this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2024
121 points (98.4% liked)

Europe

1672 readers
359 users here now

News and information from Europe 🇪🇺

(Current banner: La Mancha, Spain. Feel free to post submissions for banner images.)

Rules (2024-08-30)

  1. This is an English-language community. Comments should be in English. Posts can link to non-English news sources when providing a full-text translation in the post description. Automated translations are fine, as long as they don't overly distort the content.
  2. No links to misinformation or commercial advertising. When you post outdated/historic articles, add the year of publication to the post title. Infographics must include a source and a year of creation; if possible, also provide a link to the source.
  3. Be kind to each other, and argue in good faith. Don't post direct insults nor disrespectful and condescending comments. Don't troll nor incite hatred. Don't look for novel argumentation strategies at Wikipedia's List of fallacies.
  4. No bigotry, sexism, racism, antisemitism, dehumanization of minorities, or glorification of National Socialism.
  5. Be the signal, not the noise: Strive to post insightful comments. Add "/s" when you're being sarcastic (and don't use it to break rule no. 3).
  6. If you link to paywalled information, please provide also a link to a freely available archived version. Alternatively, try to find a different source.
  7. Light-hearted content, memes, and posts about your European everyday belong in !yurop@lemm.ee. (They're cool, you should subscribe there too!)
  8. Don't evade bans. If we notice ban evasion, that will result in a permanent ban for all the accounts we can associate with you.
  9. No posts linking to speculative reporting about ongoing events with unclear backgrounds. Please wait at least 12 hours. (E.g., do not post breathless reporting on an ongoing terror attack.)

(This list may get expanded when necessary.)

We will use some leeway to decide whether to remove a comment.

If need be, there are also bans: 3 days for lighter offenses, 14 days for bigger offenses, and permanent bans for people who don't show any willingness to participate productively. If we think the ban reason is obvious, we may not specifically write to you.

If you want to protest a removal or ban, feel free to write privately to the mods: @federalreverse@feddit.org, @poVoq@slrpnk.net, or @anzo@programming.dev.

founded 6 months ago
MODERATORS
 

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”.

[...]

all 24 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] ShareMySims@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] 0x815 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is not about 'neoliberals' but about foreign malicious actors attacking digital systems for no reason.

[–] ShareMySims@sh.itjust.works -2 points 1 month ago

Lol, of course it's about neoliberals, since they only care now that "the economy" (the bank accounts of the rich) is in danger, but couldn't have cared less when it was only the poor and already marginalised in society that they were marginalising further with their decisions.

We all already know Russia is run by a war mongering dictator, him threatening and harming others shouldn't come as a surprise, or news, to anyone.

Two (or more!) things can be true, and terrible, at once, and pointing out one (especially one that liberals are generally uncomfortable acknowledging) doesn't somehow nullify the other, just like criticising democrats doesn't mean someone supports conservatives, it just means criticising the one not already lightyears beyond criticism, like a literal fascist or dictator.

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Nobody's refusing payments in cash. The articles you're linking were during covid, an entirely different context

[–] KyuubiNoKitsune@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yeah, I live in Sweden and 90% of places I go don't do cash.

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Don't do cash, or would prefer not to do cash? Those are 2 different things.

Do not accept at all.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

basically the only places that reliably accept cash these days are grocery stores, what are you on about?

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I have yet to encounter a place that will refuse to take my cash if I tell them I have no other method of payment. They may not be eager to, but they can't stop you from leaving.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

what? you're not magically allowed to take stuff for free just because you can't pay for it lmao, if they don't accept cash and you only have cash, you don't get to buy things there.

are you just making things up?

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Was mostly referring to restaurants and other services. But in general, no I have yet to experience any place flat out rejecting my business if I pay in cash. I'm not sure what's with the downvotes, I'm merely sharing my personal experiences.

[–] Successful_Try543 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

In Sweden, cash free shops (kontantfri butik) and gastronomy are not uncommon. You can either pay by Swish, which is the cash-less system of the Swedish banks and everybody with a Swedish bank account is free to use, or with credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard). VPay / EC / Giro cards, that have been until recently common in e.g. Germany may work often but not always. Additionally, in pubs and bars, it is common to pay when placing the order, before you get your drink, i.e. not in the end before you leave.

[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)
[–] 0x815 14 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

This article has been published on 24 February 2020, exactly 2 years before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They may change their mind like Sweden and Norway are doing.

[Edit typo.]

[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

fair enough, but still https://e-estonia.com/where-is-our-digital-state-heading/ so long as russia doesnt try any drastic new tricks like space-nuke EMPs, they will be doing alright if they know what they are doing.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What's the point though? Other than hurting poor people, that is.

[–] SmoothOperator@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Handling cash is expensive and difficult for shops, so it might make sense to not require shops to accept cash.

I guess certain crimes also become harder.

Not sure I support it, but I see that there are points to it.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

More expensive than credit card & POS machine fees? I think probably not.

[–] SmoothOperator@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I was quite surprised when I first had to handle large amounts of cash. Securely transporting it to and from a bank is quite a hassle, and making sure you always have enough change is as well. Idk about the specific economics of it, but it's easy to underestimate for those of us who don't have to deal with it at scale.

[–] CAVOK@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Had a lot of robberies of cash transports in Sweden earlier. Haven't heard of one in the last 20 years or so.

[–] Tautvydaxx@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

When countries try to remove cash I always think how easy it sill be to control the protests when the goverment could turn off your money.