#TBOT 9: Monero Update, EU Age Verification Forces Google, AGPL Not FOSS?, Plastoline Inventor Missing

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Here’s the stories for the week:

Monero Attack Update: We passed the date of the attack and I think it surprised everyone involved.

EU Age Verification Forces Google On Its Citizens: The EU just released an open-source age verification app that’s supposed to be private. Only one problem - it forces use of Google services.

AGPL Is Not FOSS - The AGPL license is commonly used in open-source projects, but it imposes a requirement on its users.

Inventor of Plastoline Missing - 21 year old inventor Julian Brown turned plastic into gasoline, in his backyard. Now he may be in danger.

Solution: Get more productive with SuperProductivity

We’ll be publishing full posts and clips of each of these stories soon.

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On the Shield Your Body webinar, I shared how we make phone calls without EMF and how Above Share lets you send files securely — no Apple, Google, or cloud snooping. Add a password, limit downloads, and keep your data off surveillance servers.

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📱 Migrating to an Above Phone — What to Know

During the Shield Your Body webinar, I explained how to safely migrate from your old phone to an Above Phone. We walk you through copying files—like photos or documents—via USB, without connecting to Google, Apple, or Wi-Fi. The result? A clean, private start with minimal risk of identity leaks.

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🌱 Above Supports Your Potential: Latest Update 🌱

From new support plans and the upcoming launch of Above Protect, to our first-ever community call with over 400 sign-ups, July was a big month for Above!

📖 Inside our recent newsletter:
• New Standard, Insider, and VIP Support tiers
• Free Guide: 5 Must-Change Privacy Settings
• Cath the replay of our Back to School Tech Awareness webinar
• Above Protect: hassle-free repairs + exchanges coming soon
• Hakeem on the podcast circuit: Shield Your Body, Beyond the Firewall, Healthier Tech
• Efani featured partnership & SIM Swap Survival Guide
• Above University + Learn.above.im updates
• New TBOT Show every week

✨ Read the full July update here → https://abovephone.com/your-potential/

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Dear Abovians,

The right to ‘identification’ has been presented to us as an essential human right; Digital ID programs operational in 90% of countries. After months of researching, we conclude that Digital ID is the cornerstone of the next generation of surveillance.

We are taking a stand by publishing our Digital ID report, raising awareness and presenting solutions to help others avoid Digital ID.

These systems have been planned for decades, they reach the farthest corners of the globe; the goal is to consolidate every human being under Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) which combines identity, payments, and information exchange.

This is a global issue, and there is a lesson to be learned from every region.

North America surprises its residents with surprise biometric ID renewals. Europe and the U.K aspire for universal interoperability. South America, the Middle East, and Africa show us that developing countries receive hundreds of millions in funding for documenting their population. In Asia, we see the bleak future of Life Under Digital ID, where people live under a Digital Caste System. Rights can be taken away with a single misstep or even completely at random.

Digital ID is the first and most important component of DPI. Once enough people enroll in Digital ID, the subsequent components are easily layered ontop.

You give up your rights as soon as you enroll your legal identity with your biometrics.

Our new report will give you knowlege to prepare for the years ahead, and emphasizes that community is the answer. We have a narrow window of a few years to build resilient people-first networks to provide for ourselves and each other.

Download the report here.

Wherever you reside on earth — we are united in this challenge.

— Hakeem Anwar, Founder of Above and #TBOT

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This special pricing won’t last long, so now’s the time to treat yourself or a loved one to the ultimate privacy gift. Head over to abovephone.com/blackfriday and take advantage of these offers before November ends!

🍁 Autumn Updates from Above 🍁

Fall is here and we’re closing out 2025 with huge momentum. From new guides and webinars to upcoming events and ecosystem updates, here’s what’s new at Above:

📖 Inside our latest newsletter:

• Free Guide: Life Under Digital ID — global analysis + real solutions

• Rise Above: Device & Ecosystem overview replay

• The People’s Reset 2026 —Hakeem will be a featured speaker at this incredible solutions-based event.

• Hakeem on the circuit: Dani Katz, The Way Forward, Peak Prosperity

✨ Read the full Autumn newsletter here → https://abovephone.com/autumn-updates-from-above/

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