When the physicists need burner phones, that’s when you know America’s changed

>>At international academic conferences recently, one sees an interesting trend. Some American participants are travelling with “burner” phones or have minimalist laptops running browsers and not much else. In other words, they are equipped with the same kind of kit that security-conscious people used to bring 15 years ago when travelling to China.<<

#JohnNaughton #TheGuardian #USA #USPol #Research #Oppression #Authoritarianism
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/m…

When the physicists need burner phones, that’s when you know America’s changed

US academics, fearing persecution by their own government, are becoming ideological refugees. Europe, and Britain, must offer them sanctuary

^{John Naughton (The Guardian)}

I must once again urge you: please do not record your abortions on the blockchain.

mollywhite.net/micro/entry/ple…

#crypto #authoritarianism

Please do not record your abortions on the blockchain

I must once again urge you: please do not record your abortions on the blockchain. There are a lot of very worried people right now, fearful of an impending regime that may well crack down on things like reproductive care, gender-affirming care, or t…

^{Molly White}

⚠️ The article rightly points out the thin line between national "#digitalTransformation" & "digital #authoritarianism" -- through governments, or the corporations those they coddle/empower.

It also reminds us that for non-US leaders, "increasingly, the biggest threat to the future of the internet is the United States".

(Including nonprofits, who've increasingly been exposed in building and deploying systems that are misused to abuse human rights like privacy.)

2/4

jacobin.com/2022/06/us-tech-co…

Biden’s Campaign for “Digital Democracy” Is Really a Giveaway to Big Tech

The United States claims it benevolently promotes democracy over authoritarianism through its international technology policies. In reality, America forces poor countries to let US-based Big Tech companies steal their data.

^jacobin.com