<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Programmer\u2019s Fulcrum is the future (and smaller) home for a fusion of Symfony Station and Battalion. Its tagline is Devs Defending Democracy, Developing the OMN.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can sign up now<\/a> and for 2025 get an email with links to and featured articles for each week’s Symfony Station Communiqu\u00e9 and Battalion “Destroying Autocracy” post along with their featured articles. And you\u2019ll be set with TPF after the fusing.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are posting on the Fediverse now at @thefulcrum @thefulcrum.dev and original website content will start in 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wrekage\/Salvage writes:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve seized the tools of political life to build communal power, it\u2019s hard to forget what a hammer feels like in your hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bonfire Networks is a tiny software org that has spent the past couple of years building a framework for communities on the open social web. At the end of last week, they released Bonfire Social, a microblogging app.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like Mastodon, Bonfire Social runs on ActivityPub, but it takes differently opinionated approach to sociability.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n (It has) features I (and many others) have been advocating for in Fediverse software for years, often while people explained at length that such things simply could not be implemented.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most exhilarating to me, though, is that they aren\u2019t just building another microblogging app. They\u2019re making a toolkit for internet community software that is healthy and good and designed around real human needs from the start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they put it in their crowdfunding campaign, they\u2019re making building blocks for communities on the open social web.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sparks fly up<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Total awesomeness that needs to blow up. We will cover (and support) Bonfire extensively on The Programmer’s Fulcrum.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We start and end with good news to make the middle bearable.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Kyiv Independent reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ukraine slaps new sanctions on Putin’s team and propagandist publishers<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Radio Free Europe reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n EU ‘Democracy Shield’ Aims To Counter Russian Disinformation<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Open Web Advocacy has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tim Berners-Lee On Apple\u2019s Browser Engine Ban and Web Apps<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ars Technica reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Google will let Android power users bypass upcoming sideloading restrictions<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they say, the proof will be in the pudding.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n LibreOffice has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The role of ODF in digital sovereignty (digital freedom)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Heise reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Office alternative from Germany by Ionos and Nextcloud is now available<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Great.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Speaking of Germany, The Guardian reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ChatGPT violated copyright law by \u2018learning\u2019 from song lyrics, German court rules<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meta could face millions in fines for not signing content deals in Australia<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Digital Rights Bytes asks:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can the government read my text messages?<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 404 Media reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Rules Flock Surveillance Images Are Public Records That Can Be Requested By Anyone<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n TechCrunch reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wikipedia urges AI companies to use its paid API, and stop scraping<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Brookings says:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We should all be Luddites<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Preach brother.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Poynter reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As independent newspapers disappear, a secretive alliance fights to save them<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Open Knowledge shares:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Open letter: Harnessing open source AI to advance digital sovereignty<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ringer has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n How Catastrophic Is It If the AI Bubble Bursts? An FAQ.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 404 Media reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n DHS Gives Local Cops a Facial Recognition App To Find Immigrants<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n TechCrunch reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why a lot of people are getting hacked with government spyware<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lawmakers warn Democratic governors that states are sharing drivers\u2019 data with ICE<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Euractiv reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n EU’s red tape bonfire puts AI ahead of privacy protection<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n NOYB reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n EU Commission internal draft would wreck core principles of the GDPR<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Guardian reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tech giants vow to defend users in US as spyware companies make inroads with Trump administration<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Freedom of the Press Foundation reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kansas county pays $3M for forgetting the First Amendment<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Electronic Frontier Foundation reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs\u2014And They Have No Idea What They’re Doing<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tech Policy Press reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Global Internet Freedom Declines for 15th Consecutive Year<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Center for Democracy and Technology<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Border Search Device Database and AI: How Emerging Tech Could Supercharge the Dangers of an Outdated Warrant Exception<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BleepingComputer reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n APT37 hackers abuse Google Find Hub in Android data-wiping attacks<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BitDefender reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russian hacker admits helping Yanluowang ransomware infect companies<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Register reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n UK asks cyberspies to probe whether Chinese buses can be switched off remotely<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chinese spies told Claude to break into about 30 critical orgs. Some attacks succeeded<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Krebs on Security reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Google Sues to Disrupt Chinese SMS Phishing Triad<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Columbia Journalism Review has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editorial Independence Means Technological Independence<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Open Media Network peeps.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Guardian reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n EU investigates Google over \u2018demotion\u2019 of commercial content from news media<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lies, damned lies and AI: the newest way to influence elections may be here to stay<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Register reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Big Tech’s control freak era is breaking itself apart<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Techno Anarchist Manifesto lists tools<\/a> to help you avoid most of this AI horseshit.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jesus.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Vivaldi has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.I.\u201d browsers: the price of admission is too high<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n GAD Insider reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meta may read your DMs soon: Here\u2019s what you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Low Culture reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Digital colonialism: the new frontier of Latin American dependency.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A side effect of techno feudalism.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n PC Mag reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Asking ChatGPT About Affairs or Abortion? Be Careful, Marketers Are Peeking at Your Prompts<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Register reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n OWASP Top 10: Broken access control still tops app security list<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n IEEE Spectrum reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your AI Agent Is Now a Target for Email Phishing. New tools can help thwart the attacks.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like bitcoin, if you use this shit you deserve what you get.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n DarkReading reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Orgs Move to SSO, Passkeys to Solve Bad Password Habits<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n GlassWorm Returns, Slices Back into VS Code Extensions<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Check out VS Codium friends.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BleepingComputer reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Police disrupts Rhadamanthys, VenomRAT, and Elysium malware operations<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elena Rossini shares:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rebellion will be federated \u2013 2025 edition<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A New Social has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bonfire and A New Social<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bonfire explains:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Matters of care – why Bonfire maintenance comes first.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Comciencia has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A comunica\u00e7\u00e3o da ci\u00eancia no Fediverso<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laura Hargreves shares:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Growing My Own Little Fediverse: The Joy of Going Further Down the Rabbit Hole<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inside My Matrix: How I Reclaimed Messaging from the Cloud<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n TechCrunch reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Threads targets podcasters with new features, aiming to become the home for show discussions<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BTW, fuck Threads.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Connected Places has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATmosphere Report 142<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATmosphere Report 142 – more new apps<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Dabbler has:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chicken Caesars: they’re messing with your Bluesky feed<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n TechCrunch reports:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack Dorsey funds diVine, a Vine reboot that includes Vine\u2019s video archive<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hmm, this is built with Nostr.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/ul>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Keep fighting!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Welcome to this week’s \u201cDestroying Autocracy\u201d. It’s your source for curated news affecting democracy in the cyber arena with a focus on protecting it. That necessitates an opinionated Butlerian jihad against big tech as well as evangelizing for open-source and the Fediverse. Since big media’s journalism wing is flailing and failing in its core duty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[69],"tags":[57,66,67,92,74,73,210,296,65,75,58,284,153,86,143,63,61,252,250,62,295],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3838"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3883,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838\/revisions\/3883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"The](\"https:\/\/battalion.mobileatom.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPF-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure>\n
\n\nFeatured Item(s)<\/h2>\n
\n\nThe response to Russia\u2019s War Crimes, Techno Feudalism, and other douchebaggery<\/h2>\n
\n\nNeutral<\/h2>\n
\n\nThe Evil Empire (AKA Autocracy) Strikes Back<\/h2>\n
Pariah States<\/h3>\n
Big Media<\/h3>\n
Big Tech<\/h3>\n
\n\nCybersecurity\/Privacy<\/h2>\n
\n\nFediverse<\/h2>\n
\n\nSlightly Decentralized Social Media<\/h3>\n
\n\nCTAs (aka show us some free love)<\/h2>\n
\n