"We thought we could take democracy for granted." Honoured to feature as someone with 'moral ambition' in this School for Moral Ambition podcast. About Defend Democracy, hybrid warfare, Big Tech, addictive design, polarisation. And about Anne Frank. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dem…

The U.S. is walking in blind into November. 'The lion’s share of election integrity work in the U.S. has either been shut down, pulled back or put at risk.' “They are working the referee to get what they want.” “A direct threat to U.S. democracy.” politico.eu/newsletter/dig…

The EU needs a more pro-active approach to Russia’s growing hybrid and physical attacks inside EU territory. We fully agree with Lithuania FM Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹. “So far, we’re not pro-active – we’re not even re-active.” #DefendDemocracy #WeAreNATO #NAFO euractiv.com/section/eu-rus…

Honoured to welcome U.S. Mission to the EU Minister Counsellor Humphreys, MEPs Rasa Juknevičienė @KarMel80 Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield & EU Principal Advisor Paul Nemitz to our #TransatlanticDemocracyDialogue. Together with allies we discussed how the EU can better defend democracy. defenddemocracy.eu/projects/trans…

'The method of hijacking and then discrediting a cause from within through extremist posturing is hallowed tradecraft to [Russia's spies].' KPIs: * rejection of status quo in liberal democracies & EU * protests against state & supranational institutions theins.ru/en/politics/27…

Don't be fooled: Italy's PM Meloni is slowly dismantling the foundations of democracy. “Italy - a country reborn from the ashes of fascism - taught me that defending democracy is paramount.” theguardian.com/world/article/…

Pope denounces polarisation and partisanship. He warns democracy is not in good health. “Let us not be deceived by easy solutions. Let us instead be passionate about the common good.” euractiv.com/section/politi…

'EU Council strongly condemns all types of hybrid activities, which are on the rise.. incl sabotage & subversion' 'In response to Russia’s destabilising [hybrid attacks targeting EU], EU Council reiterates its call.. to establish a new sanctions regime.' consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga…

BREAKING: US, Canada & Netherlands disrupt covert Russian govt-operated, AI-enabled 'Russia Today' propaganda campaign. RT used a bot farm to disseminate disinformation to & about countries incl US, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine & Israel. justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

Based in Brussels? Don't miss the opportunity to meet @Mer__edith, president of @SignalApp! Join our Democracy Drinks for an informal exchange with Meredith Whittaker about privacy, security, AI & Big Tech. When: Thu 11 July 17:00-19:00 Venue: tba RSVP: forms.gle/5o8A48UuonooVa…

BREAKING: EU formally charges Musk's X/Twitter for failing to respect EU social media law. X/Twitter could face a multi-million euro fine in a pioneering case under EU's new Digital Services Act. Defend Democracy politico.eu/article/eu-cha…

Thanks @Mer__edith for joining Defend Democracy for an inspiring & very pertinent exchange on privacy, security, AI & Big Tech! If we want to defend democracy & national security we must be more vigilant in governing tech design & digital infrastructure. defenddemocracy.eu/projects/democ…

Political violence has no place in a democracy. Democracy is about resolving differences through ballots, not bullets. Let's recommit to civility, respect and dignity in politics and in society — online and offline. They are key to democracy, to peace, to security.

Here is Defend Democracy's July newsletter! 📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civiw… ✏️ Sign up for future editions: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/newsletter/ ✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

In 2024, NATO should admit an uncomfortable truth: The fight for democracy in the 21st century is an existential one — and NATO is an indispensable party to the conflict. #DefendDemocracy #NATOsummit NATO PA / AP-OTAN nato.int/docu/review/ar…

Ex-Twitter chief compares tech billionaires to unaccountable oligarchs. "If Elon Musk keeps stirring unrest, get an arrest warrant." theguardian.com/technology/art…

Warning! "Britain’s 2024 summer riots are Elon Musk’s trial balloon [for the U.S. election]." "This summer.. the billionaire owner of a tech platform publicly confronted an elected leader & used his platform to undermine his authority & incite violence." theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Europe needs to do more than scratch at the ramparts of Big Tech's castle. "How do we ensure our strategic autonomy and protect our democracy when (not if) the digital infrastructure which we rely on, but do now own, turns hostile?" techpolicy.press/europe-needs-t…

“Finding ways to enhance social cohesion and resilience will be a significant challenge for all democratically-minded politicians in the coming period,” says Czech FM Jan Lipavský Defend Democracy is ready to help! euractiv.com/section/politi…

Good to read (politico.eu/newsletter/bru…) that senior European Commission staff say VPs should have their own DG & that more coherence is needed. That's exactly what Defend Democracy & 15 NGOs urge too: a dedicated VP for Democracy supported by a DG Democracy. defenddemocracy.eu/open-letter-to…