Identification Via Location-Profiling in GSM Networks

As devices move within a cellular network, they register their new location with cell base stations to allow for the correct forwarding of data. This paper shows it is possible to identify a mobile user from these records and a pre-existing location profile, based on previous movement. Two different identification processes are studied, and their performances are evaluated on real cell location traces. The best of those allows for the identification of around 80% of users.