#TBOT 23: KYC for Your Phone, New ReCAPTCHA, UK Digital ID, Decentralized Social Media - NOSTR

#TBOT 23: KYC for Your Phone, New ReCAPTCHA, UK Digital ID, Decentralized Social Media - NOSTR

Author: The most important weekly tech news + solutions. May 19, 2026 Duration: 28:24

Tonight, 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.

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.

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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: 50

The #TBOT Show with Hakeem Anwar
Podcast Episodes
How Hackers Exploit Big Tech Phones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:57
In this clip from Above’s ‘Hidden Signs Your Phone is Compromised’ webinar, I explore how mobile network injection attacks use fake cell towers to redirect you from regular sites to a site that can infect your phone.Thos…
Live Demo: Using OsmAnd Offline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:53
Showcasing advanced offline navigation features of the open source maps app OsmAnd, such as navigation simulation. It’s an easy choice when looking to replace invasive spyware apps like Google Maps. Sign up FREE to watch…
iPhone's Secret Google Maps Database [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37
If you have ever used an iPhone, you were placed in a secret Google Maps database called Sensorvault. This was so secret that not even Congress knew about it until it was up and running!Sign up FREE to watch more webinar…
How Big Tech Uses WiFi Based Surveillance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:16
In this clip from our Open Source Navigation webinar, Above CEO Hakeem Anwar speaks to how megacorps like Google and Apple have been collecting all the WiFi access points in the world for surveillance purposes in the pas…
How Above Phone Protects You from Google Satellites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53
In our Open Source Navigation webinar, Above CEO Hakeem Anwar explains that when you use a normal SUPL service on a big tech phone you're sending over a lot of information, like unique identifiers, to Google. Above Phone…
How Maps Were Used in Ancient History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:41
In our Open Source Navigation Webinar we discussed what the origin of prehistoric maps were in the ancient world. Long before OsmAnd and Google Maps, our ancestors used to chisel out detailed maps in mammoth tusks to kee…
Breaking Out of Tech Addiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:08
This Holiday season, you may witness some strange screen staring behavior from your friends and family.Did you know the average teen spends over 7 hours daily staring at screens? That's not including essential school wor…
Fitness App Publicizes Locations of Presidents & World Leaders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:38
Last month, a recent investigation by French newspaper Le Monde uncovered significant privacy risks involving high-ranking government officials' location through their use of the fitness tracking application Strava. The…
Hidden Signs Your Phone is Compromised [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15
The countdown is on! Our FREE Hidden Signs Your Phone is Compromised Webinar premieres on November 19th at 2 PM CST.Don't miss out on:* How law enforcement breaks into locked phones (yes, even with a passcode)* Real-time…
We Are Technology: Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
In part two of my People's Reset presentation "We Are Technology", I'm getting into a controversial topic. I discuss how sex may deplete the life force energy and vitality in men, using the theories of Swami Vivekanada w…