Yeah, it’s definitely a good idea to make absolutely sure they have your confirmed identity, just to watch some YouTube videos.
Some people actually care about privacy.
Unfortunately Google requires a phone number, which is linked to my person verified by documents. So it’s not really private or anonymous. If you run a normal Android Google knows who you are anyway.
You can create an account on an Android phone that has no SIM or other accounts on it without being required to provide a phone number. Use an old wiped phone just for this.
But then google has your imei, and can be linked to any other accounts created on that phone. And they could also get your info by asking your carrier who has a plan thats using that phone’s imei.
If you’re logging in via Wi-Fi, that shouldn’t transmit your IMEI - but I admit that I don’t know if that’s something they do behind the scenes. They also could just use your IP address if logging in from home. They would be making an assumption you hadn’t sold it (or given it to someone else), but I can see that not being enough assurance.
As such, get a used tablet that you only ever use on public Wi-Fi (i.e. never log it into your home Wi-Fi). I’m sure there are some really cheap old ones on eBay - just make sure it’s on a version of Android the Play Store still supports (I think 6 is the minimum nowadays).
Any app can access hardware IDs without asking permission. A system app/process can definitely access your hardward IDs. There’s no reason why google doesn’t just sent it when you create your account.
You existed, now you don’t. Are we implying that suddenly someone else moved into your house, started using all of the IP addresses and hardware you use in your stead,… but they aren’t you?
blip whoops steam auto-started your account, well, shit. Do we have to start over?
Are you never going to let your home network connect outside of a VPN again? How far is this going to go? How thorough can you be?
Your current identity is a trail that leads to the new one, directly. It’s all or none. You literally would have to stop doing everything you do now, as you do it.
Anything short wouldn’t be enough. You could create a new person and co-exist, but if there’s any bleed through one way or the other, it’s entirely moot.
Also, Google doesn’t have to know who you are directly. That information can be scraped indirectly from public record and collaborated. It’s how Facebook knows where you are by where you aren’t even if you don’t have an account, you’re alluded to by your peers.
Maybe it’s a regional thing, they wanted some way to verify that I was really 18+.
And Google requires a phone number if you want to create a new account, but I did make a couple more before this was a thing.
I gave them my documents with everything except the age blocked out with a black bar. I then digitally altered the birthdate to not be my real one. It worked.
I’m not giving google my documents to confirm my identity, I’ll pass
As if they don’t already know everyones age by now from our collected data.
Yeah, it’s definitely a good idea to make absolutely sure they have your confirmed identity, just to watch some YouTube videos. Some people actually care about privacy.
They actually sent me an email one time that basically said: “We’ve changed some settings for you since yoi don’t look 18+”
As if any of us are actually anyone ;D
Documents? I’ve never submitted any documents to login to any website before. Just give it a fake name with a made up birth date .
Unfortunately Google requires a phone number, which is linked to my person verified by documents. So it’s not really private or anonymous. If you run a normal Android Google knows who you are anyway.
You can create an account on an Android phone that has no SIM or other accounts on it without being required to provide a phone number. Use an old wiped phone just for this.
But then google has your imei, and can be linked to any other accounts created on that phone. And they could also get your info by asking your carrier who has a plan thats using that phone’s imei.
If you’re logging in via Wi-Fi, that shouldn’t transmit your IMEI - but I admit that I don’t know if that’s something they do behind the scenes. They also could just use your IP address if logging in from home. They would be making an assumption you hadn’t sold it (or given it to someone else), but I can see that not being enough assurance.
As such, get a used tablet that you only ever use on public Wi-Fi (i.e. never log it into your home Wi-Fi). I’m sure there are some really cheap old ones on eBay - just make sure it’s on a version of Android the Play Store still supports (I think 6 is the minimum nowadays).
Any app can access hardware IDs without asking permission. A system app/process can definitely access your hardward IDs. There’s no reason why google doesn’t just sent it when you create your account.
Not a problem if it’s a tablet.
But there is one problem, your old self.
You existed, now you don’t. Are we implying that suddenly someone else moved into your house, started using all of the IP addresses and hardware you use in your stead,… but they aren’t you?
blip whoops steam auto-started your account, well, shit. Do we have to start over?
Are you never going to let your home network connect outside of a VPN again? How far is this going to go? How thorough can you be?
Your current identity is a trail that leads to the new one, directly. It’s all or none. You literally would have to stop doing everything you do now, as you do it.
Anything short wouldn’t be enough. You could create a new person and co-exist, but if there’s any bleed through one way or the other, it’s entirely moot.
Also, Google doesn’t have to know who you are directly. That information can be scraped indirectly from public record and collaborated. It’s how Facebook knows where you are by where you aren’t even if you don’t have an account, you’re alluded to by your peers.
You don’t have to do that, just make a blank account with fake info and out a fake birthday
Maybe it’s a regional thing, they wanted some way to verify that I was really 18+. And Google requires a phone number if you want to create a new account, but I did make a couple more before this was a thing.
Yeah but then you have to actually take the time to log in.
I gave them my documents with everything except the age blocked out with a black bar. I then digitally altered the birthdate to not be my real one. It worked.