Are there eSIM Hidden Dangers?

I can answer some of your questions: 1. E-Sim is not stored in rom, and thus not removed with a factory reset / reflash. 2. You need Google Play Services to install a E-Sim in most if not all cases ( at least in the Netherlands ), but no need to sign in to Google. 3. You can remove an E-Sim using a service menu ( on Google Pixel phones at least ). I had to install an E-Sim on a degoogled phone, this was not possible on a Google Pixel 6A with Lineage OS and Arrow OS without Google Play Services, had to bring it back to stock, sideload a carrier app and then download and install the E-Sim. After the E-Sim was installed i could flash my deGoogled firmware ( erase everything ) and still use the E-Sim afterwards.. Luckily it is possible to erase the E-Sim with a deGoogled phone, no Google Play Services needed for that.. Haven;t tested this with Micro-G.. Hope this answers some of your questions, i will keep my current phones and will never use E-Sim again.. Thanks for explaining how a phone works with and without an (E)Sim regarding radios!

"Are esims a problem for privacy? In my opinion, yes! " Didn't see that one coming 🙂

Thanks for the Information Rob.

Hi Rob, it's great to see that your channel has gotten so much traction on YT! I used to stay up and watch you and Ron Waxman on Periscope :)

Thank you for the info! I did not know.

I suspect the time will come when it will be too dangerous to have a phone at all.

Your information is top level! Thank You! 🎉

Yeah…. I think I’ll go back to a flip phone, I’m tried of this technology crap. It’s nice but it’s too much and it’s ruined our lives. No one talks anymore or call each other, I rather call than text. It’s getting ridiculous out there.

Thanks for this important info!!

wow. that was very informative. thanks

Very informative, thanks

Did not know such details! Thanks!

Many people assume and will even argue that eSIMs are superior to SIM cards. Because the phone OEMs and the carriers have positioned eSIMs as a commodity technology. Before you automatically, blindly, passionately assert that eSIMs are somehow superior - before you rush out to buy one - you must answer one specific question: exactly how are eSIMs better, what specific advantage do they provide to consumers that SIM cards do not?

Great breakdown!

Awesome video! Informative video. You are a legend my brother when it comes to privacy and freedom.

E-sim data can be remove from the phone. I had my android, I remove my old e-sim which I don't subscribe already.

I have a different question. Is it safe to use domain and hosting provider (like eg. OVH with Roundcube) as an email provider?

Hi Rob, I'm in the U.K. Last July I updated my phone and i now have an iphone 14 plus. When I purchased this I asked for an Esim. The reason for this is that if my iphone was lost /stolen any criminal would not be able to remove the physical SIM card because there isn't one. I was under the impression (maybe mistaken) that this would make my phone more secure.

Had eSim on Pixel-5. It was useless. It was forever being disabled (by the carrier whose name started with a "V"). Always requiring a visit to a store and never requiring less than an hour.

I have noticed that WhatsApp (I know, not a privacy friendly app, but that's not what I'm asking about) message backups can be decrypted on another phone, if you transfer your SIM to the new phone and re-register WhatsApp on the new phone. This indicates the decryption key is derived from information on the SIM. Do you know what information that might be? Could it be this KI value?