I had one SIM-card left that had been “grandfathered” into the current system, in which you are required by law to have the card registered with your social security number. Because Gestapo, that’s why. Anyway, I was keeping it hidden away in my wireless earbuds’ case, taped under the lid, but it must’ve gotten loose. Ah well… I wasn’t really using it for anything, keeping it around just in case.

    • durinn@programming.devOP
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      1 month ago

      No. Both data-SIMs and prepaid cards require the buyer to reveal their name, address and social security number over the counter and online. The retailer is also compelled to verify the buyer’s identity, either electronically or physically (ID card).

    • durinn@programming.devOP
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      1 month ago

      My guess is that there definitely could be some sort of underground market for them, but as I understand the legislation, using them would be illegal.

      But then again, if one really requires privacy, telephones and SMS are some of the worst options for communication. In the current state of things, I’d simply use an end to end encrypted chat app, preferably that implementa the Signal protocol.