Privacy in UK - SIM - Payment - Gmail

steve66th

I'm glad there is such project, but we are far to have a solution as a whole.
Anything that I need to do, that is not a crime obviously, it requires a specific form of identification, I live in UK and it's impossible to get it done, let me explain.

Email
I need to use certain communication systems, let's start with the email, but all the emails are blocked if you use Tor or VPN, or some email providers don't send emails to specific email providers.
Oh, I also need gmail if I want to use the Accrescent store and install the Gapps, which is the only safe method provided by GrapheneOS, I know it's not your fault, but that's how it is.

Telegram
If I use Telegram, I need a mobile number, it couldn't be more complicated than this.
A mobile number requires identification, so they will know who you are and where you are all the time, so what's the point in using GrapheneOS or any other similar solution?
I found a method with a Paysafecard and similar, but I'm pretty sure that those cards are blocked pretty much everywhere, so, how can I deal with my needs?
Without identification, aka registration, Paysafecard allows 40 pounds in UK, just to give an example.
I could buy several of them (assuming they are not blocked), but the SIM provider could easily block my account for the many cards used...
It would be great if there was a SIM provider that doesn't require a card to pay your bill...

Graphene1

steve66th

You can sign up to Proton over Tor.

Re' getting a UK number:

Option 1: walk into a shop and buy a pay n go sim and credit with cash
Option. 2: buy an esim with monero (silent link)
Option 3: Look into VOIP numbers
Option 4: Look into renting one time SMS (SMS pool)
Option 5: dont use a sim at all and don't use services that require verification

There's both plenty of options to get a mobile number and plenty of reasons to use GrapheneOS.

steve66th

Graphene1 Thanks for your message, let me explain better, I'm not the problem, but the tech illiterate on the other side, so I'm forced to use simple solutions.
Below I reply to your proposals:

The activation requires a card, but I didn't try every operator, maybe you can share which one doesn't require it?
Interesting, I'll try
It requires a card
It requires a card
I can't...

Proton over VPN wouldn't solve much, Proton servers are blocked everywhere and in any case it would be all in the hands of Proton, which is always a company...

ntop

Graphene1
Which VoIP for UK as I am want one as well which will accept SMS, calls
Also what to use for data ?

Graphene1

steve66th strange, i've never had to use a card to top up a pay and go sim. Pay cash get the voucher, phone them up and input the voucher code.

Jmp.chat doesn't require a bank card.

SMS pool accepts many crypto currencies, no card required.

Who blocks Proton emails? I've never heard a report of this. All emails are in the hands of the email provider, correct.

What is it your trying to achieve?

steve66th

Graphene1 what voucher code? I only know of options like recharge your balance in a shop or similar, or use a debit/credit card.

I just need a number for Telegram, nothing else atm, but it would be nice also to register a standard email account, every provider asks for a mobile number, so that's the first thing I need to obtain.

[deleted]

Graphene1

does jmp.chat work for sms verification for major social media like tiktok and instagram?

Graphene1

steve66th sign up to Proton via Proton Pass iv been told that doesn't even ask for a recovery email. Then use that account for email. None of their sign up methods require a number though.

When I say voucher, when you pay for mobile credit in a shop they will give you a receipt with a code on it. That code you type in when you call the top up number.

Graphene1

ntop I believe data you will need a sim or eSim.

Research SMS pool, jmp.chat and silent link to see if any suit your needs. Or just get a sim card or multiple from a shop with cash.

Graphene1

[deleted] I haven't tried as I don't use Social Media other than Nostr which doesn't require anything other than generating a key pair.

That being said, SMS pool does let you select those services on the order page.

steve66th

Graphene1 thanks for that, unfortunately Proton is one of the blocked ones :D (in terms of email to email service)

I thought to recharge the phone in a shop, but the SIM activation requires a debit card... Do you know any that doesn't require that?

PaulDavis

You can walk into any UK supermarket or corner shop and pick up a sim for cash.
You can top up with cash for several, but one I can guarantee is O2. You give the cashier your money, they give a tucket with a code. You enter the code, and the balance is applied.
You can buy prepaid debit cards, but they often cost to top up.
Don't give stupid names to your email address, no matter the provider, such as asd23ddf445gg@PROVIDERNAME as they are likely to be kicked out as spam. Ryan Air and Complete Savings immediately come to mind. Name it with a word. Proton gives a random suffix, so you have (example) YOURCHOICE.dishwasher@passingbox.
With the prepaid card you can buy a VoIP number from "The number people", but you already have an anonymous sim.
You can open various social accounts with a sim, then reject it. But make sure you have other methods of identification in case there is an account problem. Just don't turn on 2FA

PaulDavis

The thing I forgot to add about buying the sim for cash in the shop is that you won't get the deals. At the moment I am on 50gb with unlimited texts and calls for £1.25 per month. Although you could order the sim in a false name, to an address, and pay with your prepaid credit card. It is not a proper contract, nor a credit agreement, so they don't need proper details

Graphene1

steve66th proton is one of the blocked ones for who? I'm not sure what you are referring to.

Re' sim activation, my experience has always been to skip the auto top up (which does require a bank card) and simply input the top up code off the receipt purchased with cash (3, o2, vodafone etc)

steve66th

Graphene1 some common email providers block proton, but this is my particular situation, so let it be.

I found out that you can skip the SIM activation with debit card by using a voucher, I hope to find some.

steve66th

Graphene1 do you know where I can find those vouchers? They probably disappeared these days, I've spent the weekend to find them...
Or shall I just ask a news store to charge my phone number?

PaulDavis

steve66th As mentioned, try O2. Also look at shop branded sims, such as Asda, bought at the checkout and topped up at CS.
Name a destination that does not accept a Proton address, as I am sure we're curious

steve66th

PaulDavis topped up where? What's CS?

Proton is blocked in many mainstream services too, it's not only about email to email... Anyway this is another issue that I don't need to deal with here if I resolve with the SIM.

PaulDavis

Just had the thought regarding your issue with Proton addresses. Are you sending from an alias, or from your main address?

roamer4223

steve66th Proton is not blocked much at all, except possibly by a few stupid providers who assume privacy = badness. However, what @PaulDavis was asking you, is if you have tried sending emails from hide-my-email aliases provided by ProtonMail? These are emails that do not have 'proton' or 'protonmail' or 'pm' as the domain.

And please, as you are making claims about Proton being blocked by email providers. Please name at least one. I'm not necessarily disputing you, but you should at least back up your claims, that's all

Graphene1

Another option (I haven't personally tried this one) for SMS https://crypton.sh/

I'm really curious to know who's blocking Proton Emails... Iv not come across this issue before even with aliases.