The EU just dropped €5M on a “fact-checking” program. What it actually built: a censorship machine.
Only pre-approved orgs (like those previously tied to Meta) get the money. They’ll “fact-check,” store the “truth” in a central database, and get emergency tools to crush dissent in real time.
It’s open to EU states plus places like Ukraine and Moldova; regions they say are vulnerable to foreign influence. The real play is surveillance and message control in strategic zones.
T-Mobile Faces Backlash for Auto-Enabled Screen Recording in T-Life App Without User Consent
https://reclaimthenet.org/t-mobile-t-life-screen-recording-privacy-backlash
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet.
Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission.
This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life.
The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake.
Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply.
For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity.
And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here.
TEXAS just passed a law that turns Big Tech giants Apple and Google into bouncers at the gates of the internet.
Under SB 2420, starting 2026, app stores must verify the age of every user. Want to download a weather app? You’ll need to show ID. And if you’re under 18, you can’t install anything without a parent’s permission.
This isn’t about “protecting children.” Porn apps are already banned in the app stores. This is about creating a mass surveillance system that erases anonymity, chills speech, and forces Texans to hand over their real identities to access digital life.
The state tells developers to “delete the data.” But delete when? And trust who? Developers? Apple? Google? You’re betting your privacy on a handshake.
Meanwhile, Apple and Google are forced to collect and store troves of sensitive info from every user, just to comply.
For Texans, from next year, everything you say on a social media app can be tied to your real-world identity.
And if you think this ends in Texas, think again. Utah passed a similar law. Congress is eyeing one, too. The war on online anonymity is here.
In Texas, Apple and Google will now be the bouncers at the front door of the internet, checking IDs for every app download.
https://reclaimthenet.org/texas-mandates-digital-id-to-access-app-store-apps
Rubio Leads Crackdown on Foreign Censors with Visa Bans
https://reclaimthenet.org/rubio-us-visa-ban-foreign-censorship-officials-free-speech
Senator Wyden Accuses AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile of Failing to Warn Senate of Surveillance
The only thing more choreographed than the fight scenes in Ballerina is the studio's campaign to silence anyone who doesn't clap on cue.
https://reclaimthenet.org/lionsgate-ballerina-embargo-stifles-criticism-john-wick-spinoff
Regeneron Buys 23andMe (And People’s DNA Data) for $256M
https://reclaimthenet.org/regeneron-buys-23andme-and-peoples-dna-data-for-256m
Google Reverses File Access Block on Nextcloud for Android After Public Backlash and Anti-Competitive Concerns
https://reclaimthenet.org/google-restores-nextcloud-android-file-access-after-permissions-dispute
YouTube and Netflix Deploy AI and Behavioral Tracking to Intensify Targeted Advertising
https://reclaimthenet.org/youtube-netflix-ai-ad-tracking-behavioral-profiling
KOSA Reintroduced: Child “Safety” Bill Raises Alarms Over Internet Surveillance, Digital ID, and Free Speech Risks
https://reclaimthenet.org/kids-online-safety-act-kosa-privacy-surveillance-concerns-2025
US House Judiciary Committee Warns EU and Poland’s Tusk Government Over Censorship Threat to US Free Speech
https://reclaimthenet.org/us-house-warns-eu-poland-censorship-threat-to-free-speech
Proton Threatens to Leave Switzerland Over Proposed Surveillance Law Expansion
https://reclaimthenet.org/proton-threatens-to-leave-switzerland-over-surveillance-law-expansion
California Expands Digital ID Programs for Public Services, Despite Privacy Concerns
https://reclaimthenet.org/california-digital-identity-privacy-benefits-pilot-programs
Ireland Moves to Legalize Retrospective Facial Recognition
https://reclaimthenet.org/ireland-moves-to-legalize-retrospective-facial-recognition
Google Reaches $1.375 Billion Settlement with Texas Over Privacy Violations Involving Location Tracking and Biometric Data
https://reclaimthenet.org/google-texas-privacy-settlement-1-375-billion
X Complies with Over 8,000 Indian Government Censorship Orders, Blocks News and User Accounts
https://reclaimthenet.org/x-blocks-8000-accounts-in-india-amid-govt-censorship-row
UK Lawmakers and Regulators Target End-to-End Encryption and Smaller Messaging Platforms in Final Committee Hearing on Social Media “Harms”
https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-social-media-encryption-hearing-southport-riots-ofcom-signal-telegram
Meta Overhauls Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Policy to Default AI Surveillance, Voice Data Cloud Storage for Model Training
EU to Ban Privacy Coins, Anonymous Crypto Accounts by 2027
https://reclaimthenet.org/eu-to-ban-privacy-coins-anonymous-crypto-accounts-by-2027
Germany Classifies AfD “Extremist,” Triggering Sweeping Surveillance Powers Amid Political Backlash
https://reclaimthenet.org/germany-afd-labeled-right-wing-extremist-surveillance-authorized
WEF Launches Connected Future Initiative to Promote Global Digital Public Infrastructure with Backing from UN, EU, and Bill Gates
https://reclaimthenet.org/wef-connected-future-initiative-digital-id-dpi-global-standards
WEF Launches Connected Future Initiative to Promote Global Digital Public Infrastructure with Backing from UN, EU, and Bill Gates
https://reclaimthenet.org/wef-connected-future-initiative-digital-id-dpi-global-standards
Brave Releases Cookiecrumbler, a Tool That Finds and Fixes Annoying Cookie Pop-Ups
https://reclaimthenet.org/brave-opensources-cookiecrumbler-llm-cookie-consent-detection
Former Biden “Disinfo” Board Chief Urges EU to Resist Criticism on Censorship Laws
Objectors Appeal Clearview AI Settlement Granting Plaintiffs 23% Stake, Arguing It Rewards Alleged Privacy Violators Without Changing Company Practices
https://reclaimthenet.org/clearview-ai-settlement-controversy-challenged-in-federal-appeal