Another potential shift is the rise of digital identity solutions. Rather than using a phone number to verify identity, new technologies such as blockchain-based IDs or biometric authentication could take its place. These methods offer enhanced security and privacy and can be used for a wider range of applications, from logging into websites to verifying financial transactions.
Already, companies like Apple and Google are exploring alternatives to phone numbers for authentication. Apple’s “Sign in with Apple” feature, for example, uses a randomized email address rather than a phone number for identity verification, offering users more control over their personal information.