SN 1052: Global Cellphone Tracking - Checkout.com Fights Back

Security Now (Audio)

Leo Laporte

Cyber Crime, Malware, Technology, Encryption, Steve Gibson, Security, Hacking, Twit, Spyware, Leo Laporte

4.6 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 182 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Think your cell phone is safe from tracking? Steve reveals how global networks let anyone pinpoint your location—no hacking required and no malware involved.

Apple introduces a new Digital ID inside Wallet.
Checkout.com refuses to pay a ransom demand.
Google announces "Private AI Compute" in the cloud.
Google backpedals on their "devs must register" demand.
Win11 added a Passkeys API which 1Password & Bitwarden support.
Russia tracks SIM card appearances to thwart drone usage.
Google sues Chinese Phishing as a Service platform.
Lots of interesting listener feedback.
Global cellphone tracking is alive, well, malware free and a distressingly common commercial enterprise

Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1052-Notes.pdf

Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's time for security now. Steve Gibson is here. Apple has added a new digital ID inside its wallet.
0:06.3	You can even put your passport in there. I think we're getting closer and closer to secure age verification via Apple.
0:13.5	Steve will talk about that. Google backpedals on their demand that all developers for Android phones must register with Google.
0:21.3	Russia is tracking SIM card appearances.
0:24.5	Google is suing a Chinese fishing us as a service platform.
0:28.5	And then we'll talk about how it's almost impossible if you have a cell phone not to be tracked.
0:35.6	It doesn't require malware.
0:37.3	All that and more coming up next on Security Now.
0:43.1	Podcasts you love.
0:44.9	From people you trust.
0:47.5	This is Twitter.
0:52.8	This is Security Now with Steve Gibson, episode 152, recorded Tuesday, November 18th, 2025,
1:01.7	Global Cell Phone Tracking.
1:04.7	It's time for security now.
1:07.2	Oh, everybody's been waiting all week long to see this cat right here.
1:10.7	Mr. Steve Tiberius Gibson,
1:13.2	host to the show and our expert on security, privacy, and all good things. Hello, Steve.
1:20.1	Hey, Leo, great to be with you for episode 152. I heard that Mac Break is about to go to the 1000.
1:27.7	Yes, we're catching up with you.
1:29.6	And they weren't worried about stopping at 999.
1:32.2	So there was none of that, there was none of that anxiety.
1:35.3	So that would say since we're at 152, that they started exactly one year after.
	...

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