Minitel was a direct modem connection to the service, you also had a payment method on file with them. You weren't sending your credit card info in plaintext ac

Minitel was a direct modem connection to the service, you also had a payment method on file with them. You weren't sending your credit card info in plaintext across the Internet. Being a direct modem connection, even if you had to provide card details, it would be no less secure than dictating them over the phone to an agent.