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IMSI is not the only identifier available to mobile networks and attackers alike. Does PGPP provide IMEI randomization? What stops the mobile networks from trac
by adg001 4y ago
IMSI is not the only identifier available to mobile networks and attackers alike. Does PGPP provide IMEI randomization? What stops the mobile networks from tracking you using the IMEI associated to the ephemeral IMSIs?
Answer found in the linked paper:
"""
For many devices, the IMEI can be changed through soft- ware, often without root access. We envision a PGPP MVNO would allow for subscribers to present their unchanged de- vice IMEI, giving the PGPP operator the opportunity to check against a EIR to verify the phone has not been reported as stolen. At that point, the IMEI could be reprogrammed to a single value, similar to our changes to the SUPI. Additionally, PGPP users can readily switch SIMs to different handsets (IMEIs) at-will. Note that different jurisdictions have differ- ent rules about whether, how, and by whom an IMEI can be changed, so only in some cases IMEI changes require cooper- ation with the MVNO.
...
A PGPP-based carrier is data-only, with voice and messaging provided by third parties.
"""
So, the next question is: if voice is provided by third parties (i.e., relies on the actual IMSI/IMEI), what stops the mobile operator from correlating the presence of the IMSI/IMEI to the ephemeral IMSIs/IMEIs, so as to infer the real network identity behind the randomised IDs?
- richardwhiuk 4y agoI suspect they assume that voice would be provided by something OTT - e.g. Signal.
- kornhole 4y agoBut you still need to make and receive regular OTA calls and SMS at times. This is where VOIP is needed such as voip.ms, Twilio, Google voice.. Voip.ms with Linphone app and SMS app called VOIP.MS on android have worked well for me. I occasionally and rarely use a burner sim but do everything over WIFI with VPN.
- richardwhiuk 4y agoIf you are making regular OTA calls and SMS, you are probably giving up any hope of truly private mobile connectivity.
- kornhole 4y agoOf course, but sometimes you need to call a store, bank, or barber over the only channel available. Some services still rely on SMS authentication.