Is Your IMEI Number Linked to Your Personal Data? Let's Bust the Myths!
Online privacy is a hot topic, with many people worried about what their smartphone might be secretly revealing about them. One of the lesser-known but often misunderstood elements is the IMEI number. Could this mysterious 15-digit code reveal your personal information? Could your carrier or even hackers use it to track you?
Here we sort fact from fiction and explore what your IMEI really says about you and your phone.
What is an IMEI Number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It's a unique number assigned to each cell phone that's connected to a cellular network.
Think of it as your phone's digital fingerprint- it helps carriers, police, and manufacturers identify the specific device. It's not linked with the SIM card, but with the hardware itself.
The IMEI is typically 15 digits and contains: device model information,
the serial number,
and a specific check digit.
IMEI and Personal Data – What's Actually Recorded?
This is the million-dollar question: Does the IMEI number contain your personal data?
Short answer: Not exactly.
Your IMEI does not store: your name or surname,
your number,
your contact information,
your location,
or your message, photo, or file contents.
The IMEI on its own is only a device identifier. It does not store any personal details at all.
Curious what your IMEI number can reveal about your device? Run a quick IMEI Check and see what shows up.
So How Does It Get Linked to an Individual?
Even though the IMEI does not store personal details, it can become linked to it, most of the time under two circumstances:
1. Mobile Carriers
When you buy a phone from your carrier or have a postpaid plan, your IMEI is tracked with your SIM card. Your carrier knows, for example, that SIM 123456789 is running on the device IMEI: 3589410xxxxxxxx.
If you had a contract, your name, address, and other information are tied to that SIM, and secondarily, you are tied to the IMEI.
That helps the carrier: to track what device you're operating on
block your phone if stolen,
or provide information to the police when they are inquiring.
2. Law Enforcement & Security Services
The police are able to use the IMEI to track or monitor, but only with appropriate lawful authority, e.g., a court order or under special law.
This is because the devices leave digital breadcrumbs when they connect to cellular towers. However, being aware of your IMEI isn't enough, tracking requires access to the carrier infrastructure and legal mechanisms.
Can Apps Steal My IMEI Number?
This is one thing that typically raises eyebrows. In previous Androids, apps had the ability to access IMEI without having to ask for permission. Fortunately, things have changed now.
Today: Access to IMEI is restricted in Android 10 and above.
Apps can only read the IMEI with your permission and if they have certain system-level privileges.
and if they have certain On iOS, access to the IMEI is also extremely limited. external apps practically can't see it.
So, if you're running a modern OS and only download apps from trusted sources, the risk of IMEI leakage is minimal.
Can Someone Track Me Using My IMEI?
Technically: Yes.
Practically: Not without legal authority and tools.
Tracking a device using its IMEI is possible but: it requires cooperation from your carrier,
should be legally justified (e.g. life-threatening emergencies or theft),
(e.g. life-threatening emergencies or theft), and not available to ordinary users or businesses.
So no, no one can simply Google your IMEI and track you down. Let's set the record straight here.
When Should You Be Careful?
Although your IMEI is not personal data, it's still not wise to publish it.
Avoid the following: posting images of your phone box on the internet with the IMEI in view,
adding the IMEI to public sale notices
sharing the number with strangers.
Why? Because someone might: try to unlock your phone illegally
act as you,
or report the phone stolen, providing potentially getting it blacklisted and giving you massive headaches.
Final Thoughts
The IMEI number isn't a spy gadget, it's a technological identifier to prevent theft, check for counterfeits, and aid in servicing your gadget. By itself, it's not personal data. But it can be traced to you by cellular carriers or law enforcement processes.You should treat IMEI number like your license plate: not something you shouldn't tell anybody, but not something you should plaster all over the internet either.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
10 hours ago
- Time Business News
Switch to Smarter Streaming Discover the Best Cheap IPTV Service in 2025
The streaming world has evolved. Today's viewers aren't just looking for more channels—they want better quality, flexibility, and most importantly, affordable prices. If you've been paying high cable bills or stuck with unstable free apps, it's time to switch gears. This guide explains what makes a cheap IPTV service truly worth your money in 2025, how to spot scams, and why ArisIPTV stands out as a leading low-cost solution with premium performance. IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. Instead of relying on satellite or cable systems, IPTV delivers live TV, movies, and shows via your internet connection. Because IPTV providers don't require physical infrastructure (like wires or dish satellites), they can deliver thousands of channels and on-demand content at a fraction of the price—making it the cheapest IPTV alternative for budget-conscious users. Here's the truth: not all budget IPTV providers are equal. Some cut corners on quality, server uptime, and legal safety. A cheap plan only makes sense if it comes with real value. Look for these essentials Feature Why It Matters HD / 4K Streaming Even budget plans should offer sharp video Server Stability No freezing or buffering mid-match VOD Library Access Movies, series, and catch-up should be included EPG / Channel Guide Easy navigation makes or breaks experience Device Compatibility Should support Firestick, Smart TVs, mobile Free Trial / Refund Try before you commit ArisIPTV is redefining what it means to be both affordable and high-performing. Here's what you get: Forget overpriced cable or shady apps. ArisIPTV's pricing starts from just a few dollars/month and offers options for 3, 6, or 12-month subscriptions. It's the ideal solution if you're after a cheap IPTV service that doesn't compromise. Get access to live TV from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and more. Sports, movies, kids' content, local news—everything's included. Enjoy movies, series, and shows on your schedule. Whether you love Hollywood blockbusters or international dramas, there's always something new. Even though the price is low, quality isn't. ArisIPTV supports 4K streams and uses adaptive bitrate tech to ensure smooth viewing even with average internet. High-speed global servers keep your content streaming—no freezing, no lag, just seamless TV. Use it on Android / iOS smartphones Smart TVs (Samsung, LG) Amazon Firestick / Fire TV MAG Boxes, Enigma2 Windows / Mac via browser or VLC Cheap IPTV is perfect for Budget-conscious users tired of cable bills Families needing multiple screens at once Travelers who want global access anywhere Mobile-first viewers using phones/tablets Smart TV owners looking to maximize 4K screens Whether you're in London or Los Angeles, a reliable low-cost IPTV service makes premium entertainment affordable. Yes—IPTV is legal when the provider has rights to stream the content. ArisIPTV only uses verified sources and works with licensed resellers to ensure safe access. Minimum: 5–10 Mbps for HD Recommended: 15–25 Mbps for 4K Use wired internet (Ethernet) if possible for the smoothest results. Yes. ArisIPTV doesn't lock you into contracts. Use the free trial and cancel easily if it's not for you (though you likely won't need to!). Feature Free IPTV Paid Cheap IPTV (ArisIPTV) Channels 50–200 (unstable) 18,000+ stable On-Demand Limited / none 80,000+ titles Quality SD or poor HD FHD / 4K Buffering Common issue Rare, uses anti-freeze tech Device Support Few / old apps All major modern devices Security Malware risks Clean, secure servers 'Switched to ArisIPTV after paying £60/month for cable. Now I pay 1/5th of that and get better content.' 'Didn't expect much for the price, but the 4K streams are crisp and support helped me set up in 5 minutes.' 'As a single parent, this lets me and the kids watch anything, anytime—without breaking the bank.' Use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi Stick with IPTV Smarters or TiviMate apps for smoother control 🌍 Use a VPN if your ISP throttles IPTV traffic Refresh your app EPG every week for new channels Contact support if buffering happens—they often fix within minutes A low price doesn't have to mean low quality. With providers like ArisIPTV, you get premium features—huge libraries, fast support, crisp video—without paying a fortune. If you're looking to switch from cable or frustrated with free apps breaking all the time, this is your sign to upgrade. In 2025, more viewers are ditching overpriced TV packages and switching to smarter, cheaper streaming. But 'cheap' shouldn't mean unreliable—and that's where ArisIPTV comes in. From its massive content library and 4K streams to fair pricing and free trials, it's the most balanced option for anyone hunting the cheapest IPTV solution that actually delivers what it promises. Start your risk-free trial today and discover why so many are calling it the most powerful cheap IPTV service of the year. cheap iptv cheapest iptv cheap iptv service TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Fast Company
17 hours ago
- Fast Company
Don't believe these tech myths
Technology can seem pretty mysterious at times, so it's all too easy for misconceptions to spread. That helps explain why I keep seeing technological myths propagate. Should you bury a wet phone in rice? Do you need a VPN to use public Wi-Fi networks? Is your phone secretly recording your conversations? The answer to these questions and more is no, but believing otherwise can be detrimental. Here's my attempt to dispel a half dozen popular tech myths, and what you should do instead of believing them. This story first appeared in Advisorator, Jared's weekly tech advice newsletter. S i gn up for free to get more tips every Tuesday. Myth 1: Dry rice can save a wet phone The idea that uncooked rice will draw the moisture from a waterlogged phone is so pervasive that even Apple has tried to dispel it. 'Don't put your iPhone in a bag of rice,' the company's support documentation says. 'Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.' What to do instead: Your phone may already be water resistant, rendering the rice trick obsolete. But if not, iFixit recommends shaking loose any excess water, turning the phone off, and leaving it out to dry for as long as possible. (Putting your phone in rice forces you to leave it alone, which may explain why the myth persists.) Myth 2: You should regularly force-close all your phone apps Since the advent of recent app menus in iOS and Android, I've seen too many people compulsively swiping up to force-close all their apps, mistakenly believing this will conserve battery life or help the phone run faster. In fact, force-quitting everything can make performance and battery life worse, because your apps will use more power each time they fully reload. Even Apple says to force-close an app only if it's not responding, and the same logic applies to Android phones as well. What to do instead: Use the Battery menu in your phone's settings to identify apps that are draining your battery. You may need to adjust the background settings for that app or find an alternative. Myth 3: Incognito mode prevents websites from tracking you Misconceptions about Incognito mode are so widespread that Google had to settle a class-action lawsuit last year after Chrome users claimed that it provided a false sense of privacy. So here's what your browser's Incognito or Private Browsing mode actually does: Prevents sites from showing up in your browsing history so that others with access to your computer can't see them. Lets you browse sites in a logged-out state, with none of your interactions carried over from previous visits. These modes do not render you invisible online, as websites can still collect data and use identifiers such as your IP address to track you. And if you sign into a website while using Incognito mode, that activity will be associated with your account. What to do instead: Use a web browser with strong built-in tracking protections, and possibly a VPN if you're extremely concerned about privacy (though VPNs aren't panaceas either). An ad-blocking extension can help, but only if you've set it to run in Incognito mode. Myth 5: Public USB charging ports spread viruses Thanks to repeated FBI warnings over the years, the idea that public USB charging ports can infect your devices with malware has become pervasive, yet the actual threat of 'juice jacking' remains theoretical. To date, no one's provided a single real-world example of charging ports spreading viruses. Besides, both Android and iOS require permission to transfer data when connecting your phone to another device—something you'd hopefully reject when plugging into a nefarious port. What to do about it: Your own adapters and cables may be faster anyway—especially if you've followed my buying guide —but I wouldn't fret about using hotel or coffee shop charging ports in a pinch. Myth 5: You need a VPN for public Wi-Fi This one's just as pervasive as the juice-jacking myth, but at least it used to be true. These days, you'll notice that pretty much every website has an 'https' in its address, indicating that your traffic is encrypted. That makes the encryption from a VPN redundant. In the extremely rare case where a website transmits unencrypted data over Wi-Fi, your browser will use stern warnings to try to stop you from visiting it. What to do instead: According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the best thing to do is make sure your device's software and operating system are up-to-date, so you're not at risk of security vulnerabilities that might transmit unencrypted traffic. Myth 6: Your phone is listening to you You've probably heard an anecdote like this: I recently met up with a friend, and they told me about something they bought that I'd never heard of before. Then a couple of days later, I started seeing Instagram ads for that exact product! My phone has to be recording me. It's not, but the reality is no less concerning: If an app on your phone has access to your location, and that data gets shared with a company like Facebook or Google, it's fairly trivial for those companies to understand which devices are nearby and to target ads based on what those devices have been doing. That's a lot easier than secretly recording audio, especially because your phone indicates when that's happening. These steps won't solve every potential privacy issue, but they'll alleviate the feeling that your phone is always listening.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
How to find the best altcoins for the best bull run
The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase. As investors prepare for what many believe will be the next major crypto bull run, altcoins — cryptocurrencies that aren't Bitcoin — are once again in focus. Tools like Best Wallet are making it easier to track, research, and invest in promising projects with a feature-rich experience built for both newcomers and seasoned traders. The non-custodial app offers multi-chain support, no KYC onboarding, in-app token discovery, access to exclusive presales, staking integrations, and real-time portfolio management — all designed with a strong emphasis on user security and privacy. Best Wallet also includes curated market insights, a Web3 launchpad, and social tools that help users follow top-performing wallets and trending tokens. With everything from token swapping to asset tracking in one sleek interface, it's becoming a go-to platform for anyone looking to get an edge in the altcoin space. Still, picking winners remains as much art as science. We asked leading figures across the blockchain ecosystem how to spot the best altcoins, which tokens they're watching, and how newcomers can gain an edge. Find the Best Altcoins Best Wallet How to start crypto trading today Download the Best Wallet app on iOS or Android. on iOS or Android. Create your own wallet — no KYC needed. Tap 'Upcoming Tokens' to find altcoins and presales. Buy and trade instantly with a card or crypto. Track and manage your portfolio easily in-app. LEARN MORE Identifying promising altcoins starts with looking beyond hype and understanding real-world use. 'The best formula always will be finding the confluence of teams with a proven history of execution building in a vertical that has strong growth tailwinds,' Douglas Colkitt, contributor to Initial Fogo, a high-performance blockchain, told The Post. Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), serving as the foundation for much of the Web3 ecosystem. Alvaro – That emphasis on proven execution is echoed by others in the space — with a growing focus on real-world application and long-term utility. 'When it comes to investing in Altcoins, I'm always going to be thinking about real usability,' said Mike Cahill, CEO of Douro Labs and a core contributor to the Pyth Network. 'The ones that stand out have true use cases, growing user adoption, sustainable tokenomics, and are powering new financial infrastructure.' Mike Marshall, head of research at analytics firm Amberdata, echoed that view, telling The Post: 'Try to look beyond hype to spot altcoins with a clear utility, credible teams and a healthy balance of community support and institutional interest — real substance beats speculation every time.' Musa Hakim Jr., CEO and co-founder of added that network infrastructure matters more than noise. 'For everyone else, the best way to identify valuable altcoins is developer community and organization or network infrastructure strength,' Hakim told The Post. 'Those two things drive utility which define value. Buy coins that you want to buy, not your friends.' Not every expert is ready to offer a list of 10 altcoins, but many shared their highest-conviction picks. Hakim added that his top picks were Solana, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin and USD Coin — with the last two interchangeable depending on market sentiment. Rounding out Hakim's list are Cardano, Tether, Binance Coin, Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap. 'These 10 all have strong organizational credibility and heavy developer support,' said Hakim. Solana is a high-performance blockchain designed for fast, low-cost transactions and scalable decentralized applications, often used in DeFi, NFTs and gaming. – Marshall, who prioritizes foundational blockchain infrastructure, highlighted ten altcoins he believes are well-positioned both technically and commercially. His picks include Ethereum, noted for its 'ecosystem dominance'; Solana, praised for its 'speed and adoption'; Arbitrum, a leader in 'Layer 2 scaling'; Optimism, which experiencing 'fast ecosystem growth'; Chainlink, known for its 'oracle infrastructure'; Uniswap, a 'DeFi cornerstone'; Aave, trusted for 'lending'; MakerDAO, advancing 'real-world asset adoption'; Ondo Finance, a 'RWA yield pioneer'; and gaining traction for its 'AI integration momentum.' Cahill favored projects with clear usage and ecosystem momentum. The list he provided to The Post includes: 'Hype, Pyth, Kamino, Drift, Raydium, Jito, Pendle, Helium, Jupiter, and Pumpfun (when it launches).' Colkitt preferred to keep his list lean. He told The Post that he prefers Hype 'just because it's a runaway category winner and expanding into a full fledged ecosystem.' Colkitt said his second choice was Berachain, especially at its current price. His third-best option is Jito, which is 'basically essential to Solana continuing to function and not much of the market has realized it yet.' What makes an altcoin worth buying now? Many experts say real usage is more important than speculative buzz. 'Altcoins with proven usage are the best value in my mind,' Cahill noted. Hakim recommended watching changes in who is leading major projects and which cryptocurrencies are gaining attention. He told The Post that some of his top picks for the next rally include XRP and Solana — noting that some investors now see Solana as a smarter bet than Ethereum, especially since former Blockchain Association head Kristin Smith recently took over at the Solana Foundation. USD Coin (USDC) is a stablecoin — a type of cryptocurrency that is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar — and is backed by fully reserved assets, making it a popular choice for sending, storing or trading digital dollars on the blockchain. Rafael Henrique – He also pointed to Dogecoin as a meme-driven coin worth watching, saying, 'There's something there, very good or very bad.' Colkitt emphasized risk management. He told The Post that since Bitcoin 'won't 10X overnight,' the best course of action would be to adopt 'a barbell strategy' of Bitcoin and altcoins 'further out on the risk curve.' For serious investors, research is key. 'It's still hard to beat DefiLlama and Dune dashboards for data driven exploration,' said Colkitt. 'And of course, stay active on Crypto Twitter. Coins will get talked about there before they blow up.' 'You can find new altcoins by following new projects and tracking their testnet launches,' added Cahill. 'Most of these launches can be found on crypto-native news sites like The Block, Coindesk, and Cointelegraph.' Hakim said that it would be best to compare top tens on exchanges as well as 'observing the community on the social platforms you frequent. 'Don't buy a coin who's founder you can't quote,' Hakim advised. Spotting the next big thing requires watching early traction and developer momentum. 'Finding promising altcoins early requires staying at the forefront of reliable data and analytics,' said Marshall. Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with one another using automated liquidity pools instead of traditional order books. vladim_ka – 'I personally use Amberdata to track on-chain metrics, liquidity trends, and unusual transaction activity.' Cahill stressed the value of developer signals and ecosystem growth. 'It's important to watch for early community traction and smart developer activity over time to try and gauge the success of the project,' Cahill told The Post. Hakim said Layer 2s (L2s), which help blockchains grow by handling more transactions quickly and cheaply, and regulatory clarity are key indicators. 'Follow the money,' said Hakim. He cited Polygon, a blockchain scaling solution designed to make transactions on Ethereum faster and cheaper, as an L2 that people should keep an eye on. 'The American coins are probably the best to start digging,' he added. 'Recent SEC guidance makes all of these projects that are compliant hot commodities globally.' Bitcoin and Ethereum still dominate market cap — but that doesn't mean altcoins can't outperform. 'Bitcoin is still a great benchmark, especially for new investors,' said Cahill. 'But I believe that the next wave of meaningful growth will come from altcoins that power financial infrastructure and help drive institutional capital.' 'BTC and ETH still anchor the market and deserve core holdings,' added Marshall, 'but select altcoins offer compelling upside, especially in sectors like tokenized real-world assets, AI, and L2 scaling.' Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency originally created as a joke based on an internet meme, has gained widespread popularity for its low fees, fast transactions and active online community. charnsitr – 'Altcoins have much higher upside,' said Colkitt. 'BTC won't 10X overnight.' As momentum builds toward the next bull market, experts agree that finding the right altcoins involves a blend of research, real-world usage and community strength. With platforms like Best Wallet making access easier, and data tools from DefiLlama to Amberdata offering deeper insights, investors now have more tools than ever to make informed decisions — and avoid chasing hype. New York Post Approved 60+ Chains. Total Control. Best Wallet The Best Wallet app puts security first with biometric logins, two-factor authentication, and full non-custodial control — so you hold your keys, not just your coins. With support for thousands of altcoins across 60+ blockchains, it pairs top-tier security with powerful, user-friendly tools — making it the safest, most innovative way to HODL, swap, and manage your crypto. Learn More 108M+ Users Worldwide Coinbase Coinbase is building a more inclusive financial future for over a billion people, enabling them to trade, stake, spend, and transfer crypto on a secure and trusted platform. It powers the on-chain economy with essential infrastructure, global access, and a commitment to fair, responsible innovation. Learn More 114.9% BTC Reserve Ratio Kraken Kraken takes crypto security seriously, with FIDO2-compliant Passkey logins, encrypted communications, and customizable API permissions that keep your account firmly in your control. With no phone-based recovery, time-locked global settings, and real-time threat monitoring, it's built to protect your assets at every layer. Learn More $232B Platform Assets Robinhood Robinhood Crypto offers a user-friendly platform for trading and transferring digital assets, including the ability to securely and easily send and receive crypto to and from external wallets. With its self-custody Robinhood Wallet, it manages crypto holdings across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana. Learn More 20% of Global Crypto Secured Ledger Ledger is a leading provider of secure hardware wallets, offering devices like the Ledger Nano X and Ledger Stax that protect private keys offline using industry-leading Secure Element chips and a proprietary operating system. Paired with the Ledger Live app, manage over 5,500 digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Learn More 100M+ Users & Growing lets you buy, sell and trade over 400 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, with zero-fee USD deposits, wire, and Apple/Google Pay. With a user base exceeding 140 million, the platform gives advanced trading options, a self-custodial wallet through Onchain, and industry-leading security certifications. Learn More $53T+ in Transactions Uphold Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform that enables users to buy, sell, and swap over 360 cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies, and four precious metals, all in a single step. With features like assisted self-custody via the Uphold Vault, staking rewards up to 16.8%, and real-time reserve transparency, it offers a secure and versatile experience for both beginners and seasoned investors. Learn More The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase.
