I had one SIM-card left that had been "grandfathered" into the current system, in which you are required by law to have the card registered with your social security number. Because Gestapo, that's why. Anyway, I was keeping it hidden away in my wireless earbuds' case, taped under the lid, but it must've gotten loose. Ah well... I wasn't really using it for anything, keeping it around just in case.

Are you able to source "IoT" cards without ID verification?

Hiding a SIM card taped under the earbud case lid was clever but fragile. Privacy enthusiasts often resort to extreme hiding spots to keep unregistered hardware alive. Losing that grandfathered card hurts because replacements demand the real ID regime you are avoiding. Have you looked into VoIP numbers as a more durable workaround?

No. Both data-SIMs and prepaid cards require the buyer to reveal their name, address and social security number over the counter and online. The retailer is also compelled to verify the buyer's identity, either electronically or physically (ID card).

There are no VoIP solutions in my region for the very same reason. They call it their "war on crime".

is it hard to find one similar card second hand? or is that illegal?

My guess is that there definitely could be some sort of underground market for them, but as I understand the legislation, using them would be illegal.

But then again, if one really requires privacy, telephones and SMS are some of the worst options for communication. In the current state of things, I'd simply use an end to end encrypted chat app, preferably one that implements the Signal protocol.

You are a bot.

A shitty one too. Goddamn, I wish these things would fuck off. We're stuck with them forever. The whole world will collapse before these assholes will stop shoving this down our throats.