Comment by codedokode
14 hours ago
To be fair, there are already apps that require a mobile phone to sign up, for example, VK, Telegram. And I think Google requires to scan a QR code to register account, so it is easier just to buy a Google account on a black market if you need it for some purpose.
Nobody trusts web browsers nowadays.
I think you and I move in very different social circles...
I would have no idea how, nor desire to purchase a Google account on the black market, and I do in fact still trust that my web browser can do TLS correctly.
[delayed]
I think you can just search 'buy google account' - it isn't illegal.
Sure but how do I know that the person I'm buying from legitimately owns the account? Won't scam me? Or try to con me out of my existing account? I'm just saying not everyone is as relaxed about that sort of thing.
VK has been digging its own grave for quite some time now. Hardly anyone uses it any more. It's speedrunning enshittification with that registration thing but also with the very unpopular post redesign, the removal of custom news feeds, and most recently with shutting off most of the API access for third-party apps, including popular client apps like Kate Mobile.