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Sweden, Norway rethink plans for cashless societies over fears that fully digital payment systems would leave them vulnerable to Russian security threats (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by 0x815@feddit.org to c/technology@lemmy.world

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/4262252

A combination of good high-speed internet coverage, high digital literacy rates, large rural populations and fast-growing fintech industries had put the Nordic neighbours on a fast track to a future without cash.

[...]

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and a subsequent rise in cross-border hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks blamed on pro-Russia groups have prompted a rethink.

[...]

The Swedish government has since completely overhauled its defence and preparedness strategy, joining Nato, starting a new form of national service and reactivating its psychological defence agency to combat disinformation from Russia and other adversaries. Norway has tightened controls on its previously porous border with Russia.

[...]

[Norway's] justice and public security ministry said it “recommends everyone keep some cash on hand due to the vulnerabilities of digital payment solutions to cyber-attacks”. It said the government took preparedness seriously “given the increasing global instability with war, digital threats, and climate change. As a result, they’ve ensured that the right to pay with cash is strengthened”.

[...]

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[–] 0x0@programming.dev 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The controversial part is that while it's great and desirable on paper, it's almost never the case for 100% of the times. Great if it is though.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago

And it's also not wanted. A lot of people choose to avoid shelters for a number of reasons.

Honestly, the requirement for an address to get a bank account is stupid, you should merely have to prove your identity, which can be accomplished with a government ID or perhaps a notorized note from a government agency (i.e. you go to the local health center or a social work office and verify your identity or something).

If I wanted to, I could easily fake my address being somewhere it's not. I get a bunch of junk from the previous residents, and there's really nothing stopping me from putting someone else's address as my own (my local family does it when they're between residences). So I honestly don't see much point to it.