Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Tell HN: Google requiring phone number to log into Chromebook

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 205 posts

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

#71

Post by pisky »

dazc wrote: post #55

It proves you are not a bot? The account recovery procedure is usually via a secondary email account or saved backup codes. I know this because I have a friend who's prone to getting himself locked out and I have become his personal tech support guy (not willingly).

I understand the measures they have to go to to stop bots, but Google have more than enough data to know these accounts are not bots (they have years' of browsing history and whatever other hooks they use on Chromeos). Unfortunately these accounts were created years ago and I assumed 'recovery options' would only be required if I forgot my password (which I never would). Beginner's mistake.

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

#72

Post by MawKKe »

fiblye wrote: post #52

I've had this happen with gmail accounts randomly. Most of the time with computers I've been using for years on the same network. The worst occasion I've ever had was the one time I was traveling. I was getting by with only wifi and, naturally, didn't have a phone number to confirm my account with. I didn't have a number bound to my account, either, making the whole process pointless. How did I get into my account? I…

Even if you removed that number from you account immediately after logging in, something tells me google will not forget that association.

He might not had an account then, but could create one in the future. So now if either of you messes up or does anything even remotely suspicious (in google's eyes) - say goodbye to your account.

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

#73

Post by austhrow743 »

solarengineer wrote: post #64
mavhc wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you wanted that why would you ever consider a Chromebook in the first place?

I am/was considering a Chromebook because of the lower price and the opportunity to run Linux on it

If you were running Linux on it wouldn't this be a non-issue?

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

#74

Post by Loic »

Symbiote wrote: post #66
johnchristopher wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They closed that loophole in Europe after the terrorist attacks of recent years. You can't buy pre-paid SIM cards without giving an ID anymore.

Please don't generalize about Europe unless you're certain the statement is true. You can buy a SIM card in a vending machine in at least airports in Denmark and the UK.

Last time I was there in Denmark I had to provide a CPR number to enable the SIM card. For the non-danish people the CPR number is basically your lifetime number for everything from social security, to tax, payroll, etc.

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

#75

Post by blub »

Symbiote wrote: post #66
johnchristopher wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They closed that loophole in Europe after the terrorist attacks of recent years. You can't buy pre-paid SIM cards without giving an ID anymore.

Please don't generalize about Europe unless you're certain the statement is true. You can buy a SIM card in a vending machine in at least airports in Denmark and the UK.

Can you also activate it and use it?

Because I've seen SIM cards that can be bought in supermarkets in another country, but then you need to show your ID to an operator over Skype to activate it.

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

#76

Post by toxik »

greenhatman wrote: post #70
cm2187 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sonos just did the same. They want you to create an account (and therefore give them an email) and otherwise are effectively bricking the device in the latest update. Was time to get rid of this pos.

Doesn't Apple do that too? One of the reasons I use Linux on my MacBook.

No. Why would you spread lies like that?

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

#77

Post by DEADBEEFC0FFEE »

isostatic wrote: post #59
dazc wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find teens rather cautious about giving out phone numbers, older generation - much less so.

Anyone over the age of 40 (and many younger) will have had a landline, almost all in the phone book. Name, address, and phone all neatly collected, very few were bothered.

Very good point. I had completely forgotten about that practice. Name, address, phone number. Seems surreal.

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

#78

Post by fooker »

blub wrote: post #75
Symbiote wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please don't generalize about Europe unless you're certain the statement is true. You can buy a SIM card in a vending machine in at least airports in Denmark and the UK.

Can you also activate it and use it? Because I've seen SIM cards that can be bought in supermarkets in another country, but then you need to show your ID to an operator over Skype to activate it.

You can.

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

#80

Post by dingaling »

newnewpdro wrote: post #67

I'm waiting for the day that LinkedIn will refuse to let me login without configuring a phone number. I don't use smartphones.

> I don't use smartphones

This has nothing to do with smartphones.

Last week I decided to create a Youtube account as their premium, ad-free service is now available in the UK. All was going well on my laptop until I hit the page demanding a phone number. Any number, smart or dumb.

Not having a burner-SIM to hand I just closed the tab.

Post reply on HN