3 ms·

Might be technically required, but.. http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/10/free-will-sell-sim-cards-using-vending-machines-in-france/ http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/1

• wolfgke 11y ago
  At least in the picture of the vending machine I see no possibility of using cash. Instead you probably have to use your ATM card or credit card, which leaves a strong data trace.
  • JoeAltmaier 11y ago
    I'm thinking, the anonymity of cash is currently very popular, but probably unintended. See, used to be anybody could print currency, but not everybody accepted all the different kinds. The Govt wanted to streamline banking and commerce, so they said "federal currency is legal tender for everything". Not because cash is cool. Because they only had cash or barter, and wanted just one cash. Maybe we should rethink all this - if anonymity is important, cash isn't the best way. E.g. they could chip our coins and paper money, and track it through every transaction. Still cash; but not anonymous. Anyway just thinking out loud.
  • 05 11y ago
    The name on the credit card is a much weaker data point than an actual photo ID. Assuming terrorists have access to guns and explosives, but not to stolen/registered to a fake name cards is not very reasonable. Even with the photo ID requirement, it's shouldn't be that hard to buy a stolen phone with a prepaid SIM that the owner didn't bother blocking.