Mike Albo

Writer, comedian, actor and humorist known for satirizing consumer and celebrity culture. He is the author of books including Hornito, The Underminer, The Junket and Another Dimension of Us, has written for outlets such as The New Yorker, New York Magazine and The New York Times, and appeared as a TEDNext 2025 speaker.

A Bank Fraud Check Becomes a Live Privacy Audit

Comedian Mike Albo’s TEDNext 2025 performance turns an interrupted talk about smartphones into a staged fraud call from his bank. As a representative reviews Albo’s recent transactions, the routine argues that digital records no longer merely document purchases and locations; they can be made to narrate habits, desires and private embarrassments in the neutral language of customer service.

TEDMay 7, 20265 min read