Why is phone number needed to use the extension?

[JordanTreDaniel]

TLDR: Should not need a number to create a basic account. Even if reason is "abuse" or "bots", its a privacy issue.

I downloaded this as a way to get away from all of the control and cost of the other big names. I tried to install the extension and then just go through the basic setup for the extension to see what it's capable of, but it asked me to create an account. That's no problem; I can do that, but to create an account you need a phone number. This is completely and wholly unrelated to the task of running a coding agent, so this is the reason that I switched immediately before I ever even used this product to RooCode.

Why was this choice made?

Update: Did more research and found out about Roo and Kilo. Cline is shooting itself in the foot despite the 32 million raised by continuing to ask for a phone number. It was an immediate and hard no for me; no trust or use established, just demanding phone upfront.

[human5810]

Same question. Stopped the login right away. That is invasive. Thank you for your alternatives suggestions.

[fmw847]

same here. I did not signup. Funny thing is that I had just created a new account using github in another PC and it didn't ask me for phone #.

[achillion]

Yes please remove
It says my phone can't be verified

[tabethereal]

Can't believe the extension asks for my email, my google account and my phone number at the same time. It's literally a privacy disaster.