Smartphone with social media icons and a padlock representing online privacy and security.

Why Celebrities Use Burner Accounts and Why You Need One Too

November 11, 2025 / Privacy Tips / By / 8 minutes of reading

Introduction

In today’s digital society, maintaining your online privacy is more important than ever. The rise of social media has brought with it the challenge of protecting personal information while still engaging with others. This challenge is not just for ordinary people but also for celebrities who face constant scrutiny. Celebrities use burner accounts to navigate the online world without compromising their privacy. In this article, we’ll explore why celebrities use burner accounts and how you can benefit from them too. (Updated November 2025)

Recent studies show that over 73% of internet users are concerned about their online privacy in 2025, with data breaches and identity theft reaching record highs. This makes the practice of using burner accounts more relevant than ever, not just for celebrities but for everyday users who value their digital privacy.

Famous People Caught Using Burner Accounts

Person holding a phone with icons representing anonymous users and burner accounts.
Celebrities and public figures often use burner accounts to maintain anonymity online.

Several high-profile cases have revealed celebrities using burner accounts for various reasons. Bryan Colangelo, former Philadelphia 76ers general manager, was found using anonymous Twitter accounts to criticize players and defend his strategies. Similarly, NBA star Kevin Durant used burner accounts to respond to negative comments about him. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s wife, Jane Skinner Goodell, also used a secret Twitter account to support her husband anonymously.

More recently in 2024-2025, several A-list actors and musicians have been discovered maintaining burner accounts on Instagram and TikTok. These accounts often have hundreds of thousands of followers who have no idea they’re actually following their favorite celebrity. Some celebrities even use these accounts to test new content ideas, gauge genuine fan reactions, or simply enjoy social media without the pressure of their verified status.

Tech executives have also joined this trend, with multiple Silicon Valley CEOs admitting to using anonymous Reddit accounts to participate in discussions about their companies and products. This allows them to gain unfiltered feedback and understand public sentiment without the bias that comes with their official presence.

Reasons Celebrities Use Burner Accounts

Person typing on a laptop with icons representing anonymity, promotion, and private interaction.
Burner accounts help celebrities defend themselves, promote activities, and interact privately.

Celebrities use burner accounts for multiple strategic reasons:

  • Defend Themselves Anonymously: They can respond to criticism without drawing attention to their real accounts, allowing them to control narratives without seeming defensive.
  • Promote Activities Secretly: They can engage in promotional activities without appearing self-serving, testing marketing strategies organically.
  • Interact Privately: They can connect with friends and family without the public intrusion, maintaining genuine relationships away from the spotlight.
  • Market Research: In 2025, many celebrities use burner accounts to understand their fan base better, monitor competitors, and stay updated on industry trends without influencing the conversation.
  • Mental Health Protection: Separating their public persona from private online activities helps maintain psychological well-being by creating healthy boundaries.
  • Content Testing: Before launching major announcements or creative projects, celebrities often use burner accounts to gauge public reaction and refine their approach.

How You Can Benefit from Burner Accounts

Burner accounts are not just for celebrities; they offer several benefits to regular users as well:

  • Privacy: Protect your personal data from being tracked and misused by advertisers and data brokers.
  • Freedom: Engage on social media without the pressure of public scrutiny from employers, colleagues, or extended family.
  • Data Protection: Avoid giving out your real phone number and email address, which can be harvested by data mining companies.
  • Professional Separation: Keep your personal interests separate from your professional online presence, especially important in 2025’s interconnected job market.
  • Dating Safety: Use burner accounts for online dating apps to protect your identity until you’re comfortable sharing personal information.
  • E-commerce Protection: Create separate accounts for online shopping to limit exposure if a retailer’s database is breached.
  • Political Expression: Share political opinions without fear of workplace repercussions or social backlash.

Creating Your Own Burner Accounts

Here’s a comprehensive guide to creating and maintaining anonymous social media accounts in 2025:

Step 1: Use Anonymous Information

  • Email: Create an email address not linked to your real identity using services like ProtonMail or Tutanota.
  • Phone Number: Use a disposable phone number from services like MobileSMS.io to bypass SMS verification requirements.
  • Username Creation: Generate random usernames that don’t contain any part of your real name, birth date, or location.

Step 2: Hide Your IP Address

  • Use a reputable VPN to mask your real IP address and prevent location tracking.
  • Consider using Tor Browser for maximum anonymity when creating accounts.
  • Enable DNS leak protection to ensure your internet provider can’t track your activities.

Step 3: Maintain Anonymity

  • Avoid sharing personal details that could reveal your identity, including photos with metadata.
  • Regularly change your passwords and review your account settings for privacy breaches.
  • Use different browsers or browser profiles for your burner accounts versus personal accounts.
  • Never link burner accounts to your real social media profiles or contacts.

Step 4: Operational Security Tips

  • Clear cookies and cache regularly when switching between accounts.
  • Use unique profile pictures generated by AI rather than real photos.
  • Vary your writing style and posting times to avoid pattern recognition.
  • Consider using MobileSMS.io’s All Services plan for managing multiple burner accounts across different platforms.

Tools for Maintaining Anonymity

Essential tools for maintaining your digital privacy in 2025:

  • VPN Services: Use reliable VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Mullvad to hide your IP address.
  • Disposable Phone Numbers: MobileSMS.io provides non-VoIP phone numbers that are perfect for creating burner accounts and passing even the strictest verification systems.
  • Password Managers: Use tools like Bitwarden or KeePass to generate and store unique passwords for each burner account.
  • Encrypted Email Services: ProtonMail, Tutanota, or temporary email services for account creation.
  • Browser Privacy Extensions: uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and HTTPS Everywhere for enhanced browsing security.
  • Virtual Machines: For maximum separation, use virtual machines to isolate burner account activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others’ mistakes when managing burner accounts:

  • Cross-contamination: Never log into burner accounts from your primary device without proper precautions.
  • Pattern Recognition: Avoid posting at the same times or using similar phrases across accounts.
  • Metadata Leaks: Strip EXIF data from photos before uploading to burner accounts.
  • Payment Trail: Use prepaid cards or cryptocurrency when paying for services related to burner accounts.
  • Social Engineering: Be aware that determined individuals might try to trick you into revealing your identity.
  • Overconfidence: Remember that no system is 100% foolproof – always maintain operational security discipline.

Benefits of Using MobileSMS.io

MobileSMS.io website interface showing steps to obtain a temporary phone number.
MobileSMS.io provides a simple and secure way to get temporary phone numbers.

MobileSMS.io offers premium temporary non-VoIP phone numbers from real SIM cards, especially specializing in USA numbers. These numbers are reliable and can be used for various online services. The key benefits include:

  • High Compatibility: Suitable for any website or service requiring phone number verification, including platforms that block VoIP numbers.
  • Flexible Pricing: Affordable plans starting from $3 per SMS verification, with the All Services 30-day rental plan offering exceptional value for multiple account management.
  • Privacy Protection: No need to share your real phone number, keeping your personal information secure.
  • Instant Activation: Get your temporary number within seconds, no waiting period required.
  • Multiple Platform Support: Works with Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, and hundreds of other services.
  • 24/7 Availability: Access numbers anytime you need them, with consistent uptime and reliability.
  • No Contract Required: Pay as you go with no long-term commitments or hidden fees.

FAQ

How do I use a temporary phone number from MobileSMS.io?

  • Sign up, top-up your account, and use the credits to order a temporary phone number. These numbers can bypass SMS verification on any website or app, even those with strict anti-VoIP measures.

Can I reuse a temporary phone number?

  • MobileSMS.io offers both one-time use and long-term rental phone numbers. For repeated use, opt for a long-term rental option. The All Services plan is perfect for maintaining multiple burner accounts.

Are there free disposable phone numbers available?

  • Yes, MobileSMS.io offers a few free disposable numbers for initial trials, though premium numbers provide better reliability and success rates.

Is it legal to use burner accounts?

  • Yes, using burner accounts for privacy protection is completely legal in most jurisdictions. However, using them for illegal activities or violating platform terms of service can have consequences.

How many burner accounts should I maintain?

  • It depends on your needs, but most privacy-conscious users maintain 2-4 burner accounts for different purposes: professional networking, personal interests, shopping, and general browsing.

Conclusion

Burner accounts offer a practical solution for maintaining online privacy in 2025, whether you are a celebrity or not. As digital surveillance and data collection continue to intensify, the techniques used by celebrities to protect their privacy become increasingly valuable for everyone. By using services like MobileSMS.io, you can create anonymous accounts easily and protect your personal information from prying eyes.

The landscape of online privacy is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means adopting the same strategies that public figures use to maintain their digital autonomy. Whether you’re protecting yourself from data breaches, maintaining professional boundaries, or simply valuing your privacy, burner accounts are an essential tool in your digital toolkit. Enjoy the freedom and privacy that comes with using burner accounts and navigate the digital world with confidence.