Mind If Credit Companies Censor Your Purchases?

[Keefe]

According to an MSNBC news story, Visa has entered into a partnership with Internet geolocation service provider Quova. As a result, Visa will have the tools to determine your location every time you make a purchase online -- and the ability to control the use of your credit card based on where you are.

For example, if you happened to be gambling online in a state where it's illegal, your card usage could be denied. Other legal issues that vary from state to state and issues such as copyright infringement, which vary from country to country, would be under the same Big Brother-style scrutiny.

Isn't it bad enough that the government wants to stamp out our freedoms more and more each day? Now the companies we support with our hard-earned money want to rob us of our right to decide what's right for ourselves -- under the guise of protecting our security? Gimme a break.

But we want to know what you think. Let us know by clicking on the Talkback feature below the poll. And if you haven't taken the poll yet, now is your chance.

Is it OK for your credit card company to censor your credit card use?


Yes
No

[GUEST]

[Omega]

Well, here's my thing, accompanying my basic understanding of the concept(s):
Credit companies are private companies. SPAMIndividuals enter into a contract with them, which I'm guessing is subject to change at any time, without oblication to notify the individuals. SPAMIf Visa wants to read where you buy things, I'm guessing they have every right to. SPAMYou're voluntarily entering into an agreement with them, and if you don't want them to read where you're buying things then you don't need to get a contract with them.

I could see where someone could argue that it's a necessity of modern life to have a credit card (I don't believe it), and therefore must be governed by certain rights to privacy, etc. SPAMFor my purposes I wouldn't much care if they saw where I bought things, but I do agree that it's not really necessary, and they really don't have much a need to do so.

So, I actually have two answers to two questions.

Is it ok for your credit card company to censor your credit card use?
--Yes

Is it "right", or beneficial, and/or is there much purpose?
--No

[lynchmob]

Someone should read "Big Brother"!

[Chef]

it has a bright side too.

think of sbd that 'borrowed' your card & then purchased stuff from WWW, there's a chance that bastard would be hanged 8)

Cheers
Chef

but how exactly they can find out the location ? phone number, IP, ISP ?? cmon ;D

[akimoto]

I agree with Chef and Omega. First, contractarian theory explains that because we make a voluntary agreement with said entity (in this case Visa) we accept the terms of the contract. If we don't like it, then fine. No one forces us to use a credit card, it's merely convenient. And sometimes freedom is the price to pay for expedience.
Second, it would aid in stopping credit card fraud, which is what I think is it's intended purpose. I don't think that the credit card companies care whether you're buyin pr0n or gambling in another state. They stop losing money by holding those who steal card numbers responsible. Under federal law, you or I are only liable for $50 of a stolen credit card bill. That means if someone goes and buys a 4,000 rig from AlienWare, Visa or whoever is out $3,950; that sucks.

But since I don't really care one way or another if they know where i am when I buy things, it doesn't bother me all that much.