The Surveillance Nuts and Bolts of the Phone Network

How does the phone network work? Who can see your data? Who can listen to your calls or read your SMS? Who can examine who you call or who calls you? What meta data is collected? What about your internet actions? How much of that can be seen by third parties? Who are the possible third parties? What about VOIP/SIP?
This is a deep dive into the architecture of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A system that Kevin Mitnick, master hacker has attacked for so many years because he understood it so well. Now I will let you understand it too.
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I'm the Internet Privacy Guy. I'm a public interest technologist. I'm here to educate. You are losing your Internet privacy and Internet security every day if you don't fight for it. Your data is collected with endless permanent data mining. Learn about a TOR router, a VPN , antivirus, spyware, firewalls, IP address, wifi triangulation, data privacy regulation, backups and tech tools, and evading mass surveillance from NSA, CIA, FBI. Learn how to be anonymous on the Internet so you are not profiled. Learn to speak freely with pseudo anonymity. Learn more about the dangers of the inernet and the dangers of social media, dangers of email.
I like alternative communication technology like Amateur Radio and data communications using Analog. I'm a licensed HAM operator.
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[@hobofoshitsho8999]

That's not an acronym, sir. It's an initialization. Acronyms are spoken as a word that the initials create. The abbreviation or initialization you referenced isn't spoken as a word, you're speaking the letters individually. You're teaching me so much, I felt like I need to give back. ;)

[@hammingdad1]

Fantastic job, Rob. I have been employed in IT and telco for 30 years. Everything I have learned in 30 years, Rob Braxman already knows. 73.

[@robbraxmantech]

I have never worked in Telco btw. LOL

[@RotcivVanDahl]

Great video as always, Rob!!! Thanks

[@JasonStrange-jj8mr]

The only reason why I don't mind my phone and computer being monitored is because some very bad people try to set me up on false charges here in Wichita Kansas. They were the police and government of Wichita Kansas that did it because of a lie that my wife told them.

[@nothinhappened]

Did you know that they could use old tube TVs to listen in by inverting the speakers to be crude microphones? If you've ever plugged earphones into the mic plug and spoken into them to hear how bad they sound you'll have an idea how it must have sounded. Wasn't done 24/7 but it was totally a thing

[@BillAnt]

Ah yeah, I head it back in the tube days that "the TV is spying on you!". lol And if you put on a tin-foil hat, you could even talk to satellites. Ba-ha-ha

[@richardb4787]

That little dot next to the camera, on my android phone, how do I turn it off? I heard it's spying on me. I went through the settings to turn off location, but there's still that dot.

[@arnoldoree]

Really appreciating the insights and advice.

[@transmitterguy478]

Rob, I may have missed it but can my iphone be tracked if it is powered off? Excellent videos, thanks.

[@jakemelinko]

Absolutely

[@BillAnt]

Starting with the iPhone 11 and newer, they all have a U1 Ultra Wideband chip which is always on even when the phone is turned off. It's primary function is to be able to find your phone via Find My iPhone service even when the phone is off. The only way to disable it is by disconnecting the battery.

[@JINGWA64]

why do you think they decided making it easy to pull out your battery wasnt in their interest, because to many people would pull out the battery when they wanted some privacy, so they changed the design with increased complexity and increased manufacture costs so even if you can be bothered to spend the time to pull apart your phone, by default its designed to make something break if you keep doing it, to discourage anyone even considering it. one reason wireless charging was also introduced, is because even if your battery is flat, you can with a directed EMF remotely provide enough power to ping a phone, again a phone costs more to design and manufacture with wireless charging, they didnt do it for your benefit in mind, they want all devices and objects to be trackable even when the battery goes flat or you unplug it from the wall and likewise have the capacity even when its just the shirt your wearing, so some cloths do indeed have integrated RFID these days. so most people still dont realize passive RFID has been incorporated into almost everything these days and used for decades within public ignorance for tracking,, again even car tires these days. so it doesn't actually do anything by default as its passive, but just like your tap and go, when its introduced the correct EMF it powers the circuit and depending on its design it can function as receiver or a transmitter or both, or just provide location tracking + a unique ID code, so it can be mapped on a global database and location map each time its picked up and a persons name(id code) in reality the range on RFID can be activated is very large, depending on the circuit design... people can infact scan the cards in your wallet from several meters, just using a card scanner in a backpack with a upgraded scanner, likewise certain RFID can be tracked from several KM away. again think how small your phones antenna is, how little power it needs to work and by default it can do 15+km in optimal conditions, your sat phone with a slightly larger antenna and the same battery through less dense atmosphere can do 30,000+ km. so if you reduce the antenna size, it will reduce its range and efficiency, but when you can already go so far on such little antenna and power input, you can see how easy it is to sneakily add a passive circuit to a device that easily blends into the circuit or object, but when exposed to the correct EMF will self power the circuit and transmit a signal just like passive RFID, but much much further range then you realized. if you gut your phone, so its just the antenna and power circuit needed to do a location ping, your battery aint going to go flat for long time, since it uses so little power to do this, again its why when they put a active tracking device on your car, it can keep tracking you for months before it goes flat. most tech out the bag is restricted on its range and output, which gives the illusion the tech cant do certain things when it most certainly can and some for good reasons, as signals can and do interfere with each other, without any restrictions, it would become just interference and most wireless stuff wouldnt work properly in result. and humans also function like Active and passive RFID, simply put every human transmits their own unique EMF field, just like a walking omni directional antenna, this is by no means hard to detect either, they have been experimenting with wireless thought detection for over 100 years, so you dont need to wear a device to be able to control another device, you just need to be in its receiver range, they never had any issues picking up these human thought waves remotely, it just made more sense to put the receiver on your head, because then its more sensitive, you get less interference and a better signal which is useful when your trying to decipher those thought waves, but again in reality it can be all done remotely without your knowledge or awareness, how far exactly? im not sure, but at the very least 30+ meters, it also depends on the brain wave and freq, some travel significantly further then others and emotional and physical state can also effect this as well. food for thought.

[@JamesFox1]

Thank You !

[@louishurr393]

Is SMS texting using a virtual phone service like MySudo or others suitable to avoid personal data collection?

[@BillAnt]

"Signal" is the only de-centralized and encrypted service which is trusted by most security professionals.

[@robbraxmantech]

Did the video make special exceptions? NO

[@louishurr393]

@@BillAnt Completely agree Signal is the way to go. However, I face the dilemma of everyone in my life using iMessage because it’s the “default”. So if I want to use Signal with a de-Googled phone, AND continue to communicate with iMessage family and fiends I am also forced to carry an iPhone because MOST of them will not use Signal. They just don’t care. They would rather just let my texts default to “green bubbles” because they don’t care. It’s a real conundrum for me that I’ve been struggling with for two years now. That’s why I was hoping maybe SMS over a virtual phone number could be a solution. Dunno.

[@jamesfrederick6914]

Bravo

[@luyzqint3760]

Hello, I would like your take on duckduck browser's app tracking protection. ✌️

[@dc174]

@luy.....me too!

[@waterdesign9573]

Im pretty sure duckduckgo was caught selling data to microsoft

[@luyzqint3760]

@@waterdesign9573 Have you ever used it?

[@joshfixall7938]

I believe they had to because they use Microsoft servers to make their service work. (Doesn't mean it's fine , but I believe they gave limited information, it depends what you give them)

[@JonnyParker-]

people stopped using duckduck ages ago just as firefox. Stuff like presearch , startpage, mojeek are other alternatives.

[@ayupmeduck5708]

Will disconnecting my router protect me from being jigsawed to any visitors I have that have tracking devices? Does disconnecting my router make me invisible to visitors devices?

[@wadepatton2433]

Does he sell "Linux" phones any more? Anybody use one? Or are they all CalyxOS? Blogs are not my normal operating mode, but that's all I can find. Where can I find a walk-through of CalyxOS? I just want a phone without bloatware.

[@torquethetalk]

let me know what you think about solchat?

[@sharonison3829]

2:31

[@miketurgeon5506]

Hi Rob. Is gubment harassing you b/c of your knowledge and info to masses?

[@robbraxmantech]

no

[@RotcivVanDahl]

Rob, I can hide anywhere! 😂

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Not if that's your real name that you are using on here.

[@mwngw]

Rob....have you ever been "visited" by an employee or contractor of a 3-letter government Agency?

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Probably not... nor will he have been abducted by aliens either... before you ask.

[@robbraxmantech]

I already announced in a live stream that I have never had such an encounter on any platform I run

[@steffybael1245]

TWO MEN CAN KEEP A SECRET IF ONE OF THEM IS A DEAD MAN!! I USE EMAIL AND KZbin MAINLY. I HAVE MY WIFE AND OUR CHILD AND JUST 1 FRIEND, A FORMER LIVE IN LOVER WHO BECAME JUST A FRIEND. NO NEED TO CALL ANYONE!!

[@geraldwest3428]

This dude is pure badass! Thank you! 😊

[@Heartwing37]

Just because you’re living your life and not doing anything wrong today doesn’t mean the laws won’t change tomorrow and you will be the outlaw!

[@babajaiy8246]

....the reverse is also true.

[@maw9916]

Just did today... They passed the tik tok bill and it'll be passed in the Senate, just sometime for' miss information control...ie. rumble and any other website they'dems' deem against national security

[@sharonison3829]

1:08 please help me I've been asking you for help for so long and you will not help me I am being slam-dunked and rolled over by somebody and I cannot get rid of him it's been three and a half months and I don't know what to do I've lost every freaking thing to my name I can't even have banking or any of my apps on

[@joshfixall7938]

U got anymore details brother

[@StarsManny]

Exactly. If you leave a comment somewhere that's considered ok by today's standards, in 10 years time your comment might be considered wrong and be enough to get you fired.

[@banana_bread_at_work]

You've quickly become one of my favorite channels

[@josephsaleh7433]

Operation blue beam

[@kimberleebrackley2793]

Every time your site comes to me, l listen. I do not know ANYTHING about the meat of what you are showing me, us. Yes, my first thought was, if you're not you doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide. This is much more, seriously more. I don't want to help the creeps of the world hide what they're doing, especially when I, myself, is being stalked. Freedom is even more important because we are loosing our rights far more quickly than it took to GET them. People gave their own life to give us the freedoms we've had. Major cudos to this site for the reigning in of the intrusive gov, hold it HAS of us. You know ONLY what you've been exposed to. HA l wish I knew half of what you were talking about. But, l won't Facebook, twit, l hate the intrusive scammer still texting me. Thank you Braxton

[@salvador.garcia]

In any case, since childhood I always felt identified with the creeps of the world.

[@kimberleebrackley2793]

@@salvador.garcia great :/

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

The rules that Trump sadly repealed would have required internet service providers - including Comcast, Verizon and AT&T - to obtain permission from customers before sharing personal data like their web-browsing history. The rules were aimed at preventing internet providers from selling that data without permission. What Trump did was bad for our privacy.

[@robbraxmantech]

Just so you understand, carriers don't really see web browsing. They only see DNS. Sometimes. And this is taken away too by Apple private relay, and Google's private DNS. So basically carriers mostly see just encrypted traffic. They have no real data. Now the real problem is that now you are saying ban carriers from collecting data, while allowing Google, etc to get all the data. Does that make sense? Shouldn't it be evenly applied to all data collectors?

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

You are correct. What Trump did was bad. Both are true. Thanks.

[@ScorpionCar]

Thank you Rob for more detail on this subject with phones! 👍

[@BillAnt]

Yep, can't trust any system like phone or VPN's with their so called "No-logs, trust me bro!" promise. Riiiiiight! lol Actually you're better off connecting to HTTPS sites directly which are already encryoted, thus spreading out the chance of being surveilled on a single VPN server.

[@ScorpionCar]

@@BillAnt Indeed! Actually laughed so hard when you mentioned "No-logs, trust me bro!" 😆 It's crazy how most VPN companies are the same with different coats of paint. Also something to point out is that the second you use a VPN service, most people assume you have something to hide.

[@BillAnt]

​@@ScorpionCar - As you've mentioned using a VPN usually raises flags, and even some streaming websites are even blocked Also, it's a huge target for hackers and governments since all your traffic is funneled through a single central server. Before HTTPS, VPN''s were somewhat useful, but not so much anymore except for hiding your IP. "Trust me bro!" lol

[@billant2]

@@ScorpionCar - As you've mentioned using a VPN usually raises flags, and some streaming websites are even blocked Also, it's a huge target for hackers and governments since all your traffic is funneled through a single central server. Before HTTPS, VPN''s were somewhat useful, but not so much anymore except for hiding your IP. "Trust me bro!" lol

[@billant2]

@@ScorpionCar - As you've mentioned using a VPN usually raises red flags, and some streaming services are even blocked it.

[@robinwells8879]

I am a bit politically vociferous on this platform (and others) and I had an interesting experience a couple of weeks ago. I went to dinner with old work friends in London near parliament. Towards the end of dinner one of the occupants of the neighbouring table came up in the form of a pretty young woman and said “my friends and I have been trying to decide how you all know each other! Tell me how you know each other”? Of course my friends responded to the pretty lady despite the bizarre approach. Having told them our association I asked, and what do you all do? Oh we work for the MET Police! I guess they just wanted me to know they were watching me being so close to parliament. 😂

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

The first mistake you made was not asking her to reveal who she was first before telling her all about you - then not tell her about you anyway. Met. Police or not, we are "policed by consent" in the UK and we can politely tell anyone to go away if they ask questions we don't need to answer when going about our daily business as private citizens.

[@lindenh2014]

And I would add: never be afraid to question a question. Never give a face an automatic pass just because it is pretty. Protect yourself at all times.

[@rafal5863]

They don’t want you know that they see all. This is good for intelligence agencies. Bad bad for people with court subpoenas. One needs to have clearance in most countries to work on nodes that relate to “legal intercepts”. The reason for this is to keep potential criminals (ie people) naive of this fact and conduct sensitive communication over their equipment.

[@00Klingon]

When it comes to encrypted messaging apps, is there a danger with push notifications of giving away the contents of at least part of the message to the carrier on your phone? Does turning off notifications on the phone OS stop this or does the notification still get pushed to the phone regardless, if the phone displays a notification or not?

[@robbraxmantech]

Notifications are being surveilled now

[@weekendwarrior3420]

Google draws its power from the greed of people who want free sh.t. Poisoned food -> poisoned fruit.

[@linsqopiring6816]

Mr Braxman, I think it's a great idea to give an overview of all these concepts and terms kind of as a primer so that when explore things in more fine detail in future videos it will be easier to understand. A question for you. You said that CALEA governs USA law enforcement only. But do USA LEOS get data from people in other countries because of routing through USA systems, and do they share this data with LEOS in those other countries?

[@robbraxmantech]

Some 3 letter agencies focus on International data. You know which. Whether they share it or not is another question. Just assume it takes extra steps

[@DOUBLE0SEVUN]

What is you use *67 to make a private call? I’m assuming it only makes it private for the person being called but the the people in the middle?

[@robbraxmantech]

No such thing as a "private call"

[@linsqopiring6816]

@@robbraxmantechWould Braxphone to Braxphone avoid the PSTN and thus be private?

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

Facebook, cell phones.

[@markvylonis]

Thanks Rob !

[@rachest]

Rob, how can I chat with you?

[@elizabethandiosa4579]

Awesome. Unfortunately, this day and age, we have to protect ourselves from con, the envious the deceitful, nefarious unethical business and quite often the violent ex. Its a process. ✌️🇨🇦🙏🥰😊

[@joetrott6115]

When I try install from Google play I am told my device is not compatible as this program is for an older version Android. I'm currently on 10

[@robbraxmantech]

You can just use the browser or download the app from brax.me/braxme.apk or use apkpure.com

[@RosemarieRex-l9n]

I’m a senior and need professional advice and services on my phone. Glad to see your branching out!!

[@Aomicplane]

I don't even use cell services. I use meshtastic

[@jakemelinko]

What's that?

[@remussatala]

Don't you think you confuse surveillance with the possibility of surveillance sometimes? What do you have to say about the confusion between surveillance and the possibility of surveillance?

[@waterdesign9573]

Yeah I guess I can understand what you mean. Needs to be a bit better with wording.

[@jakemelinko]

The possibility of it means it's not necessarily proven, but you can count on the fact that there's way more going on than we know for sure.

[@jakemelinko]

If you want more of a grasp of the weaponized surveillance taking place, see Lookout fa Charlie

[@MrDormant]

pen and note pad ready

[@linsqopiring6816]

lol me too. Perhaps we should put our note files in youtube comments so other people can copy paste.

[@MrDormant]

@@linsqopiring6816 i just have notebook always at hand. Usually just write keywords I don't know and come back to it later. As of now just intaking all info I can to later make a threat model I can stick too. I tried going all in and failed. So doing it this way.

[@audreychurch7759]

Thanks much for helping me to learn

[@lilcas114]

I have a question.. There is an sms attacker always texting me from different numbers.... He knows a lot about me. Do you have any idea how they're doing this? because they're able to use any area code they want to. Watching your video makes sense about how they're doing this....

[@richardb4787]

That little dot next to the camera, on my android phone, how do I turn it off? I heard it's spying on me. I went through the settings to turn off location, but there's still that dot.

[@paulmitchell4421]

stingray is from the 3g era

[@robbraxmantech]

there's a 4G version with another sea creature name. Can't remember. So Stingray is generic as an IMSI catcher

[@itrytobeanonymoustoo5289]

@@robbraxmantech Kraken?

[@coldbrew6104]

11:14 virtually all email is encrypted nowadays with TLS over SMTP, so the only concern there with your privacy is that your email provider CAN see your emails going out and coming in.

[@2117david]

Thank you

[@robertbroek5004]

Hope so baybay water memory 😉and huuuu akasha records is watch taping themmmm to incl there nasi kids😉😇😅god is on side offff😇not slavery orrr😉😇rot away from inside out in time laps a plant grow up the rottttttt away😉😇

[@matai2437]

Traffic offences 3rd party rules added to existing.laws that cant be explained what does the corperate health group have to do with two traffic offences over a 30 year period preventing me from being issued an Australian licence the last offence was 14 years ago ansd why is their no court diocuments no records of offences put in explaining why i need a phycological evaluation to drive a vehicle in Australia come to New Zealand see how good these shrinks are driving in snow covered mountians give me a break they already know i can drive but personal medical records and police records and emails of injuries after being hit by a truck on my bike im sure there has to be a digital footprint left in my sister's email inbox in New Zealand thats got to be the police ten years of time watching my back these fuckers know it law and order is no where to be found

[@richardb4787]

That little dot next to the camera, on my android phone, how do I turn it off? I heard it's spying on me. I went through the settings to turn off location, but there's still that dot.

[@sharonison3829]

0:48

[@pauberrymon5892]

Surveillance has been around since the telegraph system, Comms have never been "private".

[@RubenMoreno-u2c]

I agree 💯

[@Modded]

That doesn't excuse it.

[@Sayonara301]

I hv been bulied and manipulated at the work place for many years.

[@tenacity3152]

​@@Sayonara301 Praying for you For healing❤ Praying to Jesus Christ.❤

[@realmstupid-on8df]

There Is a difference between not hiding anything and privacy

[@steffybael1245]

i think he said it was called unplugged?

[@Baatipari]

Can you still use these phones for two factor?

[@reubendesailly8]

I’m watching you lol

[@jakemelinko]

Thank you so much, Rob

[@anjanbora7943]

Papa u r a genius 😎

[@GiC7]

Thanks

[@kptechnologyservices4696]

What about MTA-STS? would that not protect email if both the sending and receiving domain implement it and have valid TLS certificats on their MTAs?

[@robbraxmantech]

There are many ways around that, especially with concurrence of the parties or forced by the State (intermediate proxy, root cert, etc). Be assured that someone can read it

[@AndersHellquist]

What parties issued the certificates? Can they be trusted and not being in bed with other parties?

[@crimestoppers1877]

Your statement at 7:32 is not accurate. It is not uncommon for wireline and non wire line carriers with or without a written request to monitor non encrypted voice and Facsimile transmissions. It has been this way since the 1960's. These intercept locations include many possibilities including direct monitoring that is Not directly or explicitly identified by the carrier. In the past, telcos could know about a particular government ( usually) and as a result they required the intercepting organization to sign a broad NDA that would never reveal cooperation and extent of the monitoring by the Telco. Today, it is not absolutely required by the telcos to know these interceptions are occurring and at what locations and for what reasons. They want Plausible Deniability especially when the request is not legal. Why should telco's spend so much investor money on illegal spying, even when directed by government requests?

[@MsHojat]

Good summary video. You've gone over this sort of stuff before, but I think it takes multiple times for most people to fully understand it all. The thing I hate most if how other people's contact lists can be obtained, and there's nothing we can do about it. Of course they still need to make guesses that the name on the contact list is the right one, and/or to link that name to a known name they have on their system (due to a purchase or something, assuming real names were used)

[@robbraxmantech]

I'm sure your friends aren't going to use a fake name on you. LOL. But I suppose it could be a nickname

[@Aminbathat]

you are all my enemies now

[@Randytherumbler]

Go move to China. They'd ❤ you there.

[@Aminbathat]

@@Randytherumbler i know they love me very much they can eat some shitcandy

[@Aminbathat]

@@Randytherumbler the problem here is that china just is full of love towards people right they just love us all that is why they screw us all

[@Aminbathat]

@@Randytherumbler why dont you just talk to me man i thought a 1000 things at once they messed so badly with my head and show you and show you and show you

[@Aminbathat]

​@@Randytherumbler really china is just they are just the worst so i dont give a s about them they are morally on the same level as usa but people we are and we can solve our issues with words or not if nobody was harmed by you

[@13mowe]

I called" three" company in the UK. They concurred with me that they packet sniff your Data🫤