Phone Numbers Are Obsolete—I Dropped Mine (And You Should Too)
Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 9:02 am
Remember when phone numbers were essential? A decade ago, you couldn’t sign up for an app, verify your identity, or even message a friend without one. But in 2024, I decided to ditch my phone number completely—and it was one of the best digital decisions I’ve ever made. Between spam calls, SIM-swapping attacks, and the sheer inconvenience of being tied to a carrier, phone numbers feel like relics of the past. Why rely on a string of digits when better, more secure alternatives exist? Messaging apps like Signal and Telegram let you communicate without exposing your number, email-based 2FA is more secure than SMS codes, and services like Google Voice or Discord can handle calls and texts just fine. The only thing I’ve lost? Robocalls.
Privacy was the biggest motivator. Your phone number is a special database universal ID—linkable to your social media, bank accounts, and even public records. Data brokers sell them, hackers exploit them, and advertisers track them. Once I removed my number from accounts (switching to email or authenticator apps for verification), I noticed fewer spam texts, fewer creepy targeted ads, and zero risk of SIM-jacking. Bonus: Traveling became easier. No more hunting for local SIM cards—just hop on Wi-Fi and message anyone via WhatsApp or email. The transition took effort (updating contacts, migrating 2FA methods), but the peace of mind is worth it.
Some argue phone numbers are still necessary for emergencies or legacy systems, but that’s fading fast. Many countries now accept email for government services, and eSIMs make temporary numbers disposable. The real barrier is habit. We’re conditioned to think phone numbers = connectivity, but they’re just a tool—one with glaring flaws. Try limiting yours for a month: Use a burner app for required verifications, shift calls to VoIP, and let people message you on Signal (with your number hidden). You’ll realize how little you actually need it. The future is decentralized, encrypted, and numberless. Time to let go.
Privacy was the biggest motivator. Your phone number is a special database universal ID—linkable to your social media, bank accounts, and even public records. Data brokers sell them, hackers exploit them, and advertisers track them. Once I removed my number from accounts (switching to email or authenticator apps for verification), I noticed fewer spam texts, fewer creepy targeted ads, and zero risk of SIM-jacking. Bonus: Traveling became easier. No more hunting for local SIM cards—just hop on Wi-Fi and message anyone via WhatsApp or email. The transition took effort (updating contacts, migrating 2FA methods), but the peace of mind is worth it.
Some argue phone numbers are still necessary for emergencies or legacy systems, but that’s fading fast. Many countries now accept email for government services, and eSIMs make temporary numbers disposable. The real barrier is habit. We’re conditioned to think phone numbers = connectivity, but they’re just a tool—one with glaring flaws. Try limiting yours for a month: Use a burner app for required verifications, shift calls to VoIP, and let people message you on Signal (with your number hidden). You’ll realize how little you actually need it. The future is decentralized, encrypted, and numberless. Time to let go.