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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 4 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”.

[...]

(page 2) 50 comments

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[-] KomfortablesKissen@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 4 weeks ago

GNU Taler to the rescue!

The netherlands are already looking into it: https://www.ngi.eu/ngi-projects/ngi-taler/

The project could be used via paper trail, as far as I understand it.

[-] oldfart@lemm.ee 4 points 4 weeks ago

Taler e-money is issued with a validity period. One month before the expiration date, you wallet should automatically exchange any digital cash that is about to expire for new digital cash with an extended validity period.

Haha no, thanks. I really don't understand why Stallman stands behind dystopian statist money.

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[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 weeks ago

Woot! It's been a while since I looked into Taler, but I've long held that we should be using it or something like it for digital transactions. I'd love a browser extension that compensates creators for removing ads, for example, and I think this would be a fantastic way to do it. But having it at a national level is even better!

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[-] Peffse@lemmy.world 6 points 4 weeks 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.

[-] 0x0@programming.dev 5 points 4 weeks ago

the bank can’t reissue

You mean they won't. Change banks or threaten to do so, might work.

[-] Pika@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 weeks ago

I would be changing banks. That's super unreasonable

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[-] uis@lemm.ee 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

My derped eyes and pronked brain read cashless as moneyless. Comon, Nordic countries, you can do it.

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[-] pinkystew@reddthat.com 5 points 4 weeks ago

I hoped for a second they meant moneyless.

[-] Blackmist@feddit.uk 5 points 4 weeks ago

Sure, but if a cyber attack knocks out your credit card systems in a targeted attack, chances are they're taking your cash machines down as well.

And who carries enough cash around to be useful any more? I know I don't. I might have a £20 note tucked in my phone case at a push.

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[-] muntedcrocodile@lemm.ee 4 points 4 weeks 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

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