Mike Masnick

Mike Masnick is the founder & editor of the popular Techdirt blog, which explores the intersection of technology, innovation, policy, law, civil liberties, and economics. He is also the founder of the Silicon Valley think tank, the Copia Institute and a board member for Bluesky, the decentralized social media network.

Described by the NY Times as "something of a Silicon Valley oracle," his writings have been cited by the U.S. Congress and the EU Parliament. According to a Harvard Berkman Klein Center study, his coverage of the SOPA copyright bill made Techdirt the most linked-to media source during that 2012 debate. His pivotal 2019 paper, "Protocols, Not Platforms" was cited by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey as the inspiration for Twitter to explore a fundamental shift in strategy and led to the creation of Bluesky, which is now wholly independent of Twitter.

Masnick and Techdirt have also been key players in the ongoing battles over Section 230, net neutrality, encryption and anti-SLAPP laws. Via the Copia Institute, Masnick has pioneered new uses of games & simulations to help better explain complex issues and explore future possibilities. Additionally, Masnick is known for coining the term "The Streisand Effect," which describes how attempting to stifle speech online can paradoxically serve to draw even more attention to it.