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In this video, the speaker discusses competitive middleware, which refers to the growing censorship industry. They explain that the censorship industry is structured through government institutions, private sector companies, civil society organizations, and news media and fact-checking institutions. The speaker breaks down the different categories of government censorship activities, such as funding, pressure, coordination, outsourcing, and laundering. They also mention the role of tech platforms and corporate social responsibility arms in the private sector. Additionally, they discuss the involvement of universities, NGOs, non-profits, foundations, and activist researchers in civil society. The speaker highlights the role of news media and fact-checking institutions in pressuring the private sector to censor certain content. They mention recent changes, including legal victories and the Missouri v Biden case, which has led to the proposed restructuring of the censorship industry through competitive middleware. The speaker explains that competitive middleware involves intermediating censorship through firms like NewsGuard, which fix news ratings to ban alternative news. They mention the plan to build up middleware institutions and the concept of capacity building. The speaker also discusses the upcoming EU disinformation regulations and how entities like NewsGuard are positioning themselves as disinformation compliance services to comply with these regulations. They compare this to the compliance industry for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

EU lawmakers argue that because X will no longer comply with certain regulatory demands, the platform itself poses a risk that justifies intervention, though critics point to the timing of years of attempts to control X and view it as a power grab. The latest condemnation follows TV host Maya Jama publicly condemning users of the AI chatbot Grok for generating non-consensual deepfake images of her, essentially undressing her in digitally manipulated photos without permission. Elon Musk says Grok is not supposed to do these things and should deny such requests. The central question is whether this is a moment to protect victims or to advance the EU’s power. Journalist Anna McGovern discusses the issue. She has been investigating people who reported their images were undressed using Grok’s image-editing function. Women described their experiences and the moment their families first discovered the images and could not tell whether they were real or AI-generated. McGovern notes that while there is concern about Grok and X, she sees a possible additional agenda at play; Elon Musk has pledged to ensure Grok will no longer be able to produce those images in jurisdictions where it is illegal, which she views as positive. She also notes that Labour government scrutiny appears heightened for Grok, and questions why other AI platforms producing similar content aren’t receiving the same level of scrutiny. She mentions that in the past, the government has been highly critical of Elon Musk and X when he posts things they dislike, and that X has been a venue for free speech and independent journalism. From a tech standpoint, McGovern asks how realistic it is to expect a social platform to fully prevent AI misuse that can occur off the platform; she points out that someone can draw a naked image of themselves as well. She discusses whether X could be banned, but the women she spoke with did not want X banned and spoke of the positive aspects X has brought, including free speech. Elon Musk’s response is viewed positively, as he stated that X will not allow this to continue. McGovern emphasizes that the current scrutiny has focused on Grok and X, and asks why other AI services and platforms aren’t subjected to the same level of scrutiny. She suggests the UK government may use the situation to critique X and Elon Musk, while noting that the platform has taken down images when reported, which the women interviewed corroborate. The conversation turns to what the European Union ultimately wants from X. McGovern believes some actors intend to stifle free speech, and that X has been a bastion for free speech and independent journalism. She notes the broader concern that current discourse focuses on Grok, while other platforms producing similar content remain less scrutinized. She also reflects on the messaging to women, suggesting empowerment alongside platform action: the need to train individuals to handle online abuse and to rely on trusted networks, while recognizing the platform’s role in moderating content. The discussion ends with thanks and a note of appreciation for continuing the conversation.

NewsGuard and GARM pose a serious threat to free speech in the US. NewsGuard's board includes former CIA and NSA heads, working to control the news narrative. They blacklisted 650 news sites during COVID-19 for questioning the origin of the virus. GARM aims to cut funding to alternative news sources spreading misinformation. These organizations collaborate with ad agencies like Publicis Group, which receive taxpayer subsidies. Congress can take action to remove funding from these agencies.

Patrick Baab and the host discuss the perceived erosion of freedom of expression in Europe and the role of governments and institutions in pressuring speech. - Baab asserts that there is “no freedom of speech in the EU anymore,” citing a 160-page US Congress report published in February that allegedly finds the EU Commission created a system of complete censorship across the European Union. The report states the EU regime “pressured platforms in the Internet to suppress lawful speech, including speech that was true simply because it was politically inconvenient,” and that the Commission is transforming itself “into a censorship authority against democracy.” - The discussion moves to Jacques Baud (spelled Baud by Baab, sometimes Jacques Baud), a Swiss colonel and analyst who argued that the war in Ukraine had been provoked. Baab notes Baud was sanctioned by the EU, with consequences including travel bans, frozen assets, and limited monthly food funds (€500). Baud cannot travel to Switzerland; his bank accounts and property are frozen, and neighbors reportedly cook for him. Baab calls these measures extralegal, asserting they punish a person for an argument, not for crimes, and claims such sanctions illustrate a mechanism to suppress dissent. - Baab elaborates that Baud’s sanction is part of a broader pattern: “extralegal sanctions” against multiple individuals (Baud and 58 others) within and partly outside the EU, aimed at silencing those who challenge NATO or EU narratives. He argues this signals a “death of freedom” and a move to shut mouths through sanctions. - The host asks if the media’s shift toward propaganda is temporary or permanent. Baab responds that the transformation is structural: democracy in Europe is becoming anti-democratic and warmongering despotism. He cites Viktor Orban’s view that the EU intends to wage war against Russia, with propaganda and censorship as two sides of the same coin to close public debate. Baab says the war will be ugly, as Russia has warned it could escalate to nuclear conflict, and ties this to investments in Ukraine (Shell deal) that were lost when territories changed hands, implying economic motivations behind policy and casualties for profits. - The conversation turns to self-censorship. Baab describes widespread fear among journalists and academics; many refused to join a board intended to assist Baud, fearing repercussions. He cites a US Congress report alleging the EU manipulated eight elections, including Romania, Slovakia, and France. He also notes the EU Commission’s engagement with major platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok, X, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Rumble, Reddit, OpenAI) to enforce content management under EU rules, threatening sanctions if not compliant. - Reputational attacks against critics are discussed. Baab shares experiences of smear campaigns, such as being misrepresented as a “Putin poll watcher” in Germany, and notes that state- and EU-funded NGOs sometimes amplify misinformation. He argues mainstream media generally ignores these issues, turning to “new media” and independent outlets as alternatives for information. - On Germany specifically, Baab identifies EU-level figures (German-origin leaders) who drive censorship: Ursula von der Leyen as EU Commission President (authorized COVID-19 disinformation monitoring), Vera Jorova (values and transparency), Thierry Breton (pressures on platforms), Prabhat Agarwal (Digital Services Act enforcement), and Renate Künast (translating DSA into practice). He says national governments decide sanctions but pass the burden to Brussels, creating a “kickback game.” He notes the German Bundestag extended EU sanctions into national law, punishing any helper of a sanctioned person with up to ten years’ imprisonment. - For optimism, Baab says Europe needs external help, such as the US Congress report, and citizens must seek alternative information sources and organize to defend democratic rights, including voting for different parties. He suggests that without broad public pushback, the propaganda system will persist. - The discussion closes with reflections on broader geopolitical dynamics, warnings about a multipolar world, and a dystopian vision of a Europe dominated by conflict and state control, with elites colluding with Western powers at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Speaker 0 argues that free speech is not a free fall in Europe, contending that two anti free speech movements have coalesced. One movement is in Europe, which has “laid waste to free speech” in countries such as Germany, France, and England, and also in places like Canada. The other movement is described as the US anti-free-speech movement, which began in higher education and then metastasized throughout the government, but which has “all reached our shores now.” The speaker notes that the Berlin World Forum followed remarks on free speech by Vice President Vance, and that the EU was “red hot.” They describe the forum as “the most anti free speech gathering I’ve ever been part of,” with only two attendees from the free speech community, but those present are “committed.” Hillary Clinton is identified as being there and said to have fueled the anger. A key claim is that when Twitter was purchased by Elon Musk, Clinton called on the EU to use the Digital Services Act, described as “one of the most anti free speech pieces of decades,” to force censorship of American citizens and to compel people like Musk to censor. The speaker characterizes this as “an extraordinary act by someone who was once a presidential candidate in The United States,” and asserts that Clinton’s position reflects a commitment to censorship. The speaker further claims that after the World Forum, this effort was globalized, and that they are “threatening companies like ACTS with ruinous fines unless they resume censoring American citizens.” The overall message emphasizes a belief that anti free speech forces are expanding globally, using regulatory tools such as the Digital Services Act to compel censorship and penalize platforms that do not comply, with the World Forum acting as a catalyst for broader international pressure.

Governments worldwide are imposing strict regulations on social media platforms, potentially ending freedom of speech. The European Union aims to give NGOs and state sponsors control over content moderation by requiring tech companies to share data with vetted researchers. In the US, the RESTRICT Act threatens severe penalties for accessing blacklisted websites through virtual private networks. Ireland may imprison citizens for possessing material deemed hateful, while Canada allows state agencies to filter online content. Australia grants government officials the power to compel social media companies to remove posts. These policies have been introduced quietly, with little media coverage or public outcry. This marks a significant moment in the history of the internet, as governments gain the ability to control the information people have access to.

Signal, a company, may be asked by the regulator Ofcom about the data they gather. Signal claims they don't collect data on people's messages. However, the concern is that the bill doesn't specify this and instead gives Ofcom the power to demand spyware downloads to check messages against a permissible database. This sets a precedent for authoritarian regimes and goes against the principles of a liberal democracy. It is seen as unprecedented and a negative shift in surveillance practices.

NewsGuard, an organization that claims to guard against false narratives online, is actually a tool used by the national security state to control information and suppress alternative news sources. It was created in 2017 by a defense diplomacy intelligence axis to combat the rise of alternative news after the 2016 election. NewsGuard operates similarly to a system implemented in Eastern European countries, where news sources are categorized as blacklisted, whitelisted, or gray listed based on their alignment with NATO propaganda. NewsGuard's board of advisors includes former heads of NATO, CIA, NSA, DHS, and the State Department's Global Engagement Center. They have blacklisted thousands of web pages, including those questioning COVID origins or spreading conspiracy theories. This reveals a concerning level of censorship by the national security establishment.

Social media companies like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook must comply with the European Union's code of practice on disinformation or face fines of up to 6% of global turnover. The UK is also considering introducing the online safety bill, which would allow fines of up to 10% of global turnover or disconnection of services for non-compliant companies. Concerns about censorship arise as there may be limited time to discuss important topics like science, technology, vaccines, and the mark of the beast. Soft censorship examples include a quote from a conservative MP calling anti-vaxxers blinkered and dangerous, and a forthcoming book by a vaccine advocate titled "The Deadly Rise of Anti Science."

The threat of disinformation and foreign interference is growing. To combat this, we are introducing the European Democracy Shield. This initiative will identify and counter information manipulation, work with national agencies, detect foreign interference, enhance AI deepfake detection, and promote resilience.

Without Europe's support, engaging with platforms is challenging due to fewer contacts. The European Union's Digital Services Act offers hope by requiring risk assessments, transparent information sharing, and data access for researchers. This may lead to rehiring and increased platform accountability as enforcement of the DSA ramps up.

The government is taking action against extremist content online, including hate speech and incitement to violence. Ireland's new online safety and media regulator, along with the European Commission, will address these issues under the EU Digital Services Act. They have engaged with major platforms, the Gardaí, and the European Commission, activating instant response plans. Reporting hate speech and illegal content to the platforms or the regulator is encouraged. Once fully operational, the regulator will allow direct reporting for ignored or rejected complaints, aiding oversight, investigations, and enforcement. The first online safety code, holding video sharing platforms accountable for user content and addressing extremist content, will be adopted in early 2024. This marks a new era of empowerment for regulators and the public to create a safer online environment.

The UK government could potentially restrict access to Twitter if the platform continues to spread misinformation and pose a danger to citizens. This has been done in other countries with apps like TikTok. Additionally, Twitter could face being banned from the App Store for violating policies, which would greatly impact their business.

The European Union is pressuring tech companies to censor content secretly, with Elon Musk's x being the only one resisting. The EU is threatening x with fines for not complying. Governments and intelligence agencies are involved in demanding censorship, while spreading their own disinformation. X's community notes system allows for corrections to false information, unlike what the EU claims. Musk's refusal to censor is crucial for free speech. To fight back, share the video, join the email list, and support the free speech movement. Stand up against foreign interference in free speech.

To protect social media companies from government pressure to censor content, an incoming administration could issue an executive order on day one. This order would prohibit government grants and contracts to any private company or nonprofit involved in domestic disinformation. This approach addresses the issue of government-funded censorship, allowing for the elimination of grants and contracts that support censorship activities. Currently, there are tens of thousands of individuals in the U.S. whose livelihoods depend on censorship work, a field that emerged in response to the 2016 election.

Competitive middleware refers to censorship liaisons that are growing in size and strength and will be the future of the censorship industry. The whole of society censorship industry is structured around government, private sector, civil society, and news media/fact-checking institutions. Government institutions engage in censorship funding, pressure, coordination, outsourcing, and laundering. The private sector includes tech platforms and the CSR wings of private companies. Civil society consists of universities, NGOs, nonprofits, foundations, and activist researchers. News media and fact-checking arms pressure the private sector to censor. Changes, including the House turning Republican, Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, and legal victories, forced a restructuring of the censorship industry. The Stanford Cyber Working Group anticipated a loss in the Missouri v Biden case and proposed competitive middleware, ballooning up the civil society bridge between government and the private sector. Middleware firms like NewsGuard affix news ratings that enable mass banning and throttling of alternative news. NewsGuard has an all-star cast of the national security state on its board. The EU will soon require compliance with disinformation rules, and NewsGuard is billing itself as a disinformation compliance service.

To protect social media companies from government pressure to censor content, an incoming administration could issue an executive order on day one. This order would prohibit government grants and contracts to any private company or nonprofit involved in domestic disinformation. It effectively addresses the issue of government-funded censorship. By targeting grants and contracts across various agencies, this approach could dismantle the censorship industry, which has grown significantly since the 2016 election. Today, many individuals rely on this industry for their livelihoods, a situation that emerged in response to the political landscape following Trump's victory.

Twitter must comply with local government laws to avoid being shut down. Each country has its own rules and forms of government, so it's important to adhere to them. The goal is to provide the freest speech possible within the confines of the law.

The government is addressing extremist content online and has established Ireland's new online safety and media regulator. They will work alongside the European Commission to regulate the EU Digital Services Act. The regulator has engaged with large platforms, the Gardaí, and the European Commission, who have activated their response plans. The public is encouraged to report hate speech and illegal content to the platforms or the regulator. Once fully operational, the regulator will accept direct reports from the public regarding platform complaints. The regulator will use these reports to focus their oversight, investigations, and enforcement actions. The first online safety code will be adopted in early 2024, holding video sharing platforms accountable for protecting users from extremist content. This marks a new era of empowerment for regulators and the public to create a safer online world.

The speaker discusses the current "transatlantic flank attack 2.0" strategy, where state department exiles are working with the EU to pass censorship laws. The EU Digital Services Act, crafted with input from figures like Michael Hayden and Tom Ridge, poses a major threat to freedom of speech. X faces the choice of forfeiting revenue or implementing internal censorship mechanisms to comply with the law. This battle against censorship from Europe is a significant challenge for X.

Today, the Digital Services Act (DSA) becomes enforceable for large online platforms and search engines. These platforms play a crucial role in our daily lives, and it's time for Europe to establish its own rules. The DSA aims to protect free speech from arbitrary decisions and safeguard our citizens and democracies against illegal content. My team and I will rigorously ensure that systemic platforms comply with the DSA, investigating and sanctioning them if necessary. Our goal is to create a safer online environment for everyone in Europe. I'll provide updates on our progress.

The Biden administration plans to bring together democracies in a transatlantic summit to address threats to democracy. The European Union also wants to establish a transatlantic digital marketplace and work together against disinformation. Mainstream platforms like Twitter and Facebook have started labeling misinformation, and there is hope that nefarious movements will decline. The EU's Democracy Action Plan, which includes introducing costs for spreading disinformation, is seen as a game changer. The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act proposed by the European Commission are steps in the right direction. Collaboration between governments, civil society, and industry is crucial, as disinformation is a growing threat that requires a collective response.

Disinformation is profitable, so we must trace the money. A significant portion of the funding for harmful content comes from the global advertising industry. We need to collaborate with this industry to redirect ad dollars. This can involve creating exclusion and inclusion lists to target funding towards accurate and reliable news and information. We must challenge the global advertising industry worldwide to prioritize funding for truthful and relevant content.