Email account that works for this mailing list _and without a cell phone number_

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Thu, 2025-10-16 at 22:31 -0400, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
> Gmail

Hi,

my main problem is the cell phone number, which has become mandatory
almost everywhere these days. 

I would prefer to avoid Google, as it is a too large company, and use
competitors instead, but I would be willing to create an account there
if necessary. The question is, however, whether it is still possible to
create an account without a cell phone number (I might test it). Many
providers still allow the use of old email accounts without providing a
cell phone number, but no longer allow new registrations.

Other services such as PayPal, which until recently sent voice SMS
messages to landlines, no longer do this, even for long-standing
existing customers. Whereas I was able to use PayPal a while ago, I now
have to resort to a credit card or similar.

Even making an appointment with my family doctor required me to provide
a cell phone number for a while, but that requirement has since been
withdrawn.

Regards,
Ralf