[OpenID] PR: OpenID.co.uk - "MobileNumber.OpenID.co.uk" as URI

[Martin Atkins]

Mark Cross wrote:
> Martin,
> 
> Because if you take a mobile phone number it creates a 1-to-1 relationship, 
> there are intesting methods to verify you as the "user"of the phone. SMS and 
> incoming call line identification for example..
> 
> As mobile phone number is 1-to-1 there are no "dispute resolution" issues, 
> which plagues Nominet UK. (Our .co.uk top level domain authority.) 
> www.nic.uk
> 

* Telephone numbers are meaningless and unmemorable
* Telephone numbers have an undesirable operation that can be performed 
on them: they can be used to make that thing in my pocket buzz and ring.
* Phone numbers are not permanently attached to a person. While I've 
successfully maintained the same phone number for my entire 
mobile-phone-using life so far, I think I'm the only person I know who 
has managed that.

If you wish to use a phone call or SMS message as a prerequisite for 
signing up — in similar vein to email verification — then fine, but I 
really don't like the idea of using telephone numbers as identifiers.