You know the drill. You’re trying to set up a perfectly innocent video call, perhaps with a new service provider, a coach, a consultant, or someone you just met on a network group, and everything’s going swimmingly until you hit that one dreaded field.
“Please enter your mobile number.”
Wait, why? We’re doing a Zoom call. My laptop doesn’t even have a SIM card. If the internet isn’t working, you’re not going to be able to call me – I don’t want to spend an hour holding my mobile up…
Ah, but then the explanation comes, and it’s always the same:
“The system won’t let me generate the call unless that field is filled in.”
Right. So now it’s not you asking for my number. It’s The System. The faceless, all-powerful CRM overlord, forcing your hand. You’re merely a pawn in its data-gathering empire. Well, isn’t that convenient.
Let’s talk about these CRM systems for a moment, shall we? CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, but it often feels more like “Creepily Rummaging for Metadata.”
They’re designed, allegedly, to help businesses remember who you are, what you like, and when they last emailed you. So rather than getting twenty follow-ups from “Hi there!” you’re supposed to get a nice tailored experience. “Hi Yvie, how did you get on with your blog post? Did that GDPR clause work out for you?” Sounds lovely in theory.
But in reality, what often happens is that your name is spelt wrong, your number is hoarded forever, and you start getting cheery texts about products you didn’t ask for, from people you don’t remember, at times that make you question the existence of time zones altogether.
And if you ever try to unsubscribe? Good luck. The CRM, in all its infinite wisdom, will still chirp out a “Just checking in!” six months later because someone forgot to tick the right box.
Back to the mobile number thing. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is quite clear. If you’re collecting personal data, especially something as sensitive as a mobile number, you need a lawful basis. Consent, for example. Or contractual necessity. Not “the form made me do it.” So if someone insists they have to collect your number “because the CRM says so,” that doesn’t magically make it lawful. It just means their tech is designed badly.
In fact, from a GDPR perspective, that pre-filled, required-number field is a red flag waving wildly from the top of a digital skyscraper. You should feel able to withhold your number unless you’re totally comfortable giving it. Instead, you’re often nudged, cornered, or guilt-tripped into surrendering it, not for your benefit, but for theirs. And let’s be honest. What’s in it for you?
The privilege of being pinged by a stranger on WhatsApp at dinner time? The warm glow of knowing your data now lives in a cloud-based spreadsheet shared with four virtual assistants and a marketing bot? Delightful and like a warm Sherpa blanket, oh so comforting…
Sure, CRMs help businesses manage their leads, but as the “customer,” your gain is often minimal unless you’re dealing with someone truly respectful of your boundaries.
So the next time you’re booking a video call and that mobile number field pops up, ask yourself: do they really need it? Or is it just the digital equivalent of someone asking for your number before they’ll tell you where the party is? Your data, your rules. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Or leave the box blank. And if they say the system won’t allow it? 077123456789 probably works…
