6 ms·
Did you think they weren't going to leverage your phone number in other ways when you furnished it for "improved security"?
by newnewpdro 8y ago
Did you think they weren't going to leverage your phone number in other ways when you furnished it for "improved security"?
- mehrdadn 8y agoNo, but that doesn't imply they've also pulled off the above.
- astura 8y agoPersonal Capital does this. They require your cell phone number for 2FA, but they call you to try to sell you financial advisors (and they know how much money you have because you've links your accounts). I still use it though, it's valuable enough to me to put up with it.
- root_axis 8y agoIt's even crazier than that. The phone companies have data-sharing agreements with data-providers that (for a fee) sell your subscriber data through a phone number based API (this includes name, address and other information valuable to a sales funnel, KYC, or customer verification process). Check your wireless service EULA to see that you have agreed to this.
- codetrotter 8y agoTo make the best out of a bad situation, you could perhaps use this to your advantage in the following way: If you are about to call support for some reason, spend a couple of minutes browsing competitor sites first and then make the call. The queuing system should then prioritize your call because they think you are considering leaving them for someone else.
- johnchristopher 8y agoI distinctly remember reading "and we'll never use this number for other purposes than security". Everybody (including HN) was pushing for 2FA. People followed.
- icebraining 8y agoPushing for 2FA != pushing for SMS codes. TOTP (Google Authenticator and friends) doesn't reveal any personal data.
- newnewpdro 8y agoAgreed, 2FA is a good idea but it was never in the users' best interest to attain it via phone numbers. But when all these organizations saw an opportunity to couple a reliable phone number with what was otherwise in most cases, an account having just an email address, they jumped on it.
- Scoundreller 8y agoTime to start spoofing my wealthier friend’s phone numbers.
- slowhand09 8y agolocal area code + 867-5309
- ebullientocelot 8y agoThanks, it's stuck in my head now.
- jschwartzi 8y agoJenny I got your number I need to make you mine Jenny don't change your number... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTdTwcmxyo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTdTwcmxyo
- Godel_unicode 8y agoAlso at grocery stores for those member-only discounts.