Comment by casenmgreen
5 months ago
I stopped keeping a mobile number many years ago.
Phone is wifi only.
In particular, I do not use the contacts functionality built into the phone.
(This is /e/OS, which helps, but I'll be moving to Mobian as soon as it is viable.)
You are very lucky. In China, virtually all websites are required by law to use your phone number (verified by SMS) to register and/or to use. And all numbers must be linked to your ID.
What do you do when the car repairman wants to call/text you when the car is finished? Or any other similar situations?
No car.
But in general, email.
I can make calls from my phone/laptop, using VOIP.
I could receive as well if I wanted to, but I rarely need to be called, so I do not normally keep a number, and I could not be called when out and about anyway, because wifi-only, but you do get an answerphone, so people can leave a message.
I use VOIP numbers for that. One per business.
How do you do online banking?
Laptop, running over Tor.
I use cash for all physical payments; never the card. I use the card to withdraw cash, once a month.
I very rarely buy on-line, because I stopped using Amazon (treatment of warehouse staff) and buying off of Amazon is hell on toast.
Given the rampant privacy abuse on phones, I use a laptop.