• mangaskahn@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It’s because law enforcement needs way less oversight to search a database through a subscription service than to get phone data from the telcos.

    • Serinus@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      It’s a good habit to keep your phone on airplane mode when you can. It also saves on battery.

      • ranzispa@mander.xyz
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        1 month ago

        Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a mobile phone?

        I have a machine through which people can contact me at any time and set it up in such way that they cannot contact me.

      • njordomir@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        I’ve been inefficiently and lazily looking for something that can automatically turn the mobile network on and off again once per hour (or other period of time, potentially even randomized times).

        I have been turning my phone off every time I go to the grocer because I firsthand verified that they have BLE beacons in use.

      • unitedwithme@lemmy.today
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        1 month ago

        +1 Phone on airplane mode (eliminates WiFi/BT cellular & GPS tracking)

        1. run physical mobile hotspot device for data (like Calyx hotspot - +2pts of you pick Moxee model to also run rayhunter)

        2. connect to hotspot over WiFi with random MAC addresses (effectively eliminates IMSI tracking)

        3. Enable a solid VPN. (Helps hide location and other usage)

        4. Use chat/text/phone apps over WiFi (eliminates carrier tracking)

        5. +5 for degoogled OS with profiles capability

        6. +3 for Firefox forks like Librewolf or Waterfox with Port Authority and Privacy Badger

        EDIT: btw the tech from the article is called SingleTrace…

              • unitedwithme@lemmy.today
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                1 month ago

                OK, waaay late to a better response.

                If you’re on Android or an alt OS, you can go into developer options > Bluetooth LE Audio Mode it’s defaulted to “Unicast and Broadcast” but I’ve disabled it.

                Maybe that’ll help someone!

                  • unitedwithme@lemmy.today
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                    1 month ago

                    Most wearables I do not believe BLE can be disabled without powering off the device. It’s made me conflicted inside bc I just bought A Nothing Watch 3 and use GadgetBridge, but not if its radio signature is (eventually) going to be used for bad… I can see flock implementing this.

        • Serinus@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          A little overkill for most people.

          There’s no IMSI tracking through WiFi afaik, only cell service.

          Airplane mode, VPN, and messaging apps is pretty good. I believe randomized MAC is the default on Android so no need to modify there. (Though it’s nice to disable that on your home network so you can track yourself.)

          • unitedwithme@lemmy.today
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            1 month ago

            Could be overkill, but if you’re out and about your cell data is likely on. Then what? Now, my phone, my laptop, or other devices can utilize it. Unlimited data.

        • XLE@piefed.social
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          1 month ago

          Currently, the mobile hotspots from Calyx use the T-Mobile network when available, and fall back to using the Sprint network otherwise.

          Doesn’t this ultimately just make an IMSI available anyway? Or am I missing something here?

        • boonhet@sopuli.xyz
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          1 month ago

          Pretty sure I can’t use VoWiFi without at least a sim card. How are you going to do that without carrier tracking?

          Or are you implying I should be a recluse who can’t be reached via phone?

    • Warl0k3@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      The telcos already offer geotracking as a subscription service to LE orgs tho. It’s genuinely the same thing, except this data will be crappier and need more direct municipal involvement.