“metadata”

blog.urbanmapping.com

24 pointsmapattack4 comments

Verizon-NSA call logs take metadata to an entirely new level

The IMEI is more then just the device make/model. It's more akin to a MAC address. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Station_Eq...

Which is essentially like having a device finger print that's authenticated by VZW's towers. It's essentially their unique key to map data too, removing much the anonymity. Additionally Verizon knows which accounts have what IMEI's activated at any given time.

Are there ways to randomize IMEIs on startup the same way you can with MAC addresses, and still have the phone be usable on:

(1) Cell networks (2) Wifi networks

I don't think the carrier would recognize the phone if you changed its IMEI

Unfortunately no, when I used to do BREW dev, we had a few lines setup for many many handsets, everytime we needed to swap active lines between devices it meant calling up Verizon and giving them new IMEI.

Now I don't know exactly how this all works with LTE and the sim cards, since I no longer work on mobile apps I haven't really bothered keeping a close eye on it.

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