Yep, they let you create your account with just an email address, and once you've joined a few servers and started using discord they're like "oh btw give us your phone number too, you won't have access to anything until you do".

Depends on your configuration. I deleted my old account when they first got involved in phone numbers. Went back after talking with a friend and said I'll join his server if they let me create an account.

All attempts on any VPN were rejected. Service hosted and self hosted cloud VPNs (IPs were still datacenters). Tried multiple browsers, no spoofing. I refused to sign up no VPN at all though so I'm 98% sure I didnt even attempt from my local IP or cellular IP. I assume the combination of VPN/DC IPS and them seeing Linux flagged their system into wanting data about me. I did try a VoIP number at one point and it was promptly rejected.

Wish they would move to matrix but 🤷‍♀️