Center for Digital Democracy

A #doordash takeover of #Instacart would be key test for US & global antitrust, privacy & consumer protection regulators, inc. on role of AI. Raises serious concerns across the board. Background reading: bit.ly/4suNKcK; bit.ly/4yOO9Iu

A #doordash takeover of #Instacart would be key test for US & global antitrust, privacy & consumer protection regulators, inc. on role of AI. Raises serious concerns across the board. Background reading: bit.ly/4suNKcK; bit.ly/4yOO9Iu

Consolidation of potentially politically aligned media: growing global intertwined set of holdings, inc. Starlink, Skydance/Warner/CBS/Paramount/CNN plus one should analyze Redbird. Illustrates failure of regulation-mergers, spectrum, competition & ensuring diverse voices. .https://bit.ly/4jBpcwo

New Mastercard "Max" AI-driven card (see video) illustrates why consumer & financial protection required for these systems & models, inc. addressing "engagement" tactics. "Mastercard Max...timely guidance and helps them take action in the moments that matter most..." bit.ly/47tnCFw

Spectrum reforms at the #FCC should be a priority for new Congress, inc. review of #Starlink licenses & operations. Public property must have real benefits & accountability to American people. See for ex. www.fcc.gov/document/fcc...; www.technewsworld.com/story/spacex...

Stupid Intelligence example? Via #Puck. "...Elon Musk affirmed that he’d change SpaceXAI to “SpaceXSI”; Jeff Bezos told Fox News he prefers “S.I.” to “A.I.”; and Marc Benioff announced that Salesforce would change its enterprise platform AIForce to SIForce."

Barry Steinhardt was a visionary privacy & digital rights champion, helping create the ACLU's Technology & Liberty Program. Over decades of work, he fought to protect the Internet from censorship; campaigned against surveillance; and led efforts to create laws & policies. We are all in his debt.

US TikTok (Oracle et al) flies the U.S. flag, but platform requires scrutiny on Gen AI centered marketing & data practices. tiktokeconomicimpact.com/tiktok-econo...

We are being warned as Gen AI systems assemble the same sets of capabilities driving commercial surveillance marketing, inc. brand tests, measurement, ad systems. #Consumerprotection #privacy Example here: www.mi-3.com.au/06-10-2026/o...

AI+ Data+Big Adtech Product Placement alert: "The process unfolds with Omnicom Media using its RealID audience identification product within Acxiom matched with streamers’ viewership data to pick the right shows for a brand. That’s then mapped against in-content ad opportunities..." bit.ly/4rU0ZTV

Do we need "self-improving" Gen AI systems built for orchestrating our experiences for monetization & influence. "...novel LLM/Agent frameworks...that brings these LLMs and agents to life at a global scale." Note TikTok position. bit.ly/4iZRMXT

Tragedy of the failed work to stop WarnerMount implicit here. Missed opportunity for US democracy--inc media creativity, content/ownership diversity & robust journalism. The $, vision & alliances. We cannot treat our media resources merely as investments www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...

"If the Trump Adm. controlled FTC does not act to seriously protect Americans from the data surveillance leviathan that manipulates what they pay—at the store, pump, and interest from credit --it will leave millions of Americans at greater financial risk." bit.ly/4yRGHwx

This is a deal with State AGs that ignores the market realities of the global media biz. Gen AI will eradicate jobs & skill sets across #WarnerMount's workforce & divisions. The consent degree does nothing to curtail the power of the Ellison's & their backers across vast swaths of our media.

The Paramount takeover of Warner's is a case study. Why we need a regulatory regime to deal with the commercial surveillance media & platform networks that control our information; have growing unchecked (AI) influence on public & whose allegiances are not anchored in democratic values.

The approval of the Ellison takeover of Warner's has huge consequences for US democracy. Underscores need for expanded role for advocates to expose policy/regulatory failures on antitrust, Adtech/AI systems, privacy, content diversity & need for new laws ensuring media pluralism.

Here's a good example of why if we had functioning FTC & CFPB, such "interoperability" agentic payment systems would get the scrutiny required. #GenAI Ant International, Visa, Mastercard Align on AI Agent Verification Rules www.unite.ai/ant-internat...

Consumers and video viewers at risk, including what they pay for streaming & what happens to their data, as Tech Giants expand their lobbying. Note Netflix, Amazon, Google. bit.ly/3VvdtVR

Privacy law we helped @edmarkey.bsky.social pass in 1998 still paying dividends-#Meta case. Allies inc. @EPICprivacy @ConsumerFed @GeorgetownLaw, others). Law firm: "COPPA violations were central to the states' theory of liability...represents the largest COPPA-related enforcement outcome..."

Meta's alliance with WPP on agentic marketing another example of why State AGs needed to look under Meta's digital hood to ensure real accountability. www.wpp.com/en/news/wpp-...

Those concerned about social media & youth should see our new report on role of Gen AI, social media, marketing surveillance. The State AGs should "Call their Agentic" and ensure their deal is aligned with market realities. bit.ly/3Uie90w

Until the State AGs & regulators address the (now) Gen AI+data run ad & marketing systems of #Meta, Google, TikTok, young people will be targets. We have a trillion dollar global ad economy, fueled by the biggest co's, luring us, on every platform, via an agentic driven social media Siren.

“The settlement reaches the features of Meta’s platforms but not the engine...Meta earns nearly all of its money from ads. Young people’s attention is the inventory...Design that captures and holds that attention is not a flaw...it is the business model.." Issues w/AG deal. bit.ly/4zE8qSB

When we lobbied to enact COPPA more than 25 years ago, we knew legal safeguards could protect kids from Big Tech. If #Meta AG settlement doesn't include Gen AI regs, harms raised by our report will threaten youth. Settlement should be looking forward--not older model of engagement. bit.ly/3Uie90w

@AGRobBonta Selling cable channels as part of #WarnerMount deal won't provide competitive relief alone. Data practices empower media co's today. You can sell off channels but still clone targets--esp in AI era. Put all Warner data in a lock box for 10 years. #antitrust

Trump FTC fails Privacy 101. Disclosure is totally ineffective to protect public--esp the complex/multi-partner, deep data-mining & AI driven commercial surveillance pricing system. Illustrates also failure of one-party agency rule--no one left to tell them the truth. bit.ly/46haqmg

Thank you @RalphNader for your ongoing work. Because of Ralph, there has been effective public interest representation on health, consumer protection, antitrust, media reform, more. A debt only repaid by our commitment to keep fighting for justice & fairness. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/16/n...

We map commercial influence across six layers: data collection, profiling, targeting, creative generation, interaction, and measurement. The report shows AI running all six and linking them in a loop, so that a single system can produce a commercial message, deliver it as conversation, and adjust it

AI and Platform Companies Are Building an Unaccountable Persuasion Pipeline, and They Are Pointing It at Children. New report lifts curtain on Gen AI's expansion of commercial surveillance. bit.ly/4wvLwdF

FIFA's digital data & AI practices should be reviewed, inc. "Continuous Fan Experience Ecosystem...Unified Fan Identity: ...connective tissue across all digital touchpoints, enabling the organization to recognize, reach and reward fans whether watching from home or attending match." bit.ly/4fTyNfE

A major Gen AI risk is unprecedented commercial surveillance for marketing & deep commercial influence. bit.ly/4wfSFOP Best to really understand Zuckerberg's Gen AI vision here: www.facebook.com/business/ads...; developers.facebook.com/documentatio...

State must regulate Gen AI. "The FTC’s ongoing hallucination on threats to Gen AI “accuracy” reveal both a misunderstanding of the market and a devotion to a political agenda that does not allow critical and independent policymaking be considered." www.regulations.gov/comment/FTC-...

Thank you @AGRobBonta & your other AG colleagues for standing up for democracy & a competitive media marketplace. This deal has enormous implications & multiple problems that responsible anti-trust regulators must address.

This Trump FTC decision illustrates what will be impact of Scotus' Slaughter decision. Narrow political agenda pursued over the public interest--in this case eliminating safeguards for kids & others. www.ftc.gov/news-events/...

In Fox/Roku tie-up, & with implications for Ellison's Warner's play, antitrust regulators must examine control of the streaming video home screen. www.adexchanger.com/tv/roku-reva...

Paramount's attempt to control Warner's now links it even more to Murdoch's Fox with Roku acquisition. We are talking share of data, viewers, targeting, giving 2 co's even more control. Antitrust regulators should review licensing, data sharing, ad agreements. Follow the data in #WarnerMount.

For background related to Fox & Roku, see our report on how streaming video now key part of vast commercial surveillance complex. democraticmedia.org/publishings/...

There are multiple conflicts in Fox/Roku, inc. a connection to the Ellison's TikTok US ops. Follow the data here esp, inc, with databrokers, GenAI data integration co's, more. For ex: corporate.tubitv.com/press/tubi-p...; corporate.tubitv.com/press/tubi-a...

In Paramount Skydance Warner's deal, look for strong EU/global media connections raising multiple competition concerns across news, sports, entertainment. @CMAgovUK See: www.banijay.com/blog/2026/03...; redbirdcap.com/news/forbes-...

EU regulators should investigate Paramount Skydance's deep connections to EU & other media holdings, such as bit.ly/3QfUTPo; imimedia.com/en/portfolio... Competition, news & program diversity impacts. www.mediaplaynews.com/paramount-as...

Competition, privacy, consumer protection & Gen AI regulators/advocates should examine how potential LiveRamp data will further feed AI marketing/targeting models developed by Publicis. Note ad agency giant related recent digital data buying sprees too. www.publicisgroupe.com/en/news/pres...

The Publicis takeover of LiveRamp illustrates the explosion of commercial agentic AI surveillance marketing worldwide. Growing threats to public, from invasive marketing to privacy to payments to ongoing data+ad+platform media consolidation. Advocates/regulators should address. bit.ly/3P9KrZp

Gen AI lobbyists using same old tired policy playbook, arguing against needed safeguards. Just like Google, Facebook & other digital giants fought any privacy regs. That's how we ended up with commercial surveillance; GenAI marketing ushering in more powerful surveillance & manipulation system.

What were "brand safety" protections for online content @AFergusonFTC fears? "adult & explicit sexual content, crime & harmful acts to individuals, hate speech & acts of aggression, obscenity & profanity, illegal drugs, terrorism, misinformation (verifiably false content)." bit.ly/486bHOx