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Microsoft just forced all Minecraft users to switch to Microsoft accounts. Some of security options require you to enter a cell # for account verification. Br

Microsoft just forced all Minecraft users to switch to Microsoft accounts. Some of security options require you to enter a cell # for account verification. Browsing reddit, a lot of folks are defending the switch. "Better account security". I really think that folks just don't care about their own privacy anymore.

Loughla 5y ago
I don't know that it's folks don't care, as much as they don't understand it. It's a cell phone number. That's essentially public - if you search your phone number, you will find your name and probably address attached to it in the results, if not even your family and friends. So, at that point, it doesn't matter. I guess it's the death by a thousand cuts. So instead of not caring, I think it's more of - If there are companies who publish this information that I literally have never interacted with and have zero control over, what does it matter if I give it to a company to get something I want in return?
- generalpf 5y ago
  Where are you searching that you're getting the owner's name back for a cell number? I get nothing of the sort. I remember this being the case back in the landline days when you had to pay not to be in the phone book.
  - lotsofpulp 5y ago
    searchpeoplefree.com
Agamus 5y ago
"Folks" never did care about their privacy. I've been trying to open people's eyes since forever, and it just doesn't work, because, you know, weeeeeeeeee!
BoxOfRain 5y ago
I've been really shafted by this, I signed up for Minecraft donkey's years ago and don't have access to the email address I used any more so I can't link it to my Microsoft account which I got very grudgingly in the first place. There's security questions but I don't remember what my favourite author was one month over a decade ago or whatever else they want.
- daenney 5y ago
  You can, if you login on Minecraft.net and click through to edit your Minecraft profile first. It’ll let you change the email address without sending a confirmation to the old address first. They’ll send a confirmation request to the new address, change it and then message the old address that it’s been changed. Their flow is backwards but it works out for your case (sauce: I did this two weeks ago). Once that’s done you’re good to go to link the accounts.
  - BoxOfRain 5y ago
    Ah that's good news, cheers for the heads up!
mikro2nd 5y ago
And if you literally do not have a cellphone...?
- michaelt 5y ago
  Much like if you don't have an internet connection, or don't have an e-mail address, or don't have a bank account, or don't have the ability to read, tech companies have decided your custom is not worth having.

Loughla 5y ago

I don't know that it's folks don't care, as much as they don't understand it. It's a cell phone number. That's essentially public - if you search your phone number, you will find your name and probably address attached to it in the results, if not even your family and friends. So, at that point, it doesn't matter. I guess it's the death by a thousand cuts. So instead of not caring, I think it's more of - If there are companies who publish this information that I literally have never interacted with and have zero control over, what does it matter if I give it to a company to get something I want in return?

generalpf 5y ago
Where are you searching that you're getting the owner's name back for a cell number? I get nothing of the sort. I remember this being the case back in the landline days when you had to pay not to be in the phone book.
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  searchpeoplefree.com

Agamus 5y ago

"Folks" never did care about their privacy. I've been trying to open people's eyes since forever, and it just doesn't work, because, you know, weeeeeeeeee!

BoxOfRain 5y ago

I've been really shafted by this, I signed up for Minecraft donkey's years ago and don't have access to the email address I used any more so I can't link it to my Microsoft account which I got very grudgingly in the first place. There's security questions but I don't remember what my favourite author was one month over a decade ago or whatever else they want.

daenney 5y ago
You can, if you login on Minecraft.net and click through to edit your Minecraft profile first. It’ll let you change the email address without sending a confirmation to the old address first. They’ll send a confirmation request to the new address, change it and then message the old address that it’s been changed. Their flow is backwards but it works out for your case (sauce: I did this two weeks ago). Once that’s done you’re good to go to link the accounts.
- BoxOfRain 5y ago
  Ah that's good news, cheers for the heads up!

mikro2nd 5y ago

And if you literally do not have a cellphone...?

michaelt 5y ago
Much like if you don't have an internet connection, or don't have an e-mail address, or don't have a bank account, or don't have the ability to read, tech companies have decided your custom is not worth having.