

Below the Surface: Hardware & Surveillance
A fireside chat on hardware backdoors, secure elements, and the hidden layers of surveillance baked into modern tech.
Most people secure their apps. Some even secure their browsers or passwords.
But almost nobody secures their hardware.
Here’s the unsettling truth: nearly every modern processor — Intel or AMD — comes with a tiny hidden computer inside it. These subsystems (like Intel Management Engine or AMD PSP) operate below your operating system, silently accessing your data, even when the machine is “off.”
They're invisible, unremovable, and almost nobody talks about them.
In this fireside chat edition of Unfuck the Internet, we’re sitting down with a few devs and tinkerers who’ve been deep in this world.
The format’s simple: honest conversation, real questions, and a few “wait, WHAT?” moments.
We'll explore:
How hardware backdoors work and what they can access
Where our current devices fall short — and what to look for instead
Why secure elements, physical security keys, and open firmware matter
What “confidential computing” is trying to solve
Whether we can ever fully trust our machines
You won’t need to be a hardware expert to follow, we’ll walk through ideas clearly, share stories, and leave space for Q&A and follow-ups.
If you care about privacy, sovereignty, or just want to understand what’s really running under the hood — join us for this conversation.
Who are we
We are Unsigned Labs. We are focused on developing free and open source software that allows individuals to be digitally self sovereign.
What is this event series about
A gathering for anyone passionate about digital privacy, open-source technologies, and reclaiming control of our digital lives. We're bringing together developers, privacy advocates, enthusiasts and curious minds to explore tools that protect digital freedom.
Check out the highlights of the last one.
Stay Connected
Follow our journey on X: https://x.com/unsignedlabs
Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/dDa9m6hKdr
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Our website: https://unsigned.in/
Venue Partner
Bitshala Bitspace, HSR Layout Sector 7, Bengaluru.
Join Our Community: http://discord.gg/atjEPVTdsQ
Subscribe to our Calendar: https://lu.ma/bitshala
Contact: 9118592188