IT & Technology News
Reporting on information technology, cybersecurity, and tech policy. The Daily Signal includes analysis, commentary, and opinion on technology’s impact.
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- News
These 31 States Have Banned TikTok on Government-Issued Devices, Networks
31 states, led by Democrats and Republicans alike, have taken action to ban the popular Chinese-owned app TikTok on some or all state-issued devices and networks. 1. Nebraska Then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, banned TikTok for state devices on Aug. 12, 2020, citing "security concerns," Fox Business reported. "The Chinese government has long engaged in…Samantha Aschieris -
- Opinion
Social Media Gave Me the Idea ‘I Could Be a Boy.’ Chloe Cole’s Journey Into and Out of Transgenderism.
“Social media introduced this idea that I could be a boy,” Chloe Cole says. Cole began telling her friends and family that she was a boy when she was 12 years old after she was introduced to gender-identity ideology through social media. She started taking testosterone and puberty blockers at 13 and had a double…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
How US Government Could Ban TikTok
Chinese-owned TikTok has made headlines over the past few weeks as bipartisan support grows to ban the popular app. A bipartisan, bicameral trio of lawmakers introduced legislation Dec. 13 aimed at banning TikTok nationwide. The next day, the Senate unanimously passed another bill that would ban the app on government devices. Brendan Carr, a Republican…Samantha Aschieris -
- Opinion
Celebrate Elon Musk, but Don’t Lose Sight of Big Tech’s Structural Problems
The story of Elon Musk’s acquisition, transformation, and public rehabilitation of Twitter is nothing short of remarkable. Here is that rarest of confluences: A right-leaning (or at least right-sympathetic) mega-billionaire privately acquires a disproportionately influential public company out of genuine public-spiritedness, perhaps even a hint of noblesse oblige, and an earnest commitment to preserving open…Josh Hammer -
- Opinion
Here’s Why TikTok’s Days in America May Be Winding Down
Congressional lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday aimed at banning the social media app TikTok nationwide. “TikTok is digital fentanyl that’s addicting Americans, collecting troves of their data, and censoring their news,” Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said in a press release. “It’s also an increasingly powerful media company that’s owned by ByteDance, which ultimately reports to…Samantha Aschieris -
- News
3 Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban TikTok Nationwide
A bipartisan trio of lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at banning TikTok nationwide. "TikTok is digital fentanyl that’s addicting Americans, collecting troves of their data, and censoring their news. It’s also an increasingly powerful media company that’s owned by ByteDance, which ultimately reports to the Chinese Communist Party—America’s foremost adversary," Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.,…Samantha Aschieris -
- News
Arizona GOP Seeks Investigation of Katie Hobbs for Pushing Twitter Censorship
Two days after the Arizona Republican Party requested an investigation, the state’s GOP attorney general isn’t saying whether his office will look into specific actions of Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. Hobbs, Arizona’s outgoing secretary of state, flagged certain tweets last year in her official capacity that Twitter then removed. Her interaction with Twitter was…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
‘Twitter Files’: Why They Matter and What’s Next for Elon Musk
Elon Musk released bombshell news on Friday night over Twitter’s censorship of The New York Post’s October 2020 article about Hunter Biden. Musk linked to a thread of tweets, being called “The Twitter Files,” curated by independent journalist Matt Taibbi on his Twitter account, writing “Here we go!!” with two popcorn emojis. Taibbi’s thread revealed…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Elon Musk Should Tell EU Censors to Get Lost
If Elon Musk truly believes that Twitter is a front in the “battle for the future of civilization,” he has a chance to prove it. The Biden administration has already threatened to investigate Musk on multiple occasions, which isn’t surprising considering its unprecedented antagonizing about free expression. Democrats such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
China Is Abusing Apple. So, Why Is the Left More Worried About Musk’s Twitter?
This week, the Chinese government activated its vast censorship apparatus to prevent dissemination of news regarding thousands of citizens taking to the streets to protest the Chinese Communist Party’s “zero-COVID” lockdowns. China has developed the world’s most sophisticated and invasive surveillance scheme: According to The Wall Street Journal, police have been dispersing to the sites…Ben Shapiro -
- Opinion
Megyn Kelly Bashes Balenciaga for Quitting Twitter Over Elon Musk While Exploiting Kids for Profit
The fashion brand Balenciaga quit Twitter less than a month after entrepreneur Elon Musk took charge of the social media platform. The company has yet to say why it left Twitter, but some saw the brand’s decision as a political statement over the “free speech” direction in which Musk says he is taking Twitter. While…Virginia Allen -
- News
DeSantis Blasts Apple in Dispute Over Elon Musk, Twitter
Elon Musk says Twitter may now be removed from the Apple App Store, prompting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to defend the social media company. “Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter. Do they hate free speech in America?” Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter and Tesla, tweeted Monday. “Apple has also threatened to withhold Twitter…Casey Harper -
- Opinion
When Government Colludes With Big Tech to Censor Americans
Despite plenty of negative media attention this year on the now-dissolved Disinformation Governance Board, government collusion with social media platforms is ramping up. This collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and companies such as Twitter and Facebook to police the speech of Americans requires a legislative remedy. On Halloween, a concerning report in The…Will Thibeau -
- Opinion
Republican National Committee Targets Google Censorship in Lawsuit
After enduring years of targeted censorship, the Republican National Committee is suing Google for its bulk-labeling of millions of RNC campaign email communications to its supporters and donors as “spam” during “pivotal points in election cycles.” The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, where Google has its corporate headquarters, is seeking an injunction ordering…Hans von Spakovsky -
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Probe Launched Into Homeland Security’s ‘Taxpayer-Funded Censorship Campaign’
House Oversight Committee Republicans are kicking off an investigation into what they called a “taxpayer-funded censorship campaign” at the Department of Homeland Security. Since 2020, the federal agency has been under fire for working with Big Tech companies to censor certain viewpoints mainly related to election integrity. The GOP launched its investigation after Monday’s report…Casey Harper -
- News
Libs of TikTok Slams NBC News for LGBT-Themed Attack Piece Showing ‘Zero Journalistic Integrity’
An NBC News reporter has faced backlash for running a hit piece on several conservative commentators and outlets before reaching out to them for comment. Libs of TikTok owner Chaya Raichik, one of the commentators mentioned in the piece, said NBC reporter Matt Lavietes reached out to her for comment 15 hours after his article…Gillian Richards -
- Opinion
Why the Legacy Media Is Panicked About Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover
It has now been a week since Elon Musk took over Twitter, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth is still audible across the legacy media landscape. In one sense, that’s rather shocking: Why, precisely, should members of the media be so apoplectic about a billionaire taking over a social media company from other millionaires,…Ben Shapiro -
- News
‘It Just Kept Happening’: RNC Sues Google Over Email Censorship
Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, joined Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch” this week to discuss the legal action the RNC is taking against Google’s purported censorship of their account. She claimed that their emails would go from 90% deliverability to 0% in the last four days of every month for the past…Marjorie Jackson -
- Opinion
Elon Musk Bought Twitter for $44 Billion. Now What?
It finally happened. After months of “maybe, maybe not,” Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion. Now the question is, what happens next? In the past, Musk said he thought Twitter should follow the same free speech guidelines that exist within America’s public square, says Jake Denton, a research associate with The Heritage Foundation’s Tech…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Entertainment Industry, Social Media Normalize Transgender Content That Could Harm Kids
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected and updated. An earlier version of this article misidentified some YouTubers as transgender who are not. This article has also been updated to clarify the timing of the Taylor Swift video. Our society loves to consume entertainment in all its forms. Whether it’s streaming films and TV shows…Nicole Russell