the readout: Feb 10th

It’s February, and we have lots to share in this edition of ReOrganized. Thanks for reading! 

Opening the Aperture on Tech: From Scattershot Policies to Governance

In December, Kairos released the first in our 2-part series on tech and the midterms: Big Tech’s foothold on the midterms was bigger than we thought.

Today, we’re excited to release the followup, called Opening the Aperture on Tech: From Scattershot Policies to Governance. In it, we take a look at where voters encountered tech on the ballot in the midterms, what we are expecting to see in terms of tech policy this year, and why it matters for organizers. 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for tech policy, but not in the ways you might think.

Let us know what you think of the piece, and what we might have missed!

We’re hosting a conversation about the post-Roe internet — join us

Last time, we shared our report on the connections between tech and reproductive care, called User Error: The Internet Post-Roe. On Wednesday, February 15, at 3pm ET, Kairos is hosting a panel conversation with reproductive and tech justice experts from NARAL, Ultraviolet, Upturn, and the Ford Foundation.

Click here to RSVP for the panel — and if you have questions you’d like to hear the panelists discuss, leave a comment or reply to this email with your suggestions.

Trump’s return to Facebook

You might have seen the news drop in the last few weeks that Meta is reinstating former President Trump’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Our Director of Campaigns, Jelani Drew-Davi, published a great piece in Common Dreams breaking down how this moment is about Trump, but also bigger than him. — because what we really should be talking about is tech’s profit-over-people business model.

Kairos Learning Lab: applications due today

Quick reminder that if you’re interested in joining the Learning Lab to develop your digital organizing strategy and tech analysis, today is the last day to join!

Click here to sign up.

Last, but not least: Here’s something to keep on your radar

The Intercept recently published an investigation into Bonterra, the company that owns NGP VAN, and EveryAction, among other digital tools that much of our movement uses, including Democratic party campaigns.

In January, the private equity firm that owns Bonterra laid off 10% of its employees (because of course it did!), mirroring moves from Silicon Valley companies like Facebook and Amazon. With the 2024 elections right around the corner, we can’t help but be concerned. At the end of the day, the profit motives of private equity are at odds with investing in stable, long-term voter engagement infrastructure. 

If you use one of their platforms (NGP VAN, EveryAction, ActionKit, Mobilize, Salsa), have you seen changes that concern you?