The exact privacy, security, and independence tools I rely on. Affiliate links included – you support my work at no extra cost to you.
⚡ My Sovereignty Tech Stack
After years of research and experimentation, I’ve built a technology stack that prioritizes:
- Privacy — Minimize surveillance
- Security — Protect assets and data
- Independence — Own my platforms and content
- Censorship-resistance — Can’t be deplatformed
Below are the exact tools I use daily. Some links are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend tools I actually use and would recommend to friends.
Full disclosure: These affiliate links support my work. More importantly, these are the actual tools I rely on to stay sovereign and censorship-resistant.
🔐 Hardware Security
Trezor Safe 3
This is the hardware wallet I personally use to secure my Bitcoin.
Why I use it:
- Self-custody = sovereignty — “Not your keys, not your coins”
- Secure Element chip — Protection against physical attacks
- Open-source firmware — Auditable security, no hidden backdoors
- On-device confirmation — Every transaction confirmed on device, can’t be remotely compromised
- Supply chain security — Not made in China
- Advanced protection — PIN + passphrase with anti-tampering features
Price: $79
My take: If you hold crypto, hardware wallets are non-negotiable. Exchange hacks, government seizures, and account freezes are real risks. I chose Trezor over Ledger because Ledger had data breaches exposing customer info AND their “Ledger Recover” feature undermines the entire point of self-custody. Trezor’s open-source approach means the community audits every line of code. This is what actual security looks like.
Remember: Not your keys, not your coins. Self-custody is the foundation of financial sovereignty.
🌐 Content & Platform Tools
Self-Hosted WordPress
Why I use it:
- Full ownership — Not renting from a platform
- Complete control — Over content and data
- Can’t be deplatformed — As long as I pay hosting
- Flexible — Plugins for Ko-fi integration, memberships, etc.
Hosting I use: Vultr VPS ($5-10/month)
My take: Ghost, Substack, Medium are easier but you’re renting. WordPress + self-hosting means I OWN this site. If I get banned from payment processor, I can switch. If hosting goes down, I migrate. Sovereignty requires ownership.
Get WordPress → (Free software – pay for hosting only)
Ko-fi (Payment Processing)
Why I use it:
- 0% platform fee — vs Patreon’s 8-12%
- PayPal + Stripe support
- Membership tiers
- One-time tips + recurring subscriptions
What I use it for: All memberships on Unearthed by Al
Price: Free (payment processor fees only: ~3%)
My take: Patreon deplatforms creators. SubscribeStar is a good alternative but Ko-fi’s 0% fee is unbeatable. I keep 97% of revenue (3% goes to PayPal, not Ko-fi).
📚 Books I Recommend
Support independent bookstores – all links go to Bookshop.org (not Amazon). Amazon bans controversial books, exploits workers, and powers government surveillance. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores instead.
On Sovereignty & Freedom:
- “The Sovereign Individual” by James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg
Bookshop → - “Behold a Pale Horse” by William Cooper
Bookshop →
On Research Methodology:
- “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman (cognitive biases)
Bookshop →
📺 Streaming Platforms
Rumble
Why I use it:
- No algorithmic suppression — Independent voices aren’t shadow-banned
- Better monetization — Better terms for creators than YouTube
- No Google account required — Privacy win
What I use it for: Unearthed investigative streams
Price: Free
My take: If you’re tired of YouTube’s censorship and surveillance, Rumble is the alternative. They don’t demonetize for wrongthink or suppress your content in the algorithm. I stream my investigative shows there – uncensored deep dives into topics that would get flagged elsewhere.
Odysee
Why I use it:
- Decentralized — Built on blockchain (LBRY protocol)
- Censorship-resistant — Content can’t be deleted by central authority
- Cryptocurrency rewards — Earn LBC tokens for watching and uploading
- No ads — Clean viewing experience
What I use it for: Video archive, stream replays, investigative documentaries
Price: Free
My take: True decentralization. Odysee runs on blockchain technology, meaning uploaded content exists independently of any single platform. Perfect for archiving investigative work that might be controversial. I upload all my streams and long-form videos here.
💪 Support This Work
If these recommendations help you build your own sovereignty stack, consider supporting my investigative work:
- Join Unearthed Memberships: ko-fi.com/immortalal
- One-time tip: ko-fi.com/immortalal
- Share this page: Help others find these tools
Every purchase through affiliate links supports more deep-dive investigations. Thank you for being part of the Exit & Build movement.
Questions about any of these tools? Reach out via Ko-fi or my livestreams.
Want to see my full setup walkthrough? I break down my entire tech stack in my streams and articles.