Fight for the Future

CALL TO ACTION: People across the globe use VPNs to maintain their privacy amid oppressive new “Age Verification” surveillance laws and governments are trying to ban them. So we're asking VPN users + privacy advocates to join us for a day of VPN defense! Get the toolkit: https://DefendVPNs.com https://blossom.primal.net/c75555e49e36a9842b513780b3dbbb8637918af79675282f362718f94f922de8.mov

Encryption is not optional , it’s fundamental to the defense of truth” - Human Rights Data Analysis Group https://hrdag.substack.com/p/without-encryption-my-work-wouldnt

Section 230 is the reason creators can share accurate reproductive health information, including gender affirming care, sex education, contraception + more online. Lawmakers are planning to gut it. Spread the word + learn more here: www.whatissection230.org https://blossom.primal.net/df4cf28d9b7c66b9153a85265d5461fbdf90b85bc77db58b53697ba986cea7aa.mov

NEW: report raises serious concerns about Meta’s absence of algorithmic accountability + negligence in protecting Palestinian users from escalating digital crimes. https://7amleh.org/post/meta-s-role-during-genocide-en?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMkKu1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp74pkYvuTTMX8LUwDuev0Dz3Ht6j8G-H1__WFE7Nl27lsMuncDjGVStfY1fw_aem_KNYl60Lf2fs-oNLhofr8HA

Attending Dragoncon this year? We’ll see you there! Catch our campaigner Sarah Phillips at one of these panels:

NEW: Fight for the Future and CovidSafeCampus are sounding the alarm as more schools capitulate to Trump admin financial threats and quietly adopt forced unmasking policies for the fall semester. https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2025-08-26-new-campaign-tracks-spread-of-campus-mask-bans-at-60-universities-threatened-by-trump-admin-highlighting-growing-threats-to-student-health-privacy-and-free-expression/

MASSACHUSETTS folks: We are apart of a coalition urging MA elected officials to publicly oppose dangerous legislation that threatens to censor+ suppress lifesaving online resources for vulnerable people and we are asking you to join us. Take action + call your reps today: 202-519-4583 https://blossom.primal.net/c019ee1e97d7eef456f31700abc321f253e72b95cc68dc2a4c84da71e7ab146d.mov

Payment processors don't have the right to censor content online. MasterCard + Visa need to back off + let these platforms host + promote games on their own terms.

Gaming platforms Steam + Itchio have given in to pressure payment processors MasterCard + Visa by removing content flagged by a conservative advocacy group as ‘inappropriate.’ https://www.theverge.com/games/715299/itchio-games-delisting-payment-processor-paypal

TSA claims face scan opt-outs cause an “overwhelming + chaotic environment" but thanks to Algorithmic Justice League’s new report we know this isn’t the case. 
They found that 99% of the time, travelers weren't even told they had the right to opt-out of face scans. 
https://www.ajl.org/flyreport

Headed to Seattle Worldcon? We’ll see you there! 😎✨✊

Lawmakers are “taking a hard look” at VPNs after the total flop of the UK “age verification” rollout + we all know where that’s gonna lead—censorship fanatics are gonna try to bring the ban hammer down on VPNs. Millions use VPNs to dodge surveillance + circumvent censorship. Can you help us remind them what a terrible idea it is to destroy essential Internet safety infrastructure? Sign the thing at www.DefendVPNs.com

BREAKING: New investigation exposes Microsoft for enabling surveillance + killing of Palestinians. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/microsoft-israeli-military-palestinian-phone-calls-cloud

NEW CAMPAIGN: “Age Verification” laws are accelerating the global discussion of banning or restricting VPN usage but this won’t make the internet a safer place! 
Online surveillance and censorship has a huge chilling effect on our freedoms, particularly the freedoms of traditionally marginalized people.
✊🙅‍♀️🛑 Sign the open letter to world governments : using the Internet safely + privately is a human right. Don’t restrict VPNs!  
https://www.defendvpns.com

✈️ Some numbers from Algorithmic Justice League's recent report on passenger experiences with opting out of invasive biometric face-scans at the airport: 
- 67% that requested to opt-out received negative treatment for doing so
-56% of people didn’t see opt-out info
 -74% weren’t notified of TSA use of facial recognition
-99% weren't notified of their right to opt-out
- 87% shared concerns with facial recognition
- 33% were concerned with the handling of data Read the full report: https://www.ajl.org/flyreport

NEW: Facial recognition surveillance tech use is expanding rapidly at airport’s + this new report from our friends at Algorithmic justice league exposes TSA’s shady practices around opt-outs :      ✔️Most travelers weren’t told face scans were optional ✔️Some felt pressured or confused ✔️Opting out wasn’t always straightforward. More at #ComplyToFly → https://ajl.org/flyreport

ATTN NY: We're joining partners at Stop Spying NY in a call to action! #FacialRecognition misidentifies women, children, and people of color- and NYC is bringing more of this dangerous tech into Black + Brown communities who are already vulnerable to police bias and discrimination. Help us to #BanTheScan by asking NYC council speaker Adrienne Adams to call a vote on Intros 217 & 425 to keep New Yorkers safe from biased tech in our homes and grocery stores. https://www.banthescan.org

Hey BOSTON! We’re hosting a night of queer joy + resistance with a FREE KARAOKE party with some amazing artists. We'll share information about what you can do to ensure LGTBQ content, resources + safe spaces STAY ONLINE. Roll thru! https://blossom.primal.net/9da9ecb2a2dcc519f3400a0c4fd6465ba166f0dfff70edd9bc82ab77742f4f7f.mp4

The Senate voted overnight to cut $9 billion in federal funding for worldwide aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5405988-paula-kerger-pbs-funding-cuts/

ICYMI: This time last week the FTC hosted a ‘workshop’ to spread misinformation about gender affirming care for trans youth. We joined LGBT Tech + Public Knowledge the next day for a panel w/ experts, parents + advocates to set the record straight. https://blossom.primal.net/f090bb63ef5a660b170d0d88bc507317e0899116ff7235d2f8f18a7320f3825c.mov