On 2024-01-15 07:35, o1bigtenor via talk wrote: [snip]
One doesn't use a cell phone (well I wouldn't) but a cellphone number is demanded to verify one's identity. Without a working cellphone connection one is today - - - a NON-person.
I understand that you don't get the problem but then you are an urban dweller who has absolutely no idea what its like trying to connect to an ever increasing number of entities that demand SMS connectiviity (you know like the banks, the bloody government - - - shall I go on???!!!!!!!????) all the while prating about maintaining my privacy and security - - - bollocks!!!!!!!!!!!!) - - - this is our contemporary situation. That urban dwellers don't get it is also our contemporary situation. The pity is that they don't even try to understand the enormity of the situation or the helplessness of those caught in the squeeze - - - - . You don't need a cell phone number but need to have a number that will accept SMS. VOIP services offer numbers with SMS features.
I have found that useful since lots of personal services like to take a number when you make an appointment and then send reminders via SMS. The one caveat is that some places check to see if the number you provided is owned by a carrier and will not allow VOIP numbers. Multi-factor authentication via SMS is an improvement in security. It is not the bee all and end all but it is better than just a password. So I am not sure about your comment about privacy and security. Not sure about all the banks but I know a few will use a phone call that reads out a number over the phone to be used as a second factor in the login process. Also not sure about all governments and services but a large chunk of the Ontario government use call back. So far as I know all banks and governments still have phone lines that are answered and will eventually get you to a person to help you with your issue. -- Alvin Starr || land: (647)478-6285 Netvel Inc. || Cell: (416)806-0133 alvin@netvel.net ||