Surfshark has launched a new privacy-focused feature called “Alternative Number” that enables users to generate decoy phone numbers for online services while protecting their actual phone numbers from spam and unwanted communications. The launch comes at a time when federal agencies have raised concerns about vulnerabilities in SMS-based authentication systems.
The new capability allows users to create alternative phone numbers that forward calls and text messages to their real number. Each generated number remains isolated to its associated account, maintaining security even if the decoy number is compromised. The approach addresses growing privacy concerns around phone number exposure, particularly as more online services require phone verification for account creation and two-factor authentication.
The Alternative Number feature is integrated into Surfshark’s existing suite of privacy tools, including its VPN service and Alternative ID feature. Users can use the decoy numbers for various purposes, including maintaining work-life separation, managing communications while traveling using Wi-Fi or data SIMs, and protecting privacy on dating apps or in small business interactions. The development follows broader industry efforts toward enhanced digital identity protection, similar to recent initiatives by major telecommunications providers to safeguard personal information.
Alternative Number functionality is included in Surfshark’s subscription plans, with pricing starting at $3.49 per month on a 24-month commitment. The feature is available across Surfshark Starter, One, and One+ plan tiers. The pricing strategy makes advanced privacy protection more accessible to everyday users, particularly as regulatory bodies worldwide implement stricter guidelines for digital identity verification.
The service complements Surfshark’s Alternative ID capability, which provides users with alternate email addresses that forward messages to their primary email while maintaining anonymity. Together, these features form part of Surfshark’s comprehensive privacy protection offering, addressing the growing need for robust digital identity management tools in an era of increasing online privacy threats and data breaches.
Sources: 9to5Google, Safety Detectives, The Independent, AppleInsider
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