🚨 Y2K38 is real, here’s what to do

Ah, the joys of Sunday, {{first_name | friend}}. I hope you have a relaxing day. I’m going hiking after church. Phew, it’s finally cooling down in Phoenix. I’m so lucky to live here.

🧀 But first, Gouda grief. Did you know that Parmesan cheese is facing a $2 billion counterfeit crisis? The official Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium (yes, that’s a thing) is now microchipping 88-pound cheese wheels with tiny edible trackers (smaller than a grain of salt) to verify the real deal. Turns out that not all Parmesan is who it claims to Brie. Ouch.

📺 Catch my show on my YouTube channel. Click here now for the tips, laughs and tech talk you actually care about. No more endless “there’s nothing to watch” required. — Kim

📬 Was this forwarded to you? Be the first to know, not the last to hear. Sign up now. It’s free!

Kim K. in Calabasas, CA, asked if California’s new browser privacy law means she no longer needs Incogni, a sponsor of my national radio show. Great question. First, yes, I did check to see if that “K” stood for Kardashian. No response … yet. 😏

It forces websites and browsers to give you a new one-click “Do Not Track Me” signal. It’s basically a big red stop sign for websites that love scooping up your personal data. The law (AB 566) goes into effect in 2026, and sites will be legally required to give you the option if you’re in California.

So what does this actually stop? 

All those creepy behind-the-scenes trackers, from recording your clicks and time on a page to building a profile around what you shop for, what device you’re on and your location. And yep, it could also mean the end of those annoying cookie consent pop-ups.

Sounds like a win, right? It is, but only if you live in California. 

Other states haven’t passed anything like it yet. There’s no national law forcing websites to honor this do-not-track signal outside of CA, either. Some sites might apply it broadly to avoid legal headaches, but I wouldn’t count on it.

So while this new browser feature is a great first move, it’s not a force field. You’re still fair game for data brokers, app trackers and companies selling your personal data.

Now, this law only applies to websites. It does nothing to stop the worst offenders, data brokers. 

This shady industry is already worth $278 billion and is projected to soar past $500 billion by 2030. That’s huge.

They’re scraping your name, address, phone number, salary estimate, political leanings, medical issues, interests and even your family members’ names, all from apps, public records, loyalty programs, credit pulls and social media. Then they bundle it up and sell it.

Technically, yes. But good luck. 

Most of the 400+ data broker and people-search sites hide their opt-out forms deep in submenus on pages that aren’t indexed by Google.  Nice, right?

Some require photo ID, a snail mail letter or a CAPTCHA gauntlet that would make a robot cry. It’s like playing whack-a-mole with your personal life.

That’s why I use Incogni. They’ve already filed over 245 million removal requests and don’t stop until your info is gone and stays gone. I don’t have hours to hunt for obscure opt-out links and chase down shady companies that don’t want to be found. Incogni does it for me, and I love that. 

✅ You’ve heard me talk about Incogni. Now’s the time to use this link and promo code KIM60 to get an instant 60% savings. Btw, once your personal info is gone from these databases, you’ll notice the spammy calls and texts vanish like the wind.

So yes, Kim, flip that browser switch. But remember, some things made of silicon offer more support than others. California’s AB 566 law ain’t one of them.

He thought he got away with starting one of California’s worst fires, until investigators checked his ChatGPT history. Yep, AI ratted him out. Plus, landlords are using algorithms to hike rent, and a listener finds out his chatbot is a surprisingly good therapist.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform:

🚨 There’s a new Y2K bug: Meet Y2K38. It’s what happens when older tech hits a digital wall in January 2038 and thinks it’s 1901. (Talk about a throwback.) Hackers aren’t waiting around, either. They can mess with systems right now using fake GPS signals and bogus time stamps. We’re talking cars, printers, even nuclear subs going haywire. What can you do? Keep your devices updated so manufacturers can fix this before it becomes a real problem. On your phone, tablet and computer, check your date and time settings. If “Set time automatically” is turned on and your clock starts acting weird, switch it off. And don’t connect old gear to public Wi-Fi or shady networks. That’s how bad actors sneak in. If I hear this becoming a big problem, you bet I will let you know a.s.a.p.

Metal’s glow-up: MIT just whipped up a 3D-printable aluminum that’s five times stronger than the regular stuff and still light enough to replace titanium in jet engines. Translation: cheaper planes, cars, maybe even phones. The wild part? The engineers didn’t spend years testing a million different combos. They let AI do the heavy lifting, narrowing it down to just 40 winning formulas. Speaking of, two windmills are standing in a wind farm. One asks, “What’s your favorite kind of music?” The other says, “I’m a big metal fan.” Guess you had to be there.

💰 Ralph wrote to me: “I’m saving $75 a month thanks to Consumer Cellular!” I had to share this with you. Two unlimited lines for just $60/month, no contracts, same great coverage. Use code KIM25 and save $25 today.*

📺 Monetized redemption: YouTube’s letting some banned creators come back, if they’ve been gone over a year and play nice this time. No copyright cheats, no repeat offenders. They’ll have to rebuild from scratch, monetization and all. Basically, it’s creator purgatory with ads.

Sound check: This is incredible. A noisy experiment gone right led to histotripsy, a cancer treatment that uses ultrasound to blast tumors without surgery. FDA-approved for liver cancer, it’s noninvasive, fast and, get this, 95% effective in trials so far. Patients usually go home the same day. The inventor discovered it trying to quiet her lab. Volume down, breakthrough up.

📬 Copilot’s reading your Gmail: Microsoft’s Copilot can now peek into your Gmail, Drive and Calendar “to help you stay organized.” Translation: It’s reading your stuff so you don’t have to. Like a nosy neighbor offering to “recap” your mail, it might tidy things up, but you’re basically handing over a house key to your digital life.

One caller from Virginia had his account hacked ($2,500 gone), and somehow he’s the one in trouble. Help from Amazon? Crickets. Plus, ChatGPT goes to court, Waymo’s cars get pulled over, and Hollywood’s newest starlet is pure code.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform:

Time to turn your Sunday chores into quick wins.

🦈 Shark StainStriker (27% off): Deep cleans rugs, car seats and those mystery spots on your couch.

Spray mop (24% off): Ditch the bucket. Comes with three reusable microfiber pads that love all kinds of floors.

🧴 Bottle emptying kit (20% off): Let gravity squeeze every last drop. These caps practically pay for themselves.

Window & glass cleaner (13% off): Fingerprints and streaks? Gone with one swipe of this rose vinegar spray.

🧺 Laundry sheets (25% off): Bye-bye to bulky jugs, hello to easy-peasy detergent strips that save space.

🛍️ More time, less effort: Click here for today’s top steals on cleanup gear that gets it done.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Stop swiping all your open apps closed. You might think that helps battery life, but it’s a myth. Just so you know, most apps are meant to keep running in the background. 

🥶 Freezing your credit isn’t enough anymore, sorry: It won’t stop thieves from opening bank accounts, filing fake taxes or stealing your identity. NordProtect goes steps further by monitoring the dark web, leaks and more. Protect what a freeze can’t. Try it now for 65% off.*

Use ChatGPT on WhatsApp: You don’t need to open the app to prompt. In WhatsApp, go to the Chats screen, tap the green (+) icon, and select New Contact. Set the country code to the United States, enter (800) 242 8478, name it and tap Done. Tap the Message button, and ChatGPT will be verified and ready to go.

📚 Translate text on Kindle: Tap and hold on a word to translate it, or drag the sliders to highlight a full passage. In the pop-up menu, slide left until you see Translation. At the top, set the languages (e.g., From Japanese to English) and voila, you’ve got instant descriptions.

Block pop-ups in Chrome: On mobile Chrome, you can stop those annoying pop-ups and redirects. On Android, tap the three-dot icon > Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. On iPhone, go to Settings > Content Settings > Block Pop-ups. Heads up, this doesn’t block normal ads, just the extra spammy stuff.

📺 Power reset your smart TV: If your TV’s acting up with black screens or weird glitches, turn it off and unplug it from the wall. Then hold the TV’s power button (usually on the front, side or back) for 30 to 60 seconds. This drains any leftover power and forces a reset. Plug it back in, turn it on, and you’re good to go. Look at you, smarty pants.

🧠 TikTok is getting smarter: Now that the USA has taken it over, I’m building out my TikTok in the best way ever! Look forward to great videos along with awesome giveaways including Amazon gift cards, laptops, tablets, TVs and more. Hit this link and click the red “Follow” button to get in on the fun and free prizes.

🧐 Soothe the brain: Watch some weirdly relaxing glass cutting AI ASMR videos. 

Make a plan: Turn a brain dump into action. 

💻 Upgrade your Windows: Windows 10 is dead in days. Make the jump from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Check out the details here. 

The Great Firewall of China: It’s no surprise that China monitors all of its citizens online. How far does it go? Check out my viral video that peels back the curtain. They don’t want you to know all of this. 

🛰️ Broadcasting brilliance: Click to hear what you missed on my show.
📱 Listen on Apple Podcasts. 🎧 Stream on Spotify. 🌐 Play full episodes on Komando.com. 📻 Find your local radio station.

🧀 Since we started out today talking about cheese, that big block of metal and cold (your fridge) can interfere with your wireless signal. It absorbs radio waves, especially if your router is nearby or behind it. Your cheese drawer isn’t the only thing getting blocked.

Tech tip: Place your router in a central, open location away from thick metal appliances. Your smart fridge and connected kitchen gadgets will run smoother, and your streaming won’t cut out mid-mozzarella.

🎵 Now, sing it with me loud and proud: Sweet dreams are made of cheese. Who am I to diss-a-Brie? I cheddar the world and the feta cheese, everybody’s looking for Stilton.

That’s all for today, I remind you that with grate tech know-how comes grate responsibility. (I’ll see myself out, in a sec.)

On tap for tomorrow, it’s so uplifting. Imagine boarding a plane, looking toward the cockpit … and no one’s there. No captain, no copilot. Just empty seats and a glowing dashboard. Sounds like sci-fi, right? But this isn’t a movie. It’s real, and it’s already flying.

✌️ Until then, let your tech serve you, not stress you. — Kim

📣 Don’t keep me a secret: Share this email with friends (or copy URL here)

Photo credit(s): ChatGPT

Companies noted with an asterisk (*) sponsor my national radio show. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

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.

Join the lists for my weekly small biz and cryptocurrency newsletters!