[CaptainZapp]

I don't want to spend money. Not even a few quid, because a scummy company suddenly doesn't let me access my device, which I "own" for years without surrendering even more personal information.

That's apart from what other posters explained. That in a lot of countries you can't just get a sim from a kiosk, or a vending machine without proper identification.

[bobdole123456]

This is an anti-spam and anti-abuse requirement, not because they need you to tell them your phone number.

They’re on most of the phones in the world, and have access to all the billing records associated with your phone number, as they’re a cell phone service provider. They’re asking folks who they think might be abusing the service for this information, so they identify themselves in a way that Google can report to law enforcement.

The idea they’d need you to tell them this information so they could use it is kind of laughable.

[CaptainZapp]

Given that this is a very new account I smell trolling, or astroturfing. Just in case it's not, I bite:

This is an anti-spam and anti-abuse requirement, not because they need you to tell them your phone number.

Any means of backing up that statment? Specifically, why are anti-spam measures needed to access a device?

They’re on most of the phones in the world

So what? A lot of people, myself included, will never, ever use an Android device. Especially since they don't trust Google one yota not to completely violate their privacy. In terms of the discussion this is a red herring.

and have access to all the billing records associated with your phone number, as they’re a cell phone service provider.

It's here, where your comment gets outright ludicrous. From [1]

When the mobile device is turned on or is transferred via a handover to the network, this new "visited" network sees the device, notices that it is not registered with its own system, and attempts to identify its home network. If there is no roaming agreement between the two networks, maintenance of service is impossible, and service is denied by the visited network.

The visited network contacts the home network and requests service information (including whether or not the mobile should be allowed to roam) about the roaming device using the IMSI number.

If successful, the visited network begins to maintain a temporary subscriber record for the device. Likewise, the home network updates its information to indicate that the cell phone is on the host network so that any information sent to that device can be correctly routed.

There is NO, whatsoever exchange of subscriber information, safe for service information required for billing. Pretending that "Google can associate billing records with your number" doesn't pass the smell test.

The idea they’d need you to tell them this information so they could use it is kind of laughable.

The idea that the ilks of Google, Facbook and all those dodgy add tech brothers and sisters would not abuse any means possible to violate your privacy is laughable.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaming

[bobdole123456]

You don’t think there is a system for network providers to identify customers to each other?

How about to law enforcement?

[algog]

Use TextNow app- it gives you free phone numbers.

[binomialxenon]

Many services that require phone numbers can tell if a number is a free VOIP number and will not accept it for verification.