#TBOT 22: Age Verification Computers, War & AI, Data Centers Drained by AI, GrapheneOS & Motorola

#TBOT 22: Age Verification Computers, War & AI, Data Centers Drained by AI, GrapheneOS & Motorola

Author: The most important weekly tech news + solutions. March 9, 2026 Duration: 25:59

Here are this week’s stories:

Age Verification Comes to Your Computer:A new Colorado bill is attempting to get Apple and Microsoft to enforce age checks on their new operating systems. If you thought digital ID was going to stay on your phone, think again. It could be coming to your computer, too.

Anthropic, OpenAI, and the War State:Anthropic pushed back against mass domestic surveillance demands from the Department of War, while OpenAI continues embracing major partnerships with Microsoft, Amazon, and the war machine. We look at what this says about where AI is headed and who is willing to build it.

AI Data Centers Are Draining the Grid:People are finally starting to pay attention to the electricity crunch caused by AI data centers. Trump says data centers should pay for their own power, but we’ll show you why that doesn’t solve the real problem. We’ll also give you a sneak peek at the upcoming TBOT data center map and report.

Motorola Could Be GrapheneOS’s Next Big Move:GrapheneOS and Motorola may be opening the door to privacy-focused hardware beyond the Pixel line. We look at the official announcement, the speculation around possible devices, and what this could mean for the future of secure phones.

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.

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

The Pixel 10 is now at Above if you’re ready for a more intentional phone setup.

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!



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…