Google wants my phone number

[Herr Kutz]

When I log into gmail I have received the occasional text box asking for my phone number (for my "security", lol) but it usually had a skip button to go to my inbox.

I've just tried logging into my gmail account and google is asking me to verify it is me because apparently signing in by going to www.gmail.com is unusual despite me doing this just about every day. They are asking for my phone number or another email address. I've tried giving one of my other email addresses since I know for a fact google can already tie my other gmail accounts together, and they say they still cannot verify it is me. Duh, anyone could give a random email. So even if I gave them my number (which I am not going to do) how would they verify it is really me? Is there any way to access my account?

 

[lxskllr]

I'd try to use a client. That's what I use 99.9% of the time, and I've never been challenged. I did have issues with yandex wanting a number to send mail on a work account. After dicking around with it a couple weeks, I submitted a support ticket and they freed up my account without a phone# which I told them up front they weren't getting.

 

[balloonshark]

Yahoo also wants your number but doesn't require it just yet. Microsoft store wants to install an app for verification. Both can still do email verification for now. Steam now requires an app to trade.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Second Level Authentication... It does make sense often times. I had a gmail that got hacked at one point - I recovered it and put on the 2nd level layer and haven't had any issues since.

 

[Strk]

What is the big deal about giving your phone number?

 

[BarkingGhostar]

What is the big deal about giving your phone number?

Can I have your number?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Of course this thread would pop up a day after that thread about 2 factor authentication.

 

[Eli]

How else are you going to do 2 level auth or recover your account if it gets compromised?

 

[lxskllr]

How else are you going to do 2 level auth or recover your account if it gets compromised?

There's other ways it /could/ be done. I'd like to sign a message with gpg as authorization. As it is, I'll just lose the account. I don't care that much.

 

[Spacehead]

How else are you going to do 2 level auth or recover your account if it gets compromised?

When you create an account they ask you to answer a security question. Why not use that, it's already there?


edit-
OP, did you recently clear your cookies?

 

[Kaido]

Create a second dummy gmail account, use it for spam, and give the google voice number from that to your primary gmail account.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I always just ignore it. Facebook does the same. The funny thing about Facebook is that it's already filled in for me... so they already know it, they are basically just asking my permission to use it, they'll probably use it anyway for their own purposes.

 

[Fingolfin269]

It's funny in a way how our phone numbers have become so personal yet when I was growing up you could just whip out a phone book and find anyone's number.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Why don't you just stop using Gmail? I rarely use mine which is shared with my SO. It's used for very specific purposes and nothing more. Try Tutanota instead.

 

[JustPostingThis]

What is the big deal about giving your phone number?

There are reasons for people not wanting to do this or not being able to do this. Here is a stupid one.

Let's say you are a stubborn person who grew up as a "phone-phobe" You've hated talking on or using phones. Your family would ask you to answer the phone or call someone, and your excuse to them is "no, i hate phones and i'll never use them". You don't know your own phone number because you're a shut-in anyways and it'd be pretty awkward to ask. Even if you did know it, you'd have no way of using it without anyone in the house seeing you or hearing it, if you could get past the phobia.
Now, all of a sudden, google wants you to type in your phone number just so you can access your email address (or make one). Game over. You're screwed.

Just one of billions of possible reasons. It can be a big deal to a person.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The main reason is that giving out your phone number to a company that strives on violating people's privacy and collecting and selling personal info is that the chances are decent it will be used maliciously, such as sold to telemarketers. It may also be shared with other companies or otherwise given to organizations you don't want.

But in general, I consider my phone number as being a "real life" piece of information, and I don't want that tied in any way shape or form with "online life". That's what email is for.

 

[eelw]

Yeah it's stupid when gmail asks for phone number verification when there's "unusual activity". If you never provided a phone number when you created the account, why would providing it now prove ones identity to said gmail account?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Yeah it's stupid when gmail asks for phone number verification when there's "unusual activity". If you never provided a phone number when you created the account, why would providing it now prove ones identity to said gmail account?

Because generally the owner of the account will have access to aforementioned phone that allows Gmail to do two-factor authentication?

 

[Art&Science]

www.netaddress.com

Been using since... 1998?... I think. IMAP works goooood.

I *have* a GMail account simply because I have a Google account for use with an Android phone. That's it. I *never* look at it. GMail is not even installed on my Android phone (Nexus 6 with CM13). I don't even stay logged in to my Google account on my phone... technically you don't need it all... If I flash my phone, and invevitbly have to login to the Google account - it sometimes tries to get me to post my phone #. Nope, not going to happen Google. FUCK YOU!

I don't think I have ever sent an email with the account - occasionally I get an email though... I did have to use it recently because someone wanted me to look at a Google Doc... I was like, just fcking email the doc... No NO No. Can't do that - have to have this cloud shit.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Because generally the owner of the account will have access to aforementioned phone that allows Gmail to do two-factor authentication?

If I stole a Gmail account and gave Google my phone number and enabled 2FA, then my phone number is required for 2FA for that account and the original owner is shit out of luck.

As for it proving one's identity, how do you know Google doesn't already know your number? If anyone with a Google account added your name as a contact with your phone number (eg, Android), then you can bet your ass Google knows.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

If I stole a Gmail account and gave Google my phone number and enabled 2FA, then my phone number is required for 2FA for that account and the original owner is shit out of luck.

As for it proving one's identity, how do you know Google doesn't already know your number? If anyone with a Google account added your name as a contact with your phone number (eg, Android), then you can bet your ass Google knows.

The point of 2FA is to prevent the account from getting stolen IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Of course if someone gets access to my account before I implement any security measures, I'm shit out of luck. Do you not put locks on your doors because if a burgler comes in while you're out, he might be able to lock the door behind him?

I don't understand what your argument is. The point isn't that Google needs to know your number, the point is that Google needs to know that YOU know the correct phone number.

 

[Sonikku]

Google wants my phone number

Gotta' take what you can get my friend. Ain't nobody ever wants Sonikku's phone number. :'(

 

[1sikbITCH]

Google already knows your phone number. Asking you for it is just part of the experiment.

 

[freeskier93]

The main reason is that giving out your phone number to a company that strives on violating people's privacy and collecting and selling personal info is that the chances are decent it will be used maliciously, such as sold to telemarketers. It may also be shared with other companies or otherwise given to organizations you don't want.

But in general, I consider my phone number as being a "real life" piece of information, and I don't want that tied in any way shape or form with "online life". That's what email is for.

When has Google ever sold data in a "malicious" manner?

There are lots of ways to get your email or phone number on a spam list, Google is not one of them.

 

[destrekor]

I'd try to use a client. That's what I use 99.9% of the time, and I've never been challenged. I did have issues with yandex wanting a number to send mail on a work account. After dicking around with it a couple weeks, I submitted a support ticket and they freed up my account without a phone# which I told them up front they weren't getting.

You have worries about privacy... and use Yandex?

Woah, I'm not usually a paranoid or tin-foil hat type, but Yandex is probably best avoided as a non-Russian. I have zero trust for most Russian mega-corps, especially ones that can handle a ton of personal data. I very much bet they are more in bed with the Russian government than Google or the like with the US.