Tag Archives: coalition

#Altgov: Covert Coalition of Government Employees Fighting Against Doge from Within the Trump Administration

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aA post from Elon Musk on Saturday afternoon requested that federal employees list five things from the previous week related to emails. This request was expected to reach the inboxes of 2.3 million federal employees, sparking discussions among a secret network of government workers and contractors. These individuals began communicating through an encrypted app to coordinate their responses.

Employees on a 10-hour, four-day schedule did not see the email until Tuesday, missing the deadline for responses. Some employees even added a humorous touch, with one worker joking, “Bonus points to those who say they spent government subsidies on hookers and blows.”

After quickly deliberating, the network agreed on a response strategy. They decided to split the oaths sworn by federal employees into five bullet points, which would be sent back via email. The first point was: “I supported and defended the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Another oath included: “I’ve pledged true faith and loyalty to the same thing.” According to veteran contractor Lynn Stahl, these efforts aimed to expose harmful policies, defend public institutions, and provide citizens with necessary information and support.

Identifying themselves as #Altgov, the network gained visibility with multiple social media accounts, most adopting names or initials of federal agencies. Their goal was to shed light on the chaos caused by the previous administration and combat misinformation.

With around 40 accounts and growing followership, #Altgov engaged in subgroups for information sharing and strategy development using the encrypted messaging app, Wire.

A post from #ALTGOV explaining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo: alt cdc (they/them)/bluesky

The origin of #Altgov dates back to the first Trump administration, with notable accounts like “Alt National Park Service” gaining traction on Twitter. The network evolved to serve the public by coordinating relief efforts and distributing resources during crises.

Transitioning their presence to Bluesky, #Altgov continued their mission to provide value where the government fell short. They expanded their reach by forming new accounts dedicated to specific agencies, like #Altgov FEMA, which focused on disaster response.

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Federal employees who joined #Altgov expressed a sense of duty and a desire for transparency in government actions. By uncovering misinformation and providing accurate information, they aimed to empower citizens and hold institutions accountable.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Smartphone Ban Implemented by Coalition of 17 London Secondary Schools

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A collective of schools in London has made the decision to prohibit the use of smartphones, reflecting a growing concern about the reliance on mobile devices among children.

The heads of 17 out of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark, south London, have united to discourage students from using smartphones outside of school premises in an effort to address the negative impacts of excessive smartphone use.

Additionally, three other public schools in the area are working towards implementing the same policy.

The schools aim to educate families and students about the various harmful consequences associated with smartphone and social media use in young individuals. These include mental health issues, addiction to screen time, disruptions to sleep and concentration, exposure to inappropriate content, as well as an increased risk of theft and robbery.

Mike Baxter, principal at City of London Academy, stated, “We have witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of smartphones and social media on the health and education of children. The negative behaviors often manifested outside of school hours but were subsequently revealed within the school environment.”

The schools have collectively agreed to confiscate cellphones if used during class. Traditional phones without Wi-Fi access may be quickly returned, while smartphones may only be retrieved after a week or upon personal collection by a parent.

The new measures will impact over 13,000 young individuals in one of London’s top-performing boroughs. The policy applies to students in years 7 to 9 across all secondary schools, with some schools adopting a comprehensive approach.

Furthermore, a group of secondary school principals are collaborating with primary school leaders in Southwark to establish a borough-wide initiative.

Jessica West, principal at Ark Walworth Academy, emphasized that the inaction of phone companies compelled schools to take action to ensure the well-being of children. They aim to guide families and children in making healthy choices regarding smartphone usage.


Recent reports indicate a significant rise in screen time among young children and teenagers, with screen time among children increasing by 52% between 2020 and 2022, according to the UK House of Commons Education Committee.

Approximately 25% of children and adolescents are reported to use smartphones in a manner consistent with behavioral addiction, as per the findings of the report.

The collaborative effort has been praised by Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of A childhood without smartphones (SFC), who stated, “This united action by a headteacher in south London is groundbreaking and truly impactful. It is unprecedented for secondary schools to collectively address this issue. Commendably, this could potentially alter the lives of a generation of children in south London who are at risk of developing mental health challenges due to early smartphone usage.”

Concerns regarding smartphones and children are escalating rapidly, with SFC expanding its reach to other countries such as the US, UAE, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Portugal.

In the UK, an increasing number of parents are committing to delaying the provision of smartphones to their children until they reach the age of 14. Bristol is a prime example, where 80 schools have established SFC groups and over 1,000 parents have pledged their support.

Greenwell expressed excitement about the organic growth of this movement among schools, principals, and parents, indicating that this long-awaited conversation is finally gaining traction.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Global Coalition Formed by the US to Combat Foreign Government Disinformation and Cyber Warfare

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The US special envoy addressing the issue announced the formation of a global coalition of democracies to defend against disinformation campaigns by foreign governments.

James Rubin, special envoy for combating non-state propaganda and disinformation at the US Department of State’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), mentioned that the coalition aims to establish a clear understanding of information operations and the rights of other governments. He also highlighted the importance of reaching a consensus on defining common opinion even in moments of disagreement.

The US, UK, and Canada have already signed a formal framework agreement, and there are expectations of more countries joining the coalition. The GEC primarily focuses on countering disinformation campaigns by foreign powers and has been working towards developing a global strategy while uncovering covert disinformation operations, like Russia’s activities in Africa discrediting US health services.

A framework signed between the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada aims to counter foreign manipulation of states by addressing disinformation as a national security threat, requiring a coordinated response from governments and civil society. This emphasizes the need for a collective approach to enhance resilience and response to foreign intelligence threats through information sharing and collaborative data analysis tools.

James Rubin, a seasoned US government official and journalist, serving as a special envoy, acknowledged the complexity of the issue of disinformation and its intellectual challenges. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between hostile opinion and disinformation to determine the appropriate government interventions.

James Rubin wants to promote more fact-based information. Photo: Tayfun Salcı/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

He emphasized the need for fact-based information promotion while also finding ways to label information operations originating from foreign governments like China and Russia. He stressed the importance of identifying the sources of covert disinformation without censoring thoughts or opinions.

This challenging issue raises questions about the dynamics between the government and social media companies, particularly in countries like the United States with constitutional guarantees of free speech. In contrast, the European Union has taken more interventionist measures with laws regulating digital services and social media content.

Rubin underscored that it is essential to expose foreign disinformation operations without dictating social media companies’ behavior. He advocated for the enforcement of terms of service by these platforms in combatting disinformation efforts.

Addressing the asymmetry in information space access, Rubin highlighted the challenges posed by closed-off information environments of countries like Russia and China.

Source: www.theguardian.com