Is the only way to check this out to hand over my mobile number to a website I know nothing about, and who took my email and name before telling me of the phone requirement? Dodgy.
I'm surprised so many here have jumped in. "Sign up with email"... "ok, now verify email"... "SURPRISE! we won't let you in until you give us your mobile number".
It's because of the $18 free credit they give out.
You can still use those websites which rent out phone numbers for phone verifications, if you care about privacy.
They don't mention anything about "$18" or needing a phone number. All they say on their blog is:
> "During the research preview, usage of ChatGPT is free. Try it now"
The sneaky requirement for a phone number is poor UX and doesn't match their casual invite to "try it for free". I tried one of the phone number websites, but it failed.
I'm surprised so many here have jumped in. "Sign up with email"... "ok, now verify email"... "SURPRISE! we won't let you in until you give us your mobile number".