> I would've never guessed it's still possible to create an account without using an email or a phone on any site in 2022 ... why do they keep the functionality?

Is this a joke? Participation is assumed to be only on the basis of anonymity. If the baker requested your name, there would be something very wrong around your parts.

Intrusive requests would mean refusal of participation.

It's not intrusive to ask for an email. It's a slight barrier against spam (trivially bypassed but still) and of course it's mandatory for resetting accounts, informing users about stuff (like Terms of Service changes). I honestly cannot remember the last time a website let me register without an email.

I can read one possible such «time» one click away (on your username).

It is not intrusive only if you can give a random address. It would be intrusive if all you had available was an address already used for other services. It is intrusive to ask you for, or coming to know, your name.

Throwaway accounts that can't be easily linked to the poster are essential to a number of reddit communities.

You don’t need an email to create a HN account last I checked