Mike Masnick is the founder and editor of the popular Techdirt blog, as well as the founder of Silicon Valley think tank the Copia Institute. In both roles, he explores the intersection of technology, innovation, policy, law, civil liberties, and economics. His writings have been cited by Congress and the EU Parliament. According to a Harvard Berkman Center study, his coverage of the SOPA copyright bill made Techdirt the most linked-to media source during the course of that 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 to create Bluesky.

Mike 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, Mike has pioneered new uses of games and simulations to help better explain complex present issues and explore future possibilities. Mike is also known for coining the term "The Streisand Effect" to describe how attempting to stifle speech online can serve to draw even more attention.