I’ve long since deleted my other accounts but can’t sign in to my main and oldest one because it can’t “verify” me so I’m basically locked out even though I still have access to gmail via IMAP.
They usually force additional verification with a phone number/app but I intentionally never linked those to my account for privacy. My options are a random answer to a security question that I don’t remember because I made it when I was barely a teen, or signing in from a “known location”. You can’t opt out of this this additional “security” or forced MFA bullshit and I certainly never opted in.
I’ve mostly moved away from using anything Google and have moved to more private and free alternatives like Proton, self-hosted, etc but I’m frustrated. I hate them so much on so many levels.
That’s it, I’m not looking for advice or anything. I’ll figure it out eventually. Just wanted to vent a little bit.
I’m an Android user. It’s damn near impossible to get around Google. So many good features that they offer that I’ve been sucked it. Call me a sellout if you want. Tell me that I’m the product. I’ve got things to do and people to see so I had to shelve my paranoias. I even bought a syno 920+ to curtail their call but find myself still using them - and they use me.
@mook @archchan Not using Google does not mean that you can’t get work done. Also those are no paranoias. I for myself still use the Google keyboard but with revoked internet permissions. And for everything else there are great replacements imo. Not saying you are not allowed to use Google products :)