The hottest Censorship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Does MP Chi Onwurah Defend the Center for Countering Digital Hate to Protect Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney?

The DisInformation Chronicle • 245 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
📰 News Censorship
  1. Chi Onwurah defended the Center for Countering Digital Hate and rejected claims it’s a Labour front, arguing the Online Safety Act was driven by Conservatives — a stance critics say is misleading.
  2. The Center for Countering Digital Hate was founded by Imran Ahmed and Morgan McSweeney, who has close Labour ties, and the group worked with Conservative MP Damian Collins to help shape and promote the Online Safety Act.
  3. There are broader concerns that government units and advocacy groups have influenced social-media policy and takedowns during the pandemic and beyond, raising free-speech and censorship questions that many say need further scrutiny and reporting.

TikTok's 'cute winter boots' trend explained

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 10808 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The trend of 'cute winter boots' on TikTok actually references political resistance, especially against certain government policies. Users are using this code to talk about serious issues while avoiding censorship.
  2. TikTok users are clever at using coded language to get around filters and alert others about government surveillance. This allows them to share information without detection.
  3. The way users promote 'cute winter boots' shows their focus on reaching a wider audience using popular themes, while also educating on topics like rights and activism.

Join our AMA on how 'online safety laws' like age verification censor abortion info and sex ed!

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 985 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. New laws like the Kids Online Safety Act could lead to censorship of important topics like abortion and sexual education. It's essential to be aware of how these laws might limit access to information.
  2. Many groups, including tech and digital rights organizations, are concerned about these censorship laws and their impact on freedom of expression online. Engaging in discussions and asking questions is crucial.
  3. Taking action by contacting representatives and advocating against harmful laws is important to protect online freedom and access to necessary health information. Every voice counts in this fight.

I was just given a lifetime ban from Instagram for thanking Yemen for trying to stop the genocide of Palestinians.

The North Star with Shaun King • 4676 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Shaun King was banned from Instagram for thanking Yemen for trying to stop the genocide of Palestinians.
  2. Meta's decision sets a dangerous precedent by deleting Shaun King's account and preventing any appeal.
  3. Shaun King stands by his support for Yemen and Palestine despite the unjust ban from Instagram.

On Mark Zuckerberg's Speech Announcement

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11159 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Mark Zuckerberg's call for free speech suggests a conflict between the U.S. and other countries over censorship laws. This highlights the challenges tech companies face globally.
  2. Zuckerberg believes the U.S. has a strong foundation for free expression, but countries like Europe and China are enforcing more censorship. This creates a tough environment for innovation.
  3. The recent changes in speech laws and agreements may lead to more battles over free expression. Zuckerberg's insights indicate that discussions on these topics are becoming more urgent.
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After Liberal Cultural Hegemony

Freddie deBoer • 10365 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. Many people got really upset about certain books in the past, often without reading them, which made it hard for authors. This created a strange situation where publishers would listen to loud complaints instead of just letting books be published.
  2. Right now, there's a bit of a backlash against that intense focus on social justice, but the effects of that period are still lingering in society. Some people are still trying to cancel things they don’t like, and that behavior continues in various forms.
  3. The way liberals approach politics often revolves around judgment and pointing out failures, which some see as limiting. There’s a question of what kind of politics will emerge in the future and if it will be different from how things have been.

Is Elon Musk a raging free speech hypocrite?

Jeff Giesea • 539 implied HN points • 10 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Elon Musk often criticizes Western democracies like the UK for free speech restrictions but is quiet about countries with worse situations, such as Saudi Arabia and China.
  2. His approach to free speech seems inconsistent. While he claims to support it, some of his actions, like limiting competition on X, look hypocritical.
  3. Many feel Musk isn't doing a good job managing free expression on X. His spontaneous tweets and decisions can hurt the cause of free speech instead of helping it.

Germany Opens Big Fat Pie Hole

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8918 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Germany's Foreign Minister criticized the comments made by J.D. Vance about democracy in Europe. He thinks it's not okay to compare Europe to authoritarian places.
  2. There's a feeling that the political climate is changing, raising questions about what is acceptable to say in big conversations about democracy.
  3. Some people are reacting humorously to this situation, talking about the past and how it seems like the world is getting interesting again.

Upcoming Podcast: What Should I Ask State Department's Sarah Rogers?

The DisInformation Chronicle • 300 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The State Department announced bans and potential deportations for five foreign individuals accused of coordinating censorship and demonetization of American viewpoints, naming figures like Imran Ahmed of CCDH.
  2. Under Secretary Sarah Rogers spent weeks in Europe pressing counterparts to push back on laws like the UK Online Safety Act, which sparked sharp criticism from some European officials who called the U.S. actions a witch hunt.
  3. There will be a podcast interview with Under Secretary Rogers about her Europe trip and related First Amendment issues, and listeners—especially paid subscribers—are invited to submit questions for the conversation.

State Department Defies Congress, Revives Infamous Censorship Office in Absurd Prank

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9420 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The State Department has reopened a controversial office that was previously shut down, which aims to monitor and respond to foreign disinformation efforts. This move has raised concerns about censorship and government overreach.
  2. This new office, named the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub, is expected to have a similar mission to its predecessor, despite Congressional efforts to stop it. It signals ongoing government attempts to control information.
  3. Critics worry that the revival of this censorship office reflects a lack of accountability and transparency in government actions. Many believe it poses a threat to free speech and independent journalism.

Censored by Britain

Wrong Side of History • 512 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. The Online Safety Act and similar rules are making platforms restrict content and add age checks, which risks silencing writers and breaking the link between creators and readers.
  2. Rapid demographic change and mass immigration are reshaping Britain and Europe, changing politics and social cohesion. Current policies to expand legal migration risk fueling political backlash and security worries.
  3. Cultural institutions and habits are weakening—fewer people study or read English literature and trust traditional media is falling. At the same time, citizen archivists are uncovering neglected histories and social problems that mainstream outlets often miss.

What do Statistics NZ and Sall Grover - Aussie femina suprema & creator of the Giggle app - have in common?

A B’Old Woman • 819 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Sall Grover created the Giggle app for women, but faced legal issues when a trans woman was removed from it. This highlights ongoing debates about gender and women's spaces.
  2. Stats NZ has changed its census questions from 'sex' to 'gender', raising concerns about the reliability of data. Many feel this could mix up important information about biological females.
  3. There is a call for better representation from gender-critical voices in discussions about gender identity. People want to ensure that women's perspectives are included in these important conversations.

The UK's censorship catastrophe is just the beginning

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2687 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The UK's Online Safety Act is leading to mass censorship of important content. This includes blocking access to news and health information, which can restrict young people's understanding of the world.
  2. Age verification rules may seem like a way to protect kids, but they actually make it harder for young people to access crucial information. Instead of being safer, they face greater privacy risks just to browse online.
  3. Similar censorship laws could soon emerge in the U.S. Democrats and Republicans are both pushing for stricter rules online, which threatens free speech and our right to share information freely.

UnitedHealth got a docuseries removed from Amazon and Vimeo

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2926 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. UnitedHealth pressured Amazon and Vimeo to remove a docuseries that criticized the healthcare industry. This shows how powerful companies can influence what content gets shared online.
  2. The situation reflects a broader issue of free speech, where independent creators and journalists struggle against potential legal threats from big corporations. It's a reminder of why we need to protect our right to express opinions publicly.
  3. Legal actions like those taken by UnitedHealth can scare people into silence, making it hard for smaller voices to be heard. This highlights the need for more support for free speech in media.

DisInformation Chronicle Podcast with State Undersecretary Sarah Rogers

The DisInformation Chronicle • 200 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. The State Department has used visa revocations against five people accused of censoring, demonetizing, or suppressing American viewpoints, signaling a new tool to push back on foreign censorship.
  2. The conversation covered wide free-speech concerns across the U.S. and Europe — including fact-checking, debanking, censorship trends, and how diplomacy can respond to information control.
  3. The podcast will publish interview clips, invite listener suggestions and guests, and encourages subscriptions as it follows next steps and evolving norms for free speech.

Beautiful Monsters

Seven Senses • 559 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Censorship
  1. It's tough to separate an artist's bad behavior from their art. Many people wonder if enjoying a piece of art makes them part of the artist's wrong actions.
  2. Our choices in what art we support reflect our values. Boycotting artists and products can feel empowering, but true change often requires focusing on the larger systems that let harmful actions happen.
  3. It's important to recognize that artists might be both good and bad, like 'beautiful monsters'. This complexity challenges us to think deeply about our feelings towards their work and our own behavior.

I Am Launching the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund

The DisInformation Chronicle • 475 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Free speech is facing serious challenges in Europe, with laws that can punish people for what they say online. This situation affects not just locals, but Americans too.
  2. Frivolous lawsuits, called SLAPPs, are being used to silence individuals and reporters. These lawsuits can be costly and stressful for those targeted.
  3. A new initiative, the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund, aims to help those caught in these legal battles and to promote stronger protections for free speech in Europe.

Instagram blocked teens from searching LGBTQ-related content for months

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 7464 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Instagram temporarily blocked teens from searching LGBTQ-related hashtags due to content restrictions meant for 'sensitive content'.
  2. Meta admitted the restrictions on LGBTQ terms were a mistake and emphasized the need for all communities to feel safe on its platforms.
  3. LGBTQ teens rely on social media for connection and support, and limiting access to their content can isolate them during critical times of self-discovery.

What is the Artist to Fascism?

Dada Drummer Almanach • 360 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎶 Music Censorship
  1. Some leaders treat artists as mere service providers who must perform regardless of politics, stripping artists of agency and turning art into propaganda or kitsch.
  2. Political figures sitting on corporate and nonprofit boards reveal a pattern of corporate-government entanglement that protects corporate interests and weakens regulation.
  3. Artists who speak out or withdraw from gigs can face financial threats, public shaming, and being labeled disloyal, and ticket-sales arguments are often used to silence their dissent.

Twitter suspends me again

The Glinner Update • 4835 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The author was suspended from Twitter for sarcastic replies to messages from trans rights activists.
  2. The post highlights instances of harassment and abuse faced by women and allies on Twitter.
  3. The author criticizes Twitter for providing a platform for abusive behavior.

Stop pretending Meta cares about free speech

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 6598 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Meta doesn't really care about free speech. They are making rules that often silence voices that challenge their views or threaten their profits.
  2. People who say they support free speech often try to shut down discussions that go against their beliefs. This includes laws that restrict what can be taught in schools about racism and LGBTQ+ issues.
  3. Billionaires like Zuckerberg use the idea of free speech to protect themselves from consequences while preserving their power. Real change requires creating an internet that serves everyone's needs, not just the powerful.

On digital walls, Mark Carney and narrative authority

Taipology • 96 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Digital walls are going up in the West as platforms and authorities tighten moderation, ban content, and shadowban dissenters. Some users will jump to new apps, but most people stay put out of inertia.
  2. Narrative authority — the power to set the agenda and "name reality" — determines which issues get attention, and the West’s default control of that power is eroding as other platforms and countries gain influence.
  3. This shift means a global decentralization of narrative power: expect more opaque censorship and defensive measures in liberal countries while China keeps strict speech controls, not a sudden turn toward universal free speech.

Today’s Censorship Is Personal

Human Flourishing • 2122 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Governments throughout history have tried to control speech and communication channels.
  2. Technological advancements have made censorship more personal and affect the tools we use every day.
  3. The outcome of Missouri v. Biden case in 2024 will determine the scope of government censorship and impact fundamental rights.

Left-Wing German Politicians Used “HateAid” To Censor Their Enemies And Then Lied About It

Public • 329 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. The U.S. government barred senior figures from HateAid from traveling to the country, accusing them of being part of a censorship network.
  2. HateAid was granted 'Trusted Flagger' status under the EU Digital Services Act, which lets its reports get prioritized by platforms and speeds up removals, giving it outsized influence over online speech.
  3. Critics say that influence has been used to silence political opponents and that officials lied about their actions, fueling a wider dispute between Europe and the U.S. over free speech and censorship.

BOOM: Yesterday In Court We Landed a Major Blow Against the Censorship Leviathan

Human Flourishing • 4186 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Yesterday a major blow was landed against government censorship in court.
  2. The court granted a temporary injunction in Missouri v. Biden, limiting government officials' communication with social media companies.
  3. The ruling suggested a massive attack on free speech and described government actions as potentially unconstitutional.

On Today’s Absurd New York Times Hit Piece

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 14141 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The New York Times published a controversial piece about the Twitter Files and its connection to a Trump ally, which the author argues is a misrepresentation of reality.
  2. The Supreme Court case _Murthy v. Missouri_ is significant, as it involves challenges to government monitoring of online content and potential infringement on First Amendment rights.
  3. The article discusses the implications of exposing censorship programs and suggests a potential motive behind the Times' piece as a distraction tactic during the historic case.

prebunking the prebunk at home and abroad

bad cattitude • 241 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Many multinational organizations and global institutions are portrayed as centralized, self-protecting elites that use censorship and information control to hide wrongdoing and may face major exposure and backlash soon.
  2. The tactic of ‘prebunking’ is described as a deliberate strategy to pre-frame accusations, muddy the waters, and justify expanded censorship, and the piece suggests you should distrust the side that seeks to silence others.
  3. A bold prediction for 2026: a wave of revelations and scandals—around election manipulation, NGO and immigration schemes, and financial corruption—will unravel existing power networks and provoke significant political fallout.

A gay man tries to buy a book

The Glinner Update • 3989 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Censorship
  1. A gay man tried to buy a book and faced difficulties at different Waterstones stores.
  2. The book in question, 'Time to Think,' is about a medical scandal at the Tavistock Clinic.
  3. There might be intentional suppression of sales of this book by Waterstones.

Political Psychology Links, 12/02/2025

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Status is important to us. We care about how useful we seem to others, and we like being around those with higher status because it makes us feel better.
  2. Radical ideologies can lead people away from the truth. They focus more on being emotionally comforting than on understanding reality.
  3. Instead of silencing unpopular opinions, elites should engage with them. Censoring views can make people angrier and more resistant to change.

American Censorship Intensifies in the Information War

Glenn’s Substack • 2 HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Censorship in the US is getting stronger, targeting various media and putting pressure on tech companies to limit certain viewpoints. This affects how people get information and what they can freely express online.
  2. The process of normalizing censorship often starts with small, seemingly justified actions, making it easier for the public to accept them over time. This 'slow boiling' approach gradually expands what speech is considered unacceptable.
  3. As the government and tech companies control more online speech, there's a growing call for alternative platforms that support free expression, highlighting the increasing need for forums where diverse opinions can be shared.

Twitter Files Extra: How the Files Could Help Incoming Investigators

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5607 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The documents from Twitter provide insight into how the government interacted with the platform. This includes details about the FBI's communications and its role in moderating content.
  2. There are ongoing discussions about government censorship and how agencies like the DOJ and CDC influenced Twitter's policies. Understanding this could help navigate future investigations.
  3. Numerous government agencies were involved in shaping Twitter's content moderation efforts. Investigators could find useful leads in the Twitter Files to explore these relationships further.

America Enters the Samizdat Era

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13143 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. The Internet is transitioning from a space of free exchange to one of top-down control over information and narrative.
  2. Alternative ways of distributing dissenting ideas are becoming necessary due to digital suppression of politically undesirable content.
  3. It's crucial to raise awareness about the challenges to freedom of speech and find new ways to share truth in the face of increasing control over information.

Was Zuck Right about Chinese AI Models?

Interconnected • 4751 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Censorship
  1. Chinese AI models can answer sensitive questions when run locally, but they often censor answers in cloud settings. This shows a difference in behavior based on where the models are hosted.
  2. Censorship in AI models is more about the cloud platforms than the models themselves. This poses challenges for Chinese cloud providers wanting to compete internationally.
  3. Even though some see Chinese AI as censored, it can still be powerful and competitive. Users may prefer to download and run these models locally to avoid censorship and make the most of their capabilities.

Who Owns the Megaphone?

Uncharted Territories • 1808 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Censorship
  1. Throughout history, controlling the flow of information has been a key focus for those in power.
  2. The evolution of media, from books to radio to TV and now social media, has changed the landscape of public opinion.
  3. Balancing free speech with the dangers of misinformation in the digital age remains a complex challenge for society.

On 1984, part 2: How digital surveillance, cheap propaganda, and AI are making totalitarianism great again

Unreported Truths • 31 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship
  1. Digital surveillance and big tech dominance let governments and companies monitor and shape speech cheaply, making modern authoritarian control easier without massive police forces.
  2. Censorship and cancel culture are spreading across the political spectrum, with governments and powerful institutions pressuring platforms to silence critics.
  3. To protect liberty, the United States should recommit to free speech and the rule of law and refuse to use AI-generated propaganda that would erode trust and mimic authoritarian tactics.