Part 3/10:
Snowden provided an intricate understanding of how smartphones maintain constant connections to cellular networks, even when they seem idle. These devices continuously send out unique identifiers—like the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)—to nearby cellular towers, establishing a permanent record of an individual’s physical presence. When users might feel their phones are off, in reality, the devices might still be actively communicating with various networks.