4 ms·

Plenty of people can't get credit cards. Plenty of people can't even get bank accounts. It's absolutely comparable lock-in.

• jjav 7mo ago
  While acknowledging the frustration of someone who can't (always support cash, the ultimate zero-lock-in solution!), it is disingenious to call them comparable. Bank accounts and credit cards can be had for free, and if you can't get one from one place there are literally thousands of other places to try. (Also I'm not sure how one can't get some bank account? I grew up very poor and still had a bank account in my teens. Credit cards, indeed, can be much more difficult. But these days pre-paid cards exist which is a way in.) In contrast, there are only two choices for phone platforms and neither is cheap and both require a recurring nontrivial monthly expense. So no, not at all comparable.
  • crazygringo 6mo ago
    Back accounts require social security numbers or equivalents often. I've lived abroad and had an impossible time opening a bank account. Credit cards require things like proof of income, a certain credit score, etc. A cheap Android and a cheap MVNO plan costs almost nothing, the equivalent of about 3 hours of minimum wage per month.