'AI psychosis' research, X/Twitter criticised in inquiry report and Reddit's Ben Lee
Hello and welcome to Everything in Moderation's Week in Review, your need-to-know news and analysis about platform policy, content moderation and internet regulation. It's written by me, Ben Whitelaw and supported by paid members like you.
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The big news this week is not reported by The Verge or TechCrunch (at least not yet): that news is that fans of Ctrl-Alt-Speech — the weekly podcast I host with Techdirt’s Mike Masnick — is 100 episodes old 🎉 (yep, that deserves an emoticon).
To mark that milestone and to keep the podcast going for another 100 episodes, we’re moving to a listener supported model. Listen to Mike and I discuss why we’re doing it but here’s the tl;dr:
- From May 28th, extended episodes with our unique mix of cross Atlantic ‘dad jokes’ will only be available via Patreon. A free episode will still be available via your favourite podcast player.
- The Founder tier — which gets you bragging rights and allows you to suggest stories we should cover each week plus random missives on Patreon — is available at a discounted price until 28th May.
- I’m on paternity leave/holiday until late May so Mike will be helming the podcast with a bunch of special guests until then.
I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks — including an EiM x Ctrl-Alt-Speech membership bundle — but if you’re a regular listen, this is the best way to support the podcast and keep it going.
That's the big online speech news. But here are the other stories you need to know about this week too - BW
Policies
New and emerging internet policy and online speech regulation
Following months-long inquiry, the first volume of the Southport Inquiry report has been published and it doesn’t hold back in its criticism of X/Twitter and Amazon’s age verification systems and content moderation practices in the lead-up to the incident. A fascinating if harrowing read, the report outlines how harmful content remained accessible despite attempts by authorities to have it removed. Tech Policy Press has a good write-up of the report's findings if you don't have time to read. Thanks to Heather for bringing the report to my attention.
The report is particularly critical of the arguments put by X/Twitter's head of global affairs, Deanna Romina Khananisho. Mike and I discussed her performance in front of the Inquiry back in November.
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