arconciSep 3, 2023
Carl T. Bergstrom

A Saudi man has been sentenced to death for criticizing the government on two anonymous twitter/X accounts with a total of ten followers.

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/31/1196776390/saudi-arabia-man-death-sentence-tweets

Gosh, NPR, I can't imagine how the Saudi authorities could have verified his identity on X.

Sep 1, 2023 at 3:48amWeb
Show threadCarl T. BergstromSep 4, 2023

These are the sorts of details that might’ve been relevant to mention in the story.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/04/twitter-saudi-arabia-human-rights-abuses?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Twitter accused of helping Saudi Arabia commit human rights abuses

Lawsuit says network discloses user data at request of Saudi authorities at much higher rate than for US, UK and Canada

The Guardian
Show threadx- Ollie, check pinned #fortieSep 4, 2023
@ct_bergstrom see we need to eat the rich
Show threadScott LairdSep 4, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Saudi Arabia has a long and colorful history of spying on Twitter. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/former-twitter-employees-charged-with-spying-for-saudi-arabia-by-digging-into-the-accounts-of-kingdom-critics/2019/11/06/2e9593da-00a0-11ea-8bab-0fc209e065a8_story.html.
Former Twitter employees charged with spying for Saudi Arabia by digging into the accounts of kingdom critics

The case raises concerns about the ability of tech firms to protect users’ data from repressive governments.

The Washington Post
Show threadJoeSep 4, 2023
@ct_bergstrom And still more on the Twitter/Saudi cesspool.
Show threadCarl T. BergstromSep 5, 2023
@twitskeptic JFC
Show threadAndreas KSep 6, 2023

@ct_bergstrom
Your private data is on sale with your friendly surveillance capitalist around the next corner.

What a surprise.
@glynmoody

Show threadCharles OuGuoSep 1, 2023

@ct_bergstrom Looks like your link didn't quite work?

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/31/1196776390/saudi-arabia-man-death-sentence-tweets

Show threadCarl T. BergstromSep 1, 2023
@ouguoc Thank you -- fixed.
Show threadEn Buen Ora 🆗Sep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom as Twitter was approaching Elxn's control, I said over and over that *any* private information was going to be handed directly to his Saudi et al backers
Show threadSeiðrSep 1, 2023
@enbuenora @ct_bergstrom One had to be insensibly non-paranoid to not see this coming, true.
Show threadJloSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Sounds like there may be a rat at X. Maybe a Muskrat….
Show threadA Wolf In Cheap ClothingSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom
Elon probably personally told the prince
Show threadxs4me2Sep 1, 2023

@Wolf @ct_bergstrom

Is even possible, for a small favor...

Show threadxs4me2Sep 1, 2023

@ct_bergstrom

Well, they virtually own the platform now...

Where are the protests at the Saudi embassies?

Show threadSimon FlettSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Plainly twitter disclosed personal data used to establish the twitter account(s). Email addresses and/or mobile numbers. Cynical betrayal of trust and contempt for data-privacy.
From this position, one has to assume that here, in the UK, user-data is every bit as much open for inspection by the authorities on request. I have stopped actively using 'X' , but my free & voluble criticism of my repressive, authoritarian, incompetent & deeply un-British Government stays up, with pride.
Show threadToni M.Sep 1, 2023

@ct_bergstrom

It speaks for their level of totalitarianism (and fear?) if they feel threatened by the number of ten.

Show threadlobster 🦞Sep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom

Criticising go-vern-mean-T. Good plan!

Dear UK/GB government you are rubbish. Lock yourselves up. Throw away the key or go and make yourself useless anywhere that will have you … [more tips on request] ​​
Show threadZenoSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Before this story was a joke, now it is a tragedy.
Show threadJake MillerSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom It seems probable that it came from the company, but we do need someone to confirm it. Propublica perhaps?
Show threadRiley S. FaelanSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Needs a picture of Melon whistling pretend-innocently.
Show threadSpiggi🎀Sep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Gee...the Saudis gave Stinky Elon $$ to buy Twitter, & now Elon returns the favor.
NPR afraid to say this?
Show threadMillicentTheMagnificentSep 1, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Hint: it was Elon Musk, the sole and most fierce defender of Free Speech worldwide.
Show threadRadiohead addict'd Sep 2, 2023
@ct_bergstrom
Twitter got rid of all the security team, one of the first thing they did, along with firing the whole team for accessibility.
Show threadLog 🪵Sep 2, 2023
@ct_bergstrom Article buries the lede that the guy was likely sentenced to death to punish his brother for being a state critic all the way from the UK, where he can't be summarily executed unless he goes into the embassy.
Show threadNamanSep 3, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @anildash It’s not the job of a news organisation to publish speculation no matter how likely it is. So let’s give NPR a break here.
Show threadAnil DashSep 3, 2023
@nmn @ct_bergstrom is it their job to report the most likely cause of things, and to accurately describe who the only organization with reliable information would be here?
Show threadNamanSep 3, 2023

@anildash @ct_bergstrom They should report the facts yes. They included how an agent for Saudi Arabia was working for Twitter in the past.

They probably should also mention that Saudi Arabia has a stake in Elon’s X today.

Apart from that making any assumption or insinuation would be irresponsible IMO.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromSep 3, 2023
@nmn @anildash While NPR was not my primary target with this post, I would tend to think that a news organization would, without engaging in inappropriate speculation, report relevant information about corporate ownership.
Show threadNamanSep 3, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @anildash That’s fair. They correctly included the information about the Saudi Agent who was found working for Twitter in the past. They should also report the Saudi investment in Twitter itself.
Show threadΩ 🌍 Gus PoseySep 3, 2023
@ct_bergstrom This is why tendrils like LIV Golf have to be stomped out; there can't be even a tacit acceptance of the brutal greed that encapsulates Saudi Arabia.