Hidden Phone Tracking

Hosted By Chris Parker

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Chris PARKER

Host

Ruddy
Wang

Expert Guest
  • Updated on September 23, 2026
“Cell phone service should, by default, not collect as much information about you as possible and should not be selling your information to third parties.” - Ruddy Wang Share on X

Your phone gives off a surprising amount of information just by being connected to a cellular network. Things like your location, who you communicate with, and your daily patterns can all become part of the data tied to your mobile service. While some of that information is necessary to keep a cellular network functioning, questions remain about how much data carriers really need to collect, how long they should keep it, and what happens when that information ends up in the wrong hands.

My guest today is Ruddy Wang, head of consumer growth at CAPE, a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to collect as little customer information as possible. Ruddy began his career as a U.S. diplomat before moving into the technology world, including roles at Facebook and Uber, where he helped launch more than 100 cities across Brazil. His experience in government and technology gave him an early look at how much information our phones can reveal and how that data can be used, which eventually led him to CAPE and its effort to rethink mobile service with privacy and security built in from the start.

In our conversation, we discuss how cellular networks track phones, why identifiers such as IMSI and IMEI numbers matter, and how signaling attacks can potentially intercept calls or text messages without the user realizing anything has happened. We also get into SIM swaps, some of the weaknesses in traditional carrier security, and what CAPE is doing differently to make mobile service more private. We also talk about practical steps people can take to reduce unnecessary data sharing and strengthen the security of their accounts, even if they have no plans to change mobile carriers.

“With a signaling attack, you actually wouldn’t see anything at all. In that respect, it’s a particularly invisible kind of attack.” - Ruddy Wang Share on X

Show Notes:

  • [01:02] Ruddy Wang shares his background and how his work as a diplomat and in technology shaped his interest in mobile privacy.
  • [04:36] We discuss why cellular carriers retain customer data and how that information can be monetized or shared.
  • [07:19] We break down IMSI and IMEI numbers and how these identifiers can be used to recognize and track phones.
  • [10:13] We explore signaling attacks and how someone may be able to track a phone or intercept communications through the global telecom system.
  • [12:22] We compare signaling attacks with SIM swaps and explain why some attacks can happen without the phone owner noticing anything unusual.
  • [14:42] We discuss why vulnerabilities built into the global telecommunications system can be difficult to prevent and what users can do to reduce their exposure.
  • [18:56] We look at the differences between traditional mobile network operators and MVNOs and how those relationships affect service and security.
  • [20:26] We discuss how CAPE uses its own mobile core and SIM technology to add privacy protections while still relying on other carriers' towers.
  • [23:19] We explore the limits of cellular privacy, including why traditional phone calls cannot offer the same end-to-end encryption as some messaging apps.
  • [26:32] We discuss how CAPE approaches SIM swap protection by giving customers control through a recovery phrase rather than relying on customer support.
  • [28:35] We talk about who is most interested in privacy-focused mobile service and why demand has expanded beyond people with high-risk security concerns.
  • [32:55] We discuss how much personal information mobile carriers actually need from customers and CAPE's approach to collecting less data.
  • [36:18] We look at the cost of privacy-focused mobile service and how CAPE's pricing and referral model compares with traditional carriers.
  • [40:20] We discuss Ruddy's experience with a convincing fake crowdfunding site and how the scam managed to fool him.
  • [43:10] We share practical ways to improve mobile privacy and account security, including opting out of data sharing and moving away from SMS authentication.
“There is no technical reason for collecting as much data as the main carriers collect unless there’s some other purpose for that.” - Ruddy Wang Share on X

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. 

Links and Resources:

Transcript:

About Your Host

Chris Parker

Chris Parker is the founder of WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, a tech-friendly website attracting a remarkable 13,000,000 visitors a month. In 2000, Chris created WhatIsMyIPAddress.com as a solution to finding his employer’s office IP address. Today, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com is among the top 3,000 websites in the U.S. 

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PODCAST reviews

Excellent Podcast

Chris Parker has such a calm and soothing voice, which is a wonderful accompaniment for the kinds of serious topics that he covers. You want a soothing voice as you’re learning about all the ways the bad guys out there are desperately trying to take advantage of us, and how they do cleverly find new and more devious ways each day! It’s a weird world out there! Don’t let your guard down, this podcast will give you some explicit directions!

MTracey141

Required Listening

Somethings are required reading – this podcast should be required listening for anyone using anything connected in the current world.

Apple Podcasts User

Fascinating stuff!

I’ve listened to quite of few of these podcasts now. Some of the topics I wouldn’t have given a second look, but the interviewees have always been very interesting and knowledgeable. Fascinating stuff!

Apple Podcasts User

Excellent Show

Excellent interview. Don’t give personal information over the phone … it can be abused in countless ways

George Jenson

Interesting

I’ve listened to quite of few of these podcasts now. Some of the topics I wouldn’t have given a second look, but the interviewees have always been very interesting and knowledgeable. Fascinating stuff!

User22

Content, content, content!

Chris provides amazing content that everyone needs to hear to better protect themselves and learn from other’s mistakes to stay safe!

CaigJ3189

New Favorite Podcast!

Entertaining, educational and I cannot 
get enough! I am excited for more phenomenal content to come and this is sthe only podcast I check frequently to see if a new episode has rolled out.

brandooj

Big BIG ups!

What Chris is doing with this podcast is something that isn’t just desirable, but needed – everyone using the internet should be listening to this! Our naivete is constantly being used against us when we’re online; the best way to combat this is by arming the masses with the information we need to stay wary and keep ourselves safe. Big, BIG ups to Chris for putting the work in for us.

Riley
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