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Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

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Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#41

Post by verbify »

Fnoord wrote: post #27
TekMol wrote: post #22

Can you install Linux in these machines?

ChromeOS utilises the Linux kernel itself but without arguing semantics you can install a chroot Linux distribution with Crouton [1]. Whether that supports this specific machine (whatever it may be) I do not know. [1] https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton

You'd need to get past the login screen to install a chroot, so not appropriate for OPs usecase. Some machines support modifying the bios, but it requires taking off the panels to unscrew the write protect screw.

Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#43

Post by keypress »

I've had this issue with one email account that I use solely for a very busy email group. Occasionally there is no way at all to log in, as I have no tied phone numbers/email accounts. I think one question was, when did you create this account? Which of course, I have no idea.

Anyway that has put me totally off using gmail. I rarely have a phone too, so using a phone number for secondary authentication is a PITA.

Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#44

Post by bodi »

saryant wrote: post #28
negutron wrote: post #16

> Am I crazy or does this seem like an extremely cynical attempt to get more phone numbers? Nope you are not crazy at all, that's exactly what they are doing. It's the same pattern in practice of online banks that are demanding you give them an SMS capable phone, it's so that they can in the backchannel identify you through AT&T, which is really teh corporate face of the NSA (don't argue with me, 33 thomas st. nyc),…

This conspiracy theory makes no sense. Why on earth would your bank need identify you by phone number when you already have to give them your social security number to open the account?

> conspiracy theory

Its a fact and works exactly as he described.

Also the term conspiracy theory was created and popularized by the CIA as a function to install into the general population as a protection mechanism against their own true and active operations, which as stated, are treasonous to America and American citizens.

A useful tool for you might be to become self aware of your use of the term “conspiracy theory” and whenever you find yourself reaching for it as a knife, to instead reflect on the issue and to genuinely and independently compile a response to the topic at hand using basic logic, reason, and available known prior actions of the organizations that would profit from discrediting the topic.

Good luck.

Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#45

Post by comboy »

hirsin wrote: post #13
zbuf wrote: post #12

I have the same when logging in to my Google account provided by my employer. I don't have 2FA set up, so they have no prior knowledge of my phone number. I'd also like to understand how this is possibly useful? In my case I was travelling, so had no option but to enter the number of the nearest available random person willing to lend me a phone for the purpose, with no idea what it would be used for. It is cynical t…

What you're describing is a "cost proof" - namely that the user has something we can verify that costs some amount of money and is unique. So when the service I work on asks for a phone number verification, it's not always to determine your ID - it's to cut down on spam from users unwilling/unable to set up tens or hundreds of phone numbers, which I imagine is the majority of spammers. Adding it to existing accounts,…

When logging in on hardware that they provided, the cost proof should be solved (if you are only using one or a few accounts). Chromebook could come with a private key and sign a message for google, they control both hardware and software.

Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#46

Post by uconucon »

keypress wrote: post #43

I've had this issue with one email account that I use solely for a very busy email group. Occasionally there is no way at all to log in, as I have no tied phone numbers/email accounts. I think one question was, when did you create this account? Which of course, I have no idea. Anyway that has put me totally off using gmail. I rarely have a phone too, so using a phone number for secondary authentication is a PITA.

That's exactly why I don't use Gmail anymore. Tutanota lets you in without a phone number: https://tutanota.com/blog/posts/anonymous-email

And there are more, no point in sticking with the big G.

Re: Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

#48

Post by mavhc »

reacharavindh wrote: post #30

Evil. Imagine those teens at school, that bought Chromebooks because they were more affordable, and now getting pried on like this.. :-( It is this generation that is going to lose the idea of privacy and suffer from these piece of shit corporations. It's almost like watching a movie.

If you're a school you're on GSuite for Education so can create as many accounts as you want for free, without phone numbers, and for under 13s
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