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Why should I have to pay more for buses if I don't use a smartphone?

65 points · 89 comments · DamonHD

  1. chimneychanga · · focus · HN ↗
    I have the same issue but regarding paying for groceries. I have to pay more because I don't have access to the grocery store's coupon app because I don't use a smartphone.
    1. lopis · · focus · HN ↗
      People with the app are paying with their person Al data. Seems like a fair deal.
      1. [deleted] · · focus · HN ↗

        [deleted]

      2. LetMeLogin · · focus · HN ↗
        Not really, I still have physical fob with barcode.
      3. stavros · · focus · HN ↗
        That's exactly what loyalty programs are. You sell your data for a discount on purchases. It's not even a secret, that's the actual goal of loyalty programs.
        1. lopis · · focus · HN ↗
          Yup, that's what I said. I was not implying it was a secret.
          1. stavros · · focus · HN ↗
            But I mean that's regardless of whether you use an app or a barcode.
        2. BobaFloutist · · focus · HN ↗
          I wonder about that. I'm sure they're selling your data too, but I wonder if the kickbacks the retailer gets for your data is actually comparable to the discount, or if their incentive is just the "loyalty" - convincing you to spend money you wouldn't already spend and to default to them instead of trying alternatives because you want the points or you're close to a reward.

          They seem like a pretty natural successor to the punch card model, which I can't imagine had a motive beyond the obvious.

      4. [deleted] · · focus · HN ↗

        [deleted]

      5. fsflover · · focus · HN ↗
        It would be fair if people actually knew all the privacy implications. They don't though.
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