Luis Barrueto
@lebarrueto.bsky.social
From Guatemala, based in Berlin 🇩🇪 | 🏳️🌈 activist | Work in human rights and digital security
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
The *respectable* way to oppose the actually-existing AI industry is to write white papers that they can comfortably ignore.
But vulgar AI opponents keep insisting on attacking the industry at the point where (1) it is most vulnerable and (2) opponents have the most leverage.
How very dare they?
But vulgar AI opponents keep insisting on attacking the industry at the point where (1) it is most vulnerable and (2) opponents have the most leverage.
How very dare they?
There is a respectable argument for slowing down AI research, but it rests on the danger to all humanity of the technology being abused or going rogue—not the local harms of data centres
The moral panic over data centres is foolish
A backlash fuelled by misinformation and misunderstanding
bit.ly
September 6, 2026 at 4:43 PM
The *respectable* way to oppose the actually-existing AI industry is to write white papers that they can comfortably ignore.
But vulgar AI opponents keep insisting on attacking the industry at the point where (1) it is most vulnerable and (2) opponents have the most leverage.
How very dare they?
But vulgar AI opponents keep insisting on attacking the industry at the point where (1) it is most vulnerable and (2) opponents have the most leverage.
How very dare they?
Join us today!
For many LGBTQ+ people, the internet is a vital space to find information and community. But more than ever, queer communities face considerable risks online.
Join us for a conversation on the digital risks facing LGBTQ+ communities. ⬇️
buff.ly/HtHv5ll
Join us for a conversation on the digital risks facing LGBTQ+ communities. ⬇️
buff.ly/HtHv5ll
July 14, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Join us today!
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
To be a historian is to speak ill of the dead and the rest of you should take more history classes and join us.
July 12, 2026 at 11:56 AM
To be a historian is to speak ill of the dead and the rest of you should take more history classes and join us.
Join us tmrw. to discuss how actors engaged in protection efforts are stepping up to the challenge of addressing digital risks in conflict and crisis.
Register:
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
@mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @witnessorg.bsky.social
@cloudflare.social @oxfaminternational.bsky.social
Register:
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
@mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @witnessorg.bsky.social
@cloudflare.social @oxfaminternational.bsky.social
Technology can amplify risks for civil society in the context of war and conflict — but centering digital rights can also enhance humanitarian and protection responses.
Join our Digital Security Helpline’s webinar on May 19 to learn more 🔽
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
Join our Digital Security Helpline’s webinar on May 19 to learn more 🔽
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
May 18, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Join us tmrw. to discuss how actors engaged in protection efforts are stepping up to the challenge of addressing digital risks in conflict and crisis.
Register:
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
@mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @witnessorg.bsky.social
@cloudflare.social @oxfaminternational.bsky.social
Register:
www.accessnow.org/event/digita...
@mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @witnessorg.bsky.social
@cloudflare.social @oxfaminternational.bsky.social
Resistance is always embodied – whether on the frontlines of a protest or the defense of a river. So it is for resisting technoauthoritarianism:
“In truth, anti-datacenter organizing is the real fight, one centered on an industry choke point that people can reach out and touch”
“In truth, anti-datacenter organizing is the real fight, one centered on an industry choke point that people can reach out and touch”
The anti-data center movement isn’t just about limiting local development—it represents a new front in the fight against tech-enabled authoritarianism.
Where else can people push back on job-eating algorithms, distorting deep fakes, and autonomous drone strikes?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Where else can people push back on job-eating algorithms, distorting deep fakes, and autonomous drone strikes?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The fight against AI data centers isn’t just about tech – it’s about democracy | Astra Taylor and Saul Levin
Claims of nimbyism are a misunderstanding: the movement is about whether regular people have a say in fundamental decisions
www.theguardian.com
May 9, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Resistance is always embodied – whether on the frontlines of a protest or the defense of a river. So it is for resisting technoauthoritarianism:
“In truth, anti-datacenter organizing is the real fight, one centered on an industry choke point that people can reach out and touch”
“In truth, anti-datacenter organizing is the real fight, one centered on an industry choke point that people can reach out and touch”
Truly honored to support and recognize my colleagues who, instead of bending to pressures, took a principled position to back dissenters and resist the further encroachment of civic space.
We are stronger when we stand together ✊ @arzugeybulla.bsky.social @accessnow.org
We are stronger when we stand together ✊ @arzugeybulla.bsky.social @accessnow.org
At Wired, @telliotter.bsky.social and @zeyiyang.bsky.social moved fast to get the inside story on the cancellation of RightsCon: sources say the PRC pressured Zambian authorities to exclude Taiwanese participants.
The Chinese Government Just Got the World’s Largest Digital Rights Conference Canceled
Access Now, the group that organizes RightsCon, says Zambian officials asked it to exclude Taiwanese participants if it wanted the event to proceed as planned.
www.wired.com
May 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Truly honored to support and recognize my colleagues who, instead of bending to pressures, took a principled position to back dissenters and resist the further encroachment of civic space.
We are stronger when we stand together ✊ @arzugeybulla.bsky.social @accessnow.org
We are stronger when we stand together ✊ @arzugeybulla.bsky.social @accessnow.org
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
NEW: A hack-for-hire group targeted victims with Android spyware and with phishing attacks to break into iCloud backups.
The group, codenamed BITTER, has alleged ties with Indian government, and attacked victims in the Middle East and North Africa, including journalists and government officials.
The group, codenamed BITTER, has alleged ties with Indian government, and attacked victims in the Middle East and North Africa, including journalists and government officials.
Hack-for-hire group caught targeting Android devices and iCloud backups | TechCrunch
Security researchers exposed a spying campaign by a hack-for-hire group that used Android spyware and phishing to steal iCloud credentials and hack victims’ devices.
techcrunch.com
April 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM
NEW: A hack-for-hire group targeted victims with Android spyware and with phishing attacks to break into iCloud backups.
The group, codenamed BITTER, has alleged ties with Indian government, and attacked victims in the Middle East and North Africa, including journalists and government officials.
The group, codenamed BITTER, has alleged ties with Indian government, and attacked victims in the Middle East and North Africa, including journalists and government officials.
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
Espionage enables repression!
In collaboration with Lookout + @smex.org, our Digital Security Helpline exposes a hack-for-hire phishing campaign targeting journalists and dissidents in the MENA region.
Here’s what we found, and what it means for civil society 🧵
In collaboration with Lookout + @smex.org, our Digital Security Helpline exposes a hack-for-hire phishing campaign targeting journalists and dissidents in the MENA region.
Here’s what we found, and what it means for civil society 🧵
April 8, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Espionage enables repression!
In collaboration with Lookout + @smex.org, our Digital Security Helpline exposes a hack-for-hire phishing campaign targeting journalists and dissidents in the MENA region.
Here’s what we found, and what it means for civil society 🧵
In collaboration with Lookout + @smex.org, our Digital Security Helpline exposes a hack-for-hire phishing campaign targeting journalists and dissidents in the MENA region.
Here’s what we found, and what it means for civil society 🧵
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
The war in Iran could trigger a global food shock
• More than 1.1mn tonnes of fertiliser and fertiliser inputs is currently stuck in the Gulf
• Shortages are starting during northern hemisphere’s planting season, raising the risk of lower harvests for staples like rice
www.ft.com/content/1054...
• More than 1.1mn tonnes of fertiliser and fertiliser inputs is currently stuck in the Gulf
• Shortages are starting during northern hemisphere’s planting season, raising the risk of lower harvests for staples like rice
www.ft.com/content/1054...
March 20, 2026 at 12:03 PM
The war in Iran could trigger a global food shock
• More than 1.1mn tonnes of fertiliser and fertiliser inputs is currently stuck in the Gulf
• Shortages are starting during northern hemisphere’s planting season, raising the risk of lower harvests for staples like rice
www.ft.com/content/1054...
• More than 1.1mn tonnes of fertiliser and fertiliser inputs is currently stuck in the Gulf
• Shortages are starting during northern hemisphere’s planting season, raising the risk of lower harvests for staples like rice
www.ft.com/content/1054...
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
This is "our" Manifesto for a Free Internet. We are Iranian Women's Coalition for Internet Freedom. Happy International Women's Day!
initiated by @azadehakbari.bsky.social @farzdusa.bsky.social @mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @royapak.bsky.social & Afsaneh Rigot
initiated by @azadehakbari.bsky.social @farzdusa.bsky.social @mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @royapak.bsky.social & Afsaneh Rigot
Manifesto for a Free Internet
Manifesto for a Free Internet Iranian Women’s Coalition for Internet Freedom Today, people inside Iran are living through a near-total Internet and communications blackout imposed by the Islamic Repub...
docs.google.com
March 9, 2026 at 1:18 PM
This is "our" Manifesto for a Free Internet. We are Iranian Women's Coalition for Internet Freedom. Happy International Women's Day!
initiated by @azadehakbari.bsky.social @farzdusa.bsky.social @mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @royapak.bsky.social & Afsaneh Rigot
initiated by @azadehakbari.bsky.social @farzdusa.bsky.social @mahsaalimardani.bsky.social @royapak.bsky.social & Afsaneh Rigot
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
I've only known Baby Globe for five minutes but if anything happened to him I would become John Wick
Timeline cleanser: @wikipedia.org is celebrating its 25th birthday with a new logo, Baby Globe.
They've got several animations to enjoy, beyond the ones I'm featuring. Link: wikimediafoundation.org/wikipedia25/...
Wikipedia is the internet—and humanity—at its best. Here's to 25 more years!
They've got several animations to enjoy, beyond the ones I'm featuring. Link: wikimediafoundation.org/wikipedia25/...
Wikipedia is the internet—and humanity—at its best. Here's to 25 more years!
February 27, 2026 at 3:28 AM
I've only known Baby Globe for five minutes but if anything happened to him I would become John Wick
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
How can you detect spear-phishing attacks before it’s too late?
Join the first webinar of our new series, “Safe and Strong,” on March 10, which will cover new trends and share practical tips for civil society to raise its defenses.
Register: accessnow.org/digital-security-webinars
Join the first webinar of our new series, “Safe and Strong,” on March 10, which will cover new trends and share practical tips for civil society to raise its defenses.
Register: accessnow.org/digital-security-webinars
February 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM
How can you detect spear-phishing attacks before it’s too late?
Join the first webinar of our new series, “Safe and Strong,” on March 10, which will cover new trends and share practical tips for civil society to raise its defenses.
Register: accessnow.org/digital-security-webinars
Join the first webinar of our new series, “Safe and Strong,” on March 10, which will cover new trends and share practical tips for civil society to raise its defenses.
Register: accessnow.org/digital-security-webinars
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
As a whole nation remains in shock, horror, and grief, and families are searching for their loved ones in the aftermath of security forces’ massacres on January 8 and 9, Iranian authorities continue to terrorize the population.
Read HRW’s new investigation. ⤵️
www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
Read HRW’s new investigation. ⤵️
www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
February 24, 2026 at 5:07 AM
As a whole nation remains in shock, horror, and grief, and families are searching for their loved ones in the aftermath of security forces’ massacres on January 8 and 9, Iranian authorities continue to terrorize the population.
Read HRW’s new investigation. ⤵️
www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
Read HRW’s new investigation. ⤵️
www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
Amazing colleagues @djleufer.bsky.social and Vlad have just finished a triad of articles analizing LLMs and fleshing out the reasons why we should stop the push to make the much-hyped word-guessing machines ubiquitous.
Check it out:
www.accessnow.org/artificial-i... @accessnow.org
Check it out:
www.accessnow.org/artificial-i... @accessnow.org
Artificial Insecurity: access and availability in the age of AI - Access Now
In the third part of our blog series, we look at how the availability of systems is impacted by the proliferation of large language models.
www.accessnow.org
February 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Amazing colleagues @djleufer.bsky.social and Vlad have just finished a triad of articles analizing LLMs and fleshing out the reasons why we should stop the push to make the much-hyped word-guessing machines ubiquitous.
Check it out:
www.accessnow.org/artificial-i... @accessnow.org
Check it out:
www.accessnow.org/artificial-i... @accessnow.org
Go read the inner workings of my team at @accessnow.org – Hassen is a dedicated and knowledgeable colleague who leads our digital forensics work:
NEW: Meet the folks at AccessNow's Digital Security Helpline, who have been investigating government spyware for more than a decade, helping journalists and dissidents all over the world.
I spoke to Hassen Selmi, who heads the incident response team, to learn how his team fights spyware abuses.
I spoke to Hassen Selmi, who heads the incident response team, to learn how his team fights spyware abuses.
Meet the team that hunts government spyware
For years, Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline has been aiding journalists and dissidents who have been targeted with government spyware. This is how they operate.
techcrunch.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Go read the inner workings of my team at @accessnow.org – Hassen is a dedicated and knowledgeable colleague who leads our digital forensics work:
#IntellexaLeaks: A recent investigation offers new insights to the capacities and architecture of Predator spyware + new infection vectors (incl. attacks via advertising).
All of this while its maker, Intellexa, retained direct access to espionage victims!
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
All of this while its maker, Intellexa, retained direct access to espionage victims!
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
To Catch a Predator: Leak exposes the internal operations of Intellexa’s mercenary spyware - Amnesty International Security Lab
Drawing on leaked internal company documents, sales and marketing material, as well as training videos, the “Intellexa Leaks” investigation gives a never-before-seen glimpse of the internal operations...
securitylab.amnesty.org
December 12, 2025 at 11:54 AM
#IntellexaLeaks: A recent investigation offers new insights to the capacities and architecture of Predator spyware + new infection vectors (incl. attacks via advertising).
All of this while its maker, Intellexa, retained direct access to espionage victims!
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
All of this while its maker, Intellexa, retained direct access to espionage victims!
securitylab.amnesty.org/latest/2025/...
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
I am by no means a prominent public intellectual, but my inbox is increasingly filled with messages from people who have been convinced by sycophantic chatbots that they have discovered revolutionary theories that entirely upend our scientific understanding of the universe.
November 21, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I am by no means a prominent public intellectual, but my inbox is increasingly filled with messages from people who have been convinced by sycophantic chatbots that they have discovered revolutionary theories that entirely upend our scientific understanding of the universe.
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
Now we're seeing confirmation of the NSO acquisition.
Mark my words, this is the path through which Pegasus gets put on Americans iPhones & Androids.
This dictatorship-in-a-box belongs nowhere near our constitutional rights.
Mark my words, this is the path through which Pegasus gets put on Americans iPhones & Androids.
This dictatorship-in-a-box belongs nowhere near our constitutional rights.
SCOOP: Spyware maker NSO Group confirmed to us that the company has been acquired by a U.S. investment group.
NSO's spokesperson said the group "has invested tens of millions of dollars in the company and has acquired controlling ownership," but declined to say who is behind the investment.
NSO's spokesperson said the group "has invested tens of millions of dollars in the company and has acquired controlling ownership," but declined to say who is behind the investment.
Spyware maker NSO Group confirms acquisition by US investors | TechCrunch
NSO Group confirmed to TechCrunch that an unnamed group of American investors has taken “controlling ownership” of the surveillance tech maker.
techcrunch.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Now we're seeing confirmation of the NSO acquisition.
Mark my words, this is the path through which Pegasus gets put on Americans iPhones & Androids.
This dictatorship-in-a-box belongs nowhere near our constitutional rights.
Mark my words, this is the path through which Pegasus gets put on Americans iPhones & Androids.
This dictatorship-in-a-box belongs nowhere near our constitutional rights.
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reportedly issued a presidential pardon for the imprisoned Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah.
He is set to be released once Sisi’s decision is published in the Official Gazette. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
He is set to be released once Sisi’s decision is published in the Official Gazette. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
September 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reportedly issued a presidential pardon for the imprisoned Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah.
He is set to be released once Sisi’s decision is published in the Official Gazette. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
He is set to be released once Sisi’s decision is published in the Official Gazette. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
“We need a robust digital civil society to try to hold the line today and to try to make things better tomorrow. With the clear slide into tyranny, and tech so central to that slide, we need digital [civil] society more than ever”
www.wired.com/story/eff-ci...
www.wired.com/story/eff-ci...
Cindy Cohn Is Leaving the EFF, but Not the Fight for Digital Rights
After 25 years at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Cindy Cohn is stepping down as executive director. In a WIRED interview, she reflects on encryption, AI, and why she’s not ready to quit the battl...
www.wired.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
“We need a robust digital civil society to try to hold the line today and to try to make things better tomorrow. With the clear slide into tyranny, and tech so central to that slide, we need digital [civil] society more than ever”
www.wired.com/story/eff-ci...
www.wired.com/story/eff-ci...
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
Heading to #IGF25? Drop by our Digital Safety Clinic!
We’re supporting activists, journalists & civil society to boost digital security.
📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27
🌍 Not there? Reach out here 👉 www.accessnow.org/help/
We’re supporting activists, journalists & civil society to boost digital security.
📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27
🌍 Not there? Reach out here 👉 www.accessnow.org/help/
June 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Heading to #IGF25? Drop by our Digital Safety Clinic!
We’re supporting activists, journalists & civil society to boost digital security.
📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27
🌍 Not there? Reach out here 👉 www.accessnow.org/help/
We’re supporting activists, journalists & civil society to boost digital security.
📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27
🌍 Not there? Reach out here 👉 www.accessnow.org/help/
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
Today is the 5 year anniversary to when I slowly started losing my mind during the pandemic and began dressing up as works of art.
As my Twitter account has long been abandoned, why not make a thread of my madness on BlueSky?
This was “The Maid” by Wilhelm August Lebrecht Amberg, from 1862
As my Twitter account has long been abandoned, why not make a thread of my madness on BlueSky?
This was “The Maid” by Wilhelm August Lebrecht Amberg, from 1862
April 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Today is the 5 year anniversary to when I slowly started losing my mind during the pandemic and began dressing up as works of art.
As my Twitter account has long been abandoned, why not make a thread of my madness on BlueSky?
This was “The Maid” by Wilhelm August Lebrecht Amberg, from 1862
As my Twitter account has long been abandoned, why not make a thread of my madness on BlueSky?
This was “The Maid” by Wilhelm August Lebrecht Amberg, from 1862
Reposted by Luis Barrueto
No Other Land Co-Director Yuval Abraham:
"The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can't you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It's not too late for life, for the living. There is no other way."
"The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can't you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It's not too late for life, for the living. There is no other way."
March 3, 2025 at 2:49 AM
No Other Land Co-Director Yuval Abraham:
"The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can't you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It's not too late for life, for the living. There is no other way."
"The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can't you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It's not too late for life, for the living. There is no other way."