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0 pointssam_lowry_1y ago0 comments

I once worked with a business lady who used her dumbphone as an argument in a discussion where we were deciding whether all our users have smartphones. She proudly displayed the dumbphone and said that if she has one, others probably have too.

I learned only much later that her husband was prosecuted for fraud related to government funds. So she had a good reason to have a dumbphone.

It's anecdotal evidence, but still.

You are of very low opinion of people, probably assuming that you are smarter because you are some kind of IT guy.

And you are likely wrong.

0 comments

jeroenhd1y ago

> I learned only much later that her husband was prosecuted for fraud related to government funds. So she had a good reason to have a dumbphone.

Does she? Law enforcement can wiretap and track dumbphones just as easily as smart phones. The lack of encrypted calling/texting options even make it easier for law enforcement. If she's trying to hide more fraud, the dumbphone isn't helping her. And of course if she is trying to hide fraud from law enforcement, she probably shouldn't be doing the fraud in the first place.

There are good reasons for using dumbphones (smartphones distract, and it's having a serious impact on everyone these days) but avoiding being prosecuted isn't one.

sam_lowry_OP1y ago

It's about reducing the attack surface, dude.

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