ATL BitLab Podcast

Recorded in Atlanta's freedom-tech hackerspace, the ATL BitLab podcast covers the world of freedom technology, including bitcoin, privacy tech, nostr, sovereign computing, and more. Some episodes are geared towards the absolute beginner and some go deep into the weeds with how the technology works. There's something here for everyone.

SOV-022: Matt Hill from Start9 - The Sovereign Computing Show 09/16/2025

SOV-022: Matt Hill from Start9 - The Sovereign Computing Show Start9 CEO Matt Hill joins Jordan Bravo to discuss the evolution of sovereign computing and the upcoming StartOS 0.4.0 release. Learn about Start9's mission to democratize server administration, their revolutionary new networking capabilities, plans for an open-source router, and innovative community programs for scaling support and development. Plus: why dignity matters as much as privacy and security in computing. Show Notes: 00:00 Opening Quote: Sovereign Computing Definition 00:33 Introduction and Show Sponsorship 01:51 Welcome and Sovereign Computing Origins 03:21 What is Sovereign Computing? 04:54 Privacy vs Confidentiality and the Dignity Factor 06:15 The Undignified Reality of Modern Computing 08:37 Making Server Administration Accessible 10:00 Democratizing Advanced Computing Skills 11:42 Familiar User Experience Design Philosophy 14:09 Learning from Mobile OS Evolution 15:45 Bringing Linux Admin Experience "Above the Hood" 18:05 StartOS Evolution: From 0.0.1 to 0.3.5.1 19:28 Dependency Management and Configuration Breakthroughs 20:17 Moving from Docker to Custom Container Runtime 21:33 StartOS 0.4.0: Complete Architecture Rewrite 24:44 Two Years of Development Hell and Breakthrough 26:30 Custom LXC Container Runtime Development 27:35 Advanced Networking Capabilities in 0.4.0 28:29 Granular Interface Control Example 31:49 Private Domains and DNS Management 35:06 The "Digital IKEA" Philosophy 36:34 VPN Tunneling and Network Abstractions 37:57 Start9 vs Tailscale Comparison 41:13 Router Hardware Prototypes and Development 46:47 Router as Standalone vs Integrated Product 52:00 StartOS and Router Integration Benefits 53:26 Router Release Timeline: Not Before Mid-2026 54:44 Community Tech Program: Scaling Support 01:00:18 Community Developer Program Announcement 01:05:02 Package Development and Crowdfunding Model 01:11:56 AI in Development: Limited but Useful 01:17:01 Self-Hosting AI Challenges and Hardware Limitations 01:24:37 TabConf 2025: Workshop and Package Development 01:26:55 Conclusion /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/38239650

SOV-021: Google Kills Android Sideloading: The iOS-ification Begins - The Sovereign Computing Show 09/04/2025

SOV-020: The Real Cost of "Free" Software - The Sovereign Computing Show 08/26/2025

SOV-020: The Real Cost of "Free" Software - The Sovereign Computing Show Not all "free" software is actually free - you're often paying with your data, privacy, or through deceptive subscription traps. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down the business models behind the software you use daily, from ethical freemium approaches like Tailscale to exploitative data harvesting like Gmail. They explore managed hosting models, the pros and cons of subscriptions versus one-time payments, and expose dark patterns that trick users into unwanted charges. Plus updates on Jordan's private SIM card journey and news about Google's forced Android changes and Linux desktop growth. Show Notes: 00:00 Jordan's Opening Quote on Data-Subsidized Software 00:38 Introduction and ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:56 Welcome and Contact Information 02:22 Jordan's Private SIM Card Update 02:48 - The "Pick Two" Dilemma: Private, Fast, Convenient 03:17 - Mint Mobile: Private and Fast but Inconvenient 04:03 - AT&T Prepaid: Convenient but Extremely Slow (3 vs 913 Mbps) 05:09 - US Mobile Blocks Anonymous Payment Methods 05:50 News: Google Forced to Open Android in Epic Games Victory 07:51 - Court Orders Google to Stop Monopolistic Practices 08:55 - Implications for Alternative App Stores 10:29 News: Linux Desktop Market Share Hits 6% 11:26 - Steam Deck and Gaming Driving Adoption 12:44 - Steam's Proton Compatibility Layer 14:07 - Privacy-Focused Users and Celebrity Endorsements 16:49 - AI/ML Workloads Favor Linux 17:57 Main Topic: Software Business Models 18:42 - Why Business Models Matter for Users 19:33 - Paying for Good Software vs "Free" Alternatives 20:17 Unethical Model: Data-Subsidized "Free" Software 20:43 - Gmail Example: How "Free" Services Really Work 22:58 Ethical Model: Tailscale's Enterprise Freemium Approach 25:12 - Pure Freemium vs Data Collection Hybrid 26:47 - When Freemium Goes Wrong 27:17 Managed Hosting: Element and Nextcloud Examples 29:10 One-Time Payment vs Subscription Models 29:46 - Adobe's Transition to Creative Cloud 31:07 - Accessibility vs Long-Term Value Trade-offs 33:21 - The Rise of Overpriced SaaS Tools 36:39 - Importance of Transparent Pricing Models 38:22 Dark Patterns and Deceptive Practices 39:10 - Jordan's Examples of Subscription Traps 40:00 - Stephen's ClassPass Cancellation Nightmare 43:09 - Multiple Deceptive Pattern Types Identified 44:44 - Hall of Shame: Major Companies Using Dark Patterns 46:04 Conclusion: Choosing Ethical Software Business Models Links /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/37966545

SOV-019: How to Choose Sovereign Software - The Sovereign Computing Show 08/12/2025

SOV-019: How to Choose Sovereign Software - The Sovereign Computing Show Not all software is created equal when it comes to digital sovereignty. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down their framework for evaluating software that respects your freedom and privacy. They cover why open source isn't always a guarantee, how to spot healthy vs abandoned projects on GitHub, the importance of data export capabilities, and sustainable business models that won't disappear overnight. Plus, news about Samsung killing bootloader unlocks, EU age verification requirements, and reviews of new authenticator apps from Proton and Ente. Show Notes: 00:00 Jordan's Opening Quote on Software Choice 00:27 Introduction and ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:45 Welcome and Contact Information 01:55 News: Samsung Kills Custom ROM Support 02:53 - No More Bootloader Unlocks on Samsung Devices 04:48 - Security Trade-offs with Unlocked Bootloaders 05:50 - Samsung's Motivations: Security vs Control 07:43 News: EU Age Verification Requirements 08:40 - Digital Sovereignty Alarm from Privacy Advocates 09:42 - EU's Contradictory Privacy Stance 12:39 - Decentralized Identity vs Google Monopoly 14:52 Proton Authenticator: Google Authenticator Alternative 16:32 - Open Source 2FA with Zero-Knowledge Sync 18:04 - Security Concerns of All-in-One Solutions 22:50 - Standalone App, No Proton Account Required 23:41 Ente Auth: Self-Hostable 2FA Alternative 24:55 - F-Droid Support and Open Source Commitment 25:48 Main Topic: How to Choose Sovereign Software 26:11 - Open Source as a Starting Point 26:56 - Cross-Platform and Alternative App Stores 27:36 - No Vendor Lock-In and Data Export 28:35 - Why Software Choice Matters Long-Term 29:48 Stephen's Framework for Evaluating Software 30:17 - Investigating "Open Source" Claims 31:38 - Checking GitHub Activity and Maintenance 34:58 - How to Evaluate GitHub Projects Live Demo 38:11 - Understanding GitHub Issues as Health Indicators 42:27 - Contributors and Community Health 43:38 - Open Standards and File Formats 46:29 - UI/UX Quality Matters for Daily Drivers 50:32 - Sustainable Business Models and Monetization 54:34 Conclusion and Future Episode Tease /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/37770440

SOV-018: Private GPS & Maps: Ditch Google and Apple - The Sovereign Computing Show 07/29/2025

SOV-018: Private GPS & Maps: Ditch Google and Apple - The Sovereign Computing Show 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 move away from Switzerland due to emerging surveillance laws. Show Notes: 00:00 Why Privacy Laws Can't Be Trusted - Jordan's Opening Quote 00:10 Introduction and ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:32 Welcome and Contact Information 02:27 News: Proton Announces Lumo AI Assistant 03:35 - Proton's Privacy Claims for Lumo 05:31 - Testing Lumo's Capabilities and Models 12:22 - Privacy Trade-offs vs Google/OpenAI 13:28 - Proton vs Big Tech Business Models 15:10 - Proton Moving Infrastructure Out of Switzerland 16:21 - Swiss Privacy Laws Under Threat 17:18 - Jordan's Take on Privacy Law Volatility 17:35 - European "Euro Stack" Initiative 20:27 Main Topic: Private GPS and Navigation 21:12 Introduction to Open Street Maps 22:00 Magic Earth: Premium Privacy Navigation App 23:50 - $0.99/year pricing model 24:48 - Jordan's experience with Magic Earth 26:20 - Search limitations vs Google Maps 29:22 Organic Maps: Free but Limited UX 30:40 Waze on GrapheneOS: Surprising Discovery 33:14 Garmin Standalone GPS: Ultimate Privacy 34:30 - Benefits of dedicated navigation device 37:24 - Garmin dash cam capabilities 38:22 - Garmin watches for privacy-conscious users 39:39 BTC Map: Bitcoin Business Directory 43:00 Mapbox for Developers 45:28 Boost Segment: Anonymous and Keith Sharp 47:17 Conclusion and Contact Information /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/37593495

SOV-017: The Cypherpunk Manifesto - The Sovereign Computing Show 07/22/2025

SOV-016: Privacy Violations and Self-Hosting Wins - The Sovereign Computing Show 07/16/2025

SOV-016: Privacy Violations and Self-Hosting Wins - The Sovereign Computing Show 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: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast 00:00 Introduction and Digital Footprint Philosophy 00:35 Welcome to Sovereign Computing Show 00:51 ATL BitLab Sponsorship 01:55 Production Updates and Schedule Changes 03:18 News: Trump Taps Palantir for Master Database on Americans 06:02 Discussion: Government Data Collection Reality 08:50 Advice: Minimizing Digital Footprints 09:42 Personal Anecdote: Marketing Work with Surveillance Tech 13:17 News: WhatsApp AI Mistakenly Shares User's Phone Number 18:07 Analysis: LLM Context and Security Rules 24:01 WhatsApp Metadata and AI Concerns 24:59 News: Meta and Yandex Android Tracking Exploit 28:34 Technical Details: localhost Port Listening 30:56 Instagram Microphone Surveillance Discussion 34:23 News: Ford Patents Car Surveillance Technology 38:37 Future of Autonomous Vehicles and Privacy 40:06 Privacy Alternative: Toyota Hilux No-Frills Truck 42:08 Jordan's Sovereign Computing Updates 42:31 Text Verify for Anonymous Phone Verification 45:12 Steven's Experience with Simple Login App 48:01 Mint Mobile Payment Issues and AT&T Alternative 49:55 Self-Hosting: Albi Hub Lightning Node Setup 51:48 Self-Custodial Podcast Boosts with Podverse 52:09 Self-Hosted Lightning Address with RustDress 54:20 Nix Package Repository Work 55:05 Wrap-up and Contact Information 55:46 Outro and Bitcoin Tips /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/37427020

SOV-015: How to Get an Anonymous Website - The Sovereign Computing Show 07/08/2025

SOV-014: Bitcoin Sovereignty: Running Your Own Full Node - The Sovereign Computing Show 05/14/2025

SOV-013: Sovereign AI: Using LLMs Without Sacrificing Privacy - The Sovereign Computing Show 04/29/2025

SOV-013: Sovereign AI: Using LLMs Without Sacrificing Privacy - The Sovereign Computing Show 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 through Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and share steps to disable this intrusive tracking. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to The Sovereign Computing Show 00:42 ATL BitLab Sponsorship Information 01:45 Welcome and Show Contact Information 02:09 Smart TVs and Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) 03:58 How ACR Surveillance Works in Smart TVs 05:23 The Creepy Reality of TV Screenshot Tracking 08:33 Solutions for Smart TV Privacy Concerns 10:47 Unplugging Your Smart TV from the Internet 11:51 Main Topic: Using AI and LLMs Privately 12:44 Understanding LLMs vs. Other Generative AI 14:51 The Privacy Problem with Major LLM Providers 16:44 Private Third-Party AI Providers 16:44 Maple and Confidential Computing 22:32 Venice.AI with Local Storage 27:28 Kagi AI's Privacy Trade-offs 30:49 The Privacy Spectrum of AI Services 33:38 Self-Hosting LLMs and Local Models 34:22 Ollama for Running Local Models 37:25 Running Models Without Internet Connection 38:43 OpenWebUI for Graphical Interface 41:35 GPT4All for User-Friendly Local AI 43:03 LM Studio with Integrated Interface 44:55 Hardware Limitations for Local LLMs 46:15 Local Image Generation 46:47 Stable Diffusion Web UI 48:09 ComfyUI for Artist-Friendly Workflows 51:50 ATL BitLab AI Meetup Information 53:11 Conclusion and Contact Information 53:40 Show Outro and Support Details /episode/index/show/df8567bc-e914-4b5d-a8d0-4112060a5a23/id/36354465