Cellular Carrier Discussion Thread
Mint mobile prepaid cards swapped out every few months. Sim used only for data, don’t use sim number for calls/texts (use voip)
Whatnoww I looked into this. The one thing I don't like about it is that it prevents you from running a separate VPN and is closed-source. As a result, it's unclear what they're doing with your data and there's no additional steps you can take to find out. Basically you just hand over your money and trust them that they're doing what they say they're doing.
I've been pretty happy with no compatibility issues from Librem AweSIM. AT&T network without the worrisome collection of personal information.
Does AweSIM support 5G networks? I want to switch to it, but I also want fast reliable data. T-Mobile offers just that, but they aren't as private as Librem.
BTW, local cops (undisclosed location in USA) absolutely hate Google Fi. They don't tell me why exactly, but its difficult for them to perform live intercept of phone calls of Google Fi users and impersonate them.
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How does something like AweSIM compare to regular prepaid SIM if you can acquire one without KYC?
OpenSource-Ghost My concern has less to do with state/governmental monitoring and more to do with privacy and tracking from large tech. I would assume that using Google Fi on graphene renders the purpose of Graphene somewhat meaningless, since all information that's protected on a device level is being disclosed on a network level.
The only solution I’ve found which is somewhat inelegant is mysudo. I hate that it requires play services to give you call notifications on graphene. Allegedly mysudo is working on another push solution but I’ll believe it when I see it.
But basically swap out prepaid SIM cards every month or two (use it only for data) and then you get a mysudo account with 9 numbers and unlimited calling. Utilize these numbers to compartmentalize as needed.
rsm Where does it say you can't run your own VPN? Isn't just that it routes your traffic initially to another place? AFAIK that doesn't prevent you from running your own. Also, it's closed source as opposed to what? The main draw is the IMSI switching, which no other carrier apparently does.
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Kenny33 basically swap out prepaid SIM cards every month or two (use it only for data)
What is being achieved by swapping them out every other month if your phone is uniquely identified to your provider by both its IMEI and IMSI? The moment you insert a new SIM it you start broadcasting both of these to your carrier so all your SIM cards are for all intents and purposes permanently binded to that IMEI. I believe it's what they use to blacklist or track stolen devices.
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Kenny33 Exactly correct. The phone is purchased with cash locally so no tie and the sim can be purchased locally with cash as well
Even so, one can't remain anonymous for long. But more importantly and I don't know about you, but I use my phone to do regular person things. Even if I had purchased it with cash (I haven't), my IMEI would become tied to me within a couple days in more ways than one. I have stopped being bothered by it. I keep my phone in Airplane mode 90% of the time and mostly treat it as an emergency device. In fact, I forget the very existence of it for days at a time.
Kryptos I understand that. I also use a prepaid SIM. But why swap them out instead of keeping using the the one you already have? It just makes you stand out like a sore thumb with IMEI whose IMSI changes on a regular basis, thereby attracting unwanted attention. Outside of accidentally misplacing your SIM card I can't think of any good reason to regularly put in a new one.
That makes sense. But I think if you’re outside of targeted surveillance and you use your phone regularly (not in airplane mode most of the time) then there may be benefits to swapping sim.
If I stick to a plan where the carrier has my identity, they can easily use my data from a mass surveillance perspective. If I swap prepaid sims every couple months, the three letter agencies may not have any issue targeting, but I doubt T-Mobile will figure it out.