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Comment by raxxorrax | Hacker News Reader

The whole phone number thingy for added security 2 factor auth has been quite the scam.

Why wouldn't you though, that's gotta be pretty juicy data. You can compare phone numbers across so many different databases now, makes profile creation 10x more efficient. Not really surprising that everyone wants your phone number badly these days.

Microsoft does the same thing btw. Was really fun for a friend of mine who registered a Microsoft account for mixer, forgot about, bought Halo, needed an MS account to log in, thought hey I already have one, and instantly got locked out because it didn't have a phone number.

I bought a dress, a cookie, and a book yesterday from a mall in India.

All 3 asked me for my phone number. It’s getting ridiculous

Do you put your real number in for those kinds of purchase? I generally just put in a random 800- number.

I just say "No, thanks" with a smile.

Doesn't India link phone numbers to bank accounts?

As I've understood it, it's more like you can charge (some things) to your phone bill. Like buying ringtones/apps for 00's phones, but not just phone-related purchases.

lonelappde is right. All bank accounts in India must(?) have a registered phone number associated with them. This was primarily done to ensure SMS transactional alerts, but has escalated to all sorts of usecases now (including the enforced regulated way of doing 2FA).

I went to the apple store to buy a router. It took me involving the manager before the guy let me pay without leaving my name and address.

India is just ridiculous in this regard. Recently, there's some app at security gates at the entrance of apartments that asks for phone numbers. It's strange that one needs a phone number to visit my friend.

Context for others, the app is likely https://mygate.com/

Having something as personal as a phone number should be seen as a liability, not an asset.

It's for anti-spam. Preventing people from generating millions of free accounts is valuable.

It's batshit crazy. But the PR campaigns/marketing by the companies that want your phone number for other reasons seems to have worked.

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