This is my old account that I just logged in today. Just joined a server and Discord asked for email verification. Okay, that's not hard, thankfully Discord doesn't restrict email to only big providers. But then suddenly DIscord asked to verify by phone number, because "something is out of ordinary". What's out of ordinary from that??? Joining a server > Discord asks to verify > I verify.
I was losing my mind seeing people suggesting moving to Discord when Rexxit happened. Like WTF, it's even worse than Reddit. Non-indexable content, worse privacy, needing account just to access the said content, etc.
I really hate how services nowadays require your phone number just to use their service. Unfortunately most people just don't care of privacy, thanks to "I have nothing to hide" mindset.
I actively avoid services which require phone verification; however, there are services which allow you to fake it, like crypton.sh which is a paid service where you can buy phone numbers (both anonymously with cryptocurrency and with credit/debit card). I've used it in the past, when phone numbers are unavoidable and for one reason or another I have to use the software. Haven't had to use it in many years though.
Also considered using that service. How was it when you used it? I ended up using something else since it was too expensive and I didn't need a persistent number.
It works exactly like how I wanted it to work, you get (a) number(s) that people can text you from and you have a little GUI to see all your received texts. It's pretty much exactly what you expect, not many extra bells and whistles, but you don't really need there to be.