💳 What your loyalty card really costs

Happy Wednesday, {{first_name | friend}}. We all deserve a little midweek emoji-fueled joy. From 🍕 to 😭 to 💅, emoji have become modern hieroglyphics. But they weren’t always the mood-boosting stickers we know today. Nope, they actually started as a clever hack to save space on cell networks, not feelings. 

They also weren’t created in the U.S. Can you guess where the first emoji was invented? Was it: A) South Korea, B) Japan, C) California or D) Switzerland? Pick your favorite smiley face, and find the answer at the 🔚.

🎙️ I’m tech-nically heartbroken if you did not catch my most recent show. But here’s the good news: The biggest, award-winning tech show in the nation is only a click away. Stream it anytime, anywhere. Tap the link to catch up and stay smart, safe and one step ahead in this crazy digital world. — Kim

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Let me tell you something that’ll make you look at your “loyalty perks” apps and programs a lot differently. 

You think you’re getting a deal along with points, rewards, a freebie here and there. But what you’re really signing up for is a machine that’s collecting, analyzing and monetizing you.

I studied a new report from Vanderbilt University called The Loyalty Trap so you don’t have to. Here’s how it all works in three powerful shady stages.

The moment you hand over your name, phone number or email to a loyalty program, the profile starts. From there, every single purchase, store visit, location ping and even what you almost bought gets logged and sold to who knows who.

You’re not just earning points. You’re building your own dossier.

Once they’ve got the data, it goes into the algorithm blender. Not only are these companies watching what you do, they’re predicting what you’ll do next.

Will a 10% discount bring you back on Thursday night? Should they suggest the more expensive wine this time? They already know.

This is the moment where loyalty stops being friendly and starts becoming predictive. You’re being shaped as you shop.

Here’s the real kick in the pants. Your data gets sold or shared. Not only inside the brand, but with advertisers, partner companies (whoever they are) and data brokers. Even if you delete the app, your data trail stays alive. 

This isn’t about paranoia, it’s about awareness. Loyalty programs aren’t evil. But they are smart. Scary smart.

So next time you tap your app for that “free” coffee, remember it came with a price you never agreed to out loud.

This is exactly why you need the privacy tool called Incogni. It works on your behalf to track down and force data brokers (the ones who buy and sell your loyalty program data) to delete what they’ve collected about you. 

You can’t possibly chase down every company that’s built a profile on your shopping, eating or browsing habits. But Incogni can. Think of this as locking the front door of your digital life, finally.

Full disclosure: Incogni has been a sponsor of my national radio show for years. I was a customer before that even happened. I negotiated a great deal so you get 60% off using promo code KIM60. By the way, if you do sign up, I get no residuals or kickbacks. I know Incogni works, and I think you’ll love having your privacy back, too.

Your new car logs where you drive and how you brake. That data may go straight to insurance companies. Also: the viral app making Americans toss out food, why Apple Intelligence isn’t real (yet) and the $299 AI toilet camera.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen now on your favorite platform:

Let’s get your home looking spotless with less effort.

🦈 Attack on dirt: Crumbs, pet hair and sticky spills? Gone. Shark’s Matrix Plus (36% off) maps your floors and even empties itself.

Closet space, unlocked: These vacuum storage bags (30% off, eight-pack) are the easiest way to get that “minimalist” look.

🧥 Shave years off your clothes: Grab an electric lint remover (37% off). It’s oddly satisfying watching fuzz vanish.

DIY repair hero: Fix small holes with a drywall patch kit (38% off) before they become “why didn’t I call someone?” problems.

🧽 I got your back: Stop bending over. This baseboard cleaner (28% off) has a 49-inch handle to reach those tricky spots.

✅ Hole-y moley, that was easy: Click this secret link for today’s top steals on Amazon, all four stars and up.

🤖 Prime and punishment: It’s happening. Amazon is assembling a team, and by team, I mean a robot army. Leaked docs say Amazon’s trying to automate 75% of operations by 2033, which would save them $12.6 billion and skip 600,000 human hires. They’re even rebranding robots as “cobots” to avoid the A-word (automation) and soften the blow.

Speaking of: Got Amazon Prime? You might have a (small) check headed your way. Amazon’s shelling out $2.5 billion to settle claims it trapped users in sneaky Prime subscriptions. Payouts max at $51 each, covering members from 2019 to 2025. If you used your Prime benefits three times or fewer in any 12-month period, you’ll automatically get a payment (no claim needed) by Dec. 24, 2025. If you’re not in that group but eligible to file, a third-party claims administrator will email or mail instructions by Jan. 23, 2026. 

📸 “I let him in”: TikTokers are making fake “AI homeless man” pranks, photos of random strangers edited into their homes, then sent to partners or parents for shock value. One viral post hit 5.5M likes before police nationwide started warning: It’s not funny, it’s dangerous. The pranked are calling the cops in a panic, wasting everyone’s time. 

Eau de octane: Bought an electric car and missing that good old gas station musk? Kia’s new EV4 comes with a free air freshener that smells like “motor oil with a hint of gasoline.” It’s like going vegan but still hanging around barbecue joints for the vibes. Wait, this one is better. Nothing says “clean energy future” like the scent of a Jiffy Lube waiting room. (lol)

🧠 Say hi to ChatGPT Atlas: It’s their new AI browser taking on Chrome. Let’s say you’re researching something, Atlas can suggest follow-ups, summarize what you're reading, or even help you draft an email or outline without flipping between tabs like a caffeinated squirrel. It remembers what you’re working on and actually helps you finish it. Only on Mac for now, but Windows and mobile are on the way. Learn more here.

Cloud chaos? No thanks. If you need speed, power and zero mystery charges, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure delivers. It’s built for serious performance without the “gotcha” billing or tech drama. No surprise bills. No meltdowns. Just the cloud that actually works. Try it free now using this exclusive link.*

📸 Big Brother’s photo dump: Oh boy. Facebook’s testing a feature that scans your phone’s entire camera roll, yes, even the photos you never posted, to “find hidden gems.” It uploads your unposted shots to Meta’s cloud, and if you edit or share them, Meta can train its AI on your pics. The company swears it’s opt-in. You go first.

Would you hop on a plane with no pilot? Your AI host Riley digs into the truth about self-flying planes. Then, California’s Do Not Track law, the next Y2K scare and why Microsoft’s Copilot is getting way too close for comfort.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen now on your favorite platform:

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On Instagram, spread two fingers outward to zoom in on photos or videos. I use it for reading small text. Just don’t double-tap and accidentally like something if you’re snooping.

Android not receiving texts? Check your signal first by looking for bars in the top corner. Then tap and hold the Messages app, select the “i” icon, scroll to Storage and tap Clear cache. Restart your phone. If messages still don’t come through, make a call or text someone else to check that your SIM is active.

✈️ On the go? Your data’s going with you: Public Wi-Fi at hotels, airports and cafés, it’s a gold mine for hackers. That’s why I never travel without ExpressVPN. One tap, and my connection is encrypted and secure no matter where I am. Fast, private and works on all your devices. Travel smart. Stay safe. Get 4 extra months at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.*

Blur your lock screen: Don’t want your full wallpaper showing when your iPhone’s locked? In iOS 26, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display. Toggle on Show Wallpaper and Blur Wallpaper Photo. Your wallpaper stays sharp when unlocked but blurs on the lock screen for extra privacy.

Boost your mic volume on Windows: If your mic sounds too quiet, go to Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings. In the pop-up, open the Recording tab, find your mic, right-click and select Properties. Under Levels, set Microphone to 100, then hit Apply and OK. If that doesn’t fix it, unplug the mic, Restart your PC and plug it back in.

Update your NVIDIA drivers: Outdated ones can cause annoying glitches while gaming or streaming. Open the NVIDIA app, go to Drivers in the left menu, select Game Ready Driver, then click Download and Install. You’ll get the latest fixes, performance boosts and new features. Check it often.

There’s a movement to decode your doo-doo data. 

Kohler’s new Dekoda smart toilet clips onto any toilet, scans your, um, “output” with sensors and AI, and syncs with an app to give you daily health insights.

It checks stool shape, frequency and even detects blood. Basically, it’s a Fitbit for your flush. Wait, there’s more! It also charges magnetically and pairs with a fingerprint remote. Obviously your toilet needs multiuser support. 

The $599 device requires a $6.99/month subscription, because even pooping now has a SaaS (more like sAss) model. Let me tell you, if I ever meet the guy who invented single-ply toilet paper, I am not shaking his hand.

🇯🇵 The answer: B) Japan. Emoji were born in 1999, thanks to Japanese designer Shigetaka Kurita, who whipped up the OG 176 emojis, all 12x12 pixels, to help mobile users say more with less. Fast-forward to now: 3,600 emoji and counting. Hello 🧟, 🫠 and 🍣.

One for the kids: What is a cow emoji called? An emoooooji. 

This is the #1 free tech newsletter in the United States. Tomorrow, I’ll be sliding into your inbox with how to turn your closet into cold hard cash. I don’t even want a cut.

✌️ Until then, pat yourself on the back. You are the tech-smartest person you know. Well, aside from me! — Kim

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Photo credit(s): ChatGPT, Kohler Health

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This newsletter and its content are intended for informational purposes only. They are provided without warranty of any kind. You shouldn’t construe anything provided here as legal, health, medical, technical, tax, investment, financial or any other kind of advice.

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