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How I got a truly anonymous Signal account (theintercept.com)

submitted 3 months ago by LesserAbe to c/privacy

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Doesn't seem especially practical, but I thought folks here might be interested in this method. With the increasing scarcity of pay phones I suspect it might be equally as "easy" to get a burner cell phone with cash and register a signal account that way.

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[–] TechNerdWizard42 0 points 3 months ago (4 children)

When was the last time you tried to purchase a burner phone sim in the USA? You can buy them cash only a few places, but are completely useless until "activited" usually with an online account confirming your identity.

[–] LesserAbe 1 points 3 months ago (3 children)

No, I haven't bought one recently. How would you have a reputable online account (that could confirm your identity) without also having a phone already?

[–] TechNerdWizard42 1 points 3 months ago (2 children)

You activate online usually and have to enter credit card details, addresses, etc. If you use a one time card, and an address that doesn't match your name on the account you have to make to you in the personal database, then your sim is blocked until verified. Verification is usually sending them images of government issued ID.

The sim can usually access their networks to create the account and verify without using data. Meaning if it truly was your only device, it will allow you unlimited data to use the ISP website.

[–] ParticleAccelerator 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Can you no longer just register signal with a pay as you go number?

I dont recall needing credit cards etc to register

[–] TechNerdWizard42 1 points 2 months ago

The issue is good luck getting a pay as you go number without identity verification.

You have to pay by credit card and if you don't, you'll be forced to make an online account with verification.