The Latest Breaking News from Mike Masnick

Cambridge Decriminalizes Sex Work—Sort Of

Harvard's hometown just adopted a new policy against arresting or prosecuting sex workers. But what the policy means in practice—including for sex buyers—is debatable.

Reason · Oct 12

Minnesota's Nudification Ban Could Punish People Over Parodies and Stripped-Down Selfies. Elon Musk's xAI Is Suing.

The law is written so broadly it could punish services that let you fake an image of yourself in a swimsuit.

Reason · Aug 5

A Jury Hit Meta With a $375 Million Verdict. The Open Internet May Pay the Price.

Meta's loss in a New Mexico "product design" case could also be a blow against Section 230, free speech, and online privacy.

Reason · Mar 25

Warning: These Social Media Rules Will Erode Civil Liberties

Plus: Pittsburgh lowers prostitution penalty, FSC v. Paxton, the Diddy verdict, and more…

Reason · Jul 9, 2025

Study: Age-Verification Laws Don't Work

At least not if the goal is keeping minors from viewing porn.

Reason · Mar 12, 2025

While Trump blathers about tariffs and Gaza, Musk is executing a coup d’état

Don’t be distracted by the president’s calculated bluster – it’s his unelected sidekick who’s taking over the US government

The Guardian - UK · Feb 8, 2025

How the FCC's 'Warrior for Free Speech' Became Our Censor in Chief

Brendan Carr has a clear record of threatening to suppress constitutionally protected speech.

Reason · Feb 5, 2025

Trump Is Coming for Tech Companies

It looks like we can expect the antitrust assaults to continue.

Reason · Dec 9, 2024

'Let Parents Decide' What Kids Can Do Online, Argue Tech Groups in New Lawsuit

The groups are challenging a Florida law that bans some teens from social media.

Reason · Oct 30, 2024

How the Feds Destroyed Backpage.com and Its Founders

By prosecuting the website's founders, the government chilled free speech online and ruined lives.

Reason · Oct 30, 2024