Did you know that over 1.2 billion smartphones are produced every year? Most of these devices end up in landfills, contributing to the growing global e-waste crisis. But what if there was a smarter, greener way to use them? Researchers are now showing us that old smartphones as data centers could be the next big thing in sustainable tech.

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Old smartphones are turned into tiny data centers. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Old smartphones find new life as mini data centers

A team at the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science in Northern Europe’s Estonia has found a creative way to give outdated phones a new purpose. Instead of letting them gather dust or pollute the environment, these phones are being repurposed into tiny data centers. By connecting old smartphones together, the team enables them to efficiently process and store data for research and community projects, an innovative idea with significant impact.

How researchers turn smartphones into low-cost data centers

Turning old smartphones into data centers is surprisingly affordable. Researchers removed the batteries (to prevent chemical leaks) and used external power sources. They then connected the phones, placed them in 3D-printed holders, and created a working prototype. These mini-data centers have already been tested in real-world scenarios, like monitoring marine life underwater tasks that would normally require expensive equipment.

An image of an old phone on a desk. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The environmental impact of reusing old phones

Every phone that gets a second life as a data center means fewer toxic materials in landfills and less demand for new electronics. This approach not only reduces e-waste but also saves valuable resources and cuts down on CO₂ emissions from manufacturing. By extending the life of our devices, we’re taking a big step toward a more sustainable future.

What you can do with your old smartphones

Before tossing out your old phone, consider donating it to organizations that upcycle electronics. Your device could help power the next wave of sustainable tech solutions. Together, we can keep our landfills cleaner and support innovative research, all by rethinking what we do with our old smartphones.

An image of people on their smartphones. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Giving old smartphones a second chance as data centers is a simple way we can all help reduce e-waste and support sustainable tech. Imagine the positive impact if more people embraced old smartphones as data centers instead of sending them to landfills.

Would you consider turning your unused phone into something that powers research or helps your community? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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A breakthrough in medical technology could soon change how sinus infections are treated. Scientists have created micro-robots for sinus infection treatment that can enter the nasal cavity, eliminate bacteria directly at the source, and exit without harming surrounding tissue. This drug-free, targeted approach may reduce our dependence on antibiotics.

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A woman with a sinus infection. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What are micro-robots for sinus infection treatment?

These microscopic robots are smaller than a speck of dust. They are made of magnetic particles enhanced with copper atoms. Doctors insert them through a narrow duct in the nostril. Once inside, the micro-robots are guided by magnetic fields to reach the infected area.

At that point, a fiber optic light heats the particles and triggers a chemical reaction. This reaction breaks through thick mucus and destroys harmful bacteria at the infection site. As a result, treatment becomes faster, more precise, and far less invasive.

This latest advancement comes from a collaboration of researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, along with universities in Guangxi, Shenzhen, Jiangsu, Yangzhou, and Macau. Their work, published in “Science Robotics,” has helped move micro-robotic medical technology closer to real-world applications. 

Why use micro-robots instead of antibiotics?

Traditional antibiotics circulate throughout the entire body. In contrast, micro-robots target only the infected area. This reduces side effects and lowers the risk of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, patients may recover faster because the treatment goes straight to the source.

A woman with a sinus infection. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Are micro-robots safe?

So far, animal trials have shown promising results. Micro-robots successfully cleared infections in pig sinuses and live rabbits, without causing tissue damage. However, scientists still need to ensure that every robot exits the body after treatment. Leftover particles could pose long-term risks.

In addition, public acceptance remains a challenge. The idea of tiny machines inside the body makes some people uncomfortable. Nevertheless, experts believe those fears will fade over time.

What other uses are possible?

Researchers are already exploring how micro-robots could treat infections in the bladder, stomach, intestines, and bloodstream. Several teams around the world are working to make the technology more advanced and adaptable for deep internal use. If successful, these innovations could revolutionize the way we fight bacteria in the human body.

A doctor examining a woman with a sinus infection. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The rise of micro-robots for sinus infection treatment marks a major shift in medical care. By offering precise, non-invasive therapy without antibiotics, this method could redefine how infections are treated. With continued research and testing, these tiny tools may soon become powerful allies in modern medicine.

Would you let microscopic robots crawl through your sinuses if it meant never needing antibiotics again? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Your personal data is a highly valuable commodity. Companies often treat it like a resource to be mined and traded. In practice, this means that everything you do on the Internet, what you search, what you click, where you shop, feeds a vast industry. Many people feel they have little control over this.

In fact, a Pew Research survey found that roughly six in ten Americans say it’s not possible to go through daily life without having data collected about them. We may use “free” services, but we usually pay in data. As the U.S. Federal Trade Commission explains, “The things we do throughout the course of our day give businesses access to information about our habits, tastes, and activities. Some might use it to deliver targeted ads to you… Others might sell or share that information”.

Let’s examine how your data is collected in everyday life, who is buying and selling it, what happens to it afterward, and, most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself.

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A person working on a laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How does your data get collected

Almost everything we do online or even offline can generate data. Here are some common sources:

1) Social media platforms: Social networks like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter collect a wide array of data from your posts, likes, location check-ins, connections, and more. Social media companies harvest sensitive data about individuals’ activities, interests, personal characteristics, and purchasing habits. In short, even casual sharing on these sites adds to a detailed profile about you.

2) Online shopping and loyalty programs: Every time you shop online or use a store loyalty card, data about your purchases is recorded. Retailers track what you buy, when, and how (with coupon or card). Even offline purchases using a rewards card feed into databases. Over time, this builds a detailed purchasing history linked to your identity.

3) Browser fingerprinting: This technique collects bits of information about your browser and device (such as which plugins you have, screen size, time zone, etc.) to create a unique “fingerprint.” That fingerprint can identify you uniquely across sites, even without cookies.

4) Mobile app identifiers and SDKs: On phones, each app often reports usage data back to its developer or advertising partners. For example, iOS and Android assign a unique advertising ID to your device, and apps can read that ID and log your activity. Many apps also include third-party SDKs (software development kits) from analytics or ad companies that silently collect data on your in-app behavior and send it off for profiling.

5) Cookies and tracking pixels: A cookie is a small file your browser saves from a website. It lets the site recognize your device later. A tracking pixel (also called a web beacon) is a tiny, invisible image embedded in a webpage or email that reports back when you view it. Together, cookies and pixels allow companies to “remember” your visits, log which pages you view, and build a record of your browsing even after you leave a site.

Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What data brokers are and how hey sell your information

Data brokers are companies whose entire business is buying, aggregating, and reselling personal information. They collect data about you from many places and bundle it into profiles. This industry is massive (estimated at around $200 billion per year) with thousands of firms globally. Big-name brokers include companies like Experian, Acxiom, Epsilon, and many lesser-known “people search” sites.

Using sources like public records, social media, data breaches, and data brokers assemble extensive dossiers on individuals. They collect ordinary details such as names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, as well as sensitive traits: gender, marital status, education level, occupation, income range, hobbies, and interests. Brokers may even buy data about your health (like what drugs you purchase) or political views gathered from public voter records or social media activity.

After building these profiles, brokers sell or license them to anyone who will pay. Typical customers include Marketers and Advertisers, Insurers and Lenders, People Search and Data Services, Employers and Background Checkers, and more.

Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What happens to your data after it’s sold

Once your data is in the hands of others, it’s used to profile and segment people in ways that can affect what we see and the opportunities we receive. Profiling simply means grouping people by common traits or habits, such as “young urban pet owners” or “people likely to buy a new car this year.” These profiles are then used to serve you targeted ads and offers.

Targeted advertising can feel creepy or manipulative. For example, you might notice ads for products you only briefly mentioned in a private message or web search, because your data was shared with dozens of advertisers behind the scenes. Every time you load a page with ads, your data profile is broadcast to companies through automated ad auctions, and they bid to show you ads.

Beyond advertising, there can be more serious consequences such as identity theft and stalking. Broader profiles mean more tempting targets for criminals. People-search websites, which get data from brokers, can show your address, phone number, family members’ names, and even your Social Security number. This information can be used to steal your identity or harass you.

How you can take back control

There are many ways to take control of your personal data, several of which are listed in the section below, but the most effective is to consider a data removal service.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. 

A personal data removal service can help you remove all this personal information from the internet. It has a very clean interface and will scan 195 websites for your information and remove it and keep it removed. 

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com/Delete.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan.

A person surfing on their laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4 ways additional ways to protect your data

You can take steps to reclaim some control over your data, and you don’t have to be a tech expert to do it. Here are some practical tips and resources:

1) Review privacy settings: Take a few minutes to explore the privacy and security settings on the services you use. For example, limit who can see your social media posts, disable unnecessary location-sharing on your phone, and consider turning off ad personalization on accounts like Google and Facebook. Most browsers let you block third-party cookies or clear tracking data. The FTC suggests comparing the privacy notices of different sites and apps and choosing ones that let you opt out of sharing when possible.

2) Use privacy-friendly tools: Install browser extensions or plugins that block ads and trackers. You might switch to a more private search engine (like DuckDuckGo or Brave) that doesn’t log your queries. Consider using a browser’s “incognito” or private mode when you don’t want your history saved. Even small habits, like logging out of accounts when not in use or using a password manager, make you less trackable.

3) Be cautious with personal data: Think twice before sharing extra details. Don’t fill out online surveys or quizzes that ask for personal or financial information unless you trust the source. Create separate email addresses for sign-ups (so marketing emails don’t go to your main inbox). Only download apps from official stores, and check app permissions.

4) Opt out of data broker lists: Many data brokers offer ways to opt out or delete your information, though it can be a tedious process. For example, there are sites like Privacy Rights Clearinghouse or the Whitepages opt-out page that list popular brokers and their opt-out procedures. The FTC’s consumer guide “Your Guide to Protecting Your Privacy Online” includes tips on opting out of targeted ads and removing yourself from people-search databases. (Keep in mind you may have to repeat this every few months.)

Kurt’s key takeaway

You may not be able to completely escape the data economy, but you can limit its impact on your life. By using privacy tools, being mindful of what you share, and demanding transparency, you make it harder for companies to treat your personal information as a free-for-all. Each small step, whether it’s tweaking settings, clicking “opt out,” or simply pausing before hitting “submit” on a form, helps you regain control. Ultimately, pushing for accountability from businesses and lawmakers is also part of the solution. After all, privacy is a fundamental right that deserves strong safeguards for everyone.

How comfortable are you knowing that your personal data might be used to target ads? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Fixing underground water pipes usually means digging up roads and sidewalks — a process that’s disruptive and expensive. However, researchers at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. are working on a different approach. They’ve developed small robots called “Pipebots” that can travel inside water pipes to find and potentially repair leaks, all without any excavation.

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Pipebot in various environments. (University of Sheffield)

Old leaky underground pipes are causing a crisis

The U.K. has some of the oldest water systems in the world, with parts of the network still dating back to the Victorian era. Not surprisingly, many of these pipes are leaking, wasting about 790 million gallons of water every day. Fixing them usually means digging up streets, which causes major disruption and adds to the country’s $5 billion a year maintenance costs.

A prototype of a Pipebot. (University of Sheffield)

Little robots come to the rescue

Pipebots are tiny, high-tech helpers designed to navigate the underground world of water pipes. Each one comes with acoustic sensors, cameras, and rugged wheels that help it move through tight, twisty spaces-while smart enough to steer clear of off-limits areas.

They’re dropped into the water system through hydrants and travel in groups, scanning the inside of pipes for even the smallest cracks. When they spot a problem, they send the details back to engineers above ground, making it easier to fix issues without digging anything up.

An illustration showing that a Pipebot has found a leak. (University of Sheffield)

The robots are part of a bigger innovation plan

These robots are part of a larger effort to modernize how the U.K. manages its aging water infrastructure. The initiative isn’t just a university research project-it’s supported by the U.K.’s water regulator, OFWAT (the Water Services Regulation Authority), and involves several collaborative projects.

One of these projects focuses on using Pipebots to inspect live, pressurized wastewater pipes, also known as raising mains. The goal is to catch problems early and make repairs before leaks cause pollution. 

Another project, called “no dig leak repair,” is working on ways to fix leaks from inside the water mains themselves, completely avoiding the need for disruptive roadwork. 

There’s also the EU-funded Pipeon Project, which is developing advanced, AI-powered robots that can inspect sewers autonomously, without human guidance.

Image of a Pipebot. (University of Sheffield)

Kurt’s key takeaways

These little robots could be exactly what countries everywhere need to keep their water systems running smoothly. They have the potential to make maintenance cleaner, more affordable, and way more efficient. That’s especially important for developing countries where budgets are tight and infrastructure is aging or incomplete. As the pressure to conserve water grows, tools like Pipebots could make a real difference in helping us manage this vital resource more wisely.

What water infrastructure challenges exist in your area, and do you think robots like these could help? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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