Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Your phone is more than just a communication tool; it’s a powerful tracking device, and the SIM card inside is a key reason why.
I don’t actually have a SIM card in any of my phones, and in this video I’ll explain the reasons why.
I’ll also talk about alternative ways that you can still have connectivity on the go without a SIM in your phone, and I’ll dive into the downsides of not having a SIM in your phone.
00:00 Your Phone is a Tracking Tool
01:12 What is a SIM
01:44 Location Tracking
02:36 Covert Data Transmission
06:35 Split Tunneling
08:40 Internet-Only Phones
10:52 Mobile Hotpots
11:28 Benefits of Siloing SIM on a Separate Device
14:28 Calyx Hotspots
16:33 Downsides
18:36 Support the Calyx Institute
20:30 Summary
Having a SIM card in your phone has a lot of privacy downsides. But not having a SIM in your phone definitely has tradeoffs. You’ll have to assess whether this is something that’s right for your life.
Special Thanks to Nick Merrill and David Allan Burgess for lending their time and expertise!
You can learn more about Calyx here:
calyxinstitute.org
Previous video in this phone privacy series, explaining how phones without a SIM also talk to cell towers, but why it's not as extensive: youtu.be/A9DPDE0FZeQ?si=3h5nYyKvV_p-Jngr
Thanks to the Mysk team for their important research
twitter.com/mysk_co
Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee, Cube Boy, Sam Ettaro, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell
To support NBTV, visit:
https://www.nbtv.media/support
(tax-deductible in the US)
Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media
Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
amzn.to/3WDSfku
Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.
Visit the NBTV website:
https://nbtv.media
Watch this video on LBRY!
open.lbry.com/@NaomiBrockwell:4/Calyx:7
________________________________________________________________________
Here are a bunch of products I like and use. Using these links helps support the channel and future videos!
Recommended Books:
Beginner's Introduction To Privacy - Naomi Brockwell
amzn.to/3WDSfku
Permanent Record - Edward Snowden
amzn.to/305negc
What has the government done to our money - Rothbard
amzn.to/2KMzmcu
Extreme Privacy - Michael Bazzel (The best privacy book I've ever read)
amzn.to/4jrseiS
Digital version: inteltechniques.com/book7.html (non affiliate link)
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State - Glenn Greenwald
amzn.to/2UQmJ4m
Some of my favorite products to help protect your privacy!
Brave browser: brave.com/nao076
Faraday bag (signal stopping, to protect your fob, credit card, computer, and phone)
amzn.to/3z02UiF
Data Blocker (if you're charging your phone in an unknown port, use this so that no data is transferred)
amzn.to/2SVh0J2
Camera tape (electrical tape is the best tape for covering phone and computer cameras)
amzn.to/3Xn8xBn
USB-C to ethernet adapter:
amzn.to/2lOVBoy
Privacy Screens (use your phone and computer in public? Keep your information safe!)
Computer: (Search for the size right for your computer)
MacBook Air 13" amzn.to/3VQvpZ7
HP/Dell/Acer/Asus/Lenovo 15.6" amzn.to/3KK1Oda
Lenovo Thinkpad/HP Elitebook/Dell 14" amzn.to/4enT2zq
Phone: (Search for the size for your phone, decide whether you want glass or plastic!)
Galaxy s24 - amzn.to/3VGgb8H
iPhone 15 - amzn.to/45vCd1h
Pixel 8 - amzn.to/3KFDuJF
Your phone is more than just a communication tool; it’s a powerful tracking device, and the SIM card inside is a key reason why.
I don’t actually have a SIM card in any of my phones, and in this video I’ll explain the reasons why.
I’ll also talk about alternative ways that you can still have connectivity on the go without a SIM in your phone, and I’ll dive into the downsides of not having a SIM in your phone.
00:00 Your Phone is a Tracking Tool
01:12 What is a SIM
01:44 Location Tracking
02:36 Covert Data Transmission
06:35 Split Tunneling
08:40 Internet-Only Phones
10:52 Mobile Hotpots
11:28 Benefits of Siloing SIM on a Separate Device
14:28 Calyx Hotspots
16:33 Downsides
18:36 Support the Calyx Institute
20:30 Summary
Having a SIM card in your phone has a lot of privacy downsides. But not having a SIM in your phone definitely has tradeoffs. You’ll have to assess whether this is something that’s right for your life.
Special Thanks to Nick Merrill and David Allan Burgess for lending their time and expertise!
You can learn more about Calyx here:
calyxinstitute.org
Previous video in this phone privacy series, explaining how phones without a SIM also talk to cell towers, but why it's not as extensive: youtu.be/A9DPDE0FZeQ?si=3h5nYyKvV_p-Jngr
Thanks to the Mysk team for their important research
twitter.com/mysk_co
Brought to you by NBTV team members: Lee, Cube Boy, Sam Ettaro, Will Sandoval and Naomi Brockwell
To support NBTV, visit:
https://www.nbtv.media/support
(tax-deductible in the US)
Visit our shop!
https://Shop.NBTV.media
Our eBook "Beginner's Introduction To Privacy:
amzn.to/3WDSfku
Beware of scammers, I will never give you a phone number or reach out to you with investment advice. I do not give investment advice.
Visit the NBTV website:
https://nbtv.media
Watch this video on LBRY!
open.lbry.com/@NaomiBrockwell:4/Calyx:7
________________________________________________________________________
Here are a bunch of products I like and use. Using these links helps support the channel and future videos!
Recommended Books:
Beginner's Introduction To Privacy - Naomi Brockwell
amzn.to/3WDSfku
Permanent Record - Edward Snowden
amzn.to/305negc
What has the government done to our money - Rothbard
amzn.to/2KMzmcu
Extreme Privacy - Michael Bazzel (The best privacy book I've ever read)
amzn.to/4jrseiS
Digital version: inteltechniques.com/book7.html (non affiliate link)
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State - Glenn Greenwald
amzn.to/2UQmJ4m
Some of my favorite products to help protect your privacy!
Brave browser: brave.com/nao076
Faraday bag (signal stopping, to protect your fob, credit card, computer, and phone)
amzn.to/3z02UiF
Data Blocker (if you're charging your phone in an unknown port, use this so that no data is transferred)
amzn.to/2SVh0J2
Camera tape (electrical tape is the best tape for covering phone and computer cameras)
amzn.to/3Xn8xBn
USB-C to ethernet adapter:
amzn.to/2lOVBoy
Privacy Screens (use your phone and computer in public? Keep your information safe!)
Computer: (Search for the size right for your computer)
MacBook Air 13" amzn.to/3VQvpZ7
HP/Dell/Acer/Asus/Lenovo 15.6" amzn.to/3KK1Oda
Lenovo Thinkpad/HP Elitebook/Dell 14" amzn.to/4enT2zq
Phone: (Search for the size for your phone, decide whether you want glass or plastic!)
Galaxy s24 - amzn.to/3VGgb8H
iPhone 15 - amzn.to/45vCd1h
Pixel 8 - amzn.to/3KFDuJF
