DIGITAL LIFE

Disposable cell phones and their pitfalls

If disposable cell phones were once a secret tool for spies and criminals, today, there are those who see these devices as a way to preserve their digital privacy. Citing recent data, researchers detail that the global prepaid cell phone market, directly related to the use of disposable cell phones, had already been valued at US$ 582.17 billion in 2023, with a forecast of growth of 4.51% per year until 2033.

In addition to Generation Z, who use them to do a “digital detox”, users such as digital nomads and travelers also tend to opt for disposable cell phones. Even some parents see them as a seemingly safe and cheaper option for emergency contact with their children.

Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, explains that, essentially, disposable cell phones “promise anonymity and privacy”. "But to truly achieve this goal, you should limit your usage to text messages and emergency calls, nothing more," he says. According to the expert, installing additional applications, adding personal accounts or payment methods is a mistake, because "usage patterns can be compared, making the phone traceable and the user vulnerable." 

Among the threats to which disposable phones are exposed are, for example, malware "hidden" in applications from unofficial sources; fraud, including financial scams, phishing scams and identity theft; and location tracking by third parties. "The privacy that disposable phones supposedly provide is an illusion," says Warmenhoven, adding that, without the proper precautions, they can become tools for scammers and cybercriminals. 

In addition, disposable phones also have disadvantages such as low-quality hardware, limitations in terms of advanced security options and limited functionality. If you are looking for an alternative solution, NordNPV experts suggest, for example, using temporary phone numbers via VoIP services, as well as encrypted messaging apps such as Signal.

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