Gmail prompt to provide phone number sounds like a threat

  • w2tpmf@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    arrow-down
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    Nonsense. You don’t even have to use Google’s authenticator when setting up MFA. You can just scan the QR it gives you using any authenticator app. You can use Microsoft Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Lastpass, WatchGaurd, etc, etc

    • lemmyvore@feddit.nl
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      I don’t think you understand. They don’t force you to use Google Authenticator. They don’t let you use any authenticator app until you give them your phone number.

      This tactic was used in the past by many other sites, off the top of my head LinkedIn, Facebook, Amazon. It’s a scheme to get your number because then it can be used to cross-identify you everywhere.

      Example: if I were to verify my phone number with Twitch, which is an Amazon company, they would be able to correlate everything I ever bought on Amazon with my gaming habits.