But I certainly don’t mean to put this all on Mastodon!  strategically, fedi has an opportunity for some very attractive positioning here for people who want to fight surveillance capitalism and understand that it’s not just about the technology.  “A lot of people here see it that way, and so do key influencers , here’s what we’re doing” is a strong message.  “A lot of people here see it that way but it’s not a priority for key influencers” is … less compelling.

@evan Canada could be a very good place for this focus.  #BillC34 is just s big a threat in Canada as #KOSA is in the US, and there are a lot of Canadian fedi instances and Canada-based platforms (CC @dansup @julian @chris).

@OpenMediaOrg is here in fedi and is hard at work on this - https://mastodon.social/@OpenMediaOrg/117043989304695992 is their latest in an excellent thread.  And @Paulatics is here too, and she’s a great potential ally on this (how I wish we had a US Senator like her on fedi!).

So perhaps a good topic for #fedicon?

@mellifluousbox @mike @pfefferle

Swipe ➡️ through to see how AI’s environmental footprint compares to countries, cities, and populations around the world.

💬 Which comparison surprised you the most?

AI doesn’t exist “in the cloud.” It exists in data centres that require enormous amounts of electricity, water, land, and infrastructure.

As AI becomes part of more of our daily lives, it’s worth asking: what resources are we spending to power it, and how can we do it more sustainably?

I'm participating in a panel on misinformation and manipulation presented by @OpenMediaOrg on August 18th in Surrey!

It'll be a chance to discuss patterns I've seen and wrestled with in my time in politics, and also dust off my philosophy degree.

Come check it out!

https://surreylibraries.ca/events/reality-check-misinformation-manipulation-and-canadian-public

🇨🇦 does not have to choose between safety and rights, we can build an Internet that protects both!

If enough of us speak up now, we can push MPs to fix #BillC34. Tell our government today: hold platforms accountable without banning or surveilling users! https://openmedia.org/BillC34-mtd

The same child safety goals behind #BillC34 can be met through safety by design—without turning every user's identity into a compliance checkpoint. Parliament can fix #BillC34 and build safer online spaces that protect users, #privacy AND free expression! https://candiceodgers.substack.com/p/why-i-changed-my-mind-about-age-gating

🇨🇦 should hold platforms accountable, mandate safety by design, and drop the invasive age checks. A properly independent Digital Safety Commission could work alongside the Privacy Commissioner to safeguard Canadians' rights: https://www.michaelgeist.ca/2026/06/thecommission/

💥New Action! Tell your MP: Fix online platforms, don't ban or surveil users!

Amend #BillC34 today! The "Safe Social Media Act," bundles healthy platform accountability through a 'duty of care,' and a wide social media ban enforced by #privacyinvasive age verification: https://openmedia.org/BillC34-mtd

Ban illegal harms, not young Canadians! 🇨🇦 #BillC34 should be amended to hold platforms accountable, protect privacy and free expression, and keep young people connected. Tell your MP to fix the bill: https://openmedia.org/BillC34-mtd @OpenMediaOrg

You shouldn’t have to choose between privacy measures you value. Help us fix Bill C-34! Last chance to share your thoughts! 👉 http://openmedia.org/digita-safety-survey-2026-mtd ❗ Survey closes Aug 2nd 🔗 Link in Bio

Share your voice on digital safety before August 2nd! Take our short survey! 👉 http://openmedia.org/digita-safety-survey-2026

LAST CHANCE to fix #BillC22 surveillance powers that threaten Canadians' rights and privacy! Major companies and civil society groups are raising the alarm. Demand the Senate #ReformC22 now! 👉 https://openmedia.org/ReformC22-mtd

80% of people in 🇨🇦 think political parties should follow the same privacy rules as businesses and public institutions!

But political parties can build hidden profiles on adults and minors using voter lists and data brokers.

💥 Tell your MP to change this: https://openmedia.org/voter-privacy-2026-mtd

#cdnpoli

Nearly 4,700 of Canadians told us what they wanted from a modernized Privacy Act. We turned that into policy recommendations for the 2026 Review of Canada’s decades-old Privacy Act. Read our full report now! 👉 https://openmedia.org/article/item/openmedias-survey-report-and-2026-review-submission-a-modernized-privacy-act-for-canadians

Canada is considering new online safety legislation through Bill #C34, the Safe Social Media Act. We want to know what YOU think “safe” social media looks like🔒📝Take our short survey before August 2 👉 https://openmedia.org/digita-safety-survey-2026-mtd

VPN firms and digital rights groups join forces to urge the #UK government to leave VPNs alone. A coalition including @amnesty, @nordvpn and @mozilla has warned that forcing age checks on #privacy tools will put millions of citizens at risk: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/vpn-firms-and-digital-rights-groups-join-forces-to-urge-the-uk-government-to-leave-vpns-alone

Your #data. But their database? There are no meaningful #privacy rules for political parties in 🇨🇦! They can collect detailed information about you without the basic privacy protections you deserve!

💥 Check the NEW voter privacy action for MPs and take action:
https://openmedia.org/voter-privacy-2026-mtd

#cdnpoli

💥NEW voter #privacy action for MPs!

Sign-ups for our online Parliamentary petition are closed, but pressure on MPs is just getting started!

Join 10k+ Canadians 🇨🇦. Tell your MP: bring political parties under privacy laws and protect your #data: https://openmedia.org/voter-privacy-2026-mtd

Care about #OpenSource and think it needs to be the future of #AI? The Open Source Initiative has launched a new fellowship to advance research, policy, and collaboration around what it means for #AI systems to be truly open.

Learn more and see if you want to sign up: https://opensource.org/blog/open-source-ai-fellowship-announced-at-un-open-source-week

Did you know political parties in 🇨🇦 can collect your personal information without the same privacy protections that apply to businesses and public institutions?

🔒 Find out what they can collect—and how we can fix it:

https://openmedia.org/article/item/what-political-parties-can-collect-about-you-in-canada-and-how-we-can-fix-it