Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by overheadnoise on Monday May 18, 2020 @09:38AM
(#23222117)
Then you need to realize that you are a special case and not representative of the general public.
Most people who meet each other in real life and want to exchange contact information exchange… you guessed it… a phone number. Maybe you exchange email or twitter handle, but again you are an exception here. So imagine we meet for the first time and we exchange phone numbers. Now I can WhatsApp you, just like that no other account info needed.
Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by Hidios on Monday May 18, 2020 @07:30AM
(#23221051)
That can never ever happen in Europe. You can't just go ask Vodafone for a new sim with the same number because you lost it. You must be American.
Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by dividedbyzero on Monday May 18, 2020 @11:16AM
(#23223369)
You can get replacement SIMs with the same number (source: I'm in Germany and on my third SIM with my current number after first not having a micro-SIM and then a nano-SIM) – I did get notofied of this by SMS, though, and no idea what other anti abuse measures may be in place. I can order one for 10 Euro via the website anytime and I suppose I could do it via phone as well.
Re:Germany's data chief tells ministries WhatsApp is a no-go
by 1bc29b36f623ba8 on Tuesday May 19, 2020 @03:09AM
(#23232135)
There was actually a scandal about that in Denmark recently. Some journalists managed to get new SIM cards for other people without proper authentication. Repeatedly and from different providers.
My phone number is an ID. An ID I don't want to share. An ID that can be stolen by calling the phone company and saying you're me and bought a new SIM.