Anonymous burner phone - not sus

[LCG-xyz]

Hey, it seems more and more sites are using 'log in with google' and I don't mess with google, I don't agree with what they do.

But I would like to use some of these sites so it leaves me in a quandary. To create a gmail you need a phone number and they don't accept any of those temporarySMS type numbers. I've got a PAYG sim and a phone but it seems "£10 7gb" on the label means nothing, you need to set up a direct debit or something, this tying the number to a person.

I'm pretty diligent about doing all I can not to be tracked by the likes of google. I've heard of 'burner phones' and I guess that's what I'm after really but how to get a line without giving up details?

If this thread isn't deleted, lol, I look forward to your feedback

 

[LCG-xyz]

maybe hiring a virtual number for a year would be an idea but what if I need to log in, in 2 years time and I don't have access to that number anymore? Can you change the phone number on the account?

Even then, there's a digital paper trail to a person... I guess the age of anonymity is truly gone? Who knows if the temp number company sells data to google.

 

[LCG-xyz]

Short of going off-grid you can't really hide from Google any more - even if you don't supply them data directly they have some pretty crazy ability to infer data about you indirectly from companies and people you interact with who do provide them data. It is why people need to push back if it gets too intrusive and sadly most are very passive about it, even will defend companies like Google...

"...but it's free!"

 

[LCG-xyz]

you forgot FBI and DEA


you want to look at hardware based Keys and TOTP set ups for MFA or self hosted options that exclude txt msg set up. but really depends on the indivdual site opten they give you the option of setting up your authentication method instead of forcing txt msgs

thanks but it's the 'log in with google' thing that's the issue, gmail needs a phone number to create an account.

 

[LCG-xyz]

OP: I don't mess with google but also want to mess with google by using some of the sweet, sweet treasures they make available but only if I can use a burner phone - no, I'm serious, bear with me - because I'm a drug lord at the same time? What should I do other than just sign up like a normal person? A ha! I should post my problem on the internet so that google will pick it up anyway!

these are not google services I'm interested in using, they are sites that require a gmail (or sometimes FB) account to login. It's something more and more sites are doing for the sake of 'convenience' I guess.

I feel like I've been clear in the reasoning...
site needs google account to log in
google account needs phone number
payg needs a direct debit
"anonymity is dead!"
shakes fist at cloud

that's all this thread is. I'd hoped some helpful bod would have said 'oh, no, you just need to... xyz"

 

[LCG-xyz]

You can sign up for a Google account without a phone number.

I did this on a new tablet the other day, online(PC) there was no option to verify without phone number. Using a device it let me select a secondary email for verification and recovery.

thanks for the reminder about devices not needing a phone number... I just used wifi to create a gmail account... didn't even need the top up card in the end... see? This is why I made the thread

 

[LCG-xyz]

Get an EE PAYG sim from the supermarket/newsagents.
They aren't labeled payg, just the type of monthly pack such as "8GB plus 500 Minutes and Unlimited texts".
The monthly pack doesn't matter as you can cancel it before you put a voucher in to credit your number.
The phone number and Puk will be on the back so you can see if there's a number you like.

Buy an EE sim and £10 EE voucher from supermarket/newsagent.
You will need to go to the counter in the supermarket for the credit voucher

Put sim in phone.

Get a welcome to EE message.

Text STOP PACK

EE will ask you to text YES to confirm.

EE didn't give me second confirmation text after YES.
So text STOP PACK again and it will say they couldn't complete your request as you don't have a pack.
I did this to make sure the pack was stopped.
Now use your credit voucher by texting VO and the 16 digit pin. i.e. VO 1234567812345678

Text Ba to check your balance.

Job done.

You have to make at least 1 chargable action, call/text or add more credit every 180 days to keep the number active.
I usually make a text every 3-4 months.

Texts cost 20p

Hope it helps.

Thanks, I've saved this in case I'm ever in need

 

[LCG-xyz]

Glad to see this thread has had a life in my absence

I know at this stage it's a case of 'all your data are belong to us' but I'm not gonna make it easy for em lol. I don't use google, or chrome, use things like privacy badger.

It's probably futile but hey, you gotta try, right? I'm just not a fan of the complete invasion of privacy for the sake of someone else's profit.

The interwebz used to be a cool place, full of little cool corners with interesting people... a lot like this place, one of the last bastions of a better time