A weekly newsletter that tells the story of how tech companies became unelected governments and what to do about it, by former Google executive and 30-year Internet veteran Jonathan Bellack.

Posts

Feb 20, 2026

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9 min read

Due process transparency, continued: does safety require secrecy?

Last week, I dodged the difficult question of whether transparency would help bad actors more than the rest of us. Secrecy is necessary today, but only as a band-aid on an enormous self-inflicted wound: easy, open account sign-ups.

Feb 13, 2026

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8 min read

Let’s build due process! Part 3: Transparency should be the default, not the exception

Public information about user status, terminated accounts, and policy enforcement would help online communities build a sense of history, instead of living in a perpetual present. This would build trust in platforms and reduce the need for crisis communications.

Feb 6, 2026

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11 min read

Let’s build due process! Part 2: A workflow that works

This is the big one - my proposal to restore user trust in the account termination process without breaking the bank. Ask your favorite platform for this. Or if you work at a platform, maybe even give it a try.

Jan 30, 2026

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9 min read

Let’s Build Due Process! Part 1: Increase trust by improving account terminations

I’m setting out to convince you that platforms could expand due process without breaking the bank. In part one, I lay out the goal, narrow the scope, and address one big risk.

Jan 26, 2026

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6 min read

Due process matters, in the real world and online

It’s hard to write about online due process when ICE is killing people in Minnesota. Losing your account is not the same as being kidnapped or deported. But the callous way we enforce online rules sets an uncomfortable precedent. We can do better.