Ctrl-Alt-Speech
News & Politics
About
Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly news podcast co-created by Techdirt’s Mike Masnick and Everything in Moderation’s Ben Whitelaw. Each episode looks at the latest news in online speech, covering issues regarding trust & safety, content moderation, regulation, court rulings, new services & technology, and more.The podcast regularly features expert guests with experience in the trust & safety/online speech worlds, discussing the ins and outs of the news that week and what it may mean for the industry. Each episode takes a deep dive into one or two key stories, and includes a quicker roundup of other important news. It's a must...
Episodes
- The Human Element in the Room
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and First Amendment lawyer Ari Cohn. They discuss recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including AI, age verification, and digital censorship infrastructur…
- Age Against the Machine
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features a discussion on online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including the role of AI chatbots, with segments on AI chatbot news, social media legislation, and YouTube in education.
- Celebrating 100 Episodes & Launching Our Patreon
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech celebrates 100 episodes and announces the launch of their Patreon. Listeners can get early access to extended weekly episodes and other benefits through different membership tiers.
- The Silence of the LLMs
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers various topics related to online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. It discusses LLMs, AI models, and policy news from different regions and publications.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ Internet
Fadzai Madzingira, a digital policy expert, joins Ben on Ctrl-Alt-Speech to discuss online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. They cover topics like teen social media use, Meta's Oversight Board funding, and global intern…
- Age Old Questions
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers current news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including social media age restrictions, child safety legislation, and content removal on platforms like YouTube and Instagr…
- For Meta or Worse
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech discusses current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Featured topics include Meta-related news, a Supreme Court copyright ruling, and social media censorship.
- Money for Nothing and Clicks for a Fee
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include AI fraud in music streaming, a TikTok deal, and the concept of "enshittification" as discussed in Norway.
- Writing Some Wrongs
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent developments in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include the controversies surrounding AI writing tools like Grammarly and the impact…
- The (Content Moderation) Eras Tour
In this episode, Ben and Mike from Ctrl-Alt-Speech discuss the evolution of content moderation through three distinct eras: The Strange Fascination Era (2003–2015), The “We’re Watching You” Era (2016–2020), and The Mask Off Era (2021–prese…
- Let Fly the Claudes of War, with Casey Newton
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Casey Newton and Ben discussing current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics covered include AI developments at the Pentagon, challenges with age verification…
- Panic! At The Discord
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Ben and Dr. Blake Hallinan discussing current news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include Section 230, Discord settings, and EU regulations for platforms like…
- FAFO: Claude Goes High Brow With Its Super Bowl Ad & "Constitution"; OpenAI Scrambles
This episode, cross-posted from Future Around And Find Out, features Dan Blumberg and Kwaku Aning. They discuss AI agents, Anthropic's Super Bowl ad, Claude's "Constitution," OpenAI's recent struggles, and the importance of AI Engine Optim…
- C'est la Vile Content
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include EU X fine details, censorship reports, X office raids, TikTok moderation, and social…
- Think Globally, Stack Locally
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Konstantinos Komaitis discussing recent developments in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, with a focus on TikTok's operations and data practices. They also cover t…
- This Episode is Broadly Safe to Listen To
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech discusses current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include developments at YouTube, Google's role as an arbiter of truth, and Telegram's content moderation policie…
- We’ve Hit Grok Bottom
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers recent news regarding Elon Musk's Grok chatbot, focusing on probes, content moderation, and image generation. The hosts also discuss proposed social media regulations for young people and other tech n…
- Spotlight: Five Years of the Oversight Board, from Experiment to Essential Institution
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features host Ben Whitelaw, Oversight Board co-chair Paolo Carozza, and Board member Julie Owono. They discuss the Board's five-year journey, its recently published report "From Bold Experiment to Essential…
- Making Our 2026 Bingo Card
In this episode, Mike and Ben look ahead to 2026 and start building a bingo card of potential events for the year. They discuss some initial ideas and ask listeners for contributions to complete the card.
- Have Yourself a Very Meta Christmas
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include Meta's content policies, Facebook's link-posting limits, age-check systems, and the…
- Censors & Sensibility
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech, "Censors & Sensibility," features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. They cover various topics including EU tech regulations, H1-B visa scruti…
- Stuck in the Middleware with Youth
Ben and Vaishnavi J discuss current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including legislative changes and industry responses to child safety online. They cover topics such as KOSA overhauls, internet age v…
- Spotlight: Building Better CSAM Detection with Resolver’s George Vlasto
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features George Vlasto from Resolver, discussing the organization's 20 years of online safety work. The conversation highlights Resolver's methods for scaling CSAM detection and their new tool, ATHENA.
- You Can't Antitrust Anyone These Days
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers Meta's FTC antitrust win, the EU's review of tech rules, lawsuits against social media laws, and TikTok's new AI content settings. It also discusses the challenges faced by trust and safety profession…
- Deviation from the Teen
Ben is joined by Kenji Yoshino, a law professor and member of the Oversight Board. They discuss various topics related to online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including a teen safety blueprint, AI safety standards, a…
- New Blocks On The Kids
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent developments in online speech and content moderation. Topics include child social media regulations, AI-generated content issues, and various internet regulation news…
- Chat Bot Your Tongue?
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers recent developments in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Mike and Ben discuss concerns about AI chatbots, new digital rules for tech companies, and content moderation issues.
- A Tale of Two Internets
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include AI-generated content's impact on Reddit, social media age restrictions, and misinfor…
- Rated R for Ridiculous
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including discussions on OpenAI, TikTok, and the impact of social media on teenagers.
- With Great Platforms Come Great Responsibility
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Ben and Thomas Hughes discussing current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include platform responsibility for content moderation, the Digital Services Act…
- Moderating is Such Sweet Sorrow
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Dave Willner discussing content moderation, internet regulation, and online speech news. Topics include Masnick's Impossibility Theorem, UK attempts to access Apple cloud data, Imgur's exit…
- From 'Free Speech' To 'Flag This'
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers various topics including online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. It discusses platforms' responses to the Charlie Kirk shooting, digital controls in Britain, and the potential new…
- It's a Banned, Banned, Banned, Banned World
This episode covers a range of topics related to online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including Nepal's decision to block social media platforms and lawsuits against extraterritorial censorship. The hosts also touch…
- The Haidt of Hypocrisy
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers current events in online speech and content moderation, including discussions on Jordan's tech arguments, Jonathan Haidt's views on smartphones, and AI developments such as "deadbots" and safety testi…
- You Asked, We Answered
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben answering listener questions and sharing recent reviews. It is the second special episode for August, with the podcast resuming its regular weekly news roundups in September.
- What's Next for Ctrl-Alt-Speech
In this episode, Mike and Ben discuss the history and future of the Ctrl-Alt-Speech podcast. They cover how the podcast started, episode creation, their approach to sponsorship, and what is needed for its long-term sustainability.
- Live at TrustCon 2025
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech was recorded live at TrustCon 2025. Mike is joined by Alice Hunsberger and Ashken Kazaryan to discuss topics including AI, misinformation, and trust & safety. They also cover a bonus chat with Modulate CEO M…
- The UK Wants Us To Ask Your Age Before You Listen
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech covers discussions on online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include UK age verification for online content, AI sites hosting inappropriate models, and new online safety guideline…
- Move Fast and Mistake Things
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech discusses current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include AI chatbot issues, content moderation errors, and concerns over new anti-fraud systems.
- Don't Believe What This Podcast Says About Misinformation
The episode, titled 'Don't Believe What This Podcast Says About Misinformation,' discusses various perspectives on online misinformation, content moderation, and internet regulation. It also covers the human aspect of AI moderation and the…
- Teen But Not Heard
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Ben and guest host Bridget Todd discussing various topics including AI models, content moderation, internet regulation, and online forums. They also cover an incident involving a man proposing to an…
- Outsourced But Not Out Of Mind
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech, titled "Outsourced But Not Out Of Mind," features discussions on online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include Meta facing lawsuits in Kenya for human trafficking and algorithmi…
- Outrage For The Machine
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Featured topics include online extremism, social media policies, and the protection of minors onlin…
- Algorithm Shrugged
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and guest host Zeve Sanderson discussing current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include the role of algorithms in radicalization, the persuasivenes…
- Moderation Without Representation
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features guest host Hank Green discussing online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include platform influence on creators and the role of AI in education.
- Hypocritical Infrastructure
In this episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech, Mike and guest host Cathy Gellis delve into the latest developments in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. They cover topics such as AI training, social media content policies, an…
- Look What The Chat Dragged In
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech discusses the latest news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include group chats, powerful conservatives, Meta facing lawsuits over extreme content, social media moderators…
- Red Pills & Blue Checks
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech features Mike and Ben discussing recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. They cover 4chan's legacy, Oversight Board decisions, Meta's policy overhaul, and the impact of soc…
- Why Can't We De-Friend
This episode of Ctrl-Alt-Speech explores current events in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation, including discussions on Facebook, social media platforms, and new online initiatives. It covers various articles and re…
- Can't Take(down) A Joke?
Ben and guest host Prateek Waghre discuss recent news in online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation. Topics include the Kunal Kamra controversy in India, unblocking websites, and social media screening for immigrants.