Juliet Swann

Amazon Cloud Outage Reveals Democratic Deficit in Relying on Big Tech | TechPolicy.Press The AWS outage demonstrates the need for a fundamental shift in how we think about digital infrastructure, write Corinne Cath and Don Le.

Today's AWS outage, which affected a range of websites and applications—from Signal to Fortnite to key UK government services—reveals the dangers of relying on a handful of Big Tech firms, write Article 19's Corinne Cath and Don Le. These are not glitches; they are democratic failures, they say.

Image is of the super sexy human Glen Powell looking longingly at the camera with a red tone around him because he wants you to donate to Transparency International so we can fight the villains like he does in the movies.

Two important things are happening tomorrow (21st October)…
1. It’s Glen Powell’s birthday
2. It’s the last chance for your donation to Transparency International UK to be doubled

Glen would want you to give.

donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

If you think this situation should be addressed because wealth shouldn't be able to buy influence, and you can spare a few pounds, then until tomorrow (21st October) your money will be doubled!
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Delighted to be invited to speak at this event, and looking forward to all the contributions.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are being silenced by the very people accused of committing the abuse. 📣Read our new report revealing how abusive legal actions in the UK & Ireland are silencing those who speak out ⬇️
www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/10/the-...

At SNP Conference we hosted a packed fringe with @theferret.scot on land ownership transparency in Scotland.

We looked at offshore ownership and whether current rules are working.

Watch @muteswann.bsky.social share key takeaways from the event.

Breaking Big Money’s Grip on Politics – Big Give In 2023 66% of donations to political parties came from just 19 donors. Increasingly, our politics is funded by a small number of super donors. We seek support to make sure those with the deepest poc...

For the next week, if you donate to
@transparencyuk.bsky.social
we get DOUBLE THE MONEY! What a great deal!
If you think tackling corruption & pushing for better standards in political life is important, do consider donating. I'd appreciate it 💓
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Image shows a crowded room

Delighted to see a full room for our #SNP25 fringe event on hidden land ownership

At 5pm! Join us!

Today! At #SNP25
Can you keep a secret?
🏰 Tackling hidden ownership of Scotland’s assets
📍Room 8, TECA
☕️ Tea and coffee
🍷 Drinks
🧀 Cheese platter

Today! 5pm! Meeting Room 8 in the TECA for #SNP25

With @emmaharpermsp.bsky.social @margotmollat.bsky.social @jamiermann.bsky.social

Hot drinks, alcohol and a cheese platter! (First come, first served)

We need so, so, much more of this, in the UK as well as America, and so many other places. We need politicians prepared to actually step up and genuinely, wholeheartedly, support trans and non-binary individuals.

Image is a flyer for the event - full details in the link

Planning your time at #SNP25? Join us to talk secret land owners and discuss how to open up land registers at 5pm tomorrow.

www.transparency.org.uk/events/can-y...

In Aberdeen for SNP conference? Pop us in your calendar for 5pm tomorrow and come and discuss all things land ownership transparency.
Very timely given polling from @markdiffley1.bsky.social in today’s Herald www.heraldscotland.com/news/2553407...

Join us at SNP Conference this weekend.

On Sunday at 5pm, @muteswann.bsky.social and @margotmollat.bsky.social will speak at “Can you keep a secret? Tackling hidden ownership of Scottish assets” hosted with @theferret.scot.

www.transparency.org.uk/events/can-y...

If you're going to SNP Conference this year, do make sure to join my brilliant colleagues @margotmollat.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social.

Details below 👇👇👇

YouTube video by Asle Knudsen Trainspotting - Choose Life - Opening scene - HD WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

youtu.be/SaP7qmsQbSI

Image shows Wham! in Choose Life T-shirts

do we get 'Choose Growth' T-shirts? Or monologues?
youtu.be/SaP7qmsQbSI

Thanks to all who came along, and especially @martinwhitfieldmsp.bsky.social for sponsoring and @jemm-s.bsky.social @rosewhiff.bsky.social and Daniel, our CEO, for being an awesome team to work with today and every day.

First time in Holyrood! Awesome to see our Open Access Tool now rolled out in Scotland thanks to the always awesome @rosewhiff.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social

And of course, check it out yourself 👇

openaccess.transparency.org.uk

crikey

BREAKING: Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer elected new co-leaders of the Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org

I've been really impressed with The Courier under David Clegg's editorship

As a treat 🤣

I mean losing 1 MSP is bad, but 2 in a week and 3 this year - plus on both wings of the party...

Conservative MSP Graham Simpson defects to Reform Simpson announced his move as he appeared at a press conference in Scotland with Reform leader Nigel Farage.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

An investigation has been launched! www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Interesting - might a Scottish Land Agency also take responsibility for monitoring compliance with the Register of Controlled Interests in Land?

Join @transparencyuk.bsky.social at the Scottish Parliament to consider how we might understand the influencing which holds back progress on some key issues of our time, with a focus at this event on climate change.
3rd Sept. Drinks and snacks on arrival.
www.transparency.org.uk/events/lobby...

‘I’ve been spat on’: gender non-conforming women tell of toilet abuse after UK’s supreme court ruling Support groups report that women and non-binary people are increasingly being challenged in toilets and changing facilities – but others call it scaremongering

I thought this was a really careful and well written piece from @libbybrooks.bsky.social that demonstrates the misogny at the heart of gender policing and weaponising 'single sex spaces'. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...