One of the greatest threats to internet freedom and privacy are these manipulative laws, now spreading, that force people to prove they're of a certain age to use social media platforms and other sites. The UK Government, naturally, is now seeking this. The defense of these laws is emotionally powerful by appealing to child protection, but the real goal is online surveillance, an end to anonymity, and control over political content that young people can access. Few have done a better job reporting on these tyrannical threats than @TaylorLorenz. Read this:

CEEFAX banned for under-34s after 6:54 PM

“My mom could not be there for a visa issue.”

Wrote for @MiddleEastEye on the Makerfield by-election as the likely curtain-raiser for this summer's Labour leadership contest: middleeasteye.net/opinion/ca…

They would never propose a match between Russia and Ukraine. Because it is only white lives they respect and value. Otherwise why would you even think of a concept where victims are on the same pitch with their butchers? It’s also why Israel isn’t banned just like Russia.

We have sacrificed trillions of dollars and tens of thousands of American lives in a series of Middle East wars, and all we've accomplished is making some executives at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin very, very rich.

My friend and colleague @AminSikka was supposed to be in London this week for the One World Media awards, where he’s nominated for journalist of the year. At the end of last week, the Home Office told us they weren’t letting him into the country middleeasteye.net/news/sudan…

RT @arianajasmine__: They didn’t want Zohran Mamdani to win because once people see a politician who isn’t bought by corporations, does his…

Starmer: We want to digitally ID everyone who uses social media Brits: Absolutely Not! Starmer: OK then, we want to ban under 16s from social media (by digitally ID-ing everyone) Brits: OMG that’s a great idea. Idk what idiot would be against that 🥴

Not a word from the Shadow Justice Secretary on violent riots. But plenty to say on a few Muslims peacefully praying.

“Some people are dismissive of processes like these” says Starmer. Yes, like you?! The “consultation” only closed a couple of weeks ago, they cannot have read the tens of thousands of responses, it was a fig leaf for panicked political decision making.

RT @AaJ1532082: 'From Crumlin to Cape Verde' RTE Special - the story of Roberto 'Pico' Lopes. From dodging bullets on the mean streets of C…

People *need* to understand this: the under-16 bans hit adults too. Whether you’re 15 or 55, your ability to speak freely and anonymously online is at risk. This. Isn’t. Just. About. Teens.

All this because Nick wrote about Israel's rape and sexual assault of men, women and children.

RT @TaylorLorenz: Back in March I wrote for The Guardian about how a “social media ban” for children is just forced Digital ID by another n…

You know you're living in a healthy democracy when everyone has to pay for a VPN to stop the state from spying on them.

Over a decade ago, the media whipped up hysteria about Polish migrants. It's all been memory-holed now!

Sweden Democrat leader Åkesson: “I don’t see how one can be Muslim and Swedish at the same time” Meanwhile Yasin Ayari after scoring multiple goals for Sweden:

I really hope Mamdani was the true turning point for political nominees. Stop electing geriatrics to represent you. We need young people in office who are actually competent and relate to the people they’re supposed to serve.

Banning youtube is like banning TV, radio, CDs and non-fiction books in the late 90s or early 2000s. People will only realise how big a mistake Keir Starmer's made years after he's out of office.