[ivell]

It is more of an attempt to get real world IDs.

Yesterday I was forced to enter phone number for first time for "login verification". I didn't request any 2FA. They also made it clear they would save the number. Alternative was not logging in. Probably a A/B testing attempt.

[pierre3000]

Well, "don't be evil" is over.

Android is over (with the next major version there will be no sideloading). And with all those new feeling-based laws, "hate speech" and snitch sites (Meldestellen) the internet is basically over (or you need legal protection insurance and loads of free time).

The Internet will die off, just like TV, BTX, mail boxes, BBSes, and all the stuff before.

I did adjust my hobbies and passions accordingly, I have now a workshop and a garden.

I decided to use appliances (for example feature phone and Garmin navigation system and reMarkable) and real services (bank clerk in an actual bank).

A smartphone is a spy device, a ad screen, and a single point of failure.

For email look into stalwart and host it for yourself.

[rkagerer]

It's stupid how phone numbers have become a proxy indicator for "is a distinct and legitimate human". Do they enforce this in all geographies or are there still places in the world where Internet is available but cellphones and phone numbers aren't common?

[pndy]

It is stupid but today that makes sense in places where SIM card requires registration by full first and last name - which is majority of the world. You have to register SIM otherwise phone will be working with emergency services only. And that gives the possibility of identifying you by your phone number on whatever service, platform that asks you to provide phone number for security reasons.

I really don't want to spread gloom here but last 15 years felt like stripping down anonymity by both law and social engineering. And now we're facing even more direct online verification under the classic pretense of "think of the children". The Wild West period of the Internet is over and what soon will arrive should concern us all.

[ChrisRR]

I think it's more likely that it's to limit people getting unlimited storage with multiple accounts by limiting it to 15gb per phone number

[ivell]

> Google has confirmed that it's testing a 5GB storage limit for some new Gmail users, unless they add their number.

If 5GB users don't have to enter phone, then I think they will not be able to stop unlimited usage anyway.

[ChrisRR]

Yeah. They'll never be able to stop it, but I wouldn't be surprised if just adding a little extra roadblock makes a measurable difference in their storage costs

[luotuoshangdui]

They forced me to enter a phone number many years ago.