Sorry "he" not "it". JMO is a human.

If I really need to buy something online then I'll just get a toss away visa gift card.

"Most reasonable persons can identify that Monsanto is damaging our food supply in subtle ways."

lmao Al is competing for the title of GOAT troll on webDiplomacy

But every bank has an internet portal as does every credit card company. Just because you don't personally take advantage of that service,JMO, doesn't mean someone else won't do it and hack the account you didn't even realize you had. As you point out, no database is 100% secure if it is connected to the net. That includes all the information about those senior citizens who don't even have computers. That's right. You are at risk even if you never turn on a computer or use a smart phone. My 87 year old mother in law has no computer or cell phone. Yet I have to keep reminding her to monitor her bank statements and credit card statements closely as she is still at risk.

Yeah, I'm with Draug on this one, JMO. I think you're going through a lot of hoops and ladders for little benefit.

Now I'm curious, how much do you two buy things online? I rarely, if ever, can't find something I want within driving distance of where I live, and I'm rarely inclined to buy anything online.

@Draug, sorry I wasn't clear on why I don't want them having the information. Google actively tracks purchases made by specific credit cards and then tailors ads to its members based on their purchases. That practice annoys me, which is why I don't buy through them.

I'm perfectly aware that accounts are still vulnerable, which is why I have my money distributed in 500 different banks in 16 countries...joking. I do regularly check the records on all my accounts though for the reasons you just stated, and because I do use a credit card in person, and there are physical ways to steal that information as well.

I don't have a problem with using a credit card online if I'm confident the information is going to remain private, it's specifically Google's ad tie in that irks me.

Most CRedit cards have fraud insurance. What are they going to get from you? Put it in context with your life.

Or stuff cash in your mattress, move to the middle of no-wheresville get off the grid, and live like a back woods hermit.

Hello...we all live in the informational age. Earth to everyone, the fight for your information is bigger than the search for renewable energy.

I've avoided setting up a Google Wallet, but mainly because I don't want to accidently buy anything. I want the assurance of knowing that unless I enter the card number on a website, they can't charge me.

I live on amazon. Lot's of things I buy could not be bought in Cincinnati for the price I get it at and digital media cannot be bought at a brick and mortar store. There are many rare books I buy online that could not be found if I browsed every used and antique bookstore within 100 miles of my home. Tools I would have to special order through Woodcraft or Rockler that I buy via Amazon. The CD I just bought my mom was out of print. I couldn't have found a brand new copy anywhere around here, but I found a seller on Amazon. And I especially love preordering books and movies so they are delivered to my door the same day they hit the brick and mortar store.

So bully for you if you think there is nothing you want online that can't be gotten locally. But that just means you have very pedestrian taste.

@jmo

A vast majority of my shopping is done online. Entertainment, Clothes, Toiletries, medicine, office supplies, etc all online.

The only regular purchases I make not online are for food.

Lookout abge, the privacy loonies will now be concerned Google & Amazon know whther you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper.

Both Google and Amazon know exactly what I like, which, as it turns out, is wicked convenient for me.

@Jmo - You said Google tailoring ads to you annoys you. Why? Wouldnt you rather see ads about things that interest you? I mean, if your gonna see ads, doesnt it HELP you for them to know what you like?
If you like Action movies, wouldnt you rather see an ad for Xmen as opposed to that random romantic comedy?

I think its awesome my grocery store spits out coupons for stuff I like. Its like Draud said, its no different than the old days when you walked into a restaurant and said "order me up the regular"

Hmm interesting, I personally don't spend much time online besides webdip after working hours. I stare at a screen all day for work, when I want something I prefer to go out and about to get it.

@ssorenn, did you even read my post? It's specifically Google that I don't purchase from online. And it doesn't have anything to do with fraud concerns.

@jmo

Maybe you live somewhere where the stores are better?

The closest bookstore to me is 1/2 hour away and the selection sucks. I used to love shopping IRL, but the selection, price, and employee knowledge has plummeted, at least where I am.

Now I'm curious, how much do you two buy things online? I rarely, if ever, can't find something I want within driving distance of where I live, and I'm rarely inclined to buy anything online.

That doesn't sound like it is specifically google.

@dyager_nh, it is the fact that information gets sold in bulk packages to other information brokers that bothers me. It's the only aspect of technology that I don't like, the mass selling and purchasing of buying patterns. And no, I have ad blocker installed anyways.

@jmo - "Now I'm curious, how much do you two buy things online? I rarely, if ever, can't find something I want within driving distance of where I live, and I'm rarely inclined to buy anything online. "

You did *not* say you don't buy from google here. In fact, you state you rarely buy online, period.

"If I really need to buy something online then I'll just get a toss away visa gift card. "

Again, no mention of google. This is about online buying period. Stop being disingenuous. You don't buy online and that is fine. I spend my time at work staring at code (not online, but on a computer) and come home exhausted and not wanting to get in a car and go hunting something down at a store that may or may not have it especially as the stores close at 9 and I don't typically get home until 6:30 or 7:00.

Cross posted with asorenn...

Ssorenn...

No crossing the streams!!

Lmao

@abge, that's unfortunate, I have a few large chain bookstores around me, and a few ma/pa type ones that have great selections with awesome employees who know their books.

@ssorenn, again did you read my posts? I'm making 2 different points. 1 is that I don't make purchases on Google or amazon because I don't like Google's practices of ads tied in with purchasing records. The 2nd point is that I rarely if ever shop online anyways because I prefer buying things in person. The 2nd point is not related to the 1st one or to the OP. Not sure why that's hard to understand.

Better crossing posts than crossing swords.

Do you carry your purse with you to the store?

It was my ghostbusters reference

@jmo. I think you should personally keep the brick and mortar stores going strong. We need someone to do it. Good luck in your quest.