Mobile: Modem vs WiFi

1 reply [Last post]
GNUbahn
Offline
Joined: 02/18/2016

Chaosmonk wrote that "... relying on the modem for Internet access instead of WiFi, [is] bad freedom-wise and worse privacy-wise." (https://trisquel.info/en/forum/mobile-os#comment-151596).

I was under the impression that the opposite is the case! I can't tell from where I got this impression but my current reasoning is that

Modem
* localising the modem is coarse and only revealed to a few (big) network owners
* necessary for (ordinary) calls and sms
* Internet browsing can be concealed through tor-proxied browsers like e.g. Privacy Browser

WiFi
* localising WiFi is precise and a huge number of network owners get the information
* WiFi is used to local tracking, e.g. in Airports, Malls etc. (not to mention squares, streets)
* Also, I am not certain if network owners can get get access to my data stream and/or my devise and how to possibly avoid this

What am I missing?

Why and how is WiFi better freedom-wise and privacy-wise?

chaosmonk

I am a member!

I am a translator!

Offline
Joined: 07/07/2017

> Why and how is WiFi better freedom-wise and privacy-wise?

I did not say WiFi is better freedom-wise. Non-free firmware is bad whether or it runs on a WiFi card or a modem. Both are bad.

Privacy-wise,

> Modem
> * localising the modem is coarse and only revealed to a few (big) network owners

The fact that cell carriers are big makes them a greater threat to privacy, not a lesser one.

> * necessary for (ordinary) calls and sms

True, this is a usefulfeature that modems have, but it is not a privacy feature so I don't consider it relevant when making a privacy comparison.

> * Internet browsing can be concealed through tor-proxied browsers like e.g. Privacy Browser

This equally true when using WiFi, so it's not relevant when making a comparison either.

> * localising WiFi is precise and a huge number of network owners get the information

Right, but in order for that to be used to track you everywhere many of those network owners need to be the same people. If you are using Google WiFi hotspots at a bunch of Starbucks, then Google can track you from Starbucks to Starbucks, but even then could not track you *everywhere* like cell carriers can with modems.

> * Also, I am not certain if network owners can get get access to my data stream and/or my devise and how to possibly avoid this

They can access your data stream, but this is equally true with a modem, so it's not relevant when making a comparison. You can avoid it by encrypting your traffic with a VPN or Tor.

> What am I missing?

It is impossible to use to cell towers anonymously because you must authenticate with your SIM card (apart from calling emergency services, which does not require authentication, at least in the US), and every cell tower you connect to gives your location to the same company (your carrier), from whom your goverment can probably get it very easily (how easily depends on your jurisdiction, in the US the government does not even need a warrant).

It is possible to use WiFi access points anonymously (with MAC randomization), and even if you are not anonymous no one company has the ability to track you across every WiFi access point you use.