Surveillance-Resistant Phone Numbers
A phone number tied to your identity is easy to track. Carriers log location, calls, and SMS metadataData about data, such as who contacted whom, when, from what device, and from which location. Metadata often remains exposed even when content is encrypted.Glossary →, then share or sell that data. This guide covers phone numbers that are not linked to you.
Key points
- Silent.link is the cleanest option: pay with Monero, receive an eSIM with no account or ID - works on real mobile networks in 160+ countries.
- JMP.chat gives a persistent real US/CA number over XMPP; LNVPN gives disposable numbers for one-time SMS verification.
- Even anonymous numbers do not make SMS 2FA secure - SS7 attacks and SIM swaps still apply. Use TOTP instead.
Fastest option: Silent.link - anonymous eSIM, pay with XMR, works in 160+ countries, no account, no email. Scan QR, done.
What you're protecting against
Before choosing a solution, understand what you're protecting against:
- Carrier surveillance - your telecom logs calls, SMS, and approximate location (cell towers). Subpoenaable with minimal process in most countries.
- SS7 attacks - the global telecom signalling network has known vulnerabilities that allow interception of SMS and calls. SMS 2FA is not secure.
- SIM swap fraud - attackers socially engineer carriers to transfer your number. Avoid using a phone number as primary account recovery for anything important.
- IMSI catchers (Stingrays) - fake cell towers that capture your phone's identity even when not making calls.
- Registration requirements - many countries now require ID to buy a SIM card. These SIM registration databases are targets for leaks and government access.
Options compared
| Service | Type | KYC | Payment | Data | Real number | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silent.link | eSIM | None | XMR, BTC/LN | Yes | US option | 160+ |
| LNVPN | Disposable numbers | None | Lightning | Via VPNA virtual private network encrypts traffic between your device and a provider-run server, hiding activity from local networks while shifting trust to the VPN operator.Glossary → | Disposable | Global |
| JMP.chat | XMPP VoIP | None | BTC/LN | No (Wi-Fi) | Real US/CA | US, CA |
| MySudo | App-based | None (free tier) | Card/crypto | No (Wi-Fi) | Multiple | US, CA, UK, AU |
| Cash SIM | Physical SIM | None (if legal) | Cash | Yes | Real number | Varies |
Silent.link - anonymous eSIM
Silent.link is the cleanest option for most people. It is a real eSIM, not VoIP, so your phone connects to normal mobile networks. See silent.link for current plans and coverage.
Go to silent.link
Access over TorThe Tor network uses onion routing to obscure IP addresses and browsing paths by relaying traffic through multiple volunteer-run nodes.Glossary → Browser or a VPN for maximum privacy. No account creation needed.
Choose a plan
Data-only eSIM for internet connectivity, or the US.PLUS plan if you need a US phone number for SMS verification. Pay with XMR (best) or BTC/Lightning.
Scan the QR code
After payment, you receive an eSIM QR code. Scan it in your phone's Settings → Network → eSIM. On GrapheneOS: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM.
Enable and connect
Activate the eSIM profile. You're now connected to real mobile networks with no identity attached. No name, no address, no billing record linked to you.
Even with an anonymous eSIM, your device has an IMEI - a unique hardware identifier broadcast to cell towers. If you bought your phone with a card under your name, the IMEI is already linked to you. Buy devices with cash or second-hand for cash.
JMP.chat - real phone number over XMPP
JMP.chat (listed in our directory) gives you a real US or Canadian phone number that works over the internet via XMPP (Jabber). You can send and receive SMS and make calls from any device with an XMPP client (Conversations on Android, Monal on iOS).
- Pay with Bitcoin or Lightning - no identity required
- Works over Wi-Fi or any data connection - no carrier needed
- Open source - you can self-host the gateway if you want
- Use with Conversations (Android) or Monal (iOS)
- ~$4.99/month, cancelable anytime
JMP is best when you need a persistent US or Canadian number that is not tied to your carrier or location.
LNVPN disposable numbers
LNVPN offers disposable phone numbers alongside its VPN service. These are useful for one-time SMS verifications - signing up for a service that demands a phone number without giving away your real one.
- Pay per use via Lightning - no account
- Numbers expire after use or a short period
- Not suitable as a persistent number - use JMP.chat or Silent.link for that
MySudo - multiple identities in one app
MySudo lets you create up to 9 separate "Sudos" - each with its own phone number, email address, and browsing profile. Useful for separating work, shopping, dating, and private communications into isolated identities.
- Free tier includes 1 Sudo with limited calls/SMS
- No real ID required for free tier
- Available in US, Canada, UK, Australia
- The company (Anonyome Labs) is based in the US - subject to US legal process
Cash SIMs - where still available
In some countries, you can still buy a prepaid SIM card with cash and no identity check. This varies dramatically by jurisdiction:
- US: Major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon prepaid) technically don't require ID, though stores often ask. Dollar store MVNOs often don't check.
- EU: Most EU countries now require ID under telecom regulations. Germany, France, Italy all require registration.
- UK: No mandatory SIM registration as of 2026 (unlike most EU).
- Switzerland: No mandatory registration.
Check your local laws before buying an unregistered SIM. In some countries it is a criminal offence to operate an unregistered SIM. The anonymous eSIM route (Silent.link) avoids this problem entirely.
What phone numbers are NOT secure for
Even an anonymous phone number has limits. Do not rely on any phone number for:
- SMS 2FA on critical accounts - SS7 attacks and SIM swaps can intercept SMS. Use an authenticator app (Aegis, Raivo) instead.
- End-to-end encrypted calls - regular phone calls are not encrypted. Use Signal, Briar, or Matrix for encrypted voice.
- Anonymity if you call known contacts - your number appears in their call logs. Their carrier can see it.
The full private comms stack
- Device: GrapheneOS on Pixel (cash-bought)
- Data: Silent.link eSIM (XMR payment)
- VPN layer: Mullvad or IVPN
- Messaging: Signal (E2E), Briar (P2P, no server)
- Phone number: JMP.chat (persistent) or LNVPN (disposable)
- Multiple identities: MySudo
Information is provided for educational purposes. Always verify provider terms and your local laws. Not financial advice. Affiliate disclosure.
Follow the Money
Mobile carriers sell call records, SMS metadata, and real-time location data to data brokers and government contractors. This secondary data market generates hundreds of millions annually - separate from the service fees you already pay.
- Carrier data
- AT&T / Verizon / T-Mobile collect call records + SMS metadata + location data for every number registered to you
- Broker sales
- SafeGraph · Near · Outlogic buy carrier location data · location data market ~$12B/yr
- Gov contractor access
- Babel Street · Palantir - purchase data commercially · no warrant required via ECPA loophole
- eSIM exit
- Silent.link: no name · XMR payment · no carrier record linked to your identity
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a phone number without ID?
Yes. Silent.link sells eSIMs with no account and no identity verification - pay with Monero or Bitcoin Lightning and receive an eSIM QR code immediately. JMP.chat provides real US/Canadian phone numbers over XMPP, also payable with Bitcoin. LNVPN offers disposable numbers for one-time SMS verification, paid via Lightning.
Is Silent.link actually anonymous?
Silent.link is as anonymous as your payment method. Pay with Monero over Tor and there is no billing record linked to your identity. However, your device IMEI is still broadcast to cell towers when you connect to the network. If your phone was purchased with a linked card, the IMEI ties back to you. Buy hardware with cash for full separation.
What is the difference between Silent.link and JMP.chat?
Silent.link is a real eSIM - your phone connects to actual mobile networks with data. It works without Wi-Fi. JMP.chat is a VoIP service that gives you a real US or Canadian phone number but works over the internet via XMPP. JMP requires a data connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data); Silent.link provides the data connection itself.
Is SMS 2FA secure on an anonymous phone number?
No. SMS is vulnerable to SS7 attacks and SIM swap fraud regardless of whether the number is anonymous. Anyone who can intercept SMS traffic or port the number can bypass SMS 2FA. For account security, always use a TOTP authenticator app (Aegis on Android, Raivo on iOS) instead of SMS 2FA, even on an anonymous number.
Can I use MySudo for anonymous communications?
MySudo provides multiple isolated identities (phone number, email, browser) within a single app without requiring ID registration. However, MySudo is operated by Anonyome Labs, a US company subject to US legal process. It is appropriate for separating identities and reducing commercial tracking, but not for protecting against serious state-level surveillance.