'Breaking Bad' actor Aaron Paul calls for limits on smartphones at MWC 2026

Actor Aaron Paul, best known for playing Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, used his platform at Mobile World Congress 2026 on Monday to warn about mobile phone addiction.

The American actor said smartphones are made to keep users hooked. 

"Phones have been built and designed to be addictive," he said. "I like to be informed, of course, we all should be informed, but we don't need to be informed 24/7. How is that healthy?"

He voiced support for so-called "dumb phones" such as the Light Phone, which reduce dependency on apps and social media. 

That approach is championed by Kaiwei Tang, CEO and co-founder of Light, who joined Aaron Paul on stage.

The Light Phone works without an internet connection, has a simple black-and-white screen, and has no apps, web browser or social media. Just calls, messages, an alarm, calculator, calendar and camera.

Founded in 2014, the company has sold more than 100,000 devices worldwide.

"I want technology to be like a hammer," Tang said. "A tool for a specific purpose, not something that keeps me scrolling for hours so companies can make money."

Impact of the Middle East conflict on MWC

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), organizers of MWC, reports that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is impacting attendance at the congress, as several attendees have been unable to arrive due to countries closing their airspace.

Lara Dewar, GSMA Marketing Director, says that MWC is one of the few places where the entire planet is represented – making it influenced by global conflicts.

"We have 200 countries and territories represented, including those from the Middle East. So when there is a ban on a region or a country, there will be an impact on MWC," Dewar says. 

With key hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha affected, Dewar indicates that there have already been some speakers who have had to cancel or who have been unable to come to Barcelona, with an official number expected after the end of the congress. 

Several key speakers, including European Commission Vice Presidents Henna Virkkunen and Teresa Ribera, faced schedule changes due to the Middle East conflict. 

In addition, at least 10 Israeli companies had to cancel and only 3 of 11 Palestinian firms were able to make it to the congress.