The Butt Ugly Weblog

They have these in the US, too and you almost can't get around using them since they make it more of a hassle if you don't. The difference between here and there is that because they aren't giving you those bonus points and discounts for 'free', they get to use that data pretty much however they want to and sell it to whomever they want. Of course, the US credit card companies already have more information on you than the FBI or any other federal agency anyway so if some grocery store wants to sell your address to a vendor who sells stuff that you generally buy, it's not much of a shock. Personally, I think those cards are evil.

--80.186.148.112, 27-Oct-2004

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Yes, I was trying not to mention the US situation, as I don't know enough of it. I do know that private companies have almost no restrictions as to how information is collected and used.

The government then obviously buys this information from the private corporations, because they have restrictions as to what information can be collected.

--JanneJalkanen, 27-Oct-2004

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I'm glad there are others who don't like this kind of data collection as well. Most of my friends laugh at me and say "who cares - it's not like they are evil companies" or something closely related. Sometimes I kindly reply to the clerk at the counter when he/she asks for such a card, "I respect my privacy" and sadly they don't usually get it - they don't see the information the company collects.

--Antti, 27-Oct-2004

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You can always remind them of Sonera and ask "are you sure corporations never abuse their powers?"

--JanneJalkanen, 27-Oct-2004

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