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Comment by encryptluks2 | Hacker News Reader

That is hardly a solution. You also act like by "inventing" a burner account that Google has no clue who you are, but that is simply not the case. If so their service would be overrun with spammers. Generally they require that you also verify a real phone number to setup an account.

Also, once you've done all this you can download APKs from Google Play Store without needing a burner phone. They've had extensions that do this for some time. Might as well just do it from the computer and or use an alternative app store.

If you really don't want someone to sign in to Google services, then there are ROMs made specifically for that. Have them use CardDav and CalDav. Use email with IMAP, etc. The route you've chose seems way too convoluted for no purpose other than the illusion that you're somehow unidentifiable.

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We're solving different problems.

By purchasing a burner phone, I am definitely traceable by law enforcement. You want to be untraceable after a crime - I'm not solving that problem.

Your other suggestions are fine ideas, there's not a specific right or wrong way to do it.

> By purchasing a burner phone, I am definitely traceable by law enforcement

Well, it really depends on how you buy it and where you use it. Yes, they can locate your phone based on triangulation. However, you can buy a prepaid burner phone outside of your area and then use it to create a Google account and then make sure you are using a VPN when connecting from a residential location. However, I don't really see the use in buying a burner phone just to download APKs from. You can do the same without one. I agree, that it does work to accomplish what you mentioned but I was just trying to explain that there is a much easier route without the additional burden.

Then you're not one of those people I would recommend it to.

You seem to have missed the biggest part of why I recommend this to some people - never, ever put a SIM in the burner phone. It's just for that burner gmail address you use to get into the Google Walled Garden.

You don't need a separate Android device for that though. That was the point. You can do that with third-party extensions, websites, etc. Last but not least, in order to create a Google burner account you likely need a real phone number. Whenever you sign up for a Google account it asks you to verify a phone number.

I've successfully created numerous new accounts, on an Android device, with no SIM card.

It looks like there's no proof either way. Are you testing without a SIM card?

Yes, I've tested without a SIM card and was asked for phone verification. Seems like it may be hit and miss.

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