#TBOT 17: The Bright Side of a Govt. Shutdown, Digital ID in the UK/Europe, New U.S Biometric Rule, Windows 11 Woes, GrapheneOS New Phones

#TBOT 17: The Bright Side of a Govt. Shutdown, Digital ID in the UK/Europe, New U.S Biometric Rule, Windows 11 Woes, GrapheneOS New Phones

Author: The most important weekly tech news + solutions. November 7, 2025 Duration: 38:42

#TBOT 17: now with more crowdsourced stories! 🤩 Thanks to the #TBOT crew on Telegram!

The Brightside of The Government Shutdown: SNAP benefits end soon for 40M Americans, many suggest food riots. Or is it 40M Americans that can start growing their own food? Let’s transmute fear into action.

BONUS ✨ We look at clear skies over America, suggesting that geo-engineering is part of the government budget. Hakeem also discusses what he learned talking with some unpaid and upset TSA agents. New U.S. Biometric Rule: The U.S. has some new rules for noncitizens leaving the country. Find out what they are, the tech behind it, and how much it costs to roll out. The 5 Worst Things About Windows 11: Windows 11 is in full swing with more AI and less user freedom. GrapheneOS’s New Phone: Rumors have been confirmed as GOS works with a new OEM provider. Hear the details! Digital ID in UK/Europe: Hakeem reviews the latest on Digital ID, including biometric entry requirements and mandatory requirement of DID to work.

Don’t miss our Digital ID Report. Download now!

Share this post with your crew. 🚢

🪄 We aim for our show to be well-researched, well-informed, and focused on the most impactful stories while being concise.

We’ll be publishing full posts and clips of each of these stories soon.

Would you like to contribute to #TBOT? Learn more!

🔥 Above’s Early Black Friday Sale is ON NOW! 🔥

Keep your data safe while doing what you love. Secure, private, open-source devices at the best prices of the year!

* Up to $500 off

* Extra savings on 2-packs of phones and laptops

* Unlock a free month of Above Suite

* Receive an exclusive invitation for our group set-up call

Hurry—these deals won’t last long and are only available while supplies last!



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tbot.substack.com/subscribe

Hakeem Anwar hosts The #TBOT Show, a weekly podcast dedicated to cutting through the noise of the tech world. Instead of just reporting headlines, this show focuses on the technology news that actually shapes your daily routine, privacy, and digital freedom, explaining why it matters in clear terms. Each episode is designed to be concise and actionable, wrapping up in under twenty minutes. You’ll hear informed analysis and straightforward recommendations on how to navigate the week’s developments. True to its mission, every installment also provides a practical takeaway: this might be a powerful open-source tool you can use, a privacy-enhancing skill to learn, or a sustainable tech solution to implement. It’s a blend of necessary context and usable insight, making it a resource for anyone who wants to understand and take back control of their tech life. Tune in for a focused, efficient update that prioritizes depth over duration, ensuring you stay informed without being overwhelmed. This podcast delivers exactly what its author promises: the most important weekly tech news paired with tangible solutions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 80

The #TBOT Show with Hakeem Anwar
Podcast Episodes
How To Contribute Code Anonymously [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
I spoke with Rose O’ Leary from DarkFi about the problem of centralization in app development and pointed to the recent Telegram saga with Pavel Durov. Rose talked about an alternative to GitHub, where you can contribute…
Is Privacy Possible With Crypto? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:08
In part 2 of my interview with Rose O’ Leary from DarkFi, I asked about the involvement of the FBI and the IRS in tracing and tracking transactions. I was wondering how DarkFi could potentially safeguard visibility into…
IRS Attempts to Trace Monero, Response from Monero Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:15
We had the privilege of asking the Monero community our questions from our article: LEAKED: IRS Attempts to Trace Monero in Leaked Training Video, Response from MoneroWe received a response from Rucknium - an anonymous s…
Exciting New Crypto Project: DarkFi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:44
Hakeem Anwar, CEO of Above Phone recently had a chat with Rose O' Leary from an exciting new project: DarkFi. He talked about how inspiring it is to build technology that brings people together rather than creating more…
How the IRS Eliminates Financial Privacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:03
The reason I started using cryptocurrency was because I didn't want anyone to be able to spy on what I spend my money on. Can you relate? In part 2 of IRS Attempts to Trace Monero I'm asking the hard questions - Is Moner…
Internet Archive Hacked: What You Need To Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:47
In a significant blow to open access advocates, the Internet Archive has lost its appeal against major publishers in a landmark copyright case. The dispute centered on the Archive's "Open Library" system, which operated…
How To Avoid Big Tech Map Applications [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20
If Google Maps went down this very moment, would you be able to get directions to the nearest grocery store? Would you be able to get back home if you're on the other side of town?Probably not, because we have lost our s…
Energy Weapons, Radiation and Alternative Technology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:59
Mike from the amazing health & supplement company Alfa Vedic asks: does all wireless technology need to be dangerous to biology? Hakeem briefly discuss how his research into EMR led him to the conclusion that a lot of wi…
A Phone Free From the Influence of Big Tech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:54
In a recent interview with Mike from the amazing health & supplement company Alfa Vedic, Above CEO Hakeem Anwar details his background as a software engineer and how he was building a kind of electronic prison when in th…