Your Phone Number Is Compromised - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV005)
Release Date: 02/18/2025
Sovereign AI: Using LLMs Without Sacrificing Privacy - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV013)
ATL BitLab Podcast
AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude are powerful tools, but they come with significant privacy trade-offs. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore practical approaches to using AI without surrendering your data to big tech companies. They compare privacy-focused third-party services that use confidential computing (like Maple) and local storage options (like Venice.AI) before diving into running open-source models entirely on your own hardware with tools like Ollama, GPT4All, and LM Studio. They also reveal how your Smart TV might take screenshots of what you're watching...
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The Truth About VPNs: Beyond the Marketing Hype - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV012)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down the reality of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) beyond the marketing hype. They explore what problems VPNs actually solve—hiding your IP address from websites, concealing your browsing from ISPs, and encrypting traffic—while addressing their limitations and downsides. Jordan and Stephen compare VPNs with Tor, examine trusted providers including Proton VPN, Mullvad, IVPN, and the innovative Obscura, and discuss the frustrating trend of websites blocking VPN users. Learn practical advice for incorporating VPNs into your digital sovereignty toolkit...
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Stephen DeLorme: How Does Bitcoin Consensus Work? Part 2 - Atlanta BitDevs - (EVNT007)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Bitcoin is difficult to change. How do we reach consensus to change it?. Stephen DeLorme covers Part 2 of the Bitcoin Consensus Analysis Project, highlighting both technical and social layers of reaching consensus. Learn about the roles of various stakeholders in the Bitcoin ecosystem including economic nodes, investors, media influencers, miners, protocol developers, users, and application developers. Discover how stakeholder powers fluctuate throughout the upgrade process, potential risks of bounties leading to chain splits, and methods to gauge community sentiment. Show Notes: 00:00...
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Choosing a Sovereign Mobile Operating System - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV011)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Your smartphone is a computing device just like our desktop and laptop computers. How can you have a smartphone that isn't surveilled, censored, controlled, and constrained? Jordan discusses the challenges and solutions for achieving self-sovereignty with mobile devices. He critiques the limitations of iOS and explores the emerging landscape of Linux mobile devices. The episode focuses on de-Googled Android solutions like CalyxOS and GrapheneOS, elaborating on the latter's security features and compatibility with Google Pixel devices. Jordan also provides practical advice on acquiring and...
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Bypass App Store Censorship With These Tools - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV010)
ATL BitLab Podcast
In this episode of the Sovereign Computing Show, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme discuss the challenges of app store censorship and explore various alternatives to the Google Play and Apple App Stores. They dive into the Aurora Store, Obtainium, F-Droid, Zap Store, and Accrescent, examining how these platforms can help preserve user privacy and circumvent censorship. Learn about the benefits and limitations of each alternative and get insights on how to take back control of your device's app ecosystem. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to Apple's App Store Policies 00:35 Welcome to the...
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3 Ways to Stop Doxing Your Bitcoin - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV009)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme delve into the importance and methods of acquiring non-KYC Bitcoin. They explore peer-to-peer platforms like HodlHodl, RoboSats, and Bisq, discussing their unique features, privacy benefits, and how to effectively use them. Learn how to navigate these decentralized networks to maintain control over your Bitcoin transactions while avoiding the pitfalls of KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone focused on enhancing their financial privacy. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Welcome to the Sovereign Computing Show 00:37...
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Andrew Lunde: The Technology Boom - Atlanta BitPlebs (EVNT006)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Dive into an insightful event recording discussing the technological paradigm shifts as presented in Jeff Booth's 'Price of Tomorrow,' focusing on chapters three and four. From the evolution of computational power, exemplified by Moore's Law, to the implications of self-driving cars and 3D printing, Andrew Lunde covers how new technologies can disrupt existing industries. Learn about the challenges of thinking differently, historical examples of significant cognitive shifts, and the potential future technologies that might surpass even quantum computing. This discussion also explores how...
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How to Make Private Payments - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV008)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Whenever you pay for things with a debit/credit card, you're exposing yourself. In this episode, Jordan and Stephen discuss tools you can use to regain some control and privacy with your payments. They cover using Bitcoin & Lightning, virtual debit cards, gift cards, and cash. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction and Reframing Privacy 00:29 Welcome to the Sovereign Computing Show 00:45 ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:46 Introduction to Private Payments 02:32 Using Bitcoin for Private Payments 03:33 Challenges with On-Chain Bitcoin Privacy 07:11 Exploring Lightning Network for Privacy 11:36 Why...
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Nitesh ₿: How Does Bitcoin Consensus Work? Part 1 - Atlanta BitDevs - (EVNT005)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Bitcoin is difficult to change. How do we reach consensus to change it? Nitesh walks us through the first half of the Bitcoin Consensus Analysis Project paper, providing an in-depth analysis of Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism and the complexities surrounding protocol upgrades. He discusses the challenges of implementing changes in a decentralized network, the difference between soft forks and hard forks, and various activation methods like Flag Day, BIP 34, BIP 9, and BIP 8. Nitesh also outlines the different stakeholders in the Bitcoin ecosystem—including economic nodes, investors, media...
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Is Your Web Browser Spying on You? - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV007)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Google Chrome is not just a browser; it's a surveillance tool. In this episode of the Sovereign Computing Show, Jordan Bravo and Steven DeLorme delve into why Chrome collects vast amounts of your data and discuss more private alternatives. They explore various browsers like Firefox, Brave, and the up-and-coming Ladybird, as well as private search engines such as DuckDuckGo, StartPage, and Kagi. Learn how to take back control of your web browsing experience with privacy-focused tools and strategies. Show Notes: 00:00 Google Chrome: The Spy in Your Browser 00:36 Welcome to the Sovereign...
info_outlineYou might not realize it but your phone number is undermining your privacy and digital sovereignty. In this episode of the Sovereign computing show, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme discuss the problems with the typical setup that most of use have with phone numbers, SIM cards, & cellular data. Then they detail steps you can take to fix the problem by decoupling phone numbers from service providers, using VoIP numbers, eSIMs, and other tools.
Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/your-phone-number-is-compromised
00:00 Embracing the Sovereign Computing Mindset
00:50 Introduction to the Sovereign Computing Show
01:05 Sponsorship and Community at ATL BitLab
02:12 Discussion on UK Government's Demand to Apple
04:56 Importance of Open Source and Decentralized Trust
08:17 Approaching Phone Numbers in a Self-Sovereign Manner
09:53 Decoupling Phone Numbers from Identity
16:07 Using JMP.chat for Private Phone Numbers
21:30 Privacy-Respecting Cellular Data Providers
23:08 Switching to eSIM: A Simple Guide
23:45 Privacy-Preserving Payment Methods
24:14 Using Virtual Debit Cards for Privacy
24:57 Challenges with Prepaid Visa Cards
26:38 Mint Mobile: Data and Phone Number Separation
27:24 Exploring Other Providers: US Mobile and Silent Link
30:54 The Importance of Owning Your Phone
32:38 Recap and Final Thoughts
38:07 Listener Boosts and Feedback
39:48 Closing Remarks and Support