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Austrian Minister Calls For a Constitutional Right To Pay In Cash

Posted by timothy on from the not-everyone-sees-privacy-as-a-right dept.

New submitter sittingnut writes: Bloomberg reports that Austrian Deputy Economy Minister Harald Mahrer has called for a constitutional right to use cash to protect their privacy. According to the report, Mahrer said, "We don't want someone to be able to track digitally what we buy, eat and drink, what books we read and what movies we watch. We will fight everywhere against rules," including caps on cash purchases. EU finance ministers at a meeting in Brussels last Friday urged the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, to "explore the need for appropriate restrictions on cash payments exceeding certain thresholds," " to crack down on "illicit cash movements."

5 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. But that would destroy the economy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If people can store cash in their mattress, you can't jack up negative interest rates and force consumers to spend like they should! The flow of money to the 1% would decrease slightly! Won't anyone think of the 1%?

    1. Re:But that would destroy the economy! by ausekilis · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's why people are encouraged to diversify. That means storing cash in your mattress and burying some in a coffee can in the back yard.

  2. Re:New black markets by sims+2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well if it all goes to pot we can still use tide.
    http://nymag.com/news/features...

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  3. Re:Why only privacy? by Flavianoep · · Score: 4, Funny

    What? Paying cash in a terraced place?

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    Linux is for people who don't mind RTFM.
  4. Re:Smart! by reboot246 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Even the government is wise enough to not allow its employees to handle cash. Can you imagine the number of thieves in any government bureaucracy?