This is yet another example of how big tech has control of our lives and screw ups they make can't be fixed without giving them even more control.

I have an email address with Yahoo, that I have used for over 20 years. I use it for forums, streaming services, shopping services, etc.
Today while logging in, it tells me my password needs to be changed. Fine, I changed it. Have to login again and for verification it sends a code to an old email (from 20+ years ago) that I haven't used in years. I can't access that email anymore.
[I'm sure the above probably sounds familiar to most people at 1 point or another]

I know I have put in security questions to Yahoo before. And probably other stuff as well.
But what they DEMAND! is for me to call them and go thru their customer service portal. No other option is available! So I go thru all the BS, verifiy my name, date of birth, phone number, etc. Then they get to it.... I must send them a copy of my driver's license (or real ID). F^ YOU!!! You are not getting a copy of any of my government issued IDs. Again F^ YOU! (I don't know if I hung up 1st or they did for cursing them out).

This is complete BS! They have NO right to ask this of anyone. And is information they do not need. I was about to spend the next hour looking to where to report them.... but I already know it is meaningless (because all these tech bros legally probably do have the right now).

I have lost access to this email now and will have to spend the next several days changing (and more likely) creating new accounts for all the services I used under it. And I might be in for a surprise that I can't create some of these new accounts without submitting DNA samples or something.
I refuse to give up ALL of my privacy! I already have to give up a very uncomfortable amount everyday. They are not getting it all! I refuse! I will go without!
F^ the government and all this other BS!

*rant - feels more like a daily conversation anymore*

'Free' email comes at a high price.

Proton mail will set you back $50/year for the same 15GB of storage that Yahoo provides.

I feel your pain, however, if this reduces the ease for fraudsters setting up their scams and avoid tracking, I’m all for it. By the way, I’ve never been a Yahoo user. “Free” email accounts never seemed like a good idea to me. There’s a small fee, but I have my own URL that is portable. I can change ISP’s and my email address doesn’t change. I also use an inexpensive hosting service. This is portable too and I can block email from individual accounts and domains. Goodby *.ru.

I’ve been using the same email address / owned domain since about 1996. I can’t even count how many ISPs or even email providers I’ve been through… right now, Apple’s handing it as part of iCloud.

We use outlook behind duck.

That seems to eliminate a lot of crap.

Yeah, I had that Yahoo address since about 1997-1998.
I will say that RC made it pretty easy to switch my email.

All done now. Took a few days and had to make a few new accounts but not to bad.

For all those mentioning about "free" emails. Let me ask you this.... what makes you think any domain is guaranteed to be around 20-30 years from now? Whether you pay for it or not?

My other emails I've had since the early 2000's is Gmail (personal & business). I imagine those will be around for a long time still. And they have much better account recovery options than Yahoo does/did.

I doubt Gmail is going anywhere, it’s too ubiquitous. I’m surprised Microsoft continues to support hotmail… that was my first “throwaway” address and it still works.

Definitely avoid anything related to your ISP. I haven’t even bothered to create an ISP-based email in… 20 years?

I just setup a Zoho account for my sisters business email. info@"herwebsite".com I had it configured on my phone for a while to monitor it and it seems pretty solid.

For your business......

Never use ISP email.

Never use free email.

Never use your website hosting account for email. It's free but it usually has an overly aggressive spam filter so you don't receive everything and everything you send ends up in customers spam folders.

Google workplaces, Zoho mail, Microsoft 365? Outlook? Or whatever Microsoft calls it now are the best 3 IMO.

Proton mail is also a top contender.

I had America OnHold (AOL) then switched to Earthlink.  it was a full on spam feeding machine so I let it go after 20 years.

Proton mail is my daily feed.  Never any spam.  Gmail for junk sites and stuff that is a one time use.  Proton mail works really well - I think I am on year 4.