Why does Audiogon need my phone number to send private messages

Data Mining. Sold to online databases for income. Links the phone number to the individual computer so that more data matching about us can be utilised.

The ol’ adage applies: If it is free, YOU are the product being traded.

I don't understand who owns this.  Is audiogon Company traded on the exchange? Are there shareholders or are all the members effectively shareholders it's so confusing it just is here.  Charge fee for all the members? Maybe they could make more money.  Or maybe they're not greedy people.

Providing a phone number helps stop spammers and bots. 

This information is not sold or  shared.