Geopolitics & Empire Hakeem Anwar: Rising Above the Algorithm Ghetto
Jun 10, 2025
Hakeem Anwar, a dedicated technologist and co-founder of Above Phone and Take Back Our Tech, sheds light on the pressing issue of privacy in our increasingly surveilled world. He discusses the implications of centralized technologies and their impact on personal freedom, emphasizing the role of cryptocurrency in maintaining autonomy. Anwar stresses the importance of community resilience and privacy-focused communication. He advocates for responsible tech usage, highlighting the need to navigate the 'algorithm ghetto' while fostering real connections.
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Hakeem's Corporate Exit Story
- Hakeem Anwar quit his corporate tech job after rejecting building surveillance during the sca\ndemic lockdowns.
- He shifted focus to social movements, privacy tech education, and launching Above Phone and Take Back Our Tech.
Palantir Powers Real-Time Surveillance
- Palantir centralizes vast data from many agencies, enabling near real-time surveillance.
- LAPD can use natural language queries to identify suspects with granular personal data and city-wide cameras.
Algorithm Ghetto is Here Now
- The algorithm ghetto is a social credit system linking IDs to finances and phone records, impacting citizens globally.
- Pakistan blocked national IDs retroactively to punish protest-related activities, a warning sign for future implementations elsewhere.