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Okay, if we accept that landlines are thing of the past and cellular service is the phone alternative then we pretty much accept the smartphone is involved. There do remain legitimate reasons to have one despite all of the privacy-destroying negatives.

So here is an alternative which would maintain the modern phone system, maintain the useful aspects (2-Factor Authentication apps, mobile banking deposits, etc...), yet stop the abuse of privacy and roadblock future (maybe near term) Orwellian abuses, digital vaccine passport apps coming first in mind.

Leave the smartphone on the desk at home. It becomes the new landline. Text messages and voicemail become the new answering machine.

Could we start a movement to this effect? Yes, there are so many conveniences afforded now such as navigation and whatnot but I clearly remember living just fine before cell phones existed.

What does Poal think?

Okay, if we accept that landlines are thing of the past and cellular service is the phone alternative then we pretty much accept the smartphone is involved. There do remain legitimate reasons to have one despite all of the privacy-destroying negatives. So here is an alternative which would maintain the modern phone system, maintain the useful aspects (2-Factor Authentication apps, mobile banking deposits, etc...), yet stop the abuse of privacy and roadblock future (maybe near term) Orwellian abuses, digital vaccine passport apps coming first in mind. Leave the smartphone on the desk at home. It becomes the new landline. Text messages and voicemail become the new answering machine. Could we start a movement to this effect? Yes, there are so many conveniences afforded now such as navigation and whatnot but I clearly remember living just fine before cell phones existed. What does Poal think?

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[–] • 2 pts

Get a non-smartphone.

You only need a phone to call and text, you don't need any of the other rubbish. I've never had a smartphone.

[–] • 1 pt

I actually do use mine for my employers VPN 2FA app and mobile deposit. For that you need a smart phone. But, in general, you're right. A good friend of mine does exactly that - never had a smartphone.

[–] • 1 pt

Get a cheap flip phone, put something like Tello on it for ~$6 a month, then get a pay-as-you-go smartphone to keep at home for ~$30 (but never activate it with service, just use on WiFi).

[–] • 1 pt

I use KeePass for 2FA. As long as it's TOTP you can do it easily.