I don’t know about Google’s “free” numbers, but third-party VOIP numbers are usually blocked for 2FA verification. I’ve tried that. Most places won’t accept it, because they know you’re trying to get around the tracking. The 2FA isn’t the point, and the cost of the phone isn’t the point, the tracking is the point, and Google’s “free” numbers are absolutely tracking you just as effectively as any telecom is.
Google Voice user for 15 years and I’ve had about 3 instances where my number wasn’t usable for 2FA, mostly because, to your point, by the time companies that care about security learned about voip #s they realized they are mostly used legitimately and sms was insecure anyway. Luckily I found a great FOSS auth app, which I prefer to sms anyway; especially if traveling I don’t have to depend on a mobile connection to be able to complete 2FA.
I don’t know about Google’s “free” numbers, but third-party VOIP numbers are usually blocked for 2FA verification. I’ve tried that. Most places won’t accept it, because they know you’re trying to get around the tracking. The 2FA isn’t the point, and the cost of the phone isn’t the point, the tracking is the point, and Google’s “free” numbers are absolutely tracking you just as effectively as any telecom is.
Google Voice user for 15 years and I’ve had about 3 instances where my number wasn’t usable for 2FA, mostly because, to your point, by the time companies that care about security learned about voip #s they realized they are mostly used legitimately and sms was insecure anyway. Luckily I found a great FOSS auth app, which I prefer to sms anyway; especially if traveling I don’t have to depend on a mobile connection to be able to complete 2FA.
Yeah, it isn’t good for 2FA, and obviously your data is being collected. If all you need it for is job applications though, it does that.
I use SMS Pool