Yesterday, I talked about Japan’s plan to keep tourist ‘safe’ at the 2020 Olympics. They plan to implement a system in which no tourist can buy or sell unless they are fingerprinted. That means, no tourist will be able to use Japanese cash, just your fingerprint.
I read an interesting article in The Atlantic. Ever hear of Operation Choke Point? We were told it would fight predatory lending, the kind of lending that helped cause the Great Recession of the late 2000s. But big banks weren’t targeted: So-called ‘morally unsavory’ businesses were. This includes gun dealers, adult entertainment, gambling, dating services, online alcohol dealers, even coin dealers. Many gun stores and adult website owners complained of being cut off by their credit/debit card companies, to the point their websites couldn’t even process them. It gets worse. An adult film actress named Eden Alexander said she couldn’t even get the prescription drugs she needed because the medical providers just assumed because she’s a porn star, she’s going to abuse the prescriptions. When fellow porn stars raised funds to help her out, their platforms GiveFoward and WePay?shut that down too, claiming they violated policy. This ordeal almost ruined her health and finances. Don’t even get me started on how they’re following EBT recipients like a hawk.
I noticed how they’re not targeting 1% big banks or bankers, but 99% ordinary people. Let me be clear: We at Computer Geeks do not endorse adult entertainment. But Eden Alexander is a human being and an American citizen. She should not have to endure such cruel treatment at the hands of banks and credit card companies just because she’s involved in a ‘morally unsavory’ business. This is when technology becomes too far reaching. I love technology. But when it tramples on peoples rights to life and liberty, that’s when things get dangerous. I don’t see them getting any less reaching. Can a cashless society lead to big brother?