Casinos knew my mobile number

[Deleted User]

I recently visited Macau. As I approached the port I received a welter of text messages from the local casinos inviting me to give them a load of money. From the technical point-of-view, how do they get access to your mobile number? I never send my number when phoning/texting. Are the network operators complicit in this?

forgotmyname

Or you were connected to their wifi.

[Deleted User]

forgotmyname wrote: »

Or you were connected to their wifi.

No, WiFi was definitely off, as was roaming.

motorguy

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

I recently visited Macau. As I approached the port I received a welter of text messages from the local casinos inviting me to give them a load of money. From the technical point-of-view, how do they get access to your mobile number? I never send my number when phoning/texting. Are the network operators complicit in this?

Out of curiosity, how do you not send your number when texting?

Lorian

google "beacon marketing"

[Deleted User]

motorguy wrote: »

Out of curiosity, how do you not send your number when texting?

You're right. I thought turning off 'Send Your Number' would apply to texts as well, but it doesn't. Although a bit of research showed that you can do this in a roundabout way - as many companies do when they're texting you. Regarding Beacon Marketing, I'm not sure this was happening. I received texts, some with source numbers, others not. There was no interaction with any apps. I also received a hectoring text from the Macau Government warning about smoking in bus shelters (cheeky gits). I'm surprised this sort of thing doesn't happen back here. There must be great scope for the Nanny State in this respect.

lammy82

This is done using "Location Based Services" and yes the carriers are in on the deal. Presumably it shouldn't allow the advertisers to actually get your mobile number, unleses you reply to a message. They just pay to have messages sent on their behalf based on your location. It exists in a similar form in the USA as well: https://www.protexting.com/location-based-marketing.html

that

This thread got my interest, especially Lorian and Lammy82.

I was thinking if it would be possible to attach a Pi security camera, and a usb wifi dongle to listen, then harvest the mobile mac address as people pass by (rough neighberhood).

Looks like at least for wif that is not possible as the phone goes into listen mode, rather than broadcast, so the Pi would have to sent out a broadcast to something which it already knows, like Mc D's wifi, and hope the phone responds which is a bit hit and miss.

Uxb1

Well you were in effect in China where the government has rather different approach to privacy and the control of their citizens to that of the West.
So I'd expect that your mobile number once it had been detected as being in the area was logged and given out freely by the local network to the government under edict and its 'friends'.
Indeed as you say you got a public information warning from the Government of Macau.