5636
Let's use technology that doesn't use us. Official Blog: https://takebackourtech.org TBOT Show: https://tbot.substack.com
⚡️Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat- built in a weekend?
Last month, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey launched a new decentralized app: Bitchat—created in a weekend using AI.
Read full article on Substack
It’s a Bluetooth mesh messaging app: no accounts, no phone numbers, no internet required.
⚠️ Beware of fake versions! Only download from bitchat.free
🔐 Bitchat uses:
• Bluetooth mesh networking (like Briar)
• The Noise Protocol (used by Signal & Wireguard)
• Ephemeral peer IDs for privacy
Useful in protests or blackouts—but with a 30m hop limit, it's only effective in dense areas. Max reach? ~300m if 10+ devices relay the message.
🤔 Built for iOS (a closed, vulnerable system) and developed by someone with ties to U.S. State Dept., it raises questions.
So is it a real privacy tool—or a showcase for Dorsey’s coding AI “Goose”? Either way, it hints at a new tech era: anyone can build powerful tools—fast.
🤖 Follow the show
👩💻 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
🏫 Sign up for our back to school webinar
#TBOT Show 7: The Significance of Dorsey’s Bitchat, Worlds First eSIM Hack, Mexico’s Digital ID, New Show Source Insights
WATCH THE SHOW ON SUBSTACK
Here’s the stories for the week:
Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat - The Real Story: The tech mogul Jack Dorsey released a censorship proof messaging app in late June - named Bitchat.
World’s First eSIM Hack: A security lab out of Poland just demonstrated a hack on one of the largest SIM providers for IoT devices.
Digital ID, Coming Soon To Mexico: The Mexican government has signed a new Biometric ID law, known as the CURP.
Decentralized Video Conferencing: Recently I’ve been relying more on video conferences instead of calling people, especially while traveling.
New Show, “Source Insights”: You follow #TBOT to stay informed on tech freedom. Now go deeper with a new weekly show “Source Insights”, where Hakeem shares his tools, lifestyle and productivity tips and more.
UNLOCK ACCESS
Share this post with your crew. 🚢
👩💻Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
#TBOT Show 7: The Significance of Dorsey’s Bitchat, Worlds First eSIM Hack, Mexico’s Digital ID, New Show Source Insights
Took a week off and now I’m back. 😎 (with a new addition to the show?!) (also - big sorry for the show being 40 minutes)
WATCH THE SHOW ON SUBSTACK
Here’s the stories for the week:
Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat - The Real Story: The tech mogul Jack Dorsey released a censorship proof messaging app in late June - named Bitchat. It runs a bluetooth mesh network, end to end encryption, and rolling IDs and is picking up traction. I share my thoughts on the app, and concerns I have - but that’s not even the real story. I think Jack has a bigger message than just the app.
World’s First eSIM Hack: A security lab out of Poland just demonstrated a hack on one of the largest SIM providers for IoT devices. We’ll get techy in our understanding and ask the question, could this impact our phones?
Digital ID, Coming Soon To Mexico: The Mexican government has signed a new Biometric ID law, known as the CURP. How is this enforced and what does it mean for Mexican residents? Find out today.
Decentralized Video Conferencing: Recently I’ve been relying more on video conferences instead of calling people, especially while traveling. Good thing I’ve got the Jitsi app, I’ll show you my setup!
New Show, “Source Insights”: You follow #TBOT to stay informed on tech freedom. Now go deeper with a new weekly show “Source Insights”, where Hakeem shares his tools, lifestyle and productivity tips, entrepreneurial advice, wisdom from guides, and personal experiences.
Go deeper, join me as a Source Seeker. Unlock access with a paid subscription.
UNLOCK ACCESS
🪄 We aim for our show to be well-researched, well-informed and focused on the most impactful stories
⭐️ PLUS - Each story comes with recommendations and there’s one cool tech trick or open-source solution every week.
We’ll be publishing full posts and clips of each of these stories soon.
Share this post with your crew. 🚢
👩💻Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📲SIM Swap Survival Guide Webinar
📂 Want alternative news? Check out these channels 📢
#TBOT is now part of GeopoliticsLive, a collection of channels covering geopolitics, politics, global news, economy, and more. All English speaking! Stay informed.
Whether you're seeking in-depth analysis, breaking news, or expert insights, our catalog has got you covered.
👉 ADD CHANNELS
⚡️How at-risk are you for a SIM swap?
Here’s a quick test:
Search your texts for 6-digit codes. Every login code you find is a service tied to your phone number. That’s your risk score.
Most people have 8+ accounts relying on text-based 2FA—making them easy targets.
Your info might already be out there. But you can lower your risk and lock things down.
Watch the webinar now: SIM Swap Survival Guide
Want real protection? Learn more and shop privacy-first tech.
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
#TBOT Show Takes a Break, Back with Episode 7 Next Week
Hey friends,
After a few weeks of travel I need to take some time to catch up with my day to day work! I’ll be taking this week off to focus and will be back with Episode 7 next week.
Watch full show on Substack
The #TBOT show is the most regular piece of content I’ve done and the community’s response has been so uplifting and motivating. Thank you for tuning in and giving me a reason to go down rabbit holes 🐇
Some more updates:
We have decided to publish on Mondays as it seems most of you crave the info throughout the week, no one wants to think about technology on the weekends. 😅
Also I’m working on an interview series for #TBOT, if you have any suggestions for who I should interview, leave a comment.
📱 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📅 Use private communications - full privacy tools for $15/
⚡ From Skype to Surveillance: What’s Really Going On
On The Daily Pulse with Zeee Media, we talked about how Skype has quietly been shut down and users are now being funneled into Microsoft Teams—a platform with deeper integration, more data collection, and less transparency.
Meanwhile, Zoom records everything, and it’s no secret that your calls are being logged, stored, and potentially analyzed. But there are solutions. I shared some private, open-source alternatives that don’t treat your conversations like products.
You don’t have to settle for surveillance.
Watch the full show here: https://above.sh/GHXveM
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
⚡️WiFi Sensing Sees Through Walls
Comcast rolled out “WiFi Motion” to millions of routers. Once enabled, it tracks movement inside your home using signal strength between your router and devices.
Read full article on Substack
Xfinity admits it shares this motion data with law enforcement—no notice required.
This tech, called WiFi sensing, has been around for over a decade. It can track movement through walls, detect gestures, and monitor activity—originally used for breath tracking in hospitals.
Verizon and Google Nest offer similar tools. While sold as “security,” it opens the door to surveillance and EMF exposure—linked to anxiety, fatigue, and more.
Now’s the time to go wired.
🪧 Watch this full episode
📱 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
🔒 Webinar replay — EMR awareness w/ Geophilia
⚡️ICE See You: ICEBlock Crowdsources Reports on the Location of Immigration Officials
An app called “ICE Block” is going viral for crowdsourcing police and immigration enforcement sightings—racking up 240,000 users in just weeks.
Read full article on Substack
The app works like an “early warning system,” sending alerts if ICE is spotted nearby. U.S. ICE officials claim it puts agents at risk—but offer no data to back that up.
Legal experts say the app is protected under free speech. Still, ICE Block is iOS-only and relies on Apple’s location services, meaning Apple could potentially identify its users.
Crowdsourced apps like ICE Block may help people avoid unjust enforcement, but they’re still centralized tools. Because they’re not open-source or decentralized, we have no choice but to trust the developers—and in a surveillance age, that’s a lot to ask.
👀 Watch this full episode
📱 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📅 Use private communications - full privacy tools for $15/month
⚡️What a SIM Swap Really Looks Like
A friend of mine got SIM swapped—and lost access to everything.
Bank. Crypto. Business. Email. Even his Wi-Fi.
It started with a fake eSIM prompt on his iPhone. He clicked Accept, and just like that, hackers took over his number and locked him out of his life.
No help from Apple, Google, police, or even the FBI.
We just did a webinar showing exactly how SIM swaps happen—and how to protect yourself.
Check it out: SIM Swap Survival Guide
Want real protection? Learn more and shop privacy-first tech
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
⚡️Big Tech Makes Power Plays, own 50% of New Renewable Energy Projects
Google, Meta, Oracle, and Microsoft are draining power and water to feed hyperscale AI data centers—some the size of Manhattan. These companies now own half of all new renewable energy deals, and they’re eyeing nuclear as their next move.
They’re building data centers in poor towns, draining local aquifers, and making everyday people shoulder the energy burden. All to train AI and record society in real time.
It’s not just power—it’s control.
📚Read the article
🪧 Watch this full episode
💻 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📖 SIM Swap Survival Guide Webinar
⚡ How Much of Your Life Is Spent on a Screen?
At The People's Reset in Morelia this past January, I shared some eye-opening data: studies show that teenagers today are spending the equivalent of nearly 3 months per year in front of their phones. That’s not just screen time—that’s life being siphoned into devices designed for distraction and data extraction.
It’s time we reevaluate our relationship with technology.
🎥 Watch my full talk “Breaking Free of Abusive Technology” along with other powerful presentations on Empowering Technology: https://above.sh/Eqfrvk
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
Dear peeps,
I've been traveling the mountains of Japan for the past week or so and for that reason the #TBOT show is delayed by a few days - we will likely publish Monday. In exchange, here's a picture about 2000 meters up on one of my favorite mountains - far far away from civilization :D
⚡ Why I Started Above Phone
@takebackourtech
On 7Sees, I was asked what led me to start a phone company—and it really began during my time working with the Freedom Cell Network. We were building solutions rooted in decentralization and autonomy… but still using Big Tech devices that completely went against those values.
I wanted to contribute something that was part of the solution. I had already been using Linux, and when I came across the Pixel phone, I saw the potential to build something better. With my team, we created Above Phone—privacy tech that empowers, not exploits.
📺 Full interview: Big Tech’s Billion Dollar Spy Industry
🔗 https://above.sh/7hBaQd
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
🚨 Part 3 of My Interview with Dr. Trozzi Just Dropped — Tools to Reclaim Your Digital Autonomy
This one’s about action—how to operate freely in a world built for surveillance.
We covered encrypted messaging, virtual numbers, secure file sharing, and how to ditch Big Tech without ditching functionality.
There are solutions!
🎧 Full interview here
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
The People's Reset 2026 Is Officially 6 Months Away!
Come join us in Morelia, Mexico from January 28th to February 2nd for solutions-focused community, music, ceremonies, family and kids activities, and much more!
Find out all the details in our new blog: https://thegreaterreset.org/blog/tpr2026-announcement/
#ThePeoplesReset
Stay tuned on Monday - We're Announcing the Details for The People's Reset 2026!
On Monday morning we will be sending out an announcement about the new venue, the first round of speakers and performers, and we are launching ticket sales!
Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the largest solutions-focused gathering in the world! #ThePeoplesReset
⚡ Why Are We Addicted to Our Phones?
During my talk at The People's Reset, I explored what makes our devices so addictive—drawing from Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke. Dopamine is our motivation molecule—the driver of action and reward. In one study, mice without dopamine didn’t even have the motivation to eat. That’s how critical it is.
Smartphones hijack this system, giving us constant dopamine hits that train our brains to crave more… and more.
🎥 Watch the full talk at: https://above.sh/Eqfrvk
📱 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📅 Use private communications - full privacy tools for $15/month
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
⚡️The Digital You: Built From Your Data
@takebackourtech
In this clip, I explain how your actions online—likes, searches, purchases—are constantly being tracked and used to build a digital profile of you. Not to serve you, but to predict, influence, and profit from your behavior.
They don’t need your permission. They already have your data.
📺 Learn how this system works—and what you can do to opt out.
Watch the full webinar here.
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
⚡ Finding Service After Ditching Big Carriers
One of our community members asked where to go for service after switching to an Above Phone—and I shared why we created the Above DataSIM. It’s a seamless way to stay connected without compromising on privacy, and it works great with your new setup.
📺 This clip comes from our webinar *What’s Your Privacy Score?* — watch the full webinar here.
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| 📩 NEWSLETTER | XMPP | SUBSTACK
⚡️Offline Club Brings Young Adults Back To Real Life
In searching for positive news for the #TBOT show, I came across an ‘Offline Club’ in the Netherlands. Younger people are self-aware enough to realize how bad social media has been for well… socializing.
This Dutch social movement holds local events where phones aren’t allowed, and creates containers in cafes for offline based interaction.
People get together to play board games, talk, and read! Amazing!
The British Standards Institution put out a recent survey to those under 21 years old, almost half said they would prefer to be young in a world without internet.
There’s hope still yet, don’t pre-judge the next generations. Now we just need to create offline spaces for the rest of us.
Take the charge! Let us know what offline spaces you are creating in your community.
👀 Watch this full episode
📱 Get private phones, laptops, and tablets
📅 Use private communications - full privacy tools for $15/month
⚡️How SIM Swaps Actually Work
Hackers don’t need your password—they just need your phone number.
Once they SIM swap you, every text and call goes to their device. Then they reset your accounts using 2FA codes sent by text.
It’s that easy to lose everything.
But the good news? You can protect yourself.
Watch the webinar now: SIM Swap Survival Guide
Want real protection? Learn more and shop privacy-first tech.
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
📂 Want alternative news? Check out these channels 📢
#TBOT is now part of GeopoliticsLive, a collection of channels covering geopolitics, politics, global news, economy, and more. All English speaking! Stay informed.
Whether you're seeking in-depth analysis, breaking news, or expert insights, our catalog has got you covered.
👉 ADD CHANNELS
📱What They’re Not Telling You About Your Phone
I joined Man in America to talk about how smartphones and other “smart” tech are being used to build a global surveillance state. We got into Palantir, remote access, forced updates, and the hidden costs of convenience—and what it really means to reclaim your privacy in a digital age.
Watch the full episode now: https://above.sh/QumZK5
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
🙏 Android’s Silent Data Collection
Modern Android phones are doing more behind the scenes than most people realize—automatically connecting to AI services, scanning incoming photos locally, and in many cases, sending that data straight to Google. I also gave a quick Above Phone demo to show the contrast: a phone that doesn’t assume control over your information.
📺 This clip comes from our webinar *What’s Your Privacy Score?* — watch the full webinar here.
—
🫶 @takebackourtech
🎥 takebackourtech:f">VIDEOS| 📩 NEWSLETTER | XMPP | SUBSTACK
Colombia seizes first unmanned narco-submarine with Starlink antenna
Article, Comments
⚡️TBOT Show Episode #6: Big Tech Power Plays, WiFi Sense Tingling, ICE See You, Going Back IRL
Welcome back to the TBOT Show (now with a little positive news 💘)
Watch on Substack
This week’s stories:
Big Tech Makes Power Plays – Data centers across the US are securing first dibs on energy, consuming massive power and destroying the environment. Learn which companies and where.
Is Your WiFi sense tingling? – Comcast’s new “WiFi-Motion” tracks movement in your home using WiFi signals. It can literally see through walls.
ICE See You – An app that tracks ICE gains 240K users. Now the dev is under political fire. Legal? Moral? You decide.
Going back IRL – Youth in the Netherlands are ditching phones for “Offline Club.” The digital detox movement is here.
Solution – Convert units easily with ConverterNOW, a FOSS app on F-Droid.
🪧 Follow the show on Substack
📝 Follow our blog
📂 Want alternative news? Check out these channels 📢
#TBOT is now part of GeopoliticsLive, a collection of channels covering geopolitics, politics, global news, economy, and more. All English speaking! Stay informed.
Whether you're seeking in-depth analysis, breaking news, or expert insights, our catalog has got you covered.
👉 ADD CHANNELS
⌚️Uncle Sam Wants You To Wear a Smartwatch
At a recent HHS budget hearing, RFK Jr. said he wants every American wearing a health-tracking device in 4 years.
HHS is set to launch its biggest campaign yet to push smartwatches and continuous glucose monitors—devices that send real-time data to your phone.
Casey Means, RFK’s Surgeon General pick and co-founder of a glucose monitoring company, backs the rollout.
Apple already shares health study data with HHS. Google, Apple, and Meta are building EEG tech that reads your brain activity.
Read more: How Big Tech Plans To Read Your Mind
With Trump’s 2025 executive order to break down data silos, your health info could soon merge with your government records.
🪧 Read the full article on Substack
📝 Follow our blog
#TBOT related news:
🧠 Get a deep dive into SIM swapping in our latest Above webinar
📲 5 Must-Change Privacy Settings on iPhone & Android
🛡️ Get your privacy gear here
💧Your Password Is Probably In This Leak
A new leak just exposed 16 billion credentials—two for every person on Earth. This isn’t old data. It includes fresh usernames, passwords, and login cookies—ready for account takeovers and ID theft.
Leaked across 30 datasets on the dark web, including 60M Telegram accounts and breaches from major platforms.
Researchers say this matches the output of info-stealers—malware that tricks you into downloading it, then scans and sends your sensitive data to attackers.
We show you how to set up private browsers and block this in our free webinar:
Web Browsing for Privacy Lovers
🪧 Read the full article on Substack
📝 Follow our blog
#TBOT related news:
🧠 Get a deep dive into SIM swapping in our latest Above webinar
📲 5 Must-Change Privacy Settings on iPhone & Android
🛡️ Get your privacy gear here