God, I hate posting a Reddit comment, but this is huge. Every claim is sourced (I have not verified personally).
Edit: Well, Reddit does what reddit does, it’s been removed. Here is a github link: https://github.com/upper-up/meta-lobbying-and-other-findings
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.bestiver.se/post/985257
tl;dr it was Meta (because of course it was). It is a little strange though, I would think they would absolutely want this sort of PII but they’re pushing for Google and Apple to deal with it.
I’m guessing one of the motives is to be able to get more data from non meta users. If the API exists at the operating system level, they can then use the code behind that stupid little Facebook button that every website has to get user age as well as the normal browser fingerprinting data.
God, I hate them so f-n much. Ad-supported social media must die.
My understanding is the API only applies to app stores.
Nope. Most of these legislations are pushing for OS level.
Yes, and the OS communicates this to the app stores.
App stores and anything else that makes a call to that API.
Your browser would have to allow that.
You mean the browsers all based on code from Google and Apple, who also want that info, and will be pressured to use that API to “protect the children” from adult websites?
And everything else, including via the little Facebook button on various pages.
No.
Or take the blame. Either way, I was expecting Palantir.
Zuck is on board with destroying democracy as much as Theil, otherwise Zuck wouldn’t have personally hired Joel Kaplan back in 2009.
I recall reading an article a few days ago saying it was Meta behind it. I feel like tons of research wasn’t needed when the answer key was already known.
Independently verifying it is still worthwhile.
Horrible company is responsible for horrible thing they claimed to have done. More at 11.
I deploy hundreds of docker containers every day that run general purpose operating systems. These bills seem dumb at a fundamental level regardless of the terrible privacy implications.
And then some kid buys a used raspberry pi or wipes an old computer and circumvents it all anyway.
“The research is published in a git repository with every source embedded. It does not depend on Reddit’s infrastructure to survive.”
proceeds to post on Microslop’s Github
Shouldn’t be hard to clone it to any other git server. Since you’re concerned, get on it.
Sdf probably even has their own.
Yup, they do! It’s on the list of 101 SDF things I should be using but somehow amn’t.
I wonder how many forks outside of Github there would be going for this repo by end of tomorrow…
Or go straight to the linked github page which seems to be where they’re storing all the data and analysis
https://github.com/upper-up/meta-lobbying-and-other-findings
TY for your service.
It really throws a light on the shit that they’re up to over this side of the Atlantic.
https://www.irishtimes.com/technology/big-tech/2025/10/30/data-protection-rules-completely-out-of-control-meta-tells-government/ https://archive.is/M8wbm
https://noyb.eu/en/former-meta-lobbyist-named-dpc-commissioner-meta-now-officially-regulates-itself
Meta has engaged in significant lobbying activities within the European Union regarding privacy and content regulations, often overlapping with discussions on “chat control” (a controversial EU proposal to scan private messages for child sexual abuse material, or CSAM).
Key developments regarding Meta’s influence in the EU, based on recent reports, include:
Lobbying on AI and Tech Regulation: As of April 2025, reports suggest Meta has been actively lobbying to influence or dilute EU artificial intelligence and technology regulations.
Influence on Digital Privacy Legislation: Meta and other “Big Tech” entities have been subject to intense scrutiny and lobbying investigations concerning how they affect European privacy laws, including GDPR compliance and potential chat control measures.
Regulatory Independence Concerns: Civil society organizations (including the Centre for Countering Digital Hate and EDRi) have raised concerns about the influence of former Meta lobbyists on EU regulators, notably the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), which is the lead supervisor for Meta in the EU.
Antitrust and Competition Conflicts: In February 2026, the European Commission notified Meta of a statement of objections regarding the exclusion of third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp, viewing this as an abuse of its dominant position. This indicates that while Meta lobbies, it is also facing heavy EU regulatory action.
Data Protection Fines: Meta has previously faced substantial fines, such as the €1.3 billion fine in 2023 linked to US-EU data transfer practices.
The “chat control” legislation has faced delays and significant debate regarding its impact on privacy vs. security, with civil liberties groups opposing the mandatory scanning mechanisms that the proposal would introduce.
And… It’s gone. What the fuck?
That’s an impressive investigation.
It would be tough to find a better example of why lobbying in the US is fundamentally broken. An entity like Meta has ample funding to break up an operation into distinct cells that do not directly interact in public forums, while tracking the whole process in documents protected by ACP. I think it’s particularly telling that Meta lobbyists are quietly nodding along legislation pushed by “grass roots” activists and that Meta’s new OS just happens to implement the technology exactly as described in the law.
It’s that sort of coordinated effort that the RICO act was drafted specifically to address, but it’s perfectly legal.
while tracking the whole process in documents protected by ACP.
ACP?
Attorney-Client Privilege. Sorry, I should have just said it.
For anyone who might have avoided this part of the world, ACP makes communications between you and your counsel inadmissible in court. In big companies, it’s somewhat common to bring lawyers into discussions under the auspices of seeking legal advice, but primarily to ensure that if any artifact from that discussion were to be uncovered by an adversary, it couldn’t be used in a lawsuit.
The EPSTEIN CLASS which the Government is doing EVERYTHING to Protect is Behind wanting you AND your Child’s IDS? I COULDNT have Guessed!
wow great post
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