Comment by OutOfHere

1 day ago

https://www.phreeli.com/ lets people use phones without revealing identity.

Not sure what the point of the service is. Given that it's more expensive than other MVNOs, and isn't even more private. You can still buy prepaid SIMs in store with cash, so it's harder to get more private than that. Not to mention this company asks for your zip+4 code (which identifies down to a specific street), and information for E-911. It's basically like Trump Mobile but for people who care about "privacy".

  • Can prepaid eSIMs be used anonymously?

    • Yes, but it's harder than just buying an esim from silent.link (or whatever) and installing it. The biggest issue is that phones have IMEIs that you can't change, so even with an esim you bought "anonymously", that won't do you any good if you install it to your iPhone that's linked to you in some way, eg. bought in Apple store with your credit card, inserted another SIM/esim that has your billing information, or simply the phone has pinged cell towers near your home/work for an extended amount of time.

    • For max privacy, remember to buy the phone anonymously as well. Be cognizant of links to non-anonymous IPs, emails, and identities.

  • I was unaware that you could buy a SIM with cash and no private data collected. I thought they had KYC laws like prepaid cash cards.

    • >I thought they had KYC laws like prepaid cash cards.

      You don't. You could even order sim cards off ebay/amazon if you wanted to, which definitely doesn't have any KYC.

  • Clearly there is no point in it for you. The stores would ID you. As for the nine digit zip, I don't think they validate it. Your anti-privacy agenda is crystal clear.

    • >The stores would ID you

      Source?

      >As for the nine digit zip, I don't think they validate it.

      Why collect it then? Imagine having a service promising "lets people use phones without revealing identity" but for whatever reason asks for a bunch of info, then brushes it aside with "yeah but you can fill in fake information so it's fine".

      >Your anti-privacy agenda is crystal clear.

      Your inability to take any criticism without resorting to personal attacks is crystal clear.

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