The hottest Censorship Substack posts right now

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

On the background screening and the Nazi glow in the eyes of a child

Tessa Fights Robots • 15 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Algorithms Artificial Intelligence Content creation Digital Media Censorship
  1. Algorithms can have a big impact on our lives, especially in job hiring. This can lead to a world where human choices are replaced by cold, unfeeling machines.
  2. It's important to resist dehumanizing systems and treat ourselves and others with love and respect. We can rebel against these systems simply by being kind and staying true to ourselves.
  3. Creating art and sharing personal experiences can be powerful ways to challenge the influence of these systems. Focusing on our own freedom can help us disconnect from the machine.

Trump's 'Cabinet of the Cancelled'

The Truth Fairy • 672 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political appointments Censorship Public Opinion Freedom of Speech Administrative state
  1. Many people feel a strong dislike for government bullying and censorship. They believe that not everyone has the same freedoms based on their views.
  2. There are noticeable differences in how people's opinions are accepted or rejected by society. If your opinion aligns with the mainstream left views, you're less likely to be targeted or punished.
  3. Some of Trump's recent appointees have experienced being canceled by the government or society before. Their past experiences may help them fight against unfair treatment and broaden the conversation in America.
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Curator

Castalia • 519 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Institutions Ideology Political Discourse Censorship
  1. Many traditional institutions, like PEN America and NPR, are struggling because they tried to overly cater to progressive demands but ended up alienating audiences. It's important for these organizations to return to their core missions and values.
  2. The New York Times seems to be adjusting its approach to reporting and emphasizing independence after a difficult period, while other outlets continue to face public trust issues due to perceived ideological bias.
  3. The so-called 'Intellectual Dark Web' has gained attention for their critiques of mainstream discourse, but many still view them with suspicion. This shows a need for open conversations and diverse perspectives, especially in today's polarized political climate.

I Joined TikTok Refugees on RedNote. Here’s What It’s Like.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 686 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Trends Migration Censorship Communication
  1. Many people are moving from TikTok to a new app called RedNote due to concerns about a potential ban. This shift shows how social media changes quickly based on user needs.
  2. RedNote is a Chinese app that feels different from TikTok, with most content in Mandarin. Users are finding it hard to adjust since it mainly caters to a Chinese audience.
  3. Despite the differences, both American and Chinese users on RedNote are engaging together, often humorously referencing their cultural differences. This highlights how social media can connect people across boundaries.

Dead Media spreading Mis- Dis-, Mal-information

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Public Health Misinformation Policy Censorship Government
  1. Misinformation is often seen as incorrect information without bad intent, while disinformation is misinformation spread on purpose to mislead people.
  2. Malinformation refers to true information used in a harmful way, like taking facts out of context to create distrust in government or institutions.
  3. People should be able to speak freely about health choices without fear of being labeled untrustworthy or having their voices silenced, as open discussion is important for understanding.

How the U.S. State Department spends millions of dollars to coordinate Western media and direct investigative journalism against its geopolitical rivals and enemies

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 211 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media influence Government funding Investigative Journalism Geopolitics Censorship
  1. The U.S. State Department spends a lot of money to influence media coverage against its rivals. This shows how powerful and coordinated media can be.
  2. Many journalists and media outlets may not realize they are being funded or influenced by the U.S. government. This raises questions about the independence of journalism.
  3. People notice that despite having many different media outlets, they often share the same viewpoints. This suggests there might be stronger connections among them than we think.

Michael Shellenberger Mixed Up Two Guys With Sorta Similar Names And Falsely Told His Readers — And Congress — One Of Them Might Be A Spy As A Result

Singal-Minded • 1046 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Censorship Misinformation
  1. Michael Shellenberger mistakenly mixed up two people with similar names, leading to false claims about one of them possibly being a spy. This is a serious error for a journalist.
  2. Critics have pointed out that Shellenberger has often published misleading information about people he disagrees with politically, which raises questions about his journalistic standards.
  3. After realizing the mistake, Shellenberger corrected the information but did not make a big announcement about the error, which is concerning for public trust in his work.

There's Probably Nothing We Can Do About This Awful Deepfake Porn Problem

Freddie deBoer • 4238 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Internet Censorship Communication AI Deepfake
  1. In the age of the internet, censoring content is extremely challenging because of the global spread of digital infrastructure.
  2. Efforts to stop the spread of harmful content like deepfake porn may not be entirely successful due to the structure of the modern internet.
  3. Acknowledging limitations in controlling information dissemination doesn't equate to a lack of will to address concerning issues.

Twitter's White Terror era

Wrong Side of History • 527 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Media influence Political Movements Historical comparisons Censorship
  1. The end of strict censorship on Twitter has led to more vocal expressions of conservative viewpoints. This shift can sometimes feel aggressive and even vengeful.
  2. The current Twitter atmosphere is compared to historical events where one group experiences oppressive rule, followed by a backlash from those silenced.
  3. The changes on social media mirrors shifts in power dynamics, much like political movements throughout history, where voices once suppressed start to push back.

Trump Camp: British Censorship Group to be "Investigated From All Angles"

The DisInformation Chronicle • 1000 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Strategy Censorship Disinformation Political Influence
  1. The Trump campaign plans to investigate the UK-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) after discovering their agenda includes targeting platforms like Twitter. They feel this group is unfairly attacking political allies of Trump.
  2. CCDH has been involved in recent electoral strategies and supports stricter online censorship measures. This has raised concerns among Trump supporters, who believe foreign groups shouldn't influence US elections.
  3. The CCDH has shown a focus on deplatforming specific voices and intervening in elections, leading to worries about free speech. Their documents indicate a clear agenda against platforms perceived as harmful.

BREAKING! Judge issues order on Missouri v. Biden on the 4th of July!

COVID Reason • 3588 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal case First Amendment Censorship
  1. A judge issued a significant injunction against the government in Missouri v. Biden case on the 4th of July.
  2. The government is now prohibited from censoring social media content.
  3. Specific individuals and entities were named in the order, outlining the actions they are no longer allowed to take regarding social media censorship.

Yes, Republicans are burning books

The Signorile Report • 1218 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Book Bans Censorship Political Extremism
  1. Some Republican politicians have been publicly burning books as part of a book ban crusade.
  2. Governor Ron DeSantis defended against criticism of book bans in Florida, claiming the comparisons to censorship were a hoax.
  3. A Republican secretary of state candidate in Missouri burned LGBTQ and sex education books, inciting hate and promoting extremist views.

Tweeting the poop emoji at a cabinet minister, quoting politicians inexactly, calling a Green fat & stupid – all of this is criminal speech in the freest and most democratic Germany of all time

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 225 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Censorship Civil Rights Freedom of Expression Political Satire
  1. In Germany, some people are being charged for their online comments, like using a poop emoji or making jokes about politicians. This has raised concerns about free speech.
  2. Green Party politicians have been active in filing complaints against critics on social media. This includes actions like having someone's house searched over an insult.
  3. Many of these prosecutions seem unfair and silly, making it harder for average citizens to express their opinions. Critics argue that this is more about controlling speech than protecting it.

Congress Holds Hearing to Rip Out Censorship Orgs, Stem And Root

The DisInformation Chronicle • 305 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Congress Fact check Political Movements
  1. Congress is looking into groups that censor information to understand their impact better. They want to remove organizations that they think are unfairly controlling what people can see and say.
  2. The investigation revealed that the Center for Countering Digital Hate, despite claims, doesn't only target one political side. It actually targets anyone who goes against mainstream beliefs from a center-left perspective.
  3. Censorship affects both conservative and liberal voices, indicating it's not just about political affiliation. People on both sides can be silenced if they don't follow certain cultural and political norms.

the winds of phase change

bad cattitude • 293 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Populism Media Control Elites Censorship Culture Wars
  1. People are starting to recognize that they have been misled and manipulated by a small elite, realizing they're not alone in feeling this way. It's like a collective awakening to the truth.
  2. Cancel culture is about silencing voices and creating division among people. It aims to maintain control by making individuals afraid to express non-mainstream views.
  3. Recent events, like the changes brought by social media, show that the elite's control is weakening. More people are finding their voices and uniting against those who try to keep them isolated.

UPDATE: Missouri v. Biden, Part 3, by Tracy Beanz

Human Flourishing • 1985 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Censorship Government Media Social media
  1. In Missouri v. Biden case, the judge referenced Orwell's 1984, highlighting similarities to current censorship issues.
  2. The White House pressured social media companies to remove content, including that of vaccine-injured individuals sharing their stories.
  3. Social media companies complied with government demands for censorship, impacting discussions on personal rights and mistrust in institutions.

Biden Administration Implicated In Brazilian Court’s Attack On Congressman Fighting Censorship And Corruption

Michael Shellenberger • 923 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Corruption Censorship Political Power Legal issues
  1. A Brazilian congressman named Marcel Van Hattem is facing an investigation for speaking out against censorship and corruption. This marks a worrying trend of increased government control over free speech in Brazil.
  2. Van Hattem is well-known for exposing government corruption and has gathered a significant following on social media. His popularity highlights the public's desire for transparency and free expression.
  3. The investigation against Van Hattem challenges the tradition of protecting congressional speech in Brazil. Legal experts have raised concerns, suggesting this move could backlash against the government and strengthen demands for accountability.

I understand why people ban books

Men Yell at Me • 878 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
📚 Literature Book Bans Censorship Education Child development
  1. People often ban books to control what kids learn, thinking they protect them, but this can actually harm children's understanding of the world.
  2. Growing up in a restricted environment made some believe their curiosity was wrong, which changed when they discovered the wide range of knowledge available in books.
  3. Knowledge is powerful and can change lives, helping people understand their identities and experiences, which is why some fear it and try to limit access to certain books.

China on Dario, DeepSeeking Truth, Ali + DeepSeek, and a Procurement IP Manifesto

ChinaTalk • 281 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Internet China Data Security Censorship
  1. DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI model, is being seen as a serious competitor to U.S. AI in helping researchers gather information about China. However, it struggles to answer questions that cross different areas of knowledge.
  2. Many in China believe the U.S. has double standards regarding AI and security, saying that U.S. restrictions are more about keeping an edge in technology than genuine concerns for safety.
  3. DeepSeek is powerful for safe topics, but it has issues with censorship. It often can’t handle politically sensitive topics, making it less useful for in-depth research on controversial issues.

Biden’s Legacy: Covid Persecution, Censorship, and Across-the-Board Oppression

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 33 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Civil Rights Censorship
  1. Biden's presidency has faced criticism for increasing censorship and limiting freedom of speech. Instead of protecting democratic values, many believe he's used government power to suppress dissent.
  2. There are concerns about the unequal application of the law, with claims that Biden and his allies evade consequences while political opponents face serious legal challenges. This creates a sense of unfairness in how justice is applied.
  3. The Biden administration is accused of expanding its authority beyond reasonable limits, such as implementing strict vaccine mandates and surveillance practices. Critics feel this overreach undermines personal freedoms and individual rights.

German Economics Minister renews calls for widespread internet censorship, claims that an "axis of autocrats" is using domestic "populists" to poison democratic discourse via social media algorithms

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 196 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Censorship Election Impact Social media
  1. German Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to regulate the internet to protect democracy. He believes social media is being used by 'autocrats' to spread misinformation.
  2. Habeck feels that growing nationalism and populism threaten liberal democracies. He says these issues need urgent attention to avoid further division in society.
  3. He views algorithms on platforms like TikTok and X as tools undermining public discourse. Therefore, he pushes for greater control over these platforms to ensure freedom of expression is not manipulated.

I got banned from BlueSky for committing wrongthink

The Dossier • 628 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Political Activism Censorship Political parties
  1. BlueSky was created to be a platform for free speech, but it has turned into a space for strict censorship and only allows certain political views.
  2. Users can be banned quickly for expressing unpopular opinions, showing that the platform may not truly support diverse ideas.
  3. The experience on BlueSky can be chaotic and filled with extreme viewpoints, making it feel unsafe for those with different beliefs.

Major Social Media Clampdowns Coming

DARK FUTURA • 1533 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Censorship Government Influence Internet Regulations Propaganda Information Control
  1. Major social media clampdowns are expected due to recent events sparking increased monitoring by the Pentagon.
  2. Global governments are tightening control over social media and the internet under the guise of anti-disinformation campaigns, limiting free speech.
  3. There is a close fusion between big tech, social media, and intelligence agencies, raising concerns about who truly controls information policies.

How Much Dissent is Optimal?

In My Tribe • 744 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Dissent Censorship Social media
  1. Dissent is important because it helps to challenge wrong opinions and beliefs. If everyone only agrees with the mainstream view, mistakes can go uncorrected.
  2. Censorship can lower morale and create a negative work or social environment. People should feel free to express concerns without fear of punishment.
  3. Policing dissent is risky because those in power might misuse it to silence voices that challenge their ideas. It's better to allow open discussion, even if some views are unpopular.

New: Shocking From Taibbi

FOIA Around And Find Out • 1493 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Censorship Information Warfare
  1. Some Twitter accounts were banned without a clear explanation, leading to suspicion of being flagged for political reasons.
  2. State Department officials requested Twitter to remove accounts based on claims of being Russian-controlled, without concrete evidence.
  3. The situation raises concerns about information warfare and the targeting of accounts for sharing content related to Russiagate or Hunter Biden.

German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck calls for a comprehensive internet censorship programme to stop people disagreeing with him

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 228 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Democracy Media Polarization Governance
  1. Robert Habeck wants to regulate social media more to make it safer for democracy. He believes that people shouldn't be able to say anything they want online.
  2. He is worried about the influence of social media algorithms and wants more transparency in how they work. He argues that powerful figures shouldn't control the online conversation.
  3. Habeck thinks that differing opinions can destabilize society and that the government should take action to manage these views. This is part of a larger concern about polarization in politics.

Legacy Media is an Antiquated, Obsolete Relic

DARK FUTURA • 1395 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
📰 News Media Censorship Journalism Narrative Propaganda
  1. Legacy media is becoming outdated and irrelevant in the face of democratized citizen journalism.
  2. The internet has revolutionized news delivery, allowing direct access to information and challenging traditional media sources.
  3. Legacy media is resorting to censorship and biased reporting to maintain control over the narrative as their power diminishes.