Post AHHRdq8JyAeTOAzNB2 by shiro@chaos.social
(DIR) More posts by shiro@chaos.social
(DIR) Post #AHHRdc0iTeFZaXK6Nc by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T19:57:37Z
2 likes, 5 repeats
I've always wondered what happens to that number you still use for messengers but don't own anymore: Why tech companies should stop using phone numbers as user IDs - a super weird story in a thread ⬇️
(DIR) Post #AHHRdcYOSRBlGz4zs8 by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T19:57:38Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
I recently got a new phone number. I spent hours picking the right prepaid plan, setting up things correctly on my phone, updating various account settings and sharing it with people. I had finally taken that tedious step I had been procrastinating for months.
(DIR) Post #AHHRdd4eWUzct2Al9c by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:00:12Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
A few days later I get a call. Hannes, from North Germany, says "I want to meet you".I immediately feel very uncomfortable - something about his tone. I say: "I don't know you". "That's ok", he answers. We're stuck in a loop, he doesn't understand the issue.I hang up.
(DIR) Post #AHHRddVauKXmEamH9E by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:00:13Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Because one thing he said, "but I saw your ad", alerted me, I decide to search for my phone number on Google.No results, except if I deactivate SafeSearch.Age, weight, body measurement, pictures: My phone number is also the Whatsapp ID of a sex worker.
(DIR) Post #AHHRdhcTcgQSz61pQm by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:00:13Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
I call the @vodafoneservice hotline.A robot voice tells me that the hotline is not for customers on prepaid plans, there's another number for that. Something like the economy class of phone carriers.The second number works: After a few loops I finally get to talk to a human.
(DIR) Post #AHHRdjBxmEPDrRdgNk by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:05:38Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
The person in charge of helping me, unfortunately, barely speaks German. They struggle to understand me. They're simply not equipped with the language skills necessary to address any issues that go beyond the standard stuff people call their carriers for.
(DIR) Post #AHHRdkxVCy1jLAtA7U by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:05:38Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
After ten minutes, we give up on trying to understand each other. They suggest I go to a store to get help. There a man explains to me that if I want a new number, he'll have to charge me fora new number. If I call the hotline, they can maybe find a solution.
(DIR) Post #AHHRdmXhJsZeFipaAy by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:05:39Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
"But the people from the hotline don't really speak German", I say.He looks confused. Which hotline? "The one for prepaid customers." "Oh, you're a prepaid customer? I can't do anything for you then."So nobody will help me? "No, you'll have to get a new number."
(DIR) Post #AHHRdoOYQqRrzwZJCa by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:05:39Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
(Side note, getting a new number means going through the ID process as Germany requires IDs to activate sim cards. This is very complicated for foreigners: I've tried to go through the process five times and I've succeded once. Getting my current simcard took two attempts.)
(DIR) Post #AHHRdq8JyAeTOAzNB2 by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:05:40Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
The employee continues: "You know, it's a thing people do, making Whatsapp accounts and not keeping the phone number. It's not our fault, the agency in charge of distributing the phone numbers gives them away 3 months after they started being inactive. This is not our problem."
(DIR) Post #AHHRnL7I8wnm5Y2MqW by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:06:18Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
And about my particular problem? "I've been working here for 5 years, it's the first time I hear this story. So it's just a case of bad luck. We can't help you. Get a new sim card."
(DIR) Post #AHHRnLdYD0bdhb8880 by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:06:18Z
1 likes, 2 repeats
People have been talking for a while about how using phone numbers as user IDs is bad for people who are being harassed, for minorities, etc. How it is problematic in terms of surveillance.But I've never thought of what is happening with all the accounts tied to phone numbers.
(DIR) Post #AHHRnPif1x4QMbYGeG by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:09:34Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
Many services don't allow multiple accounts per phone number.Twitter, for example, does this. If the new phone number I get is already linked to someone's old phone number, I have a problem.Same with other social media platforms, with messengers and other apps.
(DIR) Post #AHHRnRIr8rcLH9Ughk by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:09:35Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
Same with services like UberEats, where you can't even change the phone number linked to your account.So many apps, shops and platforms require phone numbers.
(DIR) Post #AHHRnSt3FmAGBhR6lE by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:09:35Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
From a tech company perspective, phone numbers are precious data, percieved as unique identifiers that allow to track people accross services and allow to make sure there's probably a real person behind the account. They'll do anything to get your phone number.
(DIR) Post #AHHS0NjVj7TNy48Ib2 by lanodan@queer.hacktivis.me
2022-03-10T20:12:18.179874Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@shiro A quite similar thing can happen with emails, it got quite rare though as most are putting a skeleton account to forbid re-registrations but for example when I bought this current domain I had few emails that were likely for the previous owner.
(DIR) Post #AHHlA2NBtbFPkJ0iPI by PhenomX6@fedi.pawlicker.com
2022-03-10T23:47:01.361351Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@shiro My dad once had his phone number switched by the phone company by accident. He instantly learned why the last owner ditched it, he had debt collectors and people from the hood calling thinking he was someone else and whatnot.
(DIR) Post #AHHtqNkza3JdrXqVtY by portpupper@social.sakamoto.gq
2022-03-11T01:24:17.836369Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@shiro Been running into trouble with Discord when trying to set a second account: it lets me register a new username & password and immediately then demands I give a phone number.
(DIR) Post #AHHttDQsQHnki7mvya by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:13:06Z
0 likes, 1 repeats
But people change numbers. Because they move, because their needs evolve, because people die and others reach the age where you get a phone.More and more of the new phone numbers people get will already be linked to several accounts. And it's always a hassle for the user.
(DIR) Post #AHHttE1kDDIAYT2NRQ by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:13:07Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
Phone carriers don't care about the issue. Specific (state) institutions are responsible for releasing the numbers so they can be given to customers. A number that is officially released is good for use, and the rest it not their problem to solve.
(DIR) Post #AHHttEQuhdQPoWoTfk by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:13:07Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
The (state) institutions in charge don't show any interest in solving the issue either. The system has always worked as it was, and they're in the cosy position where they don't have to deal with angry customers.So, why change?
(DIR) Post #AHHttEvkqy5xMBF6kC by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:13:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
And tech companies? They act like the world should adapt to them and their need to track people.Like there are no other solutions.They believe in it: If they keep pushing for their approach to user IDs the world will shape itself around them - as it always seems to do.
(DIR) Post #AHHttFPB5ZdApR0bbc by tommy@mastodon.oi7.de
2022-03-10T21:02:11Z
0 likes, 1 repeats
@shiro biology scientists changed codes they use for certain genes since excel auto-transformed some codes to date format (or so).So a whole science-branch had to workaround an excel issue.Shall I look for a source? This is so 🤦
(DIR) Post #AHHttIuU3dSHhOg9Jo by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:16:37Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
So we'll keep playing phone-number-roulette because like this nobody will need to change.Until most phone numbers are tied to accounts and the issue grows so much that states or other legislators will finally (hopefully) be pushed to create and enforce laws to solve the issue
(DIR) Post #AHHttKXW00GqkjwpnM by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:16:38Z
0 likes, 1 repeats
In the meantime, if you create an app, a platform, or whatever piece of tech that requires user IDs, please don't use phone numbers.
(DIR) Post #AHHttMDNlpM3wsXmgy by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:16:38Z
0 likes, 2 repeats
And if you get a new sim card, google your number before using it 🙃It could be the Whatsapp ID of a sex worker, a restaurant, a doctor, or anyone who needs to share their number online.
(DIR) Post #AHHttNpLm9JswvJcVk by shiro@chaos.social
2022-03-10T20:16:39Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
Looking at you, @signalapp !