Current provider is getting rid of the plan I was on after multiple promises over the years they never would so I want to move elsewhere and figure I might as well see of there are any options that provide more privacy. Phreeli seems interesting but its so new its hard to find much info on it.
If you’re in the US, you may as well use Mint which you can get without KYC. The only “privacy forward” services I know of are Cape and Phreeli.
Since you are new here, you should know there’s a big thread you can search for discussing Phreeli. It might give you context and insight for you to choose better.
1 Like
Heyo! Welcome to our community.
Anyways, we do not have specific recommendations on cell service providers because the privacy-focused options out there do not protect you meaningfully against cell phone tower triangulation or law enforcement tower dumps.
Phreeli is an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), meaning that they simply piggy-back off the existing T-Mobile Network. Just because they can’t associate your account or payment information with your real identity doesn’t mean a law enforcement official can find a way to track your device through the actual cell phone tower.
There is an established legal precedent for police being able to utilize warrants to collect, for example, the IMEI numbers of cell phones connecting to a specific tower. Phreeli can’t protect you from this type of tracking because they won’t even be contacted in the first place by police.
If you’re looking for an anonymous burner phone number AKA a disposable number, you can look at just about any prepaid plan out there that accepts cash in a physical store. Think something like Mint Mobile.
Phreeli works only if you need delivery and want to pay with crypto. It is substantially more expensive though. Same thing can be said with Cape Mobile, but they’re even more sketchy with their founder being linked to Palantir.
Alternatively, you can also get a private number through a VoIP provider if you’re just looking for a one-time use phone number for Signal.
I wrote a news brief here that you can read on the website for more information.
2 Likes
Another option, Last I checked Tello (T mobile) did not verify demographic data and accepted a privacy.com virtual card.