News
Maine bill proves states are capable of adopting bad data center policies without federal intervention
23+ hour ago (371+ words) Amid bipartisan backlash to AI from federal lawmakers, nearly a dozen states are considering legislation that would prohibit new data center construction for a period of months to years. Maine is poised to be the first state to pass such…...
Live free or ban data centers
3+ day, 23+ hour ago (1405+ words) Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's newsletter covers a number of new reforms that try to relegalize formerly ubiquitous forms of affordable housing. Single-stair apartment buildings, starter homes, and manufactured housing are nothing new....
Unanimous Supreme Court says internet service provider not liable for internet users’ illegal downloads
1+ week, 2+ day ago (386+ words) You're reading Injustice System from Damon Root and Reason. Get more of Damon's commentary on constitutional law and American history. In other words, if Cox Communications was aware of the fact that certain of its paying users were repeat offenders…...
FCC bans nearly all wireless routers sold in the U.S.
1+ week, 2+ day ago (299+ words) This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) effectively banned the sale of nearly all wireless routers in the U.S., in yet another example of the government making Americans' consumer decisions for them. Ninety-six percent of American adults use the internet, and…...
A jury hit Meta with a $375 million verdict. The open internet may pay the price.
1+ week, 3+ day ago (1248+ words) Meta has been ordered to pay New Mexico $375 million, in a verdict that paves the way for more states to steal from social media companies under the guise of child protection'and demand changes that will compromise everyone's online speech and…...
Open Thread
1+ week, 3+ day ago (56+ words) Eugene Volokh | 3.25.2026 3:00 AM NEXT: What Is The Original Meaning of "Sectarian"? Charles Oliver | 3.25.2026 4:00 AM Jacob Sullum | 3.25.2026 12:01 AM Jacob Sullum | 3.24.2026 4:40 PM Eric Boehm | 3.24.2026 4:00 PM Meagan O'Rourke | 3.24.2026 3:30 PM...
The data center water panic has a better answer: Water markets
1+ week, 4+ day ago (559+ words) Data centers are booming. As companies race to build the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence, communities across the country are sounding alarms about how much water these facilities consume. Some worry the massive complexes will strain water supplies that are already…...
4chan's hilarious, hamster-filled reminder that U.S. companies need not comply with British speech regulations
1+ week, 5+ day ago (1098+ words) It's not every day that I wish more U.S. tech platforms could be like 4chan. But the message board certainly has the right idea when it comes to the U.K. speech police. Ofcom, the U.K.'s communications regulator, has fined 4chan "520,000 for failing to implement…...
The joys of data centers: Debunking the backlash against the $7 trillion AI building boom
4+ week, 6+ hour ago (1681+ words) Sen. Bernie Sanders has a problem with data centers. They're just too good. By 2030, companies are projected to invest as much as$7 trillionon building or updating the boxy, server-filled facilities that keep the digital cloud aloft and train large language…...
Computer scientists caution against internet age-verification mandates
1+ mon, 5+ hour ago (299+ words) "We all knew circumventing the ban was going to be possible, but it was so much easier than we could have expected," 14-year-old Sarai Ades told The Guardian last month about Australia's law. Similarly, the U.K.'s recent age-verification requirements resulted…...