E-SIM and privacy questions

kirillan10

Hello!
What information does the device share to the operator or Google when connecting an E-SIM?
1- what information about the device (for example, IMEI (for E-SIM?), etc.)?
2- what information about the device’s IP address (especially the IP address if VPN is enabled)?
3- could one operator (for example, the operator of a physical SIM card) see which SIM card (number, IMSI, etc.) is inserted into the device (and vice versa)?

Is it possible to enable E-SIM without problems on GrapheneOS like on stock Android?

Thank you!

jufstp

kirillan10 I've just switched to free, in France, with an esim. Already you need internet for it to work, you'll need a wifi connection to install and uninstall the esim and you'll have to call technical support every time you uninstall it to get a new QR code. I switched back to a nano sim yesterday.

kirillan10

kirillan10 For example, does esim use the main profile IP VPN for registration or bypass it and use the operator’s network?

kirillan10

jufstp Unfortunately, your answer is not at all relevant to my questions ;(

jufstp

kirillan10 I've had no problem activating my esim, but if it's deactivated it's complicated to get a new QR code.

kirillan10

jufstp I understand buy my questions were about privacy (IP, IMEI, etc) and another data sharing from phone to E-SIM mobile operator

Blazing0883

I have the same basic questions, @kirillan10

Here's what I know so far. Hopefully this thread will reveal further details.

On a typical phone, the eSIM activation does seem to reveal the hardware identifiers to the carrier. I don't know if Graphine has the ability to block or anonymize these. However, I doubt that it currently does.

In order to activate an eSIM on GrpahineOS, you must install Google Play Services and GSF. Then, you must grant Google the right to manage your SIM cards. Now you can install or remove the eSIM, using Google's software. Once installed, you can technically remove Google Play/GSF, although that could possibly cause issues if you ever want to remove the eSIM later. But by then, Google has presumably exported all of the data it wanted, so...

The other option some people say works, is to install the eSIM using the stock OS, prior to flashing the phone with Graphine. I don't really see this helping much by way of privacy, though, since Google can export your permanent identifiers at that time, too.

I can't really provide specifics for question 1.
Questions 2 & 3 I have no clue about. You can "disable" your other SIM, or if it is physical, you can pull it out. That way it is not present or active while Google is provisioning your new eSIM. I don't know how much if any benefit that would give you.

Hopefully there are other smart people here who can provide more details!