[mythealias]

Last I checked Gmail allowed me to create an account without providing an email address or phone number.

[fragmede]

When was this?

Currently, you need to provide a code that is texted to a mobile phone for some level of proof of identity.

[spindritf]

I have registered an account last week or so without any codes beyond captcha. It surprised me, too, because for quite a while you needed a mobile.

Maybe the requirement is based on some heuristics? IP address, country, other info provided by the user, and so on?

[dennisgorelik]

Gmail IS email.