Contents
Why do I need to disclose my IMEI number?
Regarding IMEI disclosure : IMEI is the heart of your phone handset. It is mostly used to authenticate in terms of criminal activities to verify whether a call has been made from a specific handset. So at worst cases, one can use a victim’s IMEI in a crafty manner to make illegitimate cellular activities.
Is it safe to share my IMEI number?
Yes, we should not share our IMEI number. IMEI means International Mobile Equipment Identifier. If you share your IMEI number it will provide access to your location and call logs. Also people can record or listen to your calls. The important use of an IMEI number is to identify your mobile devices.
Do you have to give seller Your IMEI number?
Any reputable seller will provide the IMEI (/ESN/MEID) if you ask politely and state your reasoning clearly. That is to say, “hi. send imei and I mebbe will by ur phone” doesn’t set quite the right tone. Something more like this will net better results. If a seller refuses, move on.
What is the risk of leaking IMEI / IMSI numbers?
Secondly, knowing IMSI could lead to even worse attacks (in the same context of SS7) to intercept your calls, SMS messages, and many more. Regarding IMEI disclosure : IMEI is the heart of your phone handset. It is mostly used to authenticate in terms of criminal activities to verify whether a call has been made from a specific handset.
Are there any privacy concerns with Imei and IMSI?
There may be a slight privacy concern about IMEI and IMSI, in that they allow to “track” user habits: An application could generate a random unique identifier each time it is installed on a phone. The IMSI “follows” the user when he switches phones (he transfers his SIM card from his old phone to his new phone).
How does the network check for IMEI numbers?
To do so, the network checks the IMEI number against the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) so see whether the handset is in the blacklist.
What happens if WhatsApp uses my IMEI number?
If WhatsApp would use the IMEI for personal identity I could not change my phone anymore, if my old one breaks. The whole idea of GSM was and is that you are not bound to the phone, rather you are just bound to the SIM card, and that is what needs to be protected.