I think the operating system itself and, naturally, vendors such as Google and Samsung are able to do this. The same scenario holds true for iOS. Perhaps fewer applications can obtain permission to read the real cell number of the SIM card inserted into the device, but I’m not sure, as I’m not an experienced or longtime user of iOS. If Google, Apple, Samsung, and other vendors already know our real cell numbers, I wonder what privacy benefits we gain by not using our real numbers in the accounts we log into on these devices. Is it worth the extra costs to add other entities like SMSPool that we can trust?
Its always best to ensure as little PII or any relevant info is gathered by apps or operating systems. If you can ensure of it, then that’s ideal.
It’s like this: some of these companies have a lot of your info but why let any more apps/services get the same? Don’t fall for sunk cost fallacy here.
Depends how much you care about that account. The number can be used for account recovery, so putting in a random number could mean you aren’t able to get into the account at some point and it could mean someone else can. I don’t think phone numbers should ever be used for authentication personally but for some reason they still do it.
That’s one of the great mysteries. Even banks are adamant for it. Some bank apps are so “face hugging” that they tie that apps’ registration/log in of your account on it to your IMEI number so if you try to log in with another device, you’re SOL. They also don’t let your copy paste your user credentials for “security” reasons so ironically people are “forced” to use simple passwords they can type in faster. Results in poorer security, ironocally.
Yes, I understand your point and think it makes sense. I am focusing on the reasonableness of hiding or not hiding our real cell numbers in accounts such as Google or Apple, given that we cannot hide our real numbers from vendors, companies if we use our smartphones with physical or embedded SIMs. If Google and Apple share the numbers stored in their services with apps we download from their stores, or with other services or apps we grant access to those accounts, I would prefer not to share my real number with dozens of apps and services.
Almost all banks use insecure SMS OTP for authentication, SIM binding is mandatory, Google play services/GMS needed and play services must be allowed to read and auto-fill OTP in banking app. Worst scenario is many apps refuse to launch if VPN[1] is enabled. I’ve lot of awareness ads from banks and governments but none of them advise to protect SIM card with PIN.
Google may not ask phone number when creating an account using android using create account in google’s suite of apps or in settings. These days depending on regions its difficult to create account without phone number through browsers.