliament. Speak up and tell your MP to #FixBillC8 now! 📣 https://openmedia.org/FixBillC8
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
We'll be drawing the line along with Canadians across the country tomorrow, September 20th, to protest against growing wealth inequality and exploitation. Join us in Toronto at Yonge & Dundas at 2pm! drawtheline.world/canada
drawtheline.world
Canada | Draw the Line - For people, for peace, for the planet
We refuse to stand by while the government and Canada’s richest corporations hoard wealth, gut our public services, fuel climate collapse, attack migrants, exploit Indigenous lands, and prop up a geno...
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
We had a great time at the panel last week and learned a lot! #toronto #tech #politics @luisasotomayor.bsky.social @vassb.bsky.social @ghadaa.bsky.social @paulafletcherto.bsky.social
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Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 04/09/2025
"The unsettling feeling that your device is spying on you is real — but the culprit isn't a secret microphone. It's the data broker industry," EFF’s @evacide.bsky.social tells @CNET.com. www.cnet.com/tech/servic...
cnet.com
No, Your iPhone Isn't Listening to You. Here's What's Really Happening
There are lots of reasons an ad pops up on your phone, but none involve a microphone listening.
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Technologists for Democracy @techfordemocracy.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Read about the privacy concerns we've raised with a local self-driving pilot happening in Toronto! Full text at: techfordemocracy.ca/2025/08/25/a... #privacy #surveillance #toronto
Self-driving delivery vehicles spark privacy concerns - Annex Gleaner, Volume 31, Number 3, August 2025Page 2 of the story.
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