Google Quietly Links Your Phone Number Across Android Accounts
Google has been automatically linking Android phone numbers to all signed-in accounts without consent. Users can audit and disable this.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Google automatically connects Android phone numbers to every signed-in account on the device.
- The feature applies changes across personal, work, and disposable accounts without explicit prior consent.
- Users can manually audit and delete unwanted phone number associations from their accounts.
- Security experts advise checking 2FA settings and service usages to ensure complete removal.
In recent weeks, Android users have discovered that Google has been automatically connecting their phone numbers to every single Google account signed in on their devices without seeking explicit consent. This means if you intentionally keep your personal, professional, and secondary accounts separated on your phone, Google may have silently verified and linked your phone number across all of them.
As Android Authority reports, users have received official confirmation emails from Google stating their phone numbers have been verified. Google adjusted its support documentation roughly a year ago to make this automatic phone number linking an opt-out feature by default, applying the number to current accounts as well as any future additions on the device.
This background linking behavior highlights Google's push toward a unified ecosystem for seamless account recovery and identity verification. However, from a privacy standpoint, it blurs the intended boundaries between distinct user personas, prompting privacy advocates and users to manually audit their account settings.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Updating this specific setting does not automatically disconnect phone numbers that have already been tied to existing accounts. To fix this, users must navigate to their Google Account Personal Info page by selecting their profile picture in the top-right corner, opening the Phone section, and manually deleting any numbers they do not wish to associate with specific accounts.
Additionally, Malwarebytes advises scrolling down to the Usage section on the Phone page and reviewing Security & sign-in settings. If a phone number was previously added for two-step verification or tied to standalone services like Google Pay, removing it from the standard Phone section will not scrub it entirely, requiring separate adjustments.
Source: Lifehacker
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