Looking at you, @signalapp !

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ⬇️

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.)

"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."