The $24B Data Business That Telcos Don't Want to Talk About
I've been trying to think of a practical, effective way for smartphone end users to protect their confidentiality. This is the simplest solution I've come up with, but I'd appreciate any feedback:<p>Hardware:<p>* Tablet, or smartphone with baseband disabled.<p>* Cellular-wifi router (i.e., wifi hotspot), prepaid so the provider doesn't need your personal info.<p>.<p>Software:<p>* Android with per-app permissions controlled by user (e.g., user can enable/disable access to location data for particular apps). This could be a fork of Android or maybe there is security software that could be installed, such as on a rooted phone.<p>* VOIP app on phone<p>* VPN<p>.<p>By decoupling the baseband from the handheld computer (i.e., by keeping the tablet and cellular connection on different devices), using the cellular service without providing identifying info, and sending only encrypted data over the cellular connection (via VPN), you would protect your confidentiality from the cellular provider.<p>Because your phone number is decoupled from your cellular service (because you use VOIP over a VPN), nobody can tie your phone number to your location.<p>Of course someone who is determined could track you down. Your identity needs to be tied to your phone number or nobody will know how to call you; and your VOIP vendor could point someone to your VPN provider, who could point them to your cellular provider, who could figure out which hotspot you use. But I think it does protect you from everyday mass surveillance.<p>Any thoughts on how practical or effective this would be?