4 min read
The reasons apps give
- Stopping bots and fake accounts: a phone number is harder to fake than an email
- Account recovery: a way to send you a reset code
- Two-factor login: a second step after the password
The reasons they don’t always mention
- Matching you with contacts who have your number saved
- Linking your account to data from other services and ad networks
- Marketing texts, sometimes from partners
How to decide
Ask yourself whether you’d need this account in a year. If yes, use a number you control and set up an authenticator app. If it’s a one-off sign-up — a giveaway, a trial, a marketplace you’ll use once — a temporary number keeps your real one out of their database.
Check the settings after signing up
Many apps let you turn off contact matching and marketing texts. Look under privacy or notifications right after creating the account.