Travel eSIMs and Privacy Risks: Why Tourists in Laos Should Think Twice

Short answer: some travel eSIMs send your traffic through networks in other countries, so your public IP address may not match where you are. For a trip focused on Laos, an eSIM that connects to a Lao network such as Unitel avoids that detour.

The rise of travel eSIMs

Apps such as Airalo and Holafly let you install a data plan before you travel, with no physical SIM to buy at each destination. For people hopping between several countries, that is convenient.

A study presented at the USENIX Security Symposium in August 2025 by Northeastern University researchers looked at 25 eSIM services, including Holafly, Airalo and eSIM Access. It found a less visible side to that convenience.

What the study found

• In almost all cases, the device's public IP address did not correspond to its physical location.
• One example: an Ireland-based Holafly eSIM connected through China Mobile's network and received an IP address allocated to China Mobile International in Hong Kong.
• Resellers can see data such as the IMSI number and approximate location.
• Some profiles contacted servers in Singapore and Hong Kong without telling the user.

The study does not say that traffic from Laos is routed through China, and it does not say every provider behaves this way. It shows that where your traffic exits the mobile network depends on the provider's arrangements, which the buyer rarely sees.

Why this matters to a traveller

• Privacy: your traffic and metadata pass through networks you did not choose.
• Speed: a longer route can add latency, which you notice on video calls and maps.
• App behaviour: some apps and sites read your IP as being in another country, which can trigger verification prompts or restrictions.

The alternative in Laos: an eSIM on a local network

If your trip is mainly in Laos, you do not need a multi-country plan. Local operators such as Unitel (wide 4G coverage) and Lao Telecom connect you directly to Lao networks.

To be clear about our own product: the Laos eSIMs we sell at shop.internetlaos.com are data-only plans that connect to Unitel's network in Laos. We are a reseller, so the point is not that resellers are risk-free, only that a plan that connects to the local network avoids the cross-border routing the study describes. Because the eSIM is sold as data only, it does not require registering a Lao number in your name.

If you are also visiting other countries, see How to Choose an eSIM for Laos: Local vs Regional Roaming (2026) for the trade-offs.

Practical points

• Buying: you can buy an eSIM before you fly, or get one at official operator shops in Laos.
• Coverage: major cities, tourist areas and most regional towns are covered, though signal in remote mountain areas varies.
• Setup: scan the QR code and enable the line when you land.

For the wider picture on SIM registration and privacy in Laos, read our article on SIM card registration in Laos, and our list of useful apps to download before visiting Laos.