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The home carrier does need some information in order to charge the customer the correct amount (and apply any promotions for roaming rates when roaming in certa

The home carrier does need some information in order to charge the customer the correct amount (and apply any promotions for roaming rates when roaming in certain places). Also, location data makes it easier to handle disputes in case customers see unexpected charges on their bill and dispute a charge. A place like "Kettleman City" might seem unfamiliar, but if your carrier could also show you that you made calls from Los Angeles the day before, you could reasonably conclude it was a call made while driving in California and not an erroneous charge. So there is a balance to strike here. The difference is the level of government access to the location data though. The legal standard in the US is that the government must obtain a warrant to access cell site location information[1]. In Saudi, telecoms are pretty much controlled by the government and can see everything. Perhaps the best option for those who live in authoritarian countries is to remove your SIM card while roaming and have a voicemail message asking people to email you. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_v._United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_v._United_States

mirimir 7y ago
> The legal standard in the US is that the government must obtain a warrant to access cell site location information[1]. Sure. But it's pretty clear that the NSA ignores laws. > Perhaps the best option for those who live in authoritarian countries is to remove your SIM card while roaming and have a voicemail message asking people to email you. Or just leave the phone at home. If for no other reason, because it'll likely get inspected when you enter the US.
- diebeforei485 7y ago
  Leaving the phone at home is harder than it sounds for people who fly long distances. It means you're 24+ hours, 3 planes and two layovers, plus taxi rides or rental cars, without a phone. And you have to then communicate your temporary local phone number to your existing contacts, including your boss/coworkers and your family, but somehow do that without your phone. Not impossible, but very annoying. And you might need your phone for 2FA login to your work email.

mirimir 7y ago

> The legal standard in the US is that the government must obtain a warrant to access cell site location information[1]. Sure. But it's pretty clear that the NSA ignores laws. > Perhaps the best option for those who live in authoritarian countries is to remove your SIM card while roaming and have a voicemail message asking people to email you. Or just leave the phone at home. If for no other reason, because it'll likely get inspected when you enter the US.

diebeforei485 7y ago
Leaving the phone at home is harder than it sounds for people who fly long distances. It means you're 24+ hours, 3 planes and two layovers, plus taxi rides or rental cars, without a phone. And you have to then communicate your temporary local phone number to your existing contacts, including your boss/coworkers and your family, but somehow do that without your phone. Not impossible, but very annoying. And you might need your phone for 2FA login to your work email.