#819 Zero Privacy

Recently, there have been a few lessons in the news about privacy in today’s electronic society. Actually, what I meant to say was lack of privacy.
The old adage has never been truer, if you want your purchase to remain secret, use cash. Electronic systems, from grocery store cards and internet purchases, to visa and debit card transactions are all potential mines for unscrupulous companies to gather your data.
Why does that phrase sound nearly obscene? I’m, um, heh heh, gathering his personal data. The unscrupulous stranger went about gathering her data—if you know what I mean.
Listen to this interesting news titbit. The Independent Adult Internet Market Research Company—yes, there is one—has reported a recent upturn in visits to, and upsurge in sales from, pornographic websites in recent weeks.
The sites attribute their sales expansion to people spending their economic stimulus payments. I’m pretty sure this wasn’t what the government had in mind.
Then again, the government did call it a "stimulus" payment.
Maybe some folks just figure the gov’ment meant they should get stimulated with it.
But here’s a really spooky thing. A recent lawsuit against the company CompuCredit suggests that lenders are now considering types of purchases consumers make in assigning them a credit score.
Credit scores now affect just about everything you borrow, from cars to houses to credit cards, and the interest you pay for those loans.
But scores also affect things like insurance. Insurance companies can and do charge you higher rates if your credit score is low, arguing poor credit risks are also poor insurance risks.
So it’s possible your electronic purchase for let’s say, adult internet sites, or even using your credit card to buy lots of lattes or frivolous frappacinos, may affect your credit score.
Next time you have a cash emergency, don’t use the casino ATM, even if it’s closest and you’re acting fiscally prudent by saving gas. You could be affecting your home insurance rates and that 0% interest on your next family mini-van.
Because electronic transactions mean you have zero privacy.
Big Brother loves the cashless society.
America, ya gotta love it.