#TBOT: Take Back Our Tech – Telegram
#TBOT: Take Back Our Tech
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Let's use technology that doesn't use us.

Official Blog:
https://takebackourtech.org

TBOT Show:
https://tbot.substack.com
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⚡️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
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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
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⚡️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.

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#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.

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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
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⚡️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
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⚡️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
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📂 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.

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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

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#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 subnoscription.

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. 🚢

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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
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#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. 🚢

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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
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⚡️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.

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Check out my latest article for TLAV:

Mexico Moves Closer to Biometric ID – Will The People Comply?

Privacy advocates warn that a package of new laws recently passed in Mexico are a dangerous step towards requiring digital ID for all interactions.

https://www.thelastamericanvagabond.com/mexico-biometric-curp/
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Why Multiple Profiles Matter
@takebackourtech

In this clip, I explain why creating isolated user profiles on your phone is a must—especially when using invasive apps that harvest your data. These profiles act like separate phones within one device, giving you the power to compartmentalize your life and keep sensitive activity walled off.

When you can’t trust the app, trust the system you build around it.

Learn how to use profiles to reclaim your digital space.

Watch the full webinar now!


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How to be a better person:
1. Truly desire to be better
2. Have the courage to be better when the choice presents itself

Is it really that easy?
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⚡️First eSIM Hack Hints at Phone Backdoors

A Polish security lab just hacked the eUICC—the chip that manages SIMs and stores carrier secrets. They targeted IoT devices running Kigen OS, which powers over 2 billion SIMs worldwide. By exploiting insecure Java applets, they gained access to protected memory, cloned SIMs, and exposed sensitive data that was supposed to stay locked away.

Read full article on Substack.

Even worse, Oracle shrugged off responsibility. Vulnerable Java Card setups could exist across major devices—Samsung, Apple, and possibly others.

This is why we built Above DataSIM. It skips phone numbers and SMS entirely, eliminating the usual attack surface. Pair it with Above Phone, which runs GrapheneOS out of the box, and a VPN, and you’ve got layered, resilient protection against emerging threats like this one.

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⚡️Hackers Trick You Into Helping Them

SIM swappers can spoof calls and texts to answer security questions meant for you—like who you called last or who called you.

All they need is one urgent-sounding message to get you on the phone—and closer to stealing your number.

The good news? You can shut this down with better habits and better tools.

Watch the webinar now: SIM Swap Survival Guide

Want real protection? Learn more and shop privacy-first tech.


🫶 @takebackourtech
📩 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER | 🎥 VIDEOS| XMPP | SUBSTACK
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