Privacy

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Has anyone successfully used a prepaid phone and number for app registration? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by Aslanta@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I’m looking into getting a flip phone with a separate number so that I can sign up for a few apps that without associating them with ~~the complete identity profile in the data marketplace that is linked to~~ my actual phone number.

To be clear, the apps will still be downloaded and utilized on my primary smartphone. But the phone number through which I receive verification codes during registration will be a separate device.

Has any one done this? Tips for selecting a cheapo phone and prepaid service?

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[–] owenfromcanada@lemmy.world 20 points 23 hours ago (11 children)

Honestly, if you don't want a separate device, I'd sign up for a VoIP number. I use voip.ms, it's a dollar or two a month for the number, and you pay per minute and per text (about a penny each, IIRC). You can forward calls to your primary number, or set up a SIP app (I'm using one called ZoiPer). I usually load it up with $20 per year or so.

[–] Aslanta@lemmy.world 3 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

The problem I have with this is that it still links to my primary number through data profiling. Seems like a good option if I just want to keep my personal number separate from my work clients. But for data privacy, idk.

[–] owenfromcanada@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Through data profiling? Not sure what you mean.

[–] Adulated_Aspersion@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Every person has a massive profile (table / database) built all about them. This isn't conspiracy. This is big business. There are a few data brokerage companies focused on people:

-Acxiom (worlds biggest broker, pretty much every piece of junk mail you get drives from a company purchasing data from them)

-TransUnion (credit, such as if you pay the minimum bill or are late on payments)

-CoreLogic (all real estate purchase information)

-FourSquare Labs (location broker which i find to be particularly insidious)

There are also databases built specifically for business entities, such as Data Axle.

And companies will purchase packages from ALL of these data brokers when they want to target a specific audience.

[–] owenfromcanada@lemmy.world 1 points 5 hours ago

Ah, gotcha. I kinda figured that was out there, but didn't have names to associate with them.

I guess I'm wondering how a VoIP number would differ significantly from a burner phone. Obviously the burner is more private (assuming you pay cash, there'd be zero way to trace it anywhere). Signing up for a VoIP number with an alias seems almost as untraceable, assuming the VoIP company isn't selling your data?

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