• The article discusses the increasing trend towards a cashless society, where more and more transactions are being conducted using digital payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets. This shift has several implications, including the growing influence of credit scores on individuals' financial lives and the potential for data collection and surveillance by financial institutions and governments.
• The article highlights how credit scores, which are used to assess an individual's creditworthiness, have become increasingly important in determining access to various financial services and even non-financial opportunities, such as employment and housing. This reliance on credit scores can lead to exclusion and marginalization of individuals with lower scores, often those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The article also raises concerns about the potential for a cashless society to enable greater data collection and surveillance by financial institutions and governments. The digital trail left by electronic transactions can be used to monitor spending habits, track individuals' movements, and potentially infringe on privacy and civil liberties. The article suggests that this trend towards a cashless society may have significant societal and ethical implications that need to be carefully considered.