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

May 22, 2026

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5 min read

Practical Exit: It’s time for regulators to require social graph portability

We’ve had mobile phone number portability for twenty years. We now have proven technology to help move your online friends and followers in a secure and privacy-preserving way. If platforms won’t implement it, we should demand regulation to make it mandatory.

May 15, 2026

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5 min read

Social media vs. parasocial media vs. social networking

The “social media” platforms we demonize today are actually multiple suspects in a trench coat. Separating out key use cases makes it easier to talk about practical ways to reduce harm and take back control.

May 8, 2026

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4 min read

Meta unleashes a haiku of PR bullsh*t after being found guilty of harming children

Yet again, Meta’s VP of Communications Andy Stone has responded to his company’s indefensible conduct with an insulting and ineffective public statement. Why does he keep doing this? Let’s break it down.

May 6, 2026

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3 min read

Q&A #2 - Ganesh Shankar, Google Director of Product Management, User Protection

Second in this occasional bonus feature. Get to know the leaders, builders, and thinkers working to give us control over our online lives. This week - Ganesh Shankar from Google's Privacy, Safety, and Security team.

May 1, 2026

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4 min read

Reader mailbag #3: age verification follow-up

Reader feedback on my piece criticizing social media age verification, plus more bumps on the road in the EU and Australia.