Oliver Marsh (tech & politics)

I'm in Amsterdam for the DSA Observatory Conference Mon Tues and may have space for coffees Weds morning before heading back.

Pleasure writing this with @lkseiling.bsky.social . The X fine is an important moment for DSA transparency, and learning how different actors can contribute to the DSA - as also laid out in my "Dual Track" proposal with Michele Loi for @algorithmwatch.org algorithmwatch.org/en/dual-track/

me wearing an obvious human facemask with bright green pupils, there is a phone being held up to photograph the facemask to age verify me

Me successfully passing X / Grok's immediate age verification (i.e. the one you don't need ID for, to view sensitive content as a one-off)

AlgorithmWatch’s guideline to use generative AI responsibly - AlgorithmWatch CH Whether you use ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, Copilot or Perplexity – generative AI poses massive problems: many results are inaccurate and politically problematic, and the systems’ energy and water consumption is enormous. At the same time, they have become an integral part of everyday life. AlgorithmWatch has developed guidelines to help use generative AI responsibly.

👇Our policy on using generative AI. This guides choices around using it (or not) based on 4 principles: ⚖️Proportionality, 🗝️Security, 💯Quality, 🪟Transparency. We started from a staff survey, and built in processes for discussion & updating.

If you find it useful, let us know!

And a reminder that non-consensual nudity on X goes much much deeper, and for much longer, than Grok and this latest scandal. Regulators know this. But, any consequences...? algorithmwatch.org/en/sexualize...

Sideways Looks #38: 2025 Retro, also Squirrels 2025 - some analysis, some personal reflections, much "wtf is going on".

Personal reflections on 2025, including: Trying to make positive progress in a world of power struggles; the rise of progressive regulation vs. deregulation arguments; podcasts and other recs; other words beginning with P. Also fun facts about squirrels.

www.oliver-marsh.com/sideways-loo...

The relentless rise of YouTube As well as being the dominant platform in podcasting and having a growing presence in live sport, it is now the leader in TV and streaming in the US

Good article on the power of YouTube, which I often feel flies weirdly under the radar in a lot of research/regulatory discussions (paywalled but contact me for guest link)

www.ft.com/content/9e75...

Amazing work gang 👏

Some, esp. in the US, will use this as evidence of the EU "censoring" speech. @mathver.bsky.social and @daphnek.bsky.social call BS on this superbly:

bsky.app/profile/math...

bsky.app/profile/daph...

X decision: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

My nudify e.g.: algorithmwatch.org/en/stop-nudi...

X is finally being fined under the Digital Services Act. I've said before that the fact they were getting away with e.g. not sharing data on *non consensual nude images* suggested the DSA wasn't working. But today I have hope that enforcers will pick the right fights, even when politically tricky.

Privacy for cash. How your data are turned into profit. Online Meetup with Oliver Marsh, digital-policy researcher

Every swipe, like, and share on social media fuels a billion-euro business. With @olivermmarsh.bsky.social you will:

🎯 see how algorithms grab and hold your attention
🎯 learn how your behaviour becomes ad data
🎯 explore the social impact

Join our Zoom meetup: 👇
Tue, 2 Dec, 7pm CET
meeteu.eu/events

YouTube video by Und DAS glaubst du?! #3 “Welche Rolle spielen Algorithmen im Kontext Desinformation?” Dr. Oliver Marsh, AlgorithmWatch

Enjoyed talking about algorithms, challenges of holding tech platforms accountable, and why I'm nervous about focusing on disinformation for the new "und DAS glaubst du?" podcast. youtu.be/blv7kC_1g88?...

(For German speakers, or I guess anyone who wants to hear how my accent sounds in German...)

Excited to have used the brand new Digital Services Act 40.4 Data Access Portal to request data on Google AI Overviews.

Thanks to support from @spielkamp.bsky.social @lejlamarcius.bsky.social & Michele Loi, plus great prep resources from @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social, @bnetza.bsky.social & others

algorithmwatch on Instagram: "The Digital Services Act (DSA) will be 3 years old on Oct 4! 🎂 But how is it going so far? We unpack this question, plus our birth…" The Digital Services Act (DSA) will be 3 years old on Oct 4! 🎂 But how is it going so far? We unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with the DSA 40 Collaboratory and @mozilla Foundation.View all comments

I'm excited - I genuinely believe this is an exciting step in exploring what DSA Data Access can do. The request is now with the platforms, so let's see what happens.

More on DSA anniversary: algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...

We also did a happy birthday video: www.instagram.com/reel/DPTE9fd...

We are making a request to 6 big tech platforms to provide regular delivery of their most viewed content — specifically, top 1,000 most viewed posts, per platform, per EU member state, for an initial six month period, to 20 civil society and research organisations who have signed on to this request.

V proud to be pushing a new approach for DSA Data Access - a "mass data access" request for highly viewed content - with the fantastic @clairepershan.bsky.social @lkseiling.bsky.social and @louisbarclay.bsky.social for @algorithmwatch.org .

More here & 🧵: www.mozillafoundation.org/en/what-we-d...

Happy Birthday, Digital Services Act! – Time for a Reality Check - AlgorithmWatch The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) celebrates its third birthday. This landmark digital regulation is meant to give a better understanding of how online services decide what users see, and more power...

The EU Digital Services Act is 3 years old! 🎂 But how’s its work to regulate online services going? Here we unpack this question, plus our birthday present 🎁 to the DSA: A “mass data access request” with @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social & @mozilla.org Foundation: 👉 algorithmwatch.org/en/birthday-...

Done another update to the Tech Policy Jobs (Europe) sheet, including two from us @algorithmwatch.org ! There's a lot of new jobs flying around, it's hard to keep track, so please do add your own new jobs if you're hiring.

docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Sideways Looks #37: Academic/Non-Academic Collaborations. Also, Charity Donations. I share some thouhts and tips from sitting in the middle of academic and non-academic collaborations.

Forgot to post this here - latest blog piece, on academic / non-academic collaborations www.oliver-marsh.com/academic-non...

(If you subscribe you don't need to rely on me remembering to post them here too ;) )

I'm not sure I understand?

Very happy to be a signatory to this letter drafted by @hutko.bsky.social countering Trumpian misinformation on DSA. Please read thread. I also note Martin's kind offer to provide DSA training to US politicians at 1% cost 🤣

In the USA, we can clearly see certain views being punished by use of official powers, including the chair of the hearing Jim Jordan - see @mmasnick.bsky.social being excellent on the hypocrisy of censors like Jordan and Musk www.techdirt.com/2024/08/09/j...

The letters lay out, in a balanced and realistic way, how the laws are content-neutral - they don't hand the EU power to remove particular views they don't like, and if the EU was to try such a thing there's loads of safeguards to push against that. Unlike in the US, it increasingly seems.

But good news: We can get reliable information on laws such as the Digital Services Act via very helpful letters from a group of superb experts led by @hutko.bsky.social

husovec.eu/wp-content/u...

husovec.eu/wp-content/u...

Over 40 NGOs call for a firm stance against US threats - AlgorithmWatch Over 40 NGOs and individuals from the digital rights field are calling on the European Commission to respond firmly to the recent warning from the US government. The US has threatened sanctions if the...

1/4 Yday there was a hearing on "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in the US Congress. It's the latest in misleading attacks on Europe's ability to have its own laws. See this open letter signed by 40 NGOs inc. @algorithmwatch.org about that: algorithmwatch.org/en/open-lett...

Non-consensual sexualization tools #NSTs are apps and websites that generate sexualized images of real people. Often called #NudifyApps, they don’t only create nudity but can also include non-consensual “undressing” via images in underwear or swimsuits: algorithmwatch.org/en/stop-nudi...

Using my current laptop to search for a new laptop feels morally wrong somehow :/

Next post will be shorter, probably about academic-nonacademic collaborations. If you haven't subscribed already, do so or DM me your email.

It's a bit of a thought-dump, wayyy longer than I'd usually write, and I'm still not entirely happy with it - but it's good to have the thoughts on digital paper anyway. I'll be returning to these thoughts, so input welcome.

Sideways Looks #36: A Better Internet Part 2, also Mermaids I attempt to categorise & compare ideas for a more pro-democracy internet.

Part 2 of my thoughts on reaching a more "pro-democracy internet". In it I attempt to categorise & compare 4 models - from New Coffee Houses to Better Broadcasters - across a few different axes such as "expected participation" and "theory of change". www.oliver-marsh.com/a-better-int...