Casey Newton

Casey Newton is a prominent American technology journalist, best known as the founder and editor of Platformer, a newsletter focused on the intersection of technology and democracy. He launched Platformer in October 2020 after a notable career at The Verge, where he served as the Silicon Valley editor and wrote a daily newsletter called The Interface.

Background and Career

Born on June 19, 1980, in La Habra, California, Newton graduated from Northwestern University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. His career began at The Times of Northwest Indiana and progressed through various roles, including reporting for The Arizona Republic and the San Francisco Chronicle. He also worked as a senior writer for CNET before joining The Verge in 2013, where he gained recognition for his insightful coverage of technology and its societal impacts.

Platformer

Platformer has grown significantly since its inception, amassing over 170,000 subscribers by early 2024. The newsletter has been praised for its in-depth analysis of tech industry issues, particularly around content moderation and the influence of technology on democracy. In early 2024, Newton made headlines by moving Platformer from Substack to Ghost, citing concerns over Substack's content moderation policies and its handling of extremist content.134

Personal Life

Newton is openly gay and resides in San Francisco. His work not only highlights the challenges and dynamics within the tech industry but also addresses broader implications for society and democracy.12