Why does LinkedIn require a phone number?

LinkedIn, the popular professional networking platform, requires users to provide a phone number when signing up for an account. This phone number verification step has frustrated some users and raised questions about why it is mandatory.

When creating a new LinkedIn account, users are prompted to enter a phone number. LinkedIn then sends a verification code via text message or phone call which must be entered to complete the sign-up process. Without a verified phone number, users are unable to fully access LinkedIn and its features.

This requirement is intended to help LinkedIn fight spam and fake accounts on its platform. However, it has received some criticism from users who feel uncomfortable sharing their phone numbers or do not have phone access. So why does LinkedIn require a phone number, and is this policy likely to change?

Reasons LinkedIn Requires a Phone Number

LinkedIn has provided several justifications for making a phone number mandatory during sign-up:

• Prevent fake profiles – Phone verification helps prevent fake accounts, bots, and spammers from abusing LinkedIn’s network.
• Enhanced security – Adding another layer of identity verification improves security across the platform.
• Simplified login – Users’ phone numbers allow LinkedIn to easily verify identities when logging in from new devices.
• Personalized services – Phone numbers allow LinkedIn to provide customized services by confirming users’ locations and languages.

Essentially, LinkedIn believes phone number verification leads to greater trust and safety across its community of over 740 million members. By minimizing fraudulent activity, users can have more confidence they are connecting with authentic profiles.

How Phone Number Verification Works

The technical process LinkedIn uses to verify phone numbers is straightforward:

1. User enters phone number when creating a new LinkedIn account.
2. LinkedIn sends a PIN code to the phone number via text or automated call.
3. User must enter the 6-digit PIN code into LinkedIn to confirm ownership of the number.
4. LinkedIn marks the account as verified once the number is validated.

This verification process typically takes under a minute to complete. The PIN code expires after a short period if not used to discourage automation. Once an account is verified, the user does not need to re-verify unless they change their phone number.

Pros of Requiring a Phone Number

There are some clear benefits to LinkedIn’s phone number requirement:

• Reduces bots and spam – The biggest advantage is limiting fake accounts used for spreading spam, malware, and misinformation.
• Increased trust – Members can be more confident they are connecting with real professionals who are who they claim to be.
• Improved recommendations – LinkedIn’s algorithm provides better recommendations when it can reliably identify unique individuals.
• Enhanced security – Phone verification makes it harder for hackers to compromise accounts and platform security.
• Higher engagement – Real connection leads to more engagement between members versus interactions with bots.

Considering these benefits, it is understandable why LinkedIn believes phone verification is crucial to maintain the integrity of its platform and continue growing its member base.

Criticisms of the Phone Number Requirement

Despite its rationale, LinkedIn’s phone number requirement has garnered some fair criticism:

• Privacy concerns – Users uncomfortable sharing personal contact details lose account access.
• No phone access – Those without mobile phones or landlines cannot create accounts.
• Spam risk – Providing a phone number risks receiving unsolicited calls and texts.
• Excludes pseudonymous users – People wanting to keep their identities private cannot use LinkedIn.
• Data collection – Critics argue obtaining users’ numbers is primarily for LinkedIn’s data gathering.
• Security issues – Storing masses of phone numbers could make LinkedIn an attractive hacking target.

These complaints make the case that mandatory phone verification is overly intrusive, discriminatory towards marginalized groups, and introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Even if the intent is noble, forcing users to hand over personal data raises many ethical questions.

LinkedIn Alternatives and Workarounds

Some users determined to avoid providing their phone number have found workarounds to sign up for LinkedIn, including:

• Virtual phone numbers – Services provide temporary phone numbers to receive verification texts.
• Landline numbers – Using office or home landlines not tied to a mobile device.
• Google Voice – Creating a Google Voice number just for LinkedIn verification.
• Pre-paid SIM cards – Cheap prepaid SIMs can be discarded after sign-up.

However, LinkedIn cracking down on these methods means they tend to be short-lived solutions. Creating multiple accounts also contravenes LinkedIn’s terms of service.

For those wanting a LinkedIn-like professional platform without mandatory phone verification, some alternatives are:

• Xing – European professional networking site with laxer identity rules.
• Viadeo – Also based in Europe, focuses on corporate networking.
• Facebook – Groups and Pages can be customized for business networking.
• Twitter – Follow industry leaders in your profession for connections.

But since LinkedIn reigns supreme in the professional social network space, there are limited comparable competitors without the phone number requirement.

Will LinkedIn Remove the Phone Number Requirement?

Given the drawbacks highlighted by critics, could LinkedIn eventually remove mandatory phone verification? There are a few factors at play:

• LinkedIn’s growth – Continued expansion of their user base suggests most people accept the policy.
• Rising privacy concerns – Scrutiny around personal data collection is mounting globally.
• Increasing automation – As AI progresses, better bot detection without phone numbers may be possible.
• Legal and regulatory shifts – Changes to laws governing data privacy could force adjustments.
• Competitive moves – If a rival network eliminates phone verification, LinkedIn could follow.

Based on LinkedIn’s adamant defense of user phone numbers as an identity validation tool, they are unlikely to remove this requirement outright unless compelled by law. But there are scenarios where they could introduce exceptions or alternatives:

• Optional social sign-in – Let users verify via existing social media instead of a phone number.
• Multi-factor authentication – Require an additional step like email confirmation but make the phone optional.
• Temporary disposable numbers – Provide limited-use numbers to complete registration anonymously.
• Restricted phoneless accounts – Allow sign-up without a phone but limit capabilities.

By integrating phone verification into a more flexible framework, LinkedIn could achieve its security goals while addressing privacy concerns. But a total elimination of the phone number requirement seems improbable unless lawmakers force the issue.

The Future of LinkedIn Identity Verification

LinkedIn currently considers phone number verification a vital part of its identity confirmation process. The technology landscape could enable new approaches in the future such as:

• Biometric authentication – Verifying users via fingerprints, facial recognition, or other biometrics.
• Decentralized identity – Using blockchain and cryptography to validate users across networks.
• Federated logins – Allowing sign-in via trusted providers like banks or governments.
• Location-based verification – Using devices’ physical locations as part of identity confirmation.

But these evolving technologies also raise thorny ethical dilemmas around privacy, surveillance, and cybersecurity. There are complex trade-offs to evaluate as verification methods become more advanced.

For the immediate future, LinkedIn seems committed to keeping phone numbers as its primary method of trust and safety. But as technology progresses, identity validation on both LinkedIn and the broader internet could radically transform – for better or worse.

Conclusion

LinkedIn’s mandatory phone number policy during sign-up aims to build platform trust and prevent harmful activities. But privacy advocates criticize this approach as intrusive overreach, arguing identities can be confirmed through less invasive means. With user growth still robust, LinkedIn is unlikely to remove this requirement unless compelled by law or competitive pressures. Still, incorporating alternative verification methods could help LinkedIn address criticism while maintaining robust security and trust. The debate around identification on social platforms will only intensify as technology evolves in the years ahead.