5 ms·

Burner phones aren't safe. Security through obscurity worked with the 1990s cell network but not with today's vast logging/geolocation tagging.

scarface_74 2y ago
The idea is that they can’t tie the phone to a person. You also have to make sure you don’t get the burner phone some place with cameras.
- BrandonMarc 2y ago
  While true, I'm kinda wondering if that's even possible ...
- kevin_thibedeau 2y ago
  Once the phone is on, they can tie it to a person with geolocation. Either directly if you do it at home, or indirectly when traveling in a vehicle associated with you.
  - scarface_74 2y ago
    The rule is that you don’t use your burner phone at home, you use it when you are at the protest.
    - Animats 2y ago
      If you have two phones both turned on and they both move around similarly, they can be associated later.
      - scarface_74 2y ago
        They also tell you to keep one off until you get to the place. Never have both phones on at the same time. This is all well documented https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/burner-phone-basics-how-to-set-up-an-anonymous-prepaid-phone/amp/ https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/burner-phone-basics-h...
        mdhb 2y ago
        This is advice for a world that doesn’t exist any more and hasn’t for a long time. The only thing you are going to do following this advice is to stand out immediately amongst a sea of data that you are someone who is taking very unusual security measures and worthy of a closer look. It’s a very easy to identify signature and it’s very literally the opposite of what you should be doing in 2025.
      - nurumaik 2y ago
        Buy a burner phone with cash without taking your main phone and stash it somewhere. Then, before protest, take phone from stash and bring it with you
- krunck 2y ago
  Sure the phone can't be tied to a person. But try getting phone service in the US without giving away your identity. Can't be done.
seb1204 2y ago
Can you still buy phones with sim cards that don't require ID to get working? Not in Europe, UAE or Australia.
- notpushkin 2y ago
  > Not in Europe In Estonia, you could buy a prepaid SIM card in a convenience shop a few years ago, without any sort of ID verification. Not sure if that’s still an option but I think it’s not a priority there. You can then use it all over the EU. And of course, buying a phone without a contract doesn’t require ID either.
  - mlni 2y ago
    Anonymous prepaid cards still available in any corner shop
- ghxst 2y ago
  The countries I am familiar with in Europe (NL to name one) you can buy sim cards without any ID. Additionally there's at least 1 provider I know of that's giving them away for free while for the majority you pay 1-5 EUR but get some data after activation. There's no limit on how many you can purchase at once either.
- em500 2y ago
  Some countries still allow that: https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/sim-card-registration-laws/ https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/sim-card-regist...
jenadine 2y ago
Just break your phone in two part after your call and you'll be safe /s

scarface_74 2y ago

The idea is that they can’t tie the phone to a person. You also have to make sure you don’t get the burner phone some place with cameras.

BrandonMarc 2y ago
While true, I'm kinda wondering if that's even possible ...
kevin_thibedeau 2y ago
Once the phone is on, they can tie it to a person with geolocation. Either directly if you do it at home, or indirectly when traveling in a vehicle associated with you.
- scarface_74 2y ago
  The rule is that you don’t use your burner phone at home, you use it when you are at the protest.
  - Animats 2y ago
    If you have two phones both turned on and they both move around similarly, they can be associated later.
    - scarface_74 2y ago
      They also tell you to keep one off until you get to the place. Never have both phones on at the same time. This is all well documented https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/burner-phone-basics-how-to-set-up-an-anonymous-prepaid-phone/amp/ https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/burner-phone-basics-h...
      - mdhb 2y ago
        This is advice for a world that doesn’t exist any more and hasn’t for a long time. The only thing you are going to do following this advice is to stand out immediately amongst a sea of data that you are someone who is taking very unusual security measures and worthy of a closer look. It’s a very easy to identify signature and it’s very literally the opposite of what you should be doing in 2025.
    - nurumaik 2y ago
      Buy a burner phone with cash without taking your main phone and stash it somewhere. Then, before protest, take phone from stash and bring it with you
krunck 2y ago
Sure the phone can't be tied to a person. But try getting phone service in the US without giving away your identity. Can't be done.

seb1204 2y ago

Can you still buy phones with sim cards that don't require ID to get working? Not in Europe, UAE or Australia.

notpushkin 2y ago
> Not in Europe In Estonia, you could buy a prepaid SIM card in a convenience shop a few years ago, without any sort of ID verification. Not sure if that’s still an option but I think it’s not a priority there. You can then use it all over the EU. And of course, buying a phone without a contract doesn’t require ID either.
- mlni 2y ago
  Anonymous prepaid cards still available in any corner shop
ghxst 2y ago
The countries I am familiar with in Europe (NL to name one) you can buy sim cards without any ID. Additionally there's at least 1 provider I know of that's giving them away for free while for the majority you pay 1-5 EUR but get some data after activation. There's no limit on how many you can purchase at once either.
em500 2y ago
Some countries still allow that: https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/sim-card-registration-laws/ https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/sim-card-regist...

jenadine 2y ago

Just break your phone in two part after your call and you'll be safe /s