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submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by 721_bipsty@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

I have 2nd hand pixel 8a with grapheneos and i havent putted sim card in it since i have it, in my country i have to have registered sim card, iam afraid of IMEI be linked with sim card and once i put it in im f**ked, the reason i need to put card is to verify bank which need sim card being in device.

I did some research but became dumb from too much information

(sorry for my english :D)

Edit: also i want to be private because of my feature, idk if i wont live in country where propaganda is normal

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[-] who@feddit.org 9 points 2 days ago

If you put a SIM into a phone that has power and cell access, then an association between the SIM and the phone's IMEI will be recorded somewhere.

If your identity is linked to that SIM, then it's only one more step to link your identity to the phone, of course. You'll have to decide for yourself whether that's unsafe for you.

[-] JASN_DE@feddit.org 10 points 2 days ago

iam afraid of IMEI be linked with sim card and once i put it in im f**ked

Fucked in which way?

[-] 721_bipsty@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago

Like my name and things releated to me will be linked to imei, i know its kinda schizo, but i dont want to be easy to find. I didnt commit and crime or anything, as i said kinda schizo thing

[-] RheumatoidArthritis@mander.xyz 8 points 2 days ago

Do you mean you'd be linked to potential crimes of the previous owner? Well yeah there's a slim chance but then you show authorities a proof of purchase.

Or if you mean your personal privacy, that's non existent at the moment you connect to a cell network with a registered sim

[-] 721_bipsty@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

Sorry, i dont really understand the second thing u said, what i want is to have phone which isnt really linked to me, want to be propaganda-proof, i use tor, signal, probably i already leaked my device so its findable to me as a person, but if i link once sim card with imei it is linked forever, right? I mightn't be clear, sorry for that, if u need morw information i am open to answer

[-] burgerchurgarr@lemmus.org 4 points 2 days ago

Kycnot.me is your friend. Go to a public WiFi (ideally use a VPN), get some Monero, buy a phone plan without KYC.

[-] Mirokhodets@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 days ago

What happens when you insert a SIM card? The operator receives: The IMEI of your phone. The SIM card number (ICCID). The Wi-Fi network name (if Wi-Fi Calling is enabled). The location (by towers). And yes, this permanently binds the IMEI to the SIM card in their database, especially in countries that require SIM registration. If the SIM card is registered to you, then: Any insertion into the device is logged. IMEI + number = you can track which device is being used and by whom. Banking Apps usually check: The presence of a SIM card. Sometimes - so that the SIM number matches the number specified in the banking system. The presence of active Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi). Something like that

[-] a4ng3l@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

In Europe that would not be permanently stored but is would be for a while indeed. A few years after the subscription’s validity at least.

[-] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

First, it's very much not a "schizo" thing, and such people might find that offensive so you might consider a better word choice.

Second, if it's possible in your area you can pick up a pre-paid SIM from Best Buy or something with cash. They could still possibly link that back to you with cameras in the store so put on a nice medical mask and some glasses and a hat. Shove a rock in your shoe so they can't read your gait.

Yes, putting a SIM in your device that you are registered with will identify that phone as yours. But you can just take it out when you're done. Just have to keep it because you may need that phone number again.

You can try getting a number from somewhere like Cloaked but they can usually detect if it's a VoIP.

Unfortunately a phone number is something society expects you to have in order to participate.

[-] 721_bipsty@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

sorry for the word schizo, i said it because im just a normie who want to be undetectable (as i said before propaganda-proof), i dont want to offend anybody, i will look into prepaid card more, thanks for advice :)

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago

Keep in mind that a lot of countries have introduced ID requirements on stuff like phones due to people like terrorists and drug traffickers buying them as burners.

this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2025
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