Google and Yahoo are making a mobile number mandatory, for new signups for their email addresses, according to a PTI story, in a bid to address spam. This appears to be factually incorrect, although it has been reported widely. I was able to register a new gmail account without sharing a mobile number, although the sign-up page didn't mention that giving the mobile number was optional. A Google India spokesperson also told PTI that giving a mobile number was optional, but apparently they weren't able to create accounts without giving a mobile number. Strange. A few points on making mobile numbers mandatory, even though this doesn't appear to be the case with Google: - It will help address spam: The easier it is to set up an email account, the more spam that gets sent, and verification of numbers, and limiting the number of email addresses per number will help. This is a big positive. - What about anonymity? Google recently began allowing pseudonymous accounts again, but this move to link email addresses to mobile numbers helps the company store identity information, even if it is not surfaced. This might address concerns of security agencies and governments that seek information from Google and Yahoo. Anonymity has its advantages, and there remains a market for anonymous email service providers, but few can match the ease and pervasiveness of Gmail. - Google's verification in India doesn't work for those customers on the Do-Not-Disturb registry in India: I've been trying to claim my personal G+ vanity-url for…
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