A Finextra member 27 November, 2013, 16:13 0 likes Of course, some Governments, powerful monopolistic corporations and their lackeys may well want to see the demise of cash. That way they can snoop on everything we spend and manipulate our behaviour. This report pays scant regard to the essential role cash plays in the kind of diverse payments landscape required to secure freedom in pluralistic, liberal democracies.

A Finextra member 04 December, 2013, 01:50 0 likes

The problems of privacy without cash are not insurmountable. What are required are high quality national regimes of privacy legislation and the proper supervision of intelligence organisations. The United Nations as well as privacy groups can play a useful role of producing Declarations, statements and protocols that can guide other nations. Technical problems that can prevent the use of credit cards can be overcome with barcodes on cards. Barcode readers on plastic cards or stickers on the back of smart phones that can be read by equipment powered by a backup source of electricity can assist with power blackouts.