Taylor Lorenz’s Power User

The Internet Is Being Deleted. Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/taylorlorenz      🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co     We are witnessing a massive, systematic erasure of digital history. From war crime investigations to grassroots activism and historical archives, the "permanent" web is vanishing. In this episode of Free Speech Friday, I break down the escalating censorship from Big Tech and governments that is burning our collective digital archive. Documentation of major historical events, war crimes, police violence, videos documenting things like ICE abductions, but also thousands of photos, websites, and archives that play a crucial role in documenting our cultural and political history are being systematically erased from the web. This sort of mass censorship is escalating, especially as governments and tech platforms seek to remove any content that challenges mainstream media or government approved narratives. In This Episode:The Deletion of Human Rights Data: How YouTube erased 700+ videos from human rights organizations overnight.The "Safety" Smokescreen: How laws like KOSA and the "child safety" narrative are being used to deputize platforms as government censors.The Fall of the Archive: Why Reddit is blocking the Internet Archive and what it means for the future of information.The Shadowban Economy: A look at how Meta and X (formerly Twitter) use algorithmic demotion to make dissent invisible.ICE & Surveillance: The removal of apps like ICEBlock and the crackdown on community-sourced safety data.The Global Free Speech Recession: Arrests for social media posts in the UK and internet shutdowns worldwide.

Why Does The Internet Think Every Famous Person Is A Clone? The Jim Carrey Clone Conspiracy ExplainedSupport my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/taylorlorenz     🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co    After his appearance at the Cesar Awards in Paris, the internet exploded with a bizarre theory: Jim Carrey had been replaced by a clone or body double. TikTok, X, and conspiracy communities are convinced something is off, from his face to his mannerisms. But it's not just him. A week after the Jim Carrey conspiracy went viral, people began claiming Benjamin Netanyahu was a clone or had a body double. Will Sommer is a reporter at The Bulwark and author of the False Flag newsletter. He joins me to break down the Jim Carrey clone conspiracy theories, the rise of celebrity clone conspiracy theories in our culture, how crowdsourced AI driven investigations are fueling them, and what exactly is making half the internet so convinced that major figures in Hollywood, media and politics are secret body doubles.  From Paul McCartney’s “Paul is dead” rumor to Avril Lavigne’s alleged double, to modern TikTok investigations we dive into:How social media fuels conspiracy theoriesWhy aging celebrities trigger these reactionsThe role of AI The psychology behind viral conspiraciesFollow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz 

What is Section 230 and why is everyone trying to kill it?Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co   In the latest episode of my Section 230 mini-series I’m joined by Mike Masnick, founder of Techdirt and host of the amazing Section 230 podcast Otherwise Objectionable. Mike breaks down how the whole drama around Section 230 began, and how this extremely inconsequential law became vilified by the mainstream media. We also debunk the biggest myths about Section 230 and breaking down how the law actually works, and why removing it would make Big Tech even more powerful.Read Mike's excellent Section 230 myth busting on Techdirt:https://www.techdirt.com/2020/06/23/hello-youve-been-referred-here-because-youre-wrong-about-section-230-communications-decency-act/

BUY COLA CORP APPAREL: https://www.thecolacorporation.com  (None of this is sponsored, I just really want people to support him!!!!) Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co    What happens when the government doesn't like your t-shirts? Joe, founder of Cola Corporation, has dealt with DMCA takedowns, letters from the LAPD, shipments seized by US Customs and Border Protection, and bans from advertising on virtually every major social platform including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Etsy.In this episode of Free Speech Friday, I sit down with him to talk about what it's really like to run an independent political clothing brand that challenges power. We talk about fashion and clothing as tools of resistance and the high price of using fashion as a tool for political criticism. Clothing has long been a way to communicate political beliefs, from protest shirts to campaign merch. But in the era of social media platforms, algorithms, and online marketplaces, the boundaries of acceptable expression are constantly being tested.The designs mentioned in this episode:⁠ https://www.thecolacorporation.com/collections/taylor⁠THE FREE SPEECH 1A SWEATER:⁠ https://www.thecolacorporation.com/products/1a-sparks⁠  Topics discussed in this interview include:• The rise of political merchandise online • Social media censorship and advertising bans • Etsy and TikTok removing controversial designs • Police legal threats over a T-shirt slogan • Government seizure of political clothing • The Streisand effect and viral controversy • Free speech and political expression through fashionFollow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz        https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0       https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz   https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social    https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  

 Is The Nicki Minaj Bot Scandal the Future of Politics?Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co   The lines between entertainment, celebrity beef, and political propaganda are blurring. A few weeks ago, a POLITICO report sent shockwaves through Stan Twitter and the MAGA internet. The story reported that Nicki Minaj’s sudden pro-Trump pivot was being secretly propped up by an army of tens of thousands of bots. But is this a case of genuine political shifting, or is it the result of "invisible machinery" running beneath the surface of our cultural life?Pop culture commentator Olay Olurinatti joins me to dive deep into the 24-page report from the AI intelligence firm that claims over 18,000 bots were used to amplify Nicki’s conservative messaging. We explore Nicki's history, from her 2012 Mitt Romney praise to her "Black Barbies" resistance era, and unpack what changed and what role the internet, and platform incentives have played. Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0      https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz We break down:The "Coordinate Effort" vs. Organic Fandom (The Barbs).The role of Elon Musk’s X aka Twitter in pushing right-wing narratives.The beef between Cardi B’s team and Trump’s digital strategists.How algorithmic preconditioning is shaping the 2026 midterms.How the Right is successfully infiltrating pop culture fandoms.

Are social media algorithms actually destroying the internet? Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co   In this episode of my Section 230 series, I sit down with Eric Goldman, Associate Dean for Research and Professor at Santa Clara Law, and one of the nation's foremost experts on internet law, to debunk the biggest myths surrounding Section 230 and algorithmic amplification.I hear all the time: platforms should lose their Section 230 protections because they use algorithms. But what actually is an algorithm? Most people don't even understand the basics. Eric and I discuss how even the beloved "reverse chronological order" feed is an algorithm, and why it actually rewards spammers, trolls, and bad actors.We dive deep into how politicians are using the "techlash" to gain power, why censorship has become a bipartisan value, and how companies like Meta actually want Section 230 gone so they can wipe out their smaller competitors. From the dangers of age verification laws to the truth about how algorithms protect us from navigating an internet that functions like a giant folder of Google Drive links, we discuss the real existential threats to the open web, and how arguments about "algorithms" miss the real powers at play. Topics Covered:Why reverse chronological feeds encourage bad contentHow algorithms function as basic editorial choicesWhy Meta/Facebook lobbies to remove Section 230 to build competitive moatsThe bipartisan push for internet censorship and government controlThe devastating impacts of age verification laws and losing youth online spaces

The AI industry just had one of its biggest controversies ever.Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz      🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co      A massive conflict between the Pentagon and leading AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI has triggered a nationwide debate about how artificial intelligence should be used in warfare and surveillance. What started as a $200 million government contract fight quickly spiraled into a Silicon Valley crisis involving autonomous weapons, mass surveillance, and the future of AI regulation.In this episode of Free Speech Friday, I sit down with The Atlantic's Ross Anderson to uncover the dark truth behind the Pentagon’s push for fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. We discuss whether AI models like Claude and ChatGPT should be used for military operations, drone targeting, and intelligence analysis. The controversy intensified when Anthropic reportedly pushed back against certain Pentagon requests while OpenAI later reached a separate agreement with the Department of Defense.We break down exactly how negotiations between Anthropic and the Department of War broke down over using AI to analyze the commercial data of American citizens. From Pete Hegseth going "nuclear" and labeling Anthropic a "supply chain risk", to OpenAI and Sam Altman swooping in at the last minute to claim the government deal, this is the AI drama that broke tech Twitter. Plus, we discuss why Claude experienced a massive subscriber spike while ChatGPT took the military contract.Topics covered in this video include:• The Pentagon AI contract controversy • OpenAI vs Anthropic drama explained • Autonomous weapons and AI warfare • AI surveillance concerns • Silicon Valley reactions to the deal • The future of AI in national security

How Jeffrey Epstein Shaped the Modern Internet: From 4chan to Facebook Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co     Since the release of the Epstein files, we've learned a ton about Epstein's role in the early web. From 4chan to World of Warcraft, to Facebook, and online movements like gamergate and #MeToo, Epstein seems to have played a role in it all. So how much of our modern internet was shaped by Epstein? I sat down with Ryan Broderick, author of the Garbage Day newsletter and host of the Panic World podcast,  to uncover how Jeffrey Epstein quietly warped our modern tech landscape.From his early days scrubbing his SEO to his mysterious networking with Silicon Valley elites, Epstein's rise was intertwined with modern platforms, from MySpace to crypto. We discuss: How Epstein paid thousands of dollars a month for SEO services and "hacked" Wikipedia to hide his criminal record after his 2008 arrest.A multi-year editor war over whether Epstein should be included in the notable offender widget on Wikipedia.He actively explored in-game currencies in World of Warcraft and discussed loot boxes.Epstein met with 4chan founder "Moot" the day before the infamous /pol/ board was created.Epstein and Steve Bannon attempted to build a cryptocurrency-funded far-right movement.The political plot motivated by Epstein's extreme fear of the MeToo movement.How Epstein infiltrated Silicon Valley, meeting with billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Mark Zuckerberg.Epstein's role in Palantir and his bizarre eugenics ideology, hoping to breed young women and create a race of super babies.How Epstein and his elite peers viewed islands and bunkers as a way to outlast climate change without submitting to government regulation. Follow Ryan:https://garbageday.email https://www.youtube.com/@panicworldpod Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co     Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz

How Section 230 Became a Reproductive Rights IssueSupport my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    In this episode of my Section 230 mini series, I break down how anti abortion groups are targeting the internet itself. From the 1873 Comstock Act to modern day efforts to repeal Section 230, there is a long history of using censorship laws to suppress reproductive health information. The fight for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy has always been deeply connected to free speech and open access to information online. I sat down with Sarah Phillips from Fight for the Future to uncover the real, hidden agenda behind the push to repeal Section 230.While politicians constantly frame weakening Section 230 as a way to "hold Big Tech accountable," these efforts actually undermine our right to access vital information related to reproductive justice and abortion online. We dive deep into the history of speech law, and talk about where the fight stands today. Here is what we cover in this episode:How early internet censorship efforts were disguised as protecting kids from indecent material.The devastating impact of SESTA/FOSTA and how it led to mass content takedowns of sex education and LGBTQ+ resources.How the narrative of "tech addiction" is being weaponized to pass restrictive internet laws.How anti-abortion extremists are targeting Section 230 to take down abortion funds and restrict out-of-state travel for care.Why protecting Section 230 is vital for shielding secure messaging apps like Signal and Telegram.Speaking out against Big Tech and challenging institutional power is not lucrative, and these videos are entirely self-funded. If you value this content, please support my work so I can continue making this series!!!Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz 

The Trump admin publicly bragged about demanding that Apple and Facebook remove ICE watch apps and Facebook groups documenting ICE activity, and Big Tech is complying.Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co   [FREE SPEECH FRIDAY]Since last year, Meta, Apple, and other big tech platforms have been mass removing content related to ICE. From deleting Facebook groups who criticize ICE agents to removing apps from the app store that allow citizens to report ICE in their neighborhood, it's becoming harder to criticize ICE online. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), is suing the government in order to get these Facebook groups and apps restored. Colin McDonnell, an attorney at FIRE joins me to break down these seminal lawsuits, how they're taking on the government, and why it's so crucial to protect free expression online. We discuss how DOJ and DHS officials, including Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem, successfully pressured Apple and Facebook to remove an ICE-tracking app and a Chicago-based Facebook group with nearly 100,000 members. Colin breaks down why FIRE is suing the government , whether recording law enforcement in public is protected speech or dangerous "doxing" , and the chilling rumors of a secret ICE protester databaseFollow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz     https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0    https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenzhttps://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz

Would you pay $65,000 to have ChatGPT teach your kids?Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co   404 Media reporter Emmanuel Maiberg joins to discuss the disturbing truth behind Alpha School, an AI-powered private school that has been getting massive hype from mainstream media. While Alpha School promises parents that kids can complete their core education in just two hours a day, leaked internal documents reveal the very chaotic reality behind tech industry buzzwords.Alpha School charges up to $65,000 a year while openly aiming for a "no human in the loop" model to entirely eliminate human teachers. We discuss how their generative AI systems constantly hallucinate, creating illogical lesson plans and tests that treat kids like tech guinea pigs.Even more alarming is the massive data harvesting and surveillance. Alpha School utilizes software that monitors students' screens, web cameras, microphones, and mouse movements, acting essentially as boss-ware for children. We also expose how video recordings of students have been left unsecured in open Google Drive links and how the school's AI scrapes educational material from platforms like IXL and Albert.io, leading to disabled accounts and terms of service violations. Read the 404 Media article: https://www.404media.co/students-are-being-treated-like-guinea-pigs-inside-an-ai-powered-private-school/ Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz 

FOSTA/SESTA shows what happens when you "reform" and chip away at Section 230.Welcome back to my Section 230 mini-series, where I break down the most important and misunderstood law about the internet!!Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    FOSTA-SESTA was the first major amendment and carve-out to Section 230. While the law claimed to be about "cracking down on big tech" and making the internet "safer for children," the result was the mass deplatforming of sex workers and marginalized people online.Activist and adult industry content creator Siri Dahl joins me to discuss how FOSTA-SESTA forced sex workers into incredibly unsafe environments and increased censorship across the board. We dive into the shutdown of Backpage, Tumblr banning all adult content, and how organizations like Morality in Media are pushing a moral panic that lawmakers (and the left!!) have bought into. We also cover how Big Tech has backed these Section 230 "reform" efforts. If we don't understand the devastating effects of FOSTA-SESTA, we are doomed to repeat them with new bills like the Sunset Section 230 Act or Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). We must protect Section 230 at all costs! Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz 

Democrats just handed ICE exactly what ICE asked for.[FREE SPEECH FRIDAY]If you value my reporting, please, please support my work 👇👇👇Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz      Subscribe to my Substack:  https://www.usermag.co   Body cameras were supposed to hold police accountable. So why is police violence still rising? Why are cops almost never convicted using body cam footage? And why are Democrats (the same politicians who just tripled the ICE budget) now demanding that ICE agents wear body cameras?In this episode of Free Speech Friday, I sit down with Alec Karakatsanis, lawyer and author of the fantastic book Copaganda, to uncover the hidden history of police body cameras. While body cams are presented as a technological fix to deeply rooted institutional problems, they actually have the opposite effect.We talk about how the multi-billion dollar police surveillance industry originally struggled to get funding for these cameras, how Steven Spielberg donated money to put cameras on cops, how the narrative completely shifted, and how Big Tech is cashing in.Big Tech interest groups and reactionary non-profits are spending millions to push mass surveillance and censorship laws. My work is 100% self-funded. This series is not backed by any advertisers or tech giants. If you value my reporting, please, please support my work 👇👇👇Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz      Subscribe to my Substack:  https://www.usermag.co   Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz         https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0        https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social    https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz We break down:How the police surveillance industry lobbied for body cameras for years before Ferguson, and why they desperately wanted themThe brilliant marketing switch that rebranded body cams from a police surveillance tool into an "accountability and transparency" reformWhy body camera footage is used every single day to prosecute poor people in courtrooms across America, but almost never used against the policeHow Barack Obama, Eric Holder, and the Democratic Party helped sell this surveillance expansion to liberalsWhy the DOJ's own research shows body cameras do NOT reduce police misconduct or violenceHow ICE agents who killed Alex Preti and René Good were already filming themselves and were celebrated by their bossesThe AI, facial recognition, and predictive policing data being harvested from body cam footage right nowWhy demanding body cams on ICE is a distraction from real accountability and actually gives ICE more money and powerHow Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Kristi Noem all ended up on the same side of this debateThe parallel between body cam propaganda and Democrat-backed internet surveillance laws

Are dumb phones actually the solution to our anxieties, or are they a $400 scam built on a moral panic?~~~~~~~~~~My work is 100% self-funded and this series is not backed by any advertisers or tech giants. If you value my reporting, please, please support my channel: Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     Subscribe to my Substack:  https://www.usermag.co  ~~~~~~~~~~~~Over the past few years, a massive industry has emerged around dumb phones and the concept of logging off. From $400 minimalist dumb phones to influencers selling digital detox courses, logging off has become big business. Schools are banning phones. Politicians are blaming screen time. Media outlets are calling Gen Z “addicted.”But is ditching your smartphone actually the answer? In this video, I sat down with WIRED journalist Elana Klein to unpack the rise of the logging-off movement. We discuss how reasonable concerns over screen time have metastasized into a consumer movement selling $400 minimalist dumb phones for millions in profit. We also dive deep into the anti-smartphone moral panic , which is heavily pushed by reactionary politicians and legacy media. We explore the history of our relationship with the internet, from the tech optimism of the early 2010s and the algorithmic shift in 2016 , to the dangerous reality of school phone bans that are leading to AI surveillance and increased police interactions for students.We also talk about the concept of "smartphone addiction," what it really means, and why your issues with technology are often manifestations of much larger societal problems. Elana's piece: https://www.wired.com/story/dumbphone-owners-have-literally-lost-their-mindsMORE READING:https://www.wired.com/story/the-wired-guide-to-protecting-yourself-from-government-surveillancehttps://www.wired.com/story/guide-protect-data-from-hackers-corporationsFollow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz        https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0       https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz   https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz   We cover:The history of smartphones and how our relationship to them changedWhy dumb phones are being marketed as luxury wellness productsThe moral panic around teen mental health and smartphones (and why the data is messier than you think)How figures like Tristan Harris and Jonathan Haidt shaped the anti-tech, pro-surveillance narrativeWhy "phone addiction" isn't a real clinical concept, and what you're actually feelingPractical ways to improve your relationship with technology without throwing your phone in a riverWhy the anti-smartphone movement is anti-privacy and pro-surveillanceHow to think about your phone as a tool instead of an enemy

Sen. Ron Wyden speaks about Section 230, internet freedom, free speech, and how Trump is pushing big tech's policies. Big Tech interest groups and reactionary non-profits are spending millions to try to get Section 230 revoked. My work is 100% self-funded. This series is not backed by any advertisers or tech giants. If you value this reporting, please, please support the channel: Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    Subscribe to my Substack:  https://www.usermag.co Section 230 is one of the most important, and most misunderstood, laws in the history of the internet. In this episode of my Section 230 mini series, I sit down with Senator Ron Wyden, one of the original co authors of Section 230, to break down what the law actually does, why it exists, and what would happen if it were repealed. Section 230 protects user generated content and ensures platforms are not treated as the speaker of everything posted online. Without it, social media platforms, forums, comment sections, Wikipedia, Reddit, and any website that hosted user generated content could be sued out of existence.There is growing political pressure to "reform" aka dismantle Section 230 entirely. If you care about online privacy, free speech, data surveillance, algorithm accountability, Big Tech regulation, or the future of the internet, I hope you'll watch!This is part two of my Section 230 deep dive series taking place every Monday. Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0      https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  We cover:• What Section 230 really says• Why both the left and right are attacking it• Whether repealing 230 would protect kids• The truth about Big Tech and liability• Identity verification and online privacy• Surveillance advertising and algorithm regulation• What free speech online actually means• Why generative AI is not covered by Section 230

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pushing a bill that would END free speech on the internet, and he has absolutely no idea what he's talking about.[FREE SPEECH FRIDAY]Join the Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz⁠  Subscribe to my Substack:  ⁠https://www.usermag.co⁠  Section 230 is one of the most important laws in the history of the internet. It is often called “the law that created the internet” because it protects websites, forums, blogs, comment sections, Wikipedia, and every platform that hosts user-generated content.But for some reason, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt wants it gone. Yesterday, he released a video following backlash from his talk last week in congress, where he called on Senators to repeal Section 230.Almost every single thing he said in his response video was factually wrong.For this week's Free Speech Friday episode, I'm debunking Gordon-Levitt's crusade against Section 230 and unpacking how repealing Section 230 would actually mass-censor the internet, wipe out indie platforms, destroy LGBTQ and marginalized online spaces, and hand total monopoly power over to Meta, Google, and powerful billionaires. I also break down the far-right groups like Morality in Media and The Heritage Foundation, which has made Section 230 repeal core to their Project 2025 tech policy agenda. If Section 230 is repealed, the cost of defending user speech could jump from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per lawsuit. It would wipe out small communities overnight and leave only Big Tech corporations with buildings full of lawyers.Mike Masnick’s brilliant takedown of JGL’s claims on TechDirt: https://www.techdirt.com/2026/02/12/joseph-gordon-levitt-goes-to-washington-dc-gets-section-230-completely-backwards/ Support independent tech journalism!Big Tech interest groups and reactionary non-profits are spending millions to try to get Section 230 revoked. My work is 100% self-funded. This series is not backed by any advertisers or tech giants. If you value this reporting, please, please support the channel: Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   Subscribe to my Substack:  https://www.usermag.co    Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz In this video I cover:What Section 230 actually saysThe publisher vs platform mythWhy Section 230 was created after Stratton Oakmont v ProdigyHow FOSTA SESTA changed Section 230Why repeal would increase censorshipHow lawsuits would silence speechWhy big tech companies can survive without 230 but small platforms cannotThe real way to regulate big tech through antitrust and data privacy

White women have long been a core voting bloc for conservatives, so why are right wing media figures suddenly obsessed with attacking them?Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co   In this episode, Crooked Media Hysteria's Erin Ryan joins me to break down the growing hatred towards white women in MAGA spaces and conservative media. From the massive hate campaigns against Amber Heard and Blake Lively, to smearing women like Renee Good during today's ICE protests in Minneapolis, to so-called "Karens" and accusations of hysteria, to the idea of "toxic empathy," we unpack why white women who step outside their assigned role have become such a powerful political target.We discuss the demonization of "Wine Moms" and "Childless Cat Ladies" in relation to the rise of the trad-wife fantasy. We explore why conservative media is obsessed with controlling white women and why this demographic is trending away from the Republican party. We also examine how these narratives are used to justify regressive policies around reproduction, education, marriage, and bodily autonomy.We discuss why scapegoating white women in particular works, why it’s so effective, and what it reveals about a movement that needs the most privileged women to be silent and compliant.Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  We cover: ➤ The origins of "white woman" as an insult—from both the left and right ➤ Why MAGA is strategically attacking their own voting base ➤ The "toxic empathy" narrative and why caring is now considered dangerous ➤ How this keeps conservative women in line through fear ➤ The connection to attacks on IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive freedom ➤ Why passport bros and the manosphere hate white women specifically ➤ What this reveals about the MAGA vision for women in America

🚨 URGENT: Section 230 is under attack and it affects EVERY person who uses the internet. This is part 1 of my deep-dive series exposing the truth about the most important internet law ever created.Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz 🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Every single time you leave a comment, post a review, or send a message, you are being protected by a law called Section 230, and right now, politicians on both sides of the aisle are trying to destroy it. Section 230 is the legal foundation for the modern internet. It’s why websites can host comments, forums, reviews, group chats, marketplaces, and social platforms without being sued into oblivion. It’s why Wikipedia exists. In this video, I break down what Section 230 actually is, why it was created, and how it shaped the internet as we know it. I uncover the forgotten history of the internet, from the early legal battles of CompuServe and Prodigy to the landmark Zeran v. AOL ruling. I explore why the "Big Tech" narrative is a lie, how repealing Section 230 would actually crush small creators and marginalized communities, and why recent efforts like FOSTA-SESTA have already been a disaster for human rights, marginalized communities, small forums, nonprofits, and independent creators. Despite what politicians and pundits claim, NONE of this is about protecting big tech companies. The fight over Section 230 is about who controls online speech, who gets a voice, and whether the internet remains an open space for all of us, or becomes a tightly controlled AI-surveilled hellscape dominated by censorship and corporate consolidation.This is the first episode in my entirely self-funded and self-produced multi-part series on Section 230. I dive deep into internet history, free expression and the growing push for mass online censorship. If you care about free speech, online communities, privacy, or the future of the internet (which you should!!!), this fight affects YOU, whether you realize it or not.Subscribe for the rest of the series, support my work below, and stay informed about the laws quietly shaping your digital life!Resources: https://www.whatissection230.orghttps://badinternetbills.comhttps://www.stoponlineidchecks.org Support my channel 🙏 My Section 230 educational series is 100% self-funded and self-produced. 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz 🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Follow me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz Instagram (alt): https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social Covered in this video:What is Section 230 How CompuServe and Prodigy created the internet as we know itHow Section 230 protects ordinary users, not corporationsWhy both political parties are lying about this lawThe real reasons politicians want Section 230 goneWhy Big Tech SUPPORTS weakening Section 230How Section 230 protects marginalized communities, sex workers, LGBTQ groups, and reproductive justice activistsWhat you can do RIGHT NOW to fight back

The UK is rapidly becoming one of the most aggressive surveillance states in the democratic world, and many don't even realize it's happening.Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    [FREE SPEECH FRIDAY]The UK has officially slid into a dystopian surveillance state, and the rest of the world is next. On this week's Free Speech Friday The Kavernackle joined me to discuss the terrifying reality of the Online Safety Act, the push for mandatory Digital ID, and how the UK is leading the global charge toward authoritarianism and mass surveillance. From banning VPNs to arresting citizens for social media posts, the British government is dismantling privacy under the guise of "safety." We break down how liberals like Keir Starmer are spearheading these mass surveillance programs and why the "Blitz Spirit" mentality has altered the way so many in the UK understand nationalism and privacy. The mass surveillance framework being built in London is coming to the US, as the crackdown on free speech is spreading across the globe.Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  In this video, we cover:The Online Safety Act: How the new laws can force you to scan your face to access basic websites.Why the UK is trying to ban VPNs and remove online anonymity.How "hate speech" laws are weaponized against political dissent and pro-Palestine protests.Why British culture is uniquely susceptible to authoritarian overreach.Why US Democrats are adopting the exact same censorship playbook as Kier Starmer and Tony Blair. UK surveillance lawsOnline Safety Act explainedDigital ID and age verificationFacial recognition onlineVPN bansFree speech crackdownsTech censorshipMass data collection

The MLM industry has rebranded for the TikTok era. Now, instead of hawking LuLaRoe leggings, women are paying $500 for PDFs on how to become micro influencers. Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co   The "hustle economy" is no longer about selling essential oils or leggings to your neighbors. A new wave of multi-level marketing-style schemes has taken over Instagram and TikTok. Digital courses specifically targeting young mothers with the promise of "passive income" and "financial freedom" by becoming a content creator have become pervasive. In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Moss (founder of "Gee Thanks, Just Bought It") to break down how content creation became the new digital pyramid scheme. We expose the dark reality of the influencer economy, the rise of Faceless Marketing scams, and why so many women are buying $500 PDFs just to turn around and sell that same PDF to someone else.We talk about influencer saturation, the use of ChatGPT to write generic "chaos mama" scripts, the rise of "course core" and the heartbreaking reality that most of these creators are making absolutely zero dollars.  Follow me:https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz     https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0    https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenzhttps://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz Follow Caroline: http://geethanks.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/geethanksjustboughtitpodIn This Video:The evolution of MLMs.Why "Faceless Marketing" is the new trap for introverts.Selling courses about selling courses.The role of ChatGPT in generating low-quality influencer content.Why viral views don't equal a paycheck.The psychology of targeting stay-at-home moms.The origins of the mommy blogger world, Heather Armstrong aka "Dooce"