This Week in Tech (Audio) TWiT 1053: Robotic Lap Trimmer - Sony, Cox, & ISP Liability for User Copyright Infringement
14 snips
Oct 13, 2025 
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a senior reviewer at The Verge, discusses the invasion of ads on Amazon's Echo Show and the implications for smart-home privacy. Cathy Gellis, a tech attorney, delves into the Cox v. Sony case and the risky landscape for ISPs and copyright laws. Pulitzer-recognized journalist Gary Rivlin analyzes AI's economic challenges and ethical concerns, including the disturbing trend of AI-generated deepfakes of deceased celebrities. Together, they explore the pressing issues in tech regulation and the future of household automation.
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Shadow Docket Undermines Judicial Accountability
- The Supreme Court's shadow docket lets the justices make major rulings without full written opinions or accountability.
- Cathy Gellis warns this practice uproots checks and leaves citizens without clear legal reasoning.
ISPs, DMCA, And The Risk Of Mass Disconnects
- The Cox v. Sony case tests whether ISPs lose DMCA safe harbor for not terminating alleged repeat infringers.
- Gellis argues automatic disconnects based on notices risk cutting innocent users and chilling speech.
Avoid Automatic ISP Disconnects
- ISPs should avoid automatic termination policies that disconnect whole households from the Internet after allegation counts alone.
- Design graduated, evidence-based responses and preserve access when allegations are unadjudicated.
