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As someone who travels frequently and has moved to different countries, SMS is the absolute worst. If a service asks me to verify my number after crossing a bo
by fiblye 6y ago
As someone who travels frequently and has moved to different countries, SMS is the absolute worst.
If a service asks me to verify my number after crossing a border, the chances of me ever being able to log into that account ever again are basically zero.
Then there's Google. Google doesn't have a phone number on file for me, but they sometimes demand that I input a phone number and enter a verification code to access my accounts. This has led to me needing to ask a total stranger to help me login to my accounts, potentially allowing them full access to all of my data in the name of "security." But hey, nobody ever said Google hires smart people.
- epanchin 6y agoThis is a very niche case. Why can't you recieve sms abroad? Do you leave your phone behind when you travel? Why can't you give Google your current phone number?
- lbotos 6y agoNot OP but I face this problem: - Why can't you recieve sms abroad? Because I use e-sims and pay $10 for 30 days of data only vs. the $30 my provider would add to my bill for "global data". > Do you leave your phone behind when you travel? No, but I do leave my US number "dormant" in that i can't use it. > Why can't you give Google your current phone number? Because they already have a clear enough data picture of who i am, and I don't want them to have any more data that I'm willingly giving them.
- StavrosK 6y agoCan you give some more info on eSIMs, where you get them from, how much data they have, etc?
- fiblye 6y ago> Why can't you recieve sms abroad? Because my SIM card is useless the minute I'm outside of its recognized area. > Why can't you give Google your current phone number? Because my phone number is useless the minute I'm outside of its recognized area. My old bank accounts have my old phone number on record. It hasn't been my phone number in 6 years and they don't accept phone numbers from my current country. I'm not going to give Google my current phone number, because if it changes again, I'll be locked out of those accounts forever should I move or change numbers again. As it is, I can still login while having someone lend me a phone and making my account completely insecure.
- tgsovlerkhgsel 6y agoI would recommend getting a cheap prepaid SIM card that doesn't expire quickly, and recharging it from time to time, just so you have a stable number for 2FA. While I understand your desire not to, reality is what it is, and at some point, e.g. your bank may force you to give them a phone number.