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Texting/SMS as a Human Verification
I've noticed an interesting trend recently, where Internet-based service providers are using text messages or SMSs to verify if someone signing up for a service is a person. It's a neat idea, though I suppose somewhat limiting in scope (though really, who doesn't have a cell phone). With the rise of automation 'bots' on the web that deliver spam, etc. it offers an interesting way to authenticate whether the person signing up for something is actually, well, a person. I've seen Google use it for their GMail webmail service, and today I see that Toronto is using it for registrations to their free wifi service (article in the Star).
I suppose there must be service providers out there doing this, and if not, there should be cellular providers doing it and offering it as a part of an identity service.
So when you register for some site or whatever you have to provide your cell phone number and then they text message you and you have to reply to that message?
Assuming they have the restriction that a cell phone number can only be used for one person, I guess it works pretty good. You've already brought up the point that if you don't have a cell phone you're kind of screwed, but I'm sure these sites would have alternate methods of confirming 'proof of life'. :)
... and I suppose some sites have other methods, but this is a pretty easy one really.
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