I don’t see why everyone needs access, it could just be kept with the Department of Energy (or whoever would be in charge of the proposed universal deposit program). Accessing it would require a court order, just like digging through someone’s trash.
Although that said, an open database of every single purchase would have all sorts of uses!
For instance, if someone litters, the authorities could track the unique code to the purchase and then… well. 🙂
If you want to sell a product you would have to register that deposit in the database, similarly if you get it back you have to access the database to know how much to pay out. If you don’t want to limit selling products to large businesses everyone needs access.
Sure, consequences for littering are fun and all, but the passive surveillance that allows is terrifying imho.
Do you think that kind of surveillance isn’t already happening with credit card companies, online shopping, and chain stores?
Oh, no. I’m quite aware. The companies that can do it have a large enough effect in my life as it is. I really do not wish for scammers, random trolls, foreign government or home invader (tracking where you are based on purchases) to join them.
Right now I can make it hard for the big players by using the right tools and services. This would make it completely impossible.
