Android Phones Automatically Linking SIM Numbers to Google Accounts, Raising Privacy Concerns

Important information concerning privacy has emerged for Android users. Since September last year, Android phones have reportedly been automatically linking the phone number associated with the SIM card in a device to all Google accounts signed in on that device.

According to Google's support documentation, the phone number is automatically verified during device setup and linked to every account, including work and secondary accounts.

Google says this verification process helps support account recovery, enhanced messaging and Rich Communication Services (RCS) features.

How It Works and Which Features Are Supported

Through Google's automatic linking process, a phone number is added automatically even when users add a new account to their device. If the SIM card is changed, the new number is also updated across all accounts.

This verification enables features such as Google Messages, video calling, Find My Device, Emergency Location Services and Quick Share to function properly. The number is also used to make signing in with a mobile number easier and to deliver more relevant advertisements across Google services.

However, the process has raised privacy concerns among some users.

How to Disable Automatic Number Linking and Its Effects

Users can disable automatic phone number verification through their Android phone's settings. To do so, they need to navigate to Settings > Google > All services or Google services and preferences, then go to Privacy & security > Phone number verification and turn off Verify phone numbers automatically.

However, disabling this feature may cause encrypted RCS chats in Google Messages to stop working and revert to standard SMS. It may also create difficulties with account recovery.

Phone numbers that have already been linked to accounts must be removed manually by visiting Personal info > Phone in each individual Google account's settings.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//