A New Anonymous Phone Carrier Lets You Sign Up With Nothing but a Zip Code

Nicholas Merrill, a longtime privacy activist who fought the FBI over surveillance orders for over a decade, has launched Phreeli, a cellular carrier that requires only a ZIP code for signup and collects virtually no personal data from users. The service uses advanced cryptographic systems called zero-knowledge proofs to verify payments and account status without storing identifying information, allowing customers to pay with cryptocurrency or credit cards while remaining anonymous to both the company and government agencies seeking user data.