Is Your Web Browser Spying on You? - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV007)
Release Date: 03/04/2025
Private GPS & Maps: Ditch Google and Apple - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV018)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Your location data is one of the most sensitive pieces of information you share, but are you trusting Google and Apple with every place you go? In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore private alternatives to mainstream navigation apps that don't track your movements. They cover privacy-focused options like Magic Earth and Organic Maps built on Open Street Maps, reveal how to use Waze on GrapheneOS without Google Play Services, and discuss the ultimate privacy solution: standalone Garmin GPS devices. Plus, news about Proton's new AI assistant Lumo and the company's concerning...
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The Cypherpunk Manifesto - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV017)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme dive deep into Eric Hughes' groundbreaking 1993 Cypherpunk Manifesto, exploring how this foundational document predicted Bitcoin, anonymous transaction systems, and modern digital privacy tools. They discuss the historical context of cryptography being illegal, the evolution from military-controlled encryption to widespread adoption, and how today's privacy-focused services like Mullvad exemplify the manifesto's principles. The hosts examine why "cypherpunks write code" and how this philosophy continues to drive sovereign computing solutions today. Show Notes: ...
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Privacy Violations and Self-Hosting Wins - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV016)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme return with a news-packed episode covering the latest privacy violations and surveillance schemes. They discuss Trump's plan to create a master database of Americans using Palantir, WhatsApp AI accidentally leaking user phone numbers, Meta and Yandex exploiting Android phones to track browsing habits, and Ford's patent for cars that report speeding drivers. Plus, Jordan shares updates on his sovereign computing journey including anonymous phone services, Alby Hub lightning setup, and self-hosted lightning addresses. Show Notes:...
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How to Get an Anonymous Website - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV015)
ATL BitLab Podcast
In today's digital landscape, having your own website is more important than ever for true digital independence. Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explain how to register domain names and set up web hosting with minimal personal information and maximum privacy. They cover Bitcoin-accepting registrars, anonymous VPS providers, and how the domain name system really works. Plus, they discuss a controversial Bitcoin update proposal that highlights why running your own node matters. Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/anonymous-website-hosting-and-domains 00:00 Why Own Websites Beat Social...
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Bitcoin Sovereignty: Running Your Own Full Node - The Sovereign Computing Show (SOV014)
ATL BitLab Podcast
Bitcoin is built on the principle of not trusting third parties, but are you trusting someone else's node to validate your transactions? In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore why running your own Bitcoin and Lightning nodes is crucial for true financial sovereignty. They break down the hardware requirements, software options like Umbrel and Start OS, and how to connect popular wallets to your own node. Plus, news about Thunderbird's new email service and the concerning bankruptcy sale of 23andMe's genetic data. Show Notes: 00:00 Why You Should Run Your Own Bitcoin...
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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...
info_outlineGoogle 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: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/is-your-web-browser-spying-on-you
00:00 Google Chrome: The Spy in Your Browser
00:36 Welcome to the Sovereign Computing Show
00:52 Sponsorship and Community at ATL BitLab
02:02 Boosting and Interacting with the Show
02:58 Apple's Encryption Battle with the UK Government
04:57 The US Government's Stance on Encryption
17:13 Choosing Private Web Browsers and Search Engines
18:24 Why You Should Avoid Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge
22:56 The Benefits of Using Brave Browser
27:48 Exploring Firefox as a Private Browser Option
29:17 The Importance of Firefox in the Browser Ecosystem
30:07 Nostalgia for Firefox's Early Days
31:55 The Rise of Brave and Other Chromium Forks
33:00 Introducing Ladybird: A New Browser on the Horizon
34:25 Essential Browser Extensions for Privacy and Ad Blocking
37:55 Mobile Browsers and Syncing Solutions
46:28 Exploring Alternative Search Engines
54:27 Listener Boosts and Podcasting 2.0 Apps
56:05 Closing Remarks and How to Support the Show