Why you shouldn't use a SIM card and use an hotspot as an alternative (piped.video)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by TooMuchVanced@lemmy.world to c/privacyguides@lemmy.one

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The video discusses the privacy concerns associated with SIM cards in mobile phones, highlighting three main reasons to be cautious. First, it explains how SIM cards enable constant location tracking through communication with cell towers. Second, it delves into the autonomy of SIM cards, particularly proactive SIMs that can send hidden messages to the cell network without the user's knowledge. Lastly, it explores the potential risks of having too much control centralized on a single device, particularly in terms of split tunneling with VPNs.

Then Naomi shares personal reasons for not using a SIM card in her phone, emphasizing alternatives such as relying on WiFi, using an anonymous Calyx hotspot, or considering mobile hotspots. The benefits of these alternatives include increased privacy, the ability to control VPN usage, and reduced exposure to potential hidden messages sent by SIM cards. The video also touches on potential downsides, such as the need to carry multiple devices and potential connectivity issues when using hotspots.

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[-] moon@lemmy.cafe 71 points 9 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

[removed by mod]

[-] butternuts@lemm.ee 21 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Is this written by an alien?

In the beginning of the video she explains this isn't for everyone. Throughout the video she discusses tradeoffs. Seems pretty clear she understands the difficulty of this.

Do you not have family you call, or a job?

Once again, this was explained in the video. WiFi is everywhere these days and there are people who don't leave home often. These are simply tradeoffs some folks might be willing to make. It really depends on an individual level and cons of this approach were made clear in the video.

This is the stuff that makes the privacy community look like a joke

Good thing you don't speak for the entire community and this is just an opinion. This video details possibilities and can be fun to learn new things from. Seems oddly aggressive, to me, to say this over a simple video.

This is not realistic.

Speak for yourself. People lived without phones for many years. Doesn't seem too far fetched to live with WiFi only connectivity. Once again, tradeoffs.

[-] throws_lemy@lemmy.nz 5 points 9 months ago

In the beginning of the video she explains this isn't for everyone. Throughout the video she discusses tradeoffs. Seems pretty clear she understands the difficulty of this.

Yup, unless you have a problem with authority, or investigative journalists

[-] TooMuchVanced@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

You can just use VoIP to call people it's not a big deal and you don't need to go the extreme ways which are being mentioned in the video you can also just spoof a lot of your device information, use a different OS etc. Minimizing privacy risks is always good but you don't need to take it that crazy serious if you're just a normal individual like me and you. We are low-value for big companies the more power, known you are the more steps you should take to protect your privacy.

[-] isgleas@lemmy.ml 4 points 9 months ago

You know landlines are still in use, right?

[-] FutileRecipe@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

You know landlines are still in use, right?

Mine didn't work so well when I left the house.

[-] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 17 points 9 months ago

This would make life very difficult for the vast majority of people. Many 2FA schemes only have SMS available and a SIP/VoIP number sometimes are barred from using them.

It's an interesting experiment though, so I applaud this person for trying out a way to maximize their personal privacy.

I've tried carrying multiple devices but it's honestly hard to do.

[-] DoomBot5@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

Hidden messages? There are thousands of messages your device sends every day that you don't know about. It's how your phone functions like it does.

[-] jawa21@startrek.website 9 points 9 months ago

I did this for a while unwillingly because I was in a rough spot and couldn't pay my phone bill. Even with the ease of getting to wifi in modern times (I would often just go to a restaurant that doesn't turn off their wifi), it just isn't worth it and is a massive inconvenience. Not to mention yh3 call quality was often terrible over slow public wifi once I had the VPN going.I am grateful that doing this is fee, however. It was certainly better than nothing.

[-] paaviloinen@sopuli.xyz 6 points 9 months ago

To be honest you could be tracked by your WiFi usage too.

this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2024

45 points (100.0% liked)

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