Sweden and Norway rethink cashless society plans over Russia security fears
www.theguardian.com
Rise in hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks blamed on pro-Russia groups prompt Nordic neighbours to backpedal

cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/4262252

A combination of good high-speed internet coverage, high digital literacy rates, large rural populations and fast-growing fintech industries had put the Nordic neighbours on a fast track to a future without cash.

[…]

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and a subsequent rise in cross-border hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks blamed on pro-Russia groups have prompted a rethink.

[…]

The Swedish government has since completely overhauled its defence and preparedness strategy, joining Nato, starting a new form of national service and reactivating its psychological defence agency to combat disinformation from Russia and other adversaries. Norway has tightened controls on its previously porous border with Russia.

[…]

[Norway’s] justice and public security ministry said it “recommends everyone keep some cash on hand due to the vulnerabilities of digital payment solutions to cyber-attacks”. It said the government took preparedness seriously “given the increasing global instability with war, digital threats, and climate change. As a result, they’ve ensured that the right to pay with cash is strengthened”.

[…]

  • BlackmistEnglish
    72·
    21 days ago

    Sure, but if a cyber attack knocks out your credit card systems in a targeted attack, chances are they’re taking your cash machines down as well.

    And who carries enough cash around to be useful any more? I know I don’t. I might have a £20 note tucked in my phone case at a push.

    • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
      10·
      21 days ago

      And who carries enough cash around to be useful any more?

      I do. Maybe not physically in my pocket, but between my wallet and my home there’s enough cash to buy a tank of gas and a few days of groceries.

      Parts of the debit/credit processing system are fragile enough that I’ve seen them down randomly for signifigant portions of a day.

      Cash has got me food when other people have been stuck without the ability to pay more than once in the last couple of years.

      • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
        31·
        21 days ago

        Proper planning which more people should be doing!

        But people also should be using cash as much as possible before regime takes it away.

    • boonhet@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      20 days ago

      £20 should still get you a meal of some kind until the credit cards and cash machines are back, hopefully within a few hours or next day at the latest.

      Can’t really say I even have that much on me most of the time though - perhaps I should change that, keep a minimum of like €50 that’s only touched in an emergency or something. Swedbank has had several outages in the last few months here in Estonia and it affects many stores’ payment terminals too.