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?

  • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.comEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Your cell phone company associates SMS with your location all the time, and sells that data to brokers who overlay it with app data associated with a phone number.

    I’m not sure what you’re not following. Just because another provider has my location, doesn’t mean a broker can associate that location to a phone number on another provider (and thus connected apps).

      • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.comEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        OK, let’s do this step by step. We’re going to use a prepaid SIM like op mentions:

        • Buy SIM prepaid at Walmart with cash
        • Activate that SIM in a phone at a static location, not your home
        • This is sold to broker 1
        • Buy SIM from normal provider using your CC
        • This data is sold to broker 2
        • Broker 2 asks broker 1 for into on person
        • Broker 1 has no discrete match due to lack of payment data
          • Aslanta@lemmy.worldOP
            1·
            1 month ago

            Not just for banking. For any app that does not need to know my entire work, housing, medical and purchase history, and my entire contact list just to make a transaction on their app.