The Current powered by Kim Komando

Your kid's post-screen meltdown isn't because they love the app. It's because the app was designed to keep them wanting. Neuroscientists call it a digital slot machine. I speak with Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff, author of Dopamine Kids, about how she broke the cycle with her own tween daughter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your smart devices could be someone else's weapon. A global crackdown wiped out four massive botnets linked to 300,000 attacks. Intelligence Analyst Allan Liska explains who's behind it and what it means for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I told my wife I might not wake up." That's what David Grant said when his doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. When he turned to ChatGPT, it diagnosed him in minutes. I speak with David about the moment AI saved his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your TV is watching you. It takes screenshots of what you're watching and sells that data to advertisers. I spoke with Aaron Alva, an attorney and former FTC insider, about why this is happening and how to stop it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See those dome cameras at the grocery store? Those aren't just for shoplifters. Those run AI that tracks every step you take, every pause you make to figure out what you want to buy. Yes, it's watching you. Plus, who really invented Bitcoin, a loyalty points scam to watch for, and a ChatGPT trick to outsmart your mechanic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your phone is not private. A U.S. Customs agent can legally search it when you return home from your trip abroad. They scan every picture, text, or email. In 2025, agents searched 55,318 devices. I’ll tell you why this is happening and how to protect yourself. We’re also looking at why some workers are choosing to retire early rather than retool for AI again. Plus, no more repeating yourself twice at drive-thru. Philips’ new espresso machine will remember your coffee order. Brew and conversation go a long way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seven fingers? Extra teeth? Those tells are gone. New research from UC Berkeley confirms we've crossed what they call the "Indistinguishable Threshold," the point where AI-generated faces have become so realistic that people perform no better than a coin flip when trying to distinguish them from real photos. That's why I sat down with Dr. Hany Farid, digital forensics professor at UC Berkeley and the person many call "The Deepfake Detective," to talk about what this means for trust, elections, and the spread of misinformation in a world where seeing is no longer believing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gmail. Google Maps. The App Store. Every one was dismissed like an absurd April Fools' prank. But each had the last laugh. Then I cover why AI tax scams are getting smarter by the minute. I'll show you how to avoid them. Plus, your wine fridge is getting smart. It can scan hundreds of bottles and know your collection better than you. Wine not? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every message you've ever sent? Not as private as you think. Guy Kawasaki, Apple's original evangelist and Silicon Valley icon, sounds the alarm in his new book, Everybody Has Something to Hide. I sat down with him to talk about what's at stake, why Signal is the only app he trusts for private messaging, and why he wants you to use it too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average person keeps their router for 7 years, but most of the security updates stop after 3 to 5 years. I’ll show you how to check if yours is still protected. Someone is crashing Zoom calls and selling it as a podcast. Plus, title fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. I’ll have one simple step to keep your home safe. Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Half of all CDs ever made were AOL trial discs. How do I know? I was making $25,000 a month running the computer section, until they asked me to pay them. I said no and made my own radio show. Sometimes saying no is the best move you ever make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Google invite you didn't ask for. It's skipping your inbox and going straight to your calendar. It just shows up. But here's the good news. I'll tell you how to fix it in 30 seconds.From your iPhone to your router, I have a few tips to keep you safe. Plus new research on pancreatic cancer and a landmark case found Meta and YouTube guilty of addicting kids to social media. And the age-old argument: is it Gif or Jif? The man who invented it, Steve Wilhite, weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your family tree has been hiding in plain sight. AI just learned how to read it. I'll show you a free tool that searches 8 billion records. I tested it myself. Turns out my grandmother outsmarted an entire Ukrainian village to score a ticket to America. Plus, the real story behind the Komando name. Also: Scammers are now building fake Zoom waiting rooms that look identical to the real thing. And there's an AirPod trick going viral. All it takes is a twist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leave all your stuff plugged in? That's a hidden electricity drain driving up your electric costs. I have simple fixes to save money. Good news: You won't have to unplug a thing. Plus, Amazon launches one-hour deliveries, new sleep apnea masks, and why AI agents are coming for entry-level office jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if someone paid you $20 an hour to do your chores? Right now, people are strapping cameras to their heads to wash dishes and fold laundry. Not for social media, but to teach AI how to do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha and Randy wanted a ride to their cruise ship. Instead, their driver turned out to be an impostor using someone else's Uber account. I break down the red flags they missed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Friday the 13th, and nothing's scarier than downloading an app that turns out to be spyware. I dig into the most common ones that track your location, contacts and health data. Chances are, you have some of these installed. Scary! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask a chatbot what it knows about you, and the answer might stop you cold. I tried it and AI turns into the most honest mirror you've ever looked into. Plus, the jobs actually safe from AI, Iran-linked hackers targeting Stryker, and meet Tilly Norwood: the AI-generated actress taking on Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 states require age verification to access social media or adult content online. You’re not handing your ID to Instagram. You’re handing it to a third-party company you’ve never heard of. Here's what to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bloody pig mask and live cockroaches were just the beginning. The Current exposes the disturbing true story of eBay executives who launched a campaign of psychological terror against a small publication. From anonymous threats to federal prison time, discover how a Fortune 500 giant tried to crush the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your phone isn't listening. The truth is scarier. Today's episode breaks down exactly why all those ads seem magically made for you. Plus: how a hacker used Sony's own chatbot to steal $20,000 worth of PlayStation games, and why you should avoid ChatGPT for medical emergencies. Phone dying? Here's a quick iPhone battery check that could save you $700 today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where, when, and how you book your trip changes what you pay. It's called dynamic pricing, and every hotel booking site does it. Here's how to beat it. Plus, some of my fave Amazon deals and how Google Flights predicts your trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think AI is just a job killer? It’s actually creating a new class of $200,000-a-year careers. From “vibe coding” to high-paying roles that require zero programming skills, ASU’s Dr. Ross Maciejewski reveals how to future-proof your paycheck and master the human-tech partnership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You posted a pic of your meal. Harmless? Nope. AI tools can now pinpoint your location to within a few feet just from the pixels. No GPS needed. I break down how it works and the five things you can do right now (under two minutes) to lock it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Texas company sold a list of 435,000 Alzheimer's patients to anyone with a credit card. The fine? $45,000. I break down why HIPAA doesn't protect your family and what you can do right now.Plus, the Windows printer setting that's been driving you crazy for years and the sneaky calendar scam hiding on your iPhone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times reporter Kashmir Hill talked to over 100 psychologists about how these bots are fueling real-world delusions. It’s a must-hear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your phone has been keeping a secret diary of everywhere you go. I'll break down the hidden location tracking feature sitting on your iPhone or Android right now. Plus, the creepy AI tool that can pinpoint exactly where you are just from a photo you posted online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A stranger glances at you in line at Starbucks. Ninety seconds later their phone knows your name, your job, and your last three Instagram posts. Today, Kim breaks down Meta's facial recognition push, what you can do to protect yourself, and why a leaked internal memo makes the whole thing even more alarming. Plus what parents need to know about Lyft riding solo, a security flaw that left businesses wide open to hackers for nearly a year, and a podcast episode you are not going to want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI cloned a woman's voice and her mom wired fifteen thousand dollars before she knew what hit her. I break down exactly how scammers do it in three seconds, why your bank's voice authentication is already defeated, and the one code word your family needs today. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg's kids aren't on social media but yours might be, Microsoft's AI was reading your boss's confidential emails for weeks, and your phone posture might be causing your heartburn. Time to sit up straight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Waymo costs $8. An Uber for the same ride? $17. The robotaxi price war is here, and it's changing everything. I break down who's winning, who's faking it (looking at you, Tesla), and why owning a car might soon feel like a gym membership you never use. Plus, your browser leaves fingerprints on every site you visit and a Pokémon card just sold for $13 million. Time to check that shoebox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WIRED senior correspondent Andy Greenberg got a late-night email from inside a Southeast Asian compound. The message: “I am a computer engineer being forced to work here. I want to help shut this down.” What happened next will blow your mind. Hear my convo with him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only that, he wants to plop entire AI factories and data centers there. I cover more of Musk's lunar factory plans. Plus, how the FBI found Nancy Guthrie's doorbell cam footage, why you shouldn't trust AI for financial advice, and Google Chrome's secret dinosaur game. Another fun thing: How many years will a baby born today stare at a screen? You won't believe the answer. Listen to it in this podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly 10% of Americans have been followed by a hidden device like an AirTag without their consent. In this episode of The Current, I'm showing you how to spot if you've got an unwanted tech stalker and exactly how to send it packing. Also checking out some genuinely cool AR glasses that turn your windshield into a sci-fi dashboard, plus the best tech deals you can find today. Five minutes to reclaim your privacy? Worth it. Let's go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ring’s cute big game ad was just a cover. Their new AI 'Search Party' feature is officially turning neighborhood cameras into a massive surveillance web linked to law enforcement. I'll show you the hidden setting to change right now to opt your home out of the network. Plus: Meta: Unsealed docs reveal executives were warned of 500k inappropriate messages sent to kids every single day. J&J: AI-enhanced surgery bot linked to 10 patient injuries and a leaked brain fluid scandal. Yikes: 1 in 3 Gen Z students admit to scrolling TikTok during sex (and some even answered a call from Mom). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to my daily tech newsletter The Current on the go. I’ll tell you about the first person to receive a Neuralink brain implant. It’s an amazing human story. Plus, did you see Ring’s commercial during the big game? They’re finding lost dogs and catching criminals, but there’s more you need to know that wasn’t in the ad. I’ll also tell you what else is in your inbox Tuesday, including a chance to win $250. Sign up at GetKim.com if you’re not already subscribed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get my daily tech newsletter The Current on the go by listening to this audio version. I'll test your knowledge on a big oopsie at Pixar and explain why "buying" a movie doesn't mean what you think it does anymore. Plus, I'll let you know what else you can find in Thursday's newsletter, including your chance to win $250. Not subscribed? Sign up at GetKim.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Dubitsky is the Founder of Hello Products (sold to Colgate) and the strategic mind behind the iconic EOS lip balm spheres. Now, he’s the Co-Founder of Happy Coffee alongside Robert Downey Jr. I ask Craig how a 12-person team gets product into 17,000 stores and how NetSuite saved his operations when hypergrowth literally broke their systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get my daily tech newsletter The Current on the go by listening to this audio version. I'll ask you an out-of-this-world trivia question and tell you about AI that can understand your dog and shop for you. Plus, I'll point you to critical info and links in the January 14 newsletter in your inbox. Not subscribed? Sign up at GetKim.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doctors? Lawyers? Writers? No one's safe. Here’s which roles Microsoft says have the most crossover with AI and are likely to be taken over. Plus, the staggering number of ads you see every day, ChatGPT slipping in ads, and how your grocery store is spying on you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dig through your junk drawer. That old iPod might actually be worth six figures. I'll tell you which models are selling for insane money. Plus, cybercrime costs less than Netflix (here's why), the story behind the Nano Banana name, and Microsoft Copilot's big evolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget your credit score. A hidden digital profile is ranking you as a VIP or a problem child, and it's affecting everything from job offers to loan rates. I talk to Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni, who reveals what's really in these files. Plus, an AI deepfake text sends a woman to jail, and creeps wearing Ray-Ban Metas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money-saving guru Clark Howard is here sharing his top-secret strategies airlines don't want you to know. We talk about clever booking hacks, algorithms, hidden deals, and the perfect time to strike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your spouse acting sketchy? Guarding their phone? That’s where private investigator Steph A. (aka @YourfavInvestigator) steps in. Armed with a camcorder and pro spy skills, she catches two-timers in the act. Listen now to find out if your partner is lying to your face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I teamed up with the internet’s favorite scambaiter, Kitboga, to turn the tables on these crooks. You will not believe the chaos when he uses his voice changer to pretend to be my husband. BONUS: Want to make $65/hr from home? Here's a legit AI job that requires no degree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine buying a Christmas gift that bills your credit card every single month. That is the new trap called 'Hardware as a Service,' and we are exposing how to spot it. Also, our AI host Rylie reveals the dirty truth: Your phone is a pocket-sized spy feeding data brokers. But we’re fighting back. Get four genius hacks to finesse your finances and lock down your digital life. Don't let Big Tech drain your wallet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays are here. In this episode of The Current, our AI host Mara explains why your Christmas tree tinsel could be slowing down the internet. Also, the one thing you must never do when renting a car this season. And she exposes a scary new scam where hackers use fake police emails to get your data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine ordering a Waymo and finding a man in the trunk. That actually happened in L.A. this week to a mom and her daughter. Once you recover from that horror story, here's more news: Uncle Sam is hunting for coders  and why Mom is swiping right for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim's very own AI bot reveals why Google is paying billions to settle the "Incognito" lawsuit. Here's how to actually secure your browsing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check your grocery receipt. A new investigation exposes how Instacart is using smart algorithms to quietly jack up prices. Sometimes by dollars per item. Plus, ChatGPT vs. Gemini, Google's smart glasses and Silicon Valley's new code word for layoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI host Mara is back with a recipe for success! In this episode, she breaks down the "AI Sandwich," a simple 4-step method to stop ChatGPT from vomiting boring answers and start giving you exactly what you need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to hack your life? Join your AI host, Riley, to unlock hidden gadget backdoors to supercharge your workflow. Plus, Bill Gates vs. the Robots (tax-wise, at least), and the legal drama coming for TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices