Yes. Even when your phone is powered down, some models still ping cell towers. If it pings one, they know your distance to the tower. If it pings two, both towers know your distance, and the overlapping circles would reveal two positions coordinates, one of which you were at. With some contextual information, it’s easy to know/prove which one you were at.
If it pings 3 towers, your exact location, and unique identifying information sucha as your phone’s IMEI is revealed. So don’t bring a cell.
Corporates are even bold enough to brand this as a nice to have feature, they call it “find my device” I think? But we can totally trust them to keep this data absolutely private and secure ! /s
Samsung actually offers e2e encryption for location data using a pin code but unfortunately it’s disabled by default for some reason. also only available for phones, not other pingable devices like wireless earbuds
Well, e2e encryption doesn’t give you any guaranty if the encryption and communication protocols are proprietary and you didn’t set the encryption key(s) all by yourself. Samsung could very well have the private keys to decrypt the data and give it to anyone they wish.
Holy shit I actually did tell my daughter not to bring her phone to the protest.
May I know what’s the reason to not bring your phone? Is it due to concerns of being tracked?
Yes. Even when your phone is powered down, some models still ping cell towers. If it pings one, they know your distance to the tower. If it pings two, both towers know your distance, and the overlapping circles would reveal two positions coordinates, one of which you were at. With some contextual information, it’s easy to know/prove which one you were at.
If it pings 3 towers, your exact location, and unique identifying information sucha as your phone’s IMEI is revealed. So don’t bring a cell.
Corporates are even bold enough to brand this as a nice to have feature, they call it “find my device” I think? But we can totally trust them to keep this data absolutely private and secure ! /s
Samsung actually offers e2e encryption for location data using a pin code but unfortunately it’s disabled by default for some reason. also only available for phones, not other pingable devices like wireless earbuds
Well, e2e encryption doesn’t give you any guaranty if the encryption and communication protocols are proprietary and you didn’t set the encryption key(s) all by yourself. Samsung could very well have the private keys to decrypt the data and give it to anyone they wish.
Basically, yes. Plus, it may be unconstitutionally searched if you are detained.