Comment by bdangubic | Hacker News Reader

Comment by bdangubic | Hacker News Reader

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> Nowadays, you can no longer exist in society without a phone.

millions of people would like a word…

> Most things will work but it takes one critical service that doesn't have a viable workaround, and you're forced to buy (and possibly carry) a "mainstream" phone just for that.

Absolutely not, if there is “critical service” that requires an iPhone or Android you call an attorney.

> Banking, government, authentication, postal service and public transit apps are just some of the common categories that will, in the end, force you to use one of those systems, unless governments mandate viable alternatives.

There are now and there always will be alternatives

> As an individual, it feels like my options are to either submit or try to live a hermit's life, bringing endless suffering and exclusion to myself.

As an individual you can and should fight any system that forces you into buying a smartphone. Alternatives must exist even if they might be “incovenient” (e.g. have to do it browser vs. via some “App”)

> can and should fight

I disagree, because the impact on my quality of life from fighting the fight is just not a level of sacrifice that is sensible.

> There are now and there always will be alternatives

The problem is that those "alternatives" often come with serious downsides, from higher cost, to massive inconvenience, to having to work around simply not having a service. And while most of the time it's possible to work around it, most people quickly hit the limit where the cost isn't bearable.

> I disagree, because the impact on my quality of life from fighting the fight is just not a level of sacrifice that is sensible

Interesting. I feel then that if this is the case we cannot complain then, no? If the fight is not worth fighting (I think that it is) than complaints about it are pointless (for the lack of a softer word…)

You're essentially blaming the robbery victim for handing over their wallet rather than fighting the knife-wielding robber.

Browser is great until it tells you that you need to use a mobile device.

This happens all the time on multiple KYC platforms in the US.

My laptop is an equally mobile device, they just don't recognize that.

So far, I have only found this with T-Mobile's app.

The good news is that I can go into the nearby T-Mobile store and have them deal with it.

I would immediately change my mobile service provider, this is an easy one and choices are plenty. financially as well, you can save yourself a lot of money if you have a cadence for switching providers

Maybe.

I have 7 lines with unlimited data for under $150.

you have an example where you are forced to use a mobile device? genuinely interested cause while I have a smartphone I don’t have hardly any “apps” on it (on my iphone all the “apps” are on the first “page” (without grouping). I do not like the idea of losing a phone and potentially someone getting access to my entire digital life (my phone password is 6 zeros) and I genuinely do not use phone for anything important

My employer's background check app required it. Multiple financial institutions' KYC required it.

HMRC in the UK / multiple Government Portals. Have you been to India (Air tickets)? Or China (Wechat/Alipay QR codes or you go hungry)? And see my example above regarding US woman at Hilton in Rome.

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