The hottest Transparency Substack posts right now

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FBI's Stealth Revisions: The 2022 Crime Numbers They Don't Want You to Notice

COVID Reason • 832 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Data Government Policy Transparency
  1. The FBI initially reported a drop in violent crime for 2022, but later revised the numbers to show a significant increase, changing the narrative without much public notice.
  2. Revisions included thousands more cases of serious crimes, raising questions about the accuracy and transparency of the FBI's data.
  3. Many crimes go unreported, leading to incomplete data and a lack of trust in official crime statistics, which affects public safety understanding.

The U.S. Government silently disabled anonymous public access to billions of dollars of military AI contracts

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 1546 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Military Contracts Surveillance Transparency
  1. The U.S. Government has made it harder for the public to access information about military AI contracts by requiring a Login.gov account and surveillance consent.
  2. Anonymous access to contract details was shut down, impacting transparency on billions in military spending, especially for contracts known as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs).
  3. Despite these changes, access to the data was briefly restored, and there are ongoing discussions about improving transparency and reporting for OTAs.

Three Steps to Fixing the FBI: Interview with Whistleblower Coleen Rowley

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7367 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Accountability Whistleblowing Transparency
  1. The FBI needs to stop being too political and start focusing on its main job. This means letting field agents do their work without unnecessary interference from higher-ups.
  2. Decentralizing the FBI could help it work better by allowing decisions to be made closer to where cases are happening. This would support agents in the field instead of slowing them down with bureaucracy.
  3. Transparency is important for rebuilding the FBI's trust. The public needs to know what's happening and who is held accountable for mistakes so that the FBI can improve and regain confidence.

OPEN LETTER TO ELON: Let's Build "America's Checkbook"

OpenTheBooks Substack • 465 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Public Policy Federal Spending Accountability
  1. Creating a tool called 'America's Checkbook' can help Americans see government spending in real time. This tool would make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their money is being used.
  2. Transparency in government spending is important. The founders of the United States believed that the public should have access to detailed records of expenditure.
  3. By working together, Americans can push for more accountability and efficiency in how government funds are managed. This will ensure that future administrations remain open and responsible to the public.

A Mom Asked for Public School Board Records. They Charged Her $33 Million.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3426 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Transparency Public Policy Legal issues Civil Rights
  1. Parents are increasingly suing schools to find out what their children are learning. This shows a demand for transparency in education.
  2. Some schools are responding by suing parents to silence them. This creates a conflict between parents' rights to know and schools' desire to keep information private.
  3. A mom was quoted a shocking amount of over $33 million to access public school records. This highlights how expensive and complicated it can be to get information from schools.
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Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries was just re-enabled

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 610 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Contracts Procurement Military
  1. Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries is back online. This means people can again view some important government contract information without logging in.
  2. The General Services Administration has not explained why Other Transaction Agreements are missing from the USASpending.gov website. This lack of information makes it harder to understand government spending.
  3. There are concerns that the U.S. government's efforts for transparency in military contracts are not keeping up with their advanced technology plans. More openness is needed to build trust in how funds are used.

North Carolina Republicans create "secret police force"

Popular Information • 13718 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government oversight Transparency Accountability Partisanship
  1. North Carolina Republicans have created a 'secret police force' through a legislative committee with extraordinary investigative powers.
  2. The new rules by North Carolina Republicans could potentially compromise privacy, attorney-client privilege, and accountability.
  3. Changes in public records laws in North Carolina give lawmakers more authority over what documents are considered public, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Help!—AI Is Stealing My Readers

The Honest Broker • 21443 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Scams Chatbots Authors Transparency
  1. Impersonation scams are evolving, with AI being used to create fake authors and books to mislead readers.
  2. Demand for transparency in AI usage can help prevent scams and maintain integrity in content creation.
  3. Experts are vulnerable to having their hard-earned knowledge and work exploited by AI, highlighting the need for regulations to protect against such misuse.

Trump's Transparency Opportunity

OpenTheBooks Substack • 172 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency Government Accountability Legislation Censorship
  1. Transparency is crucial for holding the government accountable. Citizens have the right and duty to know how their tax money is spent.
  2. The previous administration made it hard to access information quickly, which undermined democracy. People should be able to get answers about government spending without long waits.
  3. The new administration has a chance to improve transparency immediately. Quick access to government data can help build trust and ensure better decision-making.

State Department Threatens Congress Over Censorship Programs

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11152 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Transparency Funding Congress
  1. The State Department is threatening Congress over their censorship programs funding, showing resistance to disclosing details on how taxpayer money is being spent.
  2. The Global Engagement Center (GEC) has been involved in anti-disinformation work, which includes backing a UK-based agency that creates digital blacklists for disfavored media outlets.
  3. There is growing pushback against agencies like the GEC that operate with secrecy, with calls for more transparency and oversight, especially in programs that target American media consumers.

Congress' Lack of Transparency is a Choice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 347 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Transparency Accountability Political Ethics
  1. Congress often rushes through big budget bills, expecting quick approvals without proper review. This approach makes it seem weak and disconnected from the people it serves.
  2. Taxpayers deserve transparency and more straightforward processes in how Congress handles budgets. Fewer agencies and clearer debates would make it easier for everyone to understand government spending.
  3. Just like in hard jobs, Congress members need to roll up their sleeves and work through tough issues. They have the power to make significant changes, so they should step up and do just that.

Deep State Deconstruction: DOGE and Treasury

Who is Robert Malone • 29 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Transparency Government Technology Finance
  1. DOGE is using advanced technology to map out and uncover corruption in government spending. This can help find waste and improve transparency.
  2. The project aims to make government accountability stronger, which can lead to greater public support for federal agencies.
  3. There is a shift in power dynamics in Washington, and new tools may change how influential networks operate within government departments.

DOGE Is Coming...

OpenTheBooks Substack • 383 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Spending Transparency Efficiency
  1. A new initiative called DOGE aims to make the government more efficient and cut wasteful spending. They have a huge database of public spending to help identify areas for improvement.
  2. Key leaders, including Trump and Musk, have set ambitious goals to cut $2 trillion from the budget by 2026. This aims to create a smaller government that works better for taxpayers.
  3. The public can help by sharing reports on wasteful spending and using the available database to uncover more issues. It's a group effort to bring attention to these spending problems.

Reader Question – What Should Disclosures in Weight Science and Weight Loss Research Include?

Weight and Healthcare • 499 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding Conflicts of Interest Transparency
  1. Research in weight science and weight loss should prioritize scientific integrity over business interests.
  2. Disclosures in research should be easily accessible within the study and in front of any paywall to inform decision-making.
  3. Disclosures should include details on study funding, financial entanglements with companies, organizations, and personal benefits for researchers.

DOGE due diligence at treasury

bad cattitude • 314 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Corruption Law Finance
  1. Since 1946, U.S. presidents and their advisors haven't had access to the government's payment system. This lack of transparency has been a long-standing issue.
  2. Many former treasury secretaries are upset about attempts to make the payment system more visible. They believe this openness threatens the way things have always been done.
  3. There's a push for greater auditing and transparency in government spending. People want to hold officials accountable and make sure tax dollars are spent properly.

Against Nonlinear

Thing of Things • 805 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Critique Community Ethics Transparency Values
  1. Effective altruist culture should prioritize spending resources efficiently for doing good.
  2. Career opportunities in effective altruism should be based on merit and skills, not connections or social status.
  3. Maintaining transparency and accountability is crucial for building trust and ensuring the effectiveness of organizations in the effective altruism movement.

How we discovered Fauci's secret $15 million taxpayer-funded security detail

The Dossier • 341 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Scandals Transparency Public funding Policy
  1. Dr. Fauci has received a $15 million security detail funded by taxpayers even after leaving his government job. This detail provided him with constant protection, which is unusual for someone who is no longer in office.
  2. The details about this security arrangement were hidden for a long time, and it took over a year of work to uncover this information. It highlights the challenges involved in obtaining transparency from government agencies.
  3. Many Americans are upset about the misuse of taxpayer funds for Fauci's security while others, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were denied similar protections. This has sparked calls for more accountability regarding how public money is spent.

Viewing the courts

A Lawyer Writes • 353 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Judiciary Transparency Media
  1. Lady chief justice emphasizes the importance of high-quality reporting for the public's understanding of the judiciary.
  2. Efforts are being made to enhance broadcasting of court proceedings in England and Wales, including televising sentencing remarks.
  3. Transparency in the courts is seen as a fundamental part of the process in allowing proper access to justice.

Senate Did NOT Just Unanimously Pass a Bill Requiring Declassification of "All of the Information" Regarding the Origins of Covid

husseini • 550 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Transparency
  1. The Senate bill only requires the release of information related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, not all Covid origins information.
  2. Claims by sponsors like Sen. Hawley that the bill mandates declassification of all relevant Covid origins information are inaccurate.
  3. The bill focuses on declassifying information about the Wuhan Institute of Virology, leaving out other institutions and possible pandemic origins.

That Might Have Been The Strangest Thing That Has Ever Happened To Me On Twitter

Singal-Minded • 1670 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
📰 News Social media Ethics Academia Transparency
  1. A controversy on Twitter erupted when a researcher accused a writer of misinterpreting a sentence in the Standards of Care document
  2. The writer engaged in a debate on social media to defend their interpretation of the sentence
  3. The controversy reached a dramatic conclusion when it was revealed that the writer was falsely accused, leading to public embarrassment for the accuser

Anthony Fauci Defended NIH Culture Of Secrecy: The $325M Third-Party Royalty Complex... Now We Know More Details.

OpenTheBooks Substack • 779 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Corruption Transparency Healthcare Research
  1. Anthony Fauci defended NIH culture of secrecy regarding third-party royalty payments.
  2. Chinese and Russian companies paid NIH for licensing technologies developed with U.S. taxpayer money.
  3. Companies like Purdue Pharma paid royalties to NIH scientists, raising questions about conflicts of interest.

How to Share Bad News with a Newsroom (and How Not to)

Second Rough Draft • 157 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Communication Transparency Management Companies
  1. Be transparent when sharing bad news with your newsroom - journalists are professional skeptics and value honesty.
  2. If you have multiple problems, address them separately to avoid confusion and speculation among your team.
  3. Establish a culture of transparency in your newsroom to minimize surprises and build trust with your team.

An open letter to Congress: Is health care at a tipping point?

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Policy Reform Economic Impact Transparency
  1. Health care costs are rising rapidly, putting financial pressure on employers. Many companies might struggle to afford these increased costs, which could lead to bigger changes in the health care system.
  2. The recent health care law aims to make pricing and quality data more accessible. This means employers can now better compare health care providers and make informed choices about where to direct their health care spending.
  3. There's a shift towards valuing better health outcomes rather than just more services. This change could transform the health care industry by encouraging competition based on quality and efficiency.

Colleague on Jennifer Friedenbach: 'She doesn’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg'

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Homelessness Transparency Funding Advocacy Legal issues
  1. Jennifer Friedenbach is the executive director of Coalition on Homelessness and has faced criticism for her lack of qualifications and questionable financial decisions.
  2. The Coalition on Homelessness lacks transparency in their financial reports, with questionable classification of expenses and no clear demonstration of results.
  3. Friedenbach's involvement in conflicts of interest, such as granting her own nonprofit a large grant from an oversight committee she chairs, raises concerns about ethical practices in addressing homelessness issues.

It’s The Cover Up, Stupid: Emails Impeach Kristian Andersen’s Congressional Testimony on the Pandemic’s Origin

The DisInformation Chronicle • 580 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Health Science Corruption Transparency
  1. Follow the documents and money to get to the truth, not just the science.
  2. Constant evidence suggests a cover-up regarding the pandemic's origin.
  3. Scientists and officials involved in the investigation have been misleading in their testimonies and actions.

How we set salaries

computers suck • 176 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
💼 Business Transparency Equity Career growth DEI
  1. Traditional salary-setting processes can feel like a black box, leaving employees with little insight.
  2. Transparency in salary information contributes to equity and equality in pay.
  3. The Skill Tree process at garden3d empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and others in a fair and transparent manner.

The Battle for the Treasury Market

Concoda • 502 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💰 Finance Market Regulation Monetary Policy Market structure Financial Stability Transparency
  1. There is a hidden battle within America's sovereign debt market that is about to transform.
  2. The regulatory focus is shifting towards increasing transparency in the Treasury market to subdue systemic risk.
  3. Implementing all-to-all trading in the Treasury market could democratize the market, enhance liquidity, and improve market resilience.

How Transparency Changes Everything

OpenTheBooks Substack • 298 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Spending Congress Oversight
  1. Transparency in government spending is crucial in holding politicians accountable and changing how we are governed.
  2. New technologies allow us to bring government spending into the light and make it accessible to the public in real-time.
  3. Citizens play a key role in demanding transparency and responsible spending of tax dollars to bring about positive change.

The Incompatibility of Open Core and Profit

Bytes, Data, Action! • 109 HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Open Source Business Model Monetization Strategies Transparency
  1. Open core business models may have conflicting incentives with profit goals.
  2. Open core companies often start with free products to attract users, then shift focus to monetizing through premium features and services.
  3. There are alternative strategies to align incentives better in open source businesses, such as keeping proprietary data, clear expectations, and open source components.