<![CDATA[Take Back Our Tech]]>https://tbot.substack.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!DpTh!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9df5fb17-a9fb-45c1-8362-e2bb7eb6bcc8_256x256.pngTake Back Our Techhttps://tbot.substack.comSubstackSat, 30 May 2026 14:42:59 GMT<![CDATA[⚡ Powering Data Centers]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/powering-data-centershttps://tbot.substack.com/p/powering-data-centersFri, 29 May 2026 14:55:52 GMTIn my conversation with Mike Adams and Todd Pitner over at Decentralize.TV, we talked about how some residents lose power while data centers gain priority. But local communities still have the power to push back and shape what happens next.

📺 Watch interview here
💧 Get the truth about data centers

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[How Digital Id Goes from Voluntary to Mandatory]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/how-digital-id-goes-from-voluntaryhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/how-digital-id-goes-from-voluntaryThu, 28 May 2026 14:55:26 GMTIn this clip, Efrat Fenigson and I discuss how digital ID systems start as “voluntary” but quickly become mandatory by proxy, just ilke India’s Aadhaar. Once Enough people rely on it, exclusion kicks in: from renting a hom to opening a bank account. We also see how the UK is using similar tactics, starting with company directors and spreading from there.

🎥 Watch the full interview below

You're The Voice | by Efrat Fenigson
How To Opt Out of the Digital Prison - Hakeem Anwar | Ep. 137
Hakeem Anwar is a software engineer with over 20 years in tech, and the founder and CEO of Above Phone, a conscious technology company building open source phones, laptops, and software services that free people from reliance on Big Tech. After years of building web and mobile apps for large corporations, he walked away from corporate life during Covid…
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16 days ago · 32 likes · 13 comments

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Above Share is included in Above Suite. Purchase Above Suite with any new Above Phone or Above Book or purchase it and start using our tools on your current devices!

Learn More!

]]><![CDATA[Are Data Centers Building a Surveillance Grid?]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/are-data-centers-building-a-surveillancehttps://tbot.substack.com/p/are-data-centers-building-a-surveillanceWed, 27 May 2026 14:55:56 GMTIn my interview with Dr. Trozzi, we discussed the shocking reality behind big tech’s AI arms race and how data centers might be fueling a global surveillance network.

🎥 Watch the full interview here

🗺️ Get the truth about data centers

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[Mapping AI’s Hidden Impact]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/mapping-ais-hidden-impacthttps://tbot.substack.com/p/mapping-ais-hidden-impactTue, 26 May 2026 14:55:56 GMTIn my conversation with James Corbett, we highlighted the AI data center map I created, exposing water and power risks. This tool shows why we need to rethink big tech’s footprint.

📺 Watch full interview here

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[The Power of Saying No]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/the-power-of-saying-nohttps://tbot.substack.com/p/the-power-of-saying-noMon, 25 May 2026 14:55:37 GMTI recently talked about habits with Web3 Privacy Academy.

A really important habit to build is saying no.

At the grocery store. Rewards card? Phone number? No. I don’t have one. I don’t even have a phone.

They’re trained to ask. You have to be ready to push back.

It’s about setting boundaries.

🪧Watch the full interview here

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[Decentralized Social Media - Nostr]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/nostrhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/nostrFri, 22 May 2026 14:55:41 GMTIn this week’s #TBOT solution, I get started with Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays).

Nostr is a censorship-resistant decentralized social media protocol. In this video, we’ll do a short overview and show you how to get started in less than one minute.

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Thanks to Efrat Fenigson and several members of the #TBOT community who continued to urge me to try it.

If you want a great introduction on why to use Nostr, check out my latest interview with Efrat Fenigson: How To Opt Out of the Digital Prison - Hakeem Anwar | Ep. 137

Follow me on Nostr. This piece of text is called an NPUB:

npub1uc8dq8h5j8fkd4sz9mnyuxmxp7s6x50xqsr747wpajj4eqjj7yjsvkdtz4

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a segment from #TBOT Show Episode 23. Watch the full episode here:

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]><![CDATA[God Save the Digital ID (U.K)]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/god-save-the-digital-id-ukhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/god-save-the-digital-id-ukThu, 21 May 2026 14:56:32 GMTDespite massive backlast to the U.K Digital ID program, the King and current administation are marching forwards. Instead of ‘Digital ID’ required to work by 2029, they’ve given everyone a break… now its just ‘Digital Verification’ required for everyone to work by 2029. So there’s no getting out of biometric capture.

A panel of 100 Britains will be chosen for a ‘People’s Panel’, the U.K government is interested in how they can get Britains to ‘love’ Digital ID as much they do.

Good luck with that.

Read our report on Digital ID around the world: https://abovephone.com/digital

Learn More

This is a segment from #TBOT Show Episode 23. Watch the full episode here:

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]><![CDATA[ReCaptcha Hypocrisy]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/recaptcha-hypocrisyhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/recaptcha-hypocrisyWed, 20 May 2026 13:55:35 GMTEver think internet captchas could get more annoying? Well hold on, because Google just updated their new reCAPTCHA across 14 million websites.

It has ‘AI-resistance’ by requesting the user to scan a QR code, which can only be done with a certified Google device, or Apple device. Google purposefully excluded the users of alternative operating systems, not to improve people’s security, but to ensure the big tech oligopoly remains in control.

Want the workaround? Watch the video.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a segment from #TBOT Show Episode 23. Watch the full episode here:

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[ KYC for Your Phone?]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/kyc-for-your-phonehttps://tbot.substack.com/p/kyc-for-your-phoneTue, 19 May 2026 19:01:27 GMTIn 7 days, anonymous phones may as well be dead. A new FCC rule demands cell service operators to ask for their customer’s government IDs, personal information, and past phone numbers. This goes for SIM cards, eSIMs, and VoIP numbers.

All supposedly to protect you from automated scam calls.

Let’s get this straight; we’re going to create massive new loosely-protected databases of people’s personal info to protect people from scams?

Its a data breach waiting to happen…

Share

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a segment from #TBOT Show Episode 23. Watch the full episode here:

✊ Break the limits of big tech with Above Phone. You’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Save $50 today with coupon code TBOT50!

Shop now!

]]><![CDATA[#TBOT 23: KYC for Your Phone, New ReCAPTCHA, UK Digital ID, Decentralized Social Media - NOSTR]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/tbot-23https://tbot.substack.com/p/tbot-23Tue, 19 May 2026 16:31:12 GMTTonight, the FCC, Google, and the UK Government make big moves against private and free technology. The hits don’t stop — keep ’em coming, and we’ll keep the solutions coming on #TBOT.

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Bye Bye Burner Phones?: A new FCC rule threatens to end phone anonyminity by demanding IDs when getting a phone number. Why? To stop robocalls. What its probably going to do; destroy privacy and put millions at risk of data theft. We only have 7 days to comment, so let’s look at their featherbrained reasoning and strategize a push back.

reCAPTCHA Hypocrisy: Google’s new reCAPTCHA was just pushed to 14 million websites. This new version uses a QR code that must be scanned by your phone. The bombshell? It works on iPhones but not de-googled phones. Don’t worry - there’s a workaround, watch for more.

UK Digital ID to Work: The King and UK government are moving forward with Digital ID even after public outcry and a petition. Is it still going to be required to work? Yes, in a way. And more than that, the UK government is asking how they can make you love it even more.

Decentralized Social Media with Nostr: I tried a new social media platform and liked it. Nostr is a protocol, not a platform and it shines at social media. I’ll give you the download and we’ll play around with a popular client for today’s solution.

AI Data Center Report Update: Hakeem’s new site and report to help people track data centers is almost ready, we’ll give you a sneak peek of what you can expect — and a humble request for your help.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!


]]><![CDATA[🌐 A Community-Owned Future]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/a-community-owned-futurehttps://tbot.substack.com/p/a-community-owned-futureTue, 12 May 2026 14:55:48 GMTIn my interview with Web3 Privacy Academy, I laid out what I actually want to see going forward…

Communities that are responsible for their own infrastructure.

Running their own email. Their own video calls. Everyone contributing to keep it running.

All on Linux. De-Googled phones. Maybe even Linux phones.

And for the internet, we may need something completely different. Mesh networks. Reticulum. Something we control.

As long as I can stay connected to my community, that’s what matters.

🪧Watch the full interview here

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]><![CDATA[From Surveillance to Thought Control: Time to Reclaim Your Tech]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/from-surveillance-to-thought-controlhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/from-surveillance-to-thought-controlMon, 11 May 2026 14:56:39 GMTI talked with Jon from Business Reform about where we are heading. From unified surveillance networks to emotion recognition and even brain-computer interfaces, the next phase of privacy challenges may go beyond behavior and into thought monitoring.

But there’s still hope. Building local communities, choosing alternatives, and creating peer-to-peer networks can help us reclaim control.

Watch the full interview

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[🌱 Build In-Person Networks]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/build-in-person-networkshttps://tbot.substack.com/p/build-in-person-networksThu, 07 May 2026 14:55:47 GMTI was just talking with Web3 Privacy Academy about how your network is everything right now. Your community is what’s going to protect you and support you.

We need to meet up in person, create together, take action together towards bettering our life and the future.

🪧Watch the full interview here

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Above Phone Pixel 10 is here!

We’re excited to introduce four powerful new phones to the Above Phone lineup!

Powered by GrapheneOS and fully de-Googled, the Above Phone Pixel 10 is carefully configured to make everyday communication, browsing, and data storage simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Shop Pixel 10 today!

]]><![CDATA[Why Memory Exploits Cause So Many Vulnerabilities]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/why-memory-exploits-cause-so-manyhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/why-memory-exploits-cause-so-manyWed, 06 May 2026 14:55:25 GMTMost phone vulnerabilities stem from memory exploits. Imagine memory like storage rooms—if an app overflows its space or returns after claiming it’s done, it can corrupt other data. That’s what leads to breaches. This is why secure systems obsess over memory management—like Above Phone with GrapheneOS. Every layer of protection matters.

🪧 Watch the full webinar

Above Share is included in Above Suite. Purchase Above Suite with any new Above Phone or Above Book or purchase it and start using our tools on your current devices!

Learn More!

]]><![CDATA[Privacy Without the Hassle: Why Above Phone Stands Out]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/privacy-without-the-hassle-why-abovehttps://tbot.substack.com/p/privacy-without-the-hassle-why-aboveTue, 05 May 2026 14:55:59 GMTIn this clip with Jon from Business Reform, I explain why Above Phone exists and who it’s for. While some people can install GrapheneOS themselves, most people don’t have the time or technical knowledge. That’s where Above Phone comes in.

A de-Googled experience, no big tech connections, no ads, and privacy built in from day one. It’s about making privacy simple and accessible.

Watch the full interview

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]><![CDATA[Taking Control: How to Check If Your Phone Was Targeted]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/taking-control-how-to-check-if-yourhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/taking-control-how-to-check-if-yourFri, 01 May 2026 14:55:36 GMTYou can face these threats head-on. Whether iOS or Android, tools like MVT let you back up your messages and apps, and check for Pegasus indicators. On Android, you’ll spot malicious apps or logs. By running these checks, you empower yourself to call out these actors. Don’t just rely on big tech—take action and keep your phone in your hands.

🪧 Watch the full webinar

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]><![CDATA[Larry Ellison, Media Power, and the AI Overwatch]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/larry-ellison-media-power-and-thehttps://tbot.substack.com/p/larry-ellison-media-power-and-theThu, 30 Apr 2026 14:55:23 GMTOn Business Reform, we discussed Larry Ellison’s vision for AI-driven surveillance and what it could mean for society. Did you know that he also has a significant influence over a major segment of mainstream media in the United States?

This isn’t only a surveillance issue. It’s a war for our minds.

Watch the full interview

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Above Share is included in Above Suite. Purchase Above Suite with any new Above Phone or Above Book or purchase it and start using our tools on your current devices!

Learn More!

]]><![CDATA[Unlock Private Translation with Local AI!]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/unlock-private-translation-with-localhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/unlock-private-translation-with-localTue, 28 Apr 2026 21:01:19 GMTDiscover how to use local AI as your personal translator. In this demo, I show you how to quickly translate articles from any language right on your own device. No internet needed—just download the model and get started!

🔗 Watch the full webinar here

Above Share is included in Above Suite. Purchase Above Suite with any new Above Phone or Above Book or purchase it and start using our tools on your current devices!

Learn More!

]]><![CDATA[Privacy Is Freedom]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/privacy-is-freedomhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/privacy-is-freedomMon, 27 Apr 2026 14:55:53 GMTAt some point, you have to take responsibility for what you’re putting out there. For some people, this is life or death.

I’m looking ahead to 2027, where digital ID starts becoming a requirement for businesses across the EU and beyond. That’s not just policy. That’s infrastructure for control.

So the answer is alternatives. Alternative software, alternative businesses, and bringing things back in person where possible.

Privacy is everything.

🪧 Watch the full interview here

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Above Share is included in Above Suite. Purchase Above Suite with any new Above Phone or Above Book or purchase it and start using our tools on your current devices!

Learn More!

]]><![CDATA[AI Is Only One-Third of the Problem]]>https://tbot.substack.com/p/ai-is-only-one-third-of-the-problemhttps://tbot.substack.com/p/ai-is-only-one-third-of-the-problemThu, 23 Apr 2026 21:01:07 GMTIn this segment from a recent webinar, I explain that AI is just one piece of the puzzle. By 2030, AI might account for around a third of data center power usage, but the rest is everything else we rely on—cloud storage, streaming services, and more. It’s a reminder that the environmental impact isn’t just about AI itself, but the whole ecosystem of big tech infrastructure.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here

Privacy phones aren’t just alternatives—they’re better than big tech.

With Above Phone, you’ll unlock features and freedom you didn’t even know existed.

  • Works with any cell service (and even over WiFi with an internet phone)

  • Download the apps you love (private app stores)

  • Have complete control over your app permissions

Learn more!

]]>