Episode: 195
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Hakeem Anwar joins Alec for a conversation on the growing surveillance ecosystem and the path toward digital sovereignty.
A former health software engineer turned privacy advocate, Hakeem shares how a shocking data breach involving children’s Social Security numbers led him to create Above — a company designing privacy-first phones and laptops free from Big Tech dependencies.
Hakeem describes his transformation from a corporate developer into a “spiritual software engineer,” dedicating his work to technology that empowers, not exploits.
He explains how Google’s “Sensor Vault” enables law enforcement to track every phone in a location without consent, and how Apple and Google coordinate data-sharing despite their public rivalry.
The conversation explores how common tools — including Signal, Tor, and AI-enabled operating systems — are linked to government funding and data pipelines.
Hakeem introduces Above Phone, Above Book, and Above Suite, open-source privacy tools that include VPN, email, search, video conferencing, and cloud storage — designed for autonomy and ease of use.
Together, they consider how digital dependence erodes self-awareness and how reclaiming privacy is also a spiritual act of sovereignty.
About Hakeem Anwar
Hakeem Anwar is a software engineer, technologist, and founder of Above, a conscious technology company focused on user privacy and empowerment. He also leads the #TakeBackOurTech initiative, offering free guides for switching to open-source and privacy-respecting tools.
Resources and Links
Use Coupon Code WAYFWRD100 for $100 off an Above Phone for the next 5 days!
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Show Minutes
00:00:00 – Rise Above Big Tech: Defying The Surveillance State And Spiritual Sabotage
00:01:45 – Introduction to Hakeem and His Background
00:07:00 – The Depth of Corruption in Big Tech
00:21:43 – Data Surveillance and Palantir’s Threat
00:28:51 – Phone Call and Text Privacy Concerns
00:34:41 – Safety of Telegram and Other Apps
00:46:08 – Big Tech’s Energy Crisis and Data Centers
00:50:29 – The Conundrum of Tech Convenience
00:55:17 – WhatsApp Lawsuit and Building Privacy Solutions
00:59:56 – Surveillance of College Students
01:05:35 – Above Phone: Privacy-Focused Communication Devices
01:15:25 – Human Adaptation to Electromagnetic Fields
01:17:52 – Building Mesh Networks for Communities
01:24:30 – OnlyOffice: Open Source Alternative to Microsoft
01:34:00 – Above’s Future Vision and Growth Plans