[bsammon]

Their own policies place a limit on how "demanding" they can be.

Initializing a new (or power-washed) android/ChromeOS device _requires_ a Google account, so if you don't have one (or claim not to) they device initialization process will generate a new Google account for you. Even if there's no phone number or SIM card in the device.

I've had a number of Android/ChromeOS devices over the years, and I've had each one generate a new Google account. None of these accounts have phone numbers associated with them.

I generally don't use these accounts for much more than downloading free apps from the Google Play store -- maybe more extensive use would trigger a "You must add a phone number to this account to proceed"?

[userbinator]

Initializing a new (or power-washed) android/ChromeOS device _requires_ a Google account

It's been a while since I've had to look at Android in any detail, but I remember that not being necessary, and a quick search online suggests that to still be the case today.

[bsammon]

Are you saying it's as simple as clicking the "proceed without a google account" button and I've just failed to notice the option each of those times?

If there's a non-obvious workaround, why not post a link to it?

"Just Google it" isn't as easy as it used to be...

[nicman23]

i mean yeah but then you do not have access to the play store and

[megous]

They can just take your number anyway if you ever insert a SIM, since they control "your" phone.

[vesinisa]

Interestingly, your phone number is actually not stored on the SIM card. It instead holds a globally unique ICCID number which your operator links to your account (phone number) on their systems.

This actually makes it possible to transfer your phone number between SIM cards or even operators, and means your cell phone is blissfully unaware of its own phone number.

[megous]

While interesting, it's irrelevant. Google can take your number the moment you enter your SIM into the phone. They even have it as a feature.

[namibj]

It's surprisingly annoying if the phone is unaware, like mine!