aricohn - Network

Sneak peek (literally. I had to sneak into the studio while he was in the other room) of a cool new two-tone pendant design S.O. is working...

Sneak peek (literally. I had to sneak into the studio while he was in the other room) of a cool new two-tone pendant design S.O. is working on, inspired by his love of old navigation instruments.

Been a minute since I've promoted S.O.'s work (ok like 30 seconds), but it's your lucky day because you get early access to the...

Been a minute since I've promoted S.O.'s work (ok like 30 seconds), but it's your lucky day because you get early access to the Black Friday sale, which is now live:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/korinajewelrystudio

Just about ready to go up for sale!

Just about ready to go up for sale!

He was mad that I posted because he said that was a shitty rendering so he made me stay awake until he finished a new render (that...

He was mad that I posted because he said that was a shitty rendering so he made me stay awake until he finished a new render (that apparently still isn't finished, but better? Idk I have no eye)

I have finally convinced S.O. that he needs to let go and design things for the sapphires we mined in Montana, and he showed me this today....

I have finally convinced S.O. that he needs to let go and design things for the sapphires we mined in Montana, and he showed me this today. Unfortunately, I now still have to convince him not to hoard it for himself like a damn dragon.

My statement on today's markup of the Kids Online Safety Act: The legislative process is broken.

My statement on today's markup of the Kids Online Safety Act: The legislative process is broken.

11/ There is literally nothing that the "do something" crowd won't...well...*do*.Violating the First Amendment, actively...

11/ There is literally nothing that the "do something" crowd won't...well...*do*.

Violating the First Amendment, actively harming the kids they're claiming to protect, whatever. As long as they get TV spots, headlines, and checks, they'll say they've done their part.

Don't let them get away with it.

10/ These are just a few of KOSA's many, many problems. But they should convey just how dangerous this bill is, and just how far...

10/ These are just a few of KOSA's many, many problems. But they should convey just how dangerous this bill is, and just how far legislators are willing to throw constitutional rights under the bus so they can say that they "held Big Tech accountable."

9/ Remember: an AG doesn't have to win, or even file, a lawsuit. They have investigatory powers. All they have to do is make a...

9/ Remember: an AG doesn't have to win, or even file, a lawsuit. They have investigatory powers. All they have to do is make a platform's life hell by investigating to coerce them into purging disfavored speech.

8/ Third, and finally: Allowing state attorneys general to enforce KOSA is a recipe for censorship. State AGs *already* use whatever tools...

8/ Third, and finally: Allowing state attorneys general to enforce KOSA is a recipe for censorship. State AGs *already* use whatever tools they have to go after speech they dislike. Giving them this vague, powerful weapon to attack online content is grossly irresponsible.

Take just two EXTREMELY predictable examples of how this plays out.

7/ KOSA's authors thought they were clever when they inserted a provision allowing minors to search for, or request, specific content....

7/ KOSA's authors thought they were clever when they inserted a provision allowing minors to search for, or request, specific content. But why would a platform let them do so when they could be held liable for harms caused by the minor *seeing* that content?

If they think limiting the duty of care to *unrequested* content fixes it, they are wrong. Courts have held even broadcasters, who face more regulation on account of the intrusive nature of the medium, don't have a duty of care to viewers.

6/ But that's EXACTLY why courts hold that imposing a duty on speakers to protect against harmful reactions of listeners violates the...

6/ But that's EXACTLY why courts hold that imposing a duty on speakers to protect against harmful reactions of listeners violates the First Amendment.

5/ Second: The "duty of care" imposed on platforms is unsalvageable. What is in the best interest of one minor, might be in the...

5/ Second: The "duty of care" imposed on platforms is unsalvageable. What is in the best interest of one minor, might be in the worst interest of another: minors are not a monolith and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

There is no way to *possibly* meet this duty.

Except, perhaps, to limit minors' access to anything but the blandest content safe for even the most sensitive user.

4/ KOSA *says* it doesn't require age verification, but facing uncertainty about when implied knowledge of users' age will be...

4/ KOSA *says* it doesn't require age verification, but facing uncertainty about when implied knowledge of users' age will be found, the only reasonable course is to age-verify.

Writing that KOSA does not require age verification at best ignores the practical reality. At worst it is deliberate obfuscation of the fact that KOSA is deliberately designed to force platforms into age verification.

3/ God only knows. The standard provided for the FTC to determine does not provide any meaningful help. And that standard doesn't apply...

3/ God only knows. The standard provided for the FTC to determine does not provide any meaningful help. And that standard doesn't apply to state attorneys general, who can basically decide to figure it out however they want.

2/ Our letter: https://techfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/KOSA-July-26-2023-TechFreedom-Letter.pdfThere are three major issues...

2/

Our letter: https://techfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/KOSA-July-26-2023-TechFreedom-Letter.pdf

There are three major issues here:

First, new language in Marsha Blackburn's substitute amendment make it insane for any platform to *not* verify user age (and thus identity). #KOSA requires protections when a platform knows OR when knowledge can be "fairly implied" that a user is a minor.

What does that mean?

1/ Tomorrow, the Senate Commerce Committee will mark up the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), after it failed last year. Revisions were made,...

1/ Tomorrow, the Senate Commerce Committee will mark up the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), after it failed last year. Revisions were made, but they are lipstick on a pig.

Today, I explained to the committee why the bill is STILL a First Amendment trainwreck that threatens kids AND free expression.

https://techfreedom.org/kosa-still-poses-a-grave-threat-to-first-amendment-rights/

Anti-porn crusaders were behind early efforts to censor the Internet. Now they're back.Texas has a brand new anti-porn law that clears...

Anti-porn crusaders were behind early efforts to censor the Internet. Now they're back.

Texas has a brand new anti-porn law that clears First Amendment hurdles about as well as a rhinoceros competing in a steeplechase.

Deep dive here: https://aricohn.substack.com/p/texas-legislature-convinced-first

Utah officials are really grasping at straws to justify their new unconstitutional social media laws."Nuh uh," guns, and library...

Utah officials are really grasping at straws to justify their new unconstitutional social media laws.

"Nuh uh," guns, and library cards: a tour of Spencer Cox and Mike McKell's extremely silly false equivalencies.

https://aricohn.substack.com/p/desperate-to-justify-unconstitutional

Last year, @TechFreedom and more than a dozen scholars explained why the Kids Online Safety Act is unconstitutional and hurts kids.This...

Last year, @TechFreedom and more than a dozen scholars explained why the Kids Online Safety Act is unconstitutional and hurts kids.

This morning, Sens. Blackburn and Blumenthal reintroduced the bill. But since they only conferred with validators and not critics, their superficial changes do absolutely nothing to address the bill's problems. Lipstick on a pig.

My statement: https://techfreedom.org/kids-online-safety-act-remains-a-threat-to-minors-and-free-speech/