Tested the no-KYC eSIM providers that take BTC, some things to know

[goldkingcoiner]

Most "anonymous eSIM" recommendations ~

No-KYC can be just promo claim.

I think KYCless eSims are going to be under fire sooner or later by regulators

It's much easier to be anonymous using a VPN

Anonymous? VPN? Maybe semi-anonymous, depending on laws. If a VPN provider gets handed a subpoena from the police they will definitely comply and then the real IP can be traced back. I also do not believe their no logs marketing angle. Just my gut feeling. 

But for being truly anonymous? That might not actually be possible. Eventually a trace is found and it leads to other traces which lead them to the real person behind the screen. 

[LoyceV]

Anonymous? VPN?

You left out the "or Tor"-part.

If a VPN provider gets handed a subpoena from the police they will definitely comply

A subpoena for what? "Your exit node did X on date Y" doesn't tell the VPN provider anything. They don't keep logs, so they don't know who they're after.

How we handle government requests for user data
we must – and do – make it impossible for us to fulfill any data request.
there is simply no data to request, nor confiscate in the case of physical seizure of a server.
When governments do request data, we refer them to our policy and explain that we have no information to hand over.
Should a government somehow succeed in legally forcing us to spy on our users, we will cease operation of our service in the affected jurisdiction

I also do not believe their no logs marketing angle.

All it takes is one piece of evidence of lying about this, and their business is over.

[goldkingcoiner]

Anonymous? VPN?

You left out the "or Tor"-part.

If a VPN provider gets handed a subpoena from the police they will definitely comply

A subpoena for what? "Your exit node did X on date Y" doesn't tell the VPN provider anything. They don't keep logs, so they don't know who they're after.

How we handle government requests for user data
we must – and do – make it impossible for us to fulfill any data request.
there is simply no data to request, nor confiscate in the case of physical seizure of a server.
When governments do request data, we refer them to our policy and explain that we have no information to hand over.
Should a government somehow succeed in legally forcing us to spy on our users, we will cease operation of our service in the affected jurisdiction

I also do not believe their no logs marketing angle.

All it takes is one piece of evidence of lying about this, and their business is over.

Yes, Tor is way more excellent than a VPN. But also very limited. Can't really do much on the clearnet over Tor. But even Tor has law enforcement crawling all over and strategically attacking Tor, especially by setting up relays at strategically useful positions.

Also, are you sure a VPN provider would refuse to accept monitoring and logging of suspicious IP's on behalf of law enforcement? I think just because a VPN provider is no-logs does not mean they will not cooperate with the police in monitoring and targeting voluntarily.  

I also do not believe their no logs marketing angle.

All it takes is one piece of evidence of lying about this, and their business is over.

No business is too big to fail. And they all have their skeletons in the closet...

[PrivacyG]

Yes, Tor is way more excellent than a VPN. But also very limited. Can't really do much on the clearnet over Tor.

What are you even talking about?  I can browse the Clearnet all I want over Tor just like I am right now.  When I do have a device I would not mind using Java Script on, Clearnet over Tor is simply a slower version of the Internet.  Other than the fact that you do get a lot more annoying Captchas to complete, I do not feel any difference.

Also, are you sure a VPN provider would refuse to accept monitoring and logging of suspicious IP's on behalf of law enforcement? I think just because a VPN provider is no-logs does not mean they will not cooperate with the police in monitoring and targeting voluntarily.  

If your threat model tells you that you should not even consider the risk of a VPN lying and giving up under pressure of authority, VPNs are not the solution and you should use Tor right from the start.  I personally rarely see companies actually keeping their word and not give up in front of pressure.  Those who do however, even under the threat of their own safety and Freedom, should really be awarded by their own customers.

[LoyceV]

What are you even talking about?  I can browse the Clearnet all I want over Tor just like I am right now.  When I do have a device I would not mind using Java Script on, Clearnet over Tor is simply a slower version of the Internet.  Other than the fact that you do get a lot more annoying Captchas to complete, I do not feel any difference.

Many sites completely block Tor browser, and registration is often impossible, or requires a phone number for verification. In my experience, it's quite annoying to use. As always: privacy comes at a cost.

[goldkingcoiner]

Yes, Tor is way more excellent than a VPN. But also very limited. Can't really do much on the clearnet over Tor.

Clearnet over Tor is simply a slower version of the Internet.  Other than the fact that you do get a lot more annoying Captchas to complete, I do not feel any difference.

TOR is technically unuseable for the average user who wants anonymity during his internet surfing day to day. You can get away with light stuff, such as posting on some forum website. But try actually downloading something or streaming a movie. You will definitely feel the difference.

And that is the exact point that I am trying to make here. So I am not sure what you are talking about. Or has TOR gone through some incredible changes since I took a look at it?

The only good thing I like about TOR, other than the main feature, is that there is no greedy company behind it.

[LoyceV]

TOR is technically unuseable for the average user who wants anonymity during his internet surfing day to day. You can get away with light stuff, such as posting on some forum website. But try actually downloading something or streaming a movie. You will definitely feel the difference.

I'd say Tor isn't meant to be used all day. You don't need to hide the fact that you're streaming a movie, you want to hide the fact that you're also publishing articles for the resistance working on overthrowing your vicious dictator. The rest of the day, you hide in the crowd.