Android Authority has uncovered that Google is quietly linking separate user accounts that share the same phone number, raising fresh concerns about user privacy. The discovery shows that even accounts created with different emails and names can be connected behind the scenes if they share a single phone number.
The core issue lies in Google's verification system, which automatically detects shared phone numbers across accounts and builds hidden connections between them. These links can potentially be used for targeted advertising, account recommendations, or security checks, meaning users may be tracked across accounts without their explicit knowledge or consent.
This poses a particular risk for users who deliberately maintain separate accounts for work and personal use, as the hidden linkage could undermine the separation they intended to keep. Security experts recommend checking the "Personal info" section under Google Account Settings to review which phone numbers are tied to which accounts, and removing numbers from accounts where they aren't necessary. Using distinct phone numbers for different accounts is also advised as a stronger safeguard.
Since a large number of Android users in Myanmar rely on Google accounts daily for email, cloud storage, and app access, understanding this hidden linking behavior is an important step toward better protecting personal privacy and data security online.
