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submitted 2 days ago by 0x815@feddit.org to c/technology@lemmy.world

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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[-] troed@fedia.io 21 points 2 days ago

We have cash?

o_O

Haven't used it for years.

[-] folekaule@lemmy.world 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It's still legal tender so they have to accept it. They don't like it, but they do. Last time I visited Norway I held up the line at the grocery store trying to buy candy with cash that had been gifted to me. I'm not sure the cashier knew what to do with it.

Edit: many people telling me they are not required. From what I could find, cash is still "tvunget betalingsmiddel", but there are some broad exceptions. Ref. So, I don't think I was out of line expecting to pay cash at the grocery store. However, that was the only time I paid cash when I visited last time, so yeah, it's basically cashless already.

[-] troed@fedia.io 12 points 2 days ago

Shops in Sweden very often state that they don't accept cash - and it's perfectly legal for them to make that choice.

[-] Gloria@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 days ago

legal tender

As far as I understood it in the last 20 years, it is only legal tender for debt facing the goverment. No private business has to accept cash. They do not have to accept cards either. If they wish, they could demand payments only in acorns or bottle caps if they wanted to. Only govermental Institutes (eg. for taxes, fines, etc.) have to always accept cash so you can always free yourself from outstanding debits without needing a bank account as bank wiring or credit cards are a private 3rd party business that can not be guaranteed for every citizen (as banks can arbitrary decline service to people).

[-] barsoap@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago

At least in Germany legal tender means "valid for payment of any obligation", also private ones. But if a shop says "we don't accept cash" then they're not entering a sales contract with you unless you agree to pay in another way, without contract no payment obligation to them so they're not required to accept anything, and if there is a contract, well, you agreed to the terms.

I don't think the same would fly for e.g. rental or utility contracts, though. Any contract that isn't agreed upon and fulfilled while you're standing in front of the cashier.

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[-] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago

Thankfully, Monero denies nobody

[-] Valmond@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I took a bus in Malmö over ten years ago (on the seaside to the railway station), they didn't accept cash or card, only some mobile payment. Got a free ride.

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[-] Evotech@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

They do not have to accept it

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[-] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 days ago

Sweden is otherwise cool with having a zero privacy payment system? I'm a little Suprised this made it that far even there. When I see a business that says it does not accept cash, I stay away even if I wasn't planning to use cash anyway.

[-] brewery@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

We have much tougher GDPR laws so I am more worried about American companies stealing my data than any based in the EU. I use different passmails for every account hoping to find a company breaching GDPR but (luckily?) unluckily, no hits so far.

Every company I have worked for, including a major bank, takes GDPR extremely seriously. So much so I often thought they went to far but understand their caution.

[-] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago

I think that's great, but that's now. You lose cash and have some bad luck with your politicians like we have had in the states, and those laws can change in an instant and good luck getting cash back once it's gone.

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[-] kokesh@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago

Yeees! Great! I like cash.

[-] VonReposti@feddit.dk 10 points 2 days ago

Meanwhile in Denmark: FULL STEAM AHEAD! Next stop on the digitalisation train, all of your identification papers!

[-] Peffse@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

This would suck so bad. My debit card's chip went bad and the bank can't reissue me a new one until it expires. I've been using cash as a fallback when I don't want to do the '3 chip failure timeout then swipe' dance just to purchase some soda.

[-] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 13 points 1 day ago

Report it lost instead. I've lost cards loads of times over the years. One phone call and the new one is on its way. However the fact your bank wouldn't issue your replacement makes me think they would charge you for this privilege.

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[-] M137@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

That doesn't seem right at all, no matter the country. And do you not have tap payments?

[-] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Wireless (tap) payments are vulnerable to wireless relay attacks.

[-] Peffse@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Correct. The card is not tap. The only cards they can order now are tap, so to get a replacement they have to cancel the card and issue a brand new one, messing up any autopay tied to the current number and leaving me without a payment method while the new one arrives.

[-] ifItWasUpToMe@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 day ago

In the future I’d recommend adding your card to your phone. It’s more secure paying with your phone vs card, and if you need a new card for whatever reason, your phone will automatically just keep working.

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[-] brewery@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

They seriously won't issue one even though it's faulty? Surely it's their fault as suppliers of a defective product that is probably still owned by them in some legalise way!

My chip stopped working and after one quick phone call they sent a replacement one. Do all the banks you can access do this or worth changing over?

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[-] muntedcrocodile@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

Funny way to say people dont like the idea of having all financial privacy ripped away from them.

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this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2024
612 points (98.6% liked)

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