this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2026
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just to get it out of the way: yes, i know i can use a spam email/phone number. yes, i know i can opt out of promotional emails/texts. that doesn't make it any less frustrating. i don't need a growing list of empty accounts for websites i only spend an hour (or less) browsing through. don't even get me started on restaurants that ask for your phone number when you scan their QR code...

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[–] CoolSouthpaw@lemmy.world 3 points 1 hour ago (2 children)

Probably a good time to plug bugmenot.com.

[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.today 1 points 14 minutes ago (1 children)

never encountered any working credentials from that site

[–] aSaabD00d@lemmy.today 1 points 8 minutes ago

I actually successfully used it for zillow the other day just to find some info on a house near me.

[–] Wispy2891@lemmy.world 2 points 42 minutes ago

Almost useless. Now most sites send a magic login link to the email (which you can't read) and if the user accidentally used a mailinator public mailbox and you can get the link, the account is banned anyway

[–] Phantom_Feline17@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 hour ago

Its like every website nowadays needs your every identifying information to even just browse their site.

Anyone use sites like bugmenot? Please post alternatives.

[–] Ertain@feddit.online 8 points 5 hours ago

Yeah, it's getting annoying. The website says the content is free? Then why do I need an account to access it? If it is free, then I should be able to view it or download it without any restrictions.

[–] tigermountain@lemmy.world 11 points 8 hours ago

These are websites I immediately leave. The majority of these are set-up simply to get your contact information so they can market to you.

[–] The_v@lemmy.world 7 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I am beyond sick of it. If they make me sign up for a bullshit account, they don't get my business.

A restaurant with a QR code instead of a menu, I walk out of. One that requires a kiosk or app to order, same thing.

I have a zero tolerance for marketing e-mails & text. I block/spam every single one.

I had a $2.13 medical lab bill last week that wanted me to make an account including jumping through hoops to prove my identity etc... to pay them! They got a check in the mail.

[–] bstix@feddit.dk 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Restaurant menus make sense. It's easier for them to maintain any changes and it's easier for you to get the order right. If it lets you pay, that's also easier and faster than being held up by a waiter who has no interest in getting you to leave the table.

I've never had to sign up for anything when using such a menu.

[–] Buckshot@programming.dev 1 points 54 minutes ago* (last edited 54 minutes ago)

First (and last) time I ever used a QR code on the table. We walked in, sat ourselves at an empty table. No sign of any staff. Ordered ourselves via their QR code. It was self service drinks even. Literally the only thing the server did was carry a couple plates from the kitchen to our table then we never saw them again.

The order required prepayment and added 15% tip by default.

[–] Soggy@lemmy.world 8 points 9 hours ago

Tired of that and tired of downloading a proprietary fucking app for everything.

[–] TryingToBeGood@reddthat.com 85 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

they ask me to make an account, I close the tab and go on to something else.

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

This. Also, when I use Firefox, uBlock Origin (or when I use Safari, Wipr2) usually blocks these prompts, so I don't see them as much. When I do see them, I just go elsewhere.

[–] TryingToBeGood@reddthat.com 12 points 14 hours ago (3 children)

when google asks me to prove i'm human, I go to DDG

[–] nylo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

this is the exact reason I switched the default on my phone to ddg

it's usually slightly worse (which is shocking with how bad Google itself has gotten) but good enough. "don't annoy me" is my lowest baseline

[–] halezinflames@lemmus.org 2 points 10 hours ago

Try something like Degoog or Startpage, you might like them

[–] kettuli@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Hint: you can eliminate a step by not using Google’s products.

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Same, but I sometimes use BugMeNot.

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[–] jtrek@startrek.website 8 points 11 hours ago (2 children)

Many companies use workday for the job application process, which wants an account. Workday is a steaming pile of garbage.

[–] JackbyDev@programming.dev 1 points 5 hours ago

The worst is when Workday parses your resume wrong and you know you're gonna have to make the same corrections on every site because God forbid they allow you to upload some different format that is easily machine readable.

[–] MapleFantastic5738@lemmy.ca 5 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I cannot stand how they operate over there. I currently have six different Workday accounts, for six different companies. With each, I've had to upload my resume and re-create my profile, filling in my experience, education, etc... because their parser blows.

[–] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 1 points 7 hours ago

Paychex sucks ass too. And bill.com same thing, had multiple accounts because they can't figure their shit out.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 12 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

Only if I am simply trying to look at the site. It makes perfect sense that I would need an account to post, reply, vote, etc. Requiring a log in just to browse is ridiculous.

[–] beolbee@lemmy.world 6 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

tell that to tumblr and deviantart. you want to look around? too bad, sign up! such a pain in the ass.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

I haven't been on DeviantArt in years, so if that changed I never noticed.

I do often browse Tumblr without being logged in, tho. It just has a banner asking you to login or sign up the entire time. Doesn't actually require doing so.

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[–] shads@leminal.space 29 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

It is a really good filter for me, any company that wants to harvest the bogus information I will use to access them had better do a good job of convincing me it's worth the effort.

I have a similar take on online stores wanting me to create a login to get a shipping cost, unless they are offering a truly unique item, or outrageously good price I just don't buy anything from them.

If we all had a similar standards these bits of UX fuckery would disappear over time, unfortunately most people don't even think about it.

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Oh, you mean the 'x out of the site request?'

[–] ApollosArrow@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

I miss when bugmenot.com worked. I skipped over all those signups.

[–] Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.ca 7 points 11 hours ago

I find I am skipping more and more places. Even if I don't have to sign up for an account, I'm not doing the reject cookies bit any more either. I'm just skipping on by. I walked out of a QR code restaurant earlier today because it required a sign in to see the menu.

[–] Flubo@feddit.org 24 points 15 hours ago

Absolutely. I hate it.

[–] halezinflames@lemmus.org 4 points 10 hours ago

Usually if it demands that I leave unless I actually want to make the account.

[–] MuttMutt@lemmy.world 4 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Not a bit. I just go grab an email address at minuteinbox.com

Then they get to send garbage to an email address I'll never use again.

I also see no point in giving anyone a phone number. Not that it will do them any good since I block anything not in my contacts l list.

[–] MapleFantastic5738@lemmy.ca 2 points 10 hours ago

More and more, I'm finding that it isn't enough to just give one of my alias addresses. I'll make my account and then immediately end up locked out unless I give them my phone number (looking at you, Discord) or upload my ID/take some live selfies (looking at you, Slowly), or sometimes both (looking at you, LinkedIn).

I miss the days when I could just browse and use the internet anonymously

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 4 points 11 hours ago

I've been tired for at least the last decade.

[–] discoplasm@quokk.au 14 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

yes, especially when it seems like there isn't much reason for the website to even have accounts (other than blatant data harvesting i guess).

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[–] crazycraw@crazypeople.online 12 points 15 hours ago

no I just don't do it. because fuck em that's why

[–] watson387@sopuli.xyz 4 points 12 hours ago

Yep. If I have to create a new account somewhere in order to use something anymore I just do without. I have more accounts and subscriptions than I want already.

[–] bhamlin@lemmy.world 3 points 11 hours ago

I didn't sign up for accounts long before it was cool.

[–] HotsauceHurricane@lemmy.world 4 points 12 hours ago

Yes. Hate it.

[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 8 points 14 hours ago (6 children)

Honestly I'd rather make an account than do this bullshit where you get a new confirmation email every time you log in.

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[–] Rooster326@programming.dev 8 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

Yopmail let's you skip the making it part.

You just login to (business)@yopmail.com on yopmail. Then you reset the password for the same email. It's like using 8675309 as your "reward number".

Each of the junk emails is reusable just by entering the same email alias.

That said, I just do without most times

[–] wedge@multiverse.soulism.net 2 points 5 hours ago

A lot of the throwaway account services get domain blocked at registration unfortunately. There’s also a degree of risk if you’re using it for anything sensitive. But yeah - good resource regardless.

Yes, the image I used for the post I made 43m ago was from a website that wanted me to make an account in order to download the already edited image. I just took a screenshot.

[–] aesthelete@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago
[–] chunes@lemmy.world 6 points 14 hours ago

I'm even more tired of being asked to sign up just to view a website. Never have, never will.

[–] Damaskox@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

Especially on services or websites I think I will be using once in my life.

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