The next Call of Duty Modern Warfare remake is close to launching, but if you want to play online with a Battle.net account, you had better be willing to give Activision your phone number. However, if you’re someone who uses a pre-paid phone, you may be totally out of luck.
To cut down on cheating, Activision Blizzard has implemented a policy requiring users to link a phone number from a major carrier to their Battle.net account. Additionally, it would appear that said number must be associated with a reputable carrier. While the policy is vague on which companies will and won’t work, a Redditor seems to have nailed down why pre-paid phones and smaller cellular services won’t cut the mustard:
Comment
byu/malcaster from discussion
inOverwatch
This isn’t a new practice, but good lord. I haven’t played COD online since the first Modern Warfare arrived in 2007. So, maybe cheating has increased quite a bit. However, I don’t particularly appreciate giving my phone number because we always know what happens. First, their “totally secure” database with all our info will be compromised, and that data will be sold off to thousands of scammers and telemarketers. Even if that doesn’t happen, Activision Blizzard may share this info with vendors, affiliates, and business partners per the “Privacy Policy.”
Just over a week ago, Blizzard rolled back the phone number requirement for Overwatch 2, according to Forbes, but only for existing players:
We have made the decision to remove phone number requirements for a majority of existing Overwatch players. Any Overwatch player with a connected Battle.net account, which includes all players who have played since June 9, 2021, will not have to provide a phone number to play. We are working to make this change and expect it to go live on Friday, October 7. We will update players once it is in effect.
If this is still the case from now on for Activision’s long-running military FPS is yet to be seen. However, the product page on Battle.net still lists the policy as being in place: “A mobile phone number must be linked to your Battle.net® Account to play Modern Warfare® II.”
COD MW2 will be available via multiple platforms on October 28th.
[Sources: Battle.net, Forbes]ClownfishTV.com strives to be an apolitical, balanced and based pop culture news outlet. However, our contributors are entitled to their individual opinions. Author opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of our video hosts, other site contributors, site editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. This website contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. We disclaim products or services we have received for review purposes, as well as sponsored posts.
