> anonymous SIM cards
Are anonymous SIM cards illegal in Germany? There are definitely some EU countries where you can buy a prepaid SIM card in a newspaper stand without presenting any ID and it is 100% legal.
Are anonymous SIM cards illegal in Germany? There are definitely some EU countries where you can buy a prepaid SIM card in a newspaper stand without presenting any ID and it is 100% legal.
If you buy a SIM card from an operator's store they might ask for ID but they didn't the last time I did this (a couple of years ago).
When I last flew into the UK there were even prepaid SIM card vending machines, provided by the network operator, in the entrance/exit to the airport.
COntrast that with Switzerland, where I had to provide my passport to buy a SIM card.
In France as far as I know they are not illegal, but almost completely disappeared from physical retail, and I had to identify myself to get a prepaid SIM card from one of the major operators (Orange). 10 years ago I'd just have bought it in a supermarket, no questions asked, and the line would be alive as long as it's credited.
I wouldn't be surprised that pressure was put on operators to set barriers and make their clients jump through hoops if they try to buy anonymously.