Well, back in the old days if we wanted to complain we'd write it down on a piece of paper, wrap that piece of paper inside another piece of paper, and then put that in an unlocked box out in our yard.

That's similarly how we'd order products, out of magazines. Only in that case on the paper we'd include things like our bank account information that we'd put in the unlocked box in our yard.

I'm not suggesting that things can't or shouldn't be better. I think it's just important to have a realistic perspective on where we are in this continuum of service vs privacy.

I generally agree with you, but I think it should be pointed out that unauthorized access to that unlocked box carries severe punishment. A big part of the problem with things like this is that not only are there no controls preventing access to private info, but there are also few if any consequences.

How much control do you think there was in the businesses that got those wrapped pieces of paper with your banking account information? Sure, there are penalties while it's in the box in your yard, but not really once it was at its destination. I bet it's much more strict today than it was a few decades ago.

I'm not so sure. There was a lot less surface area then to secure vs today's "collect all the data" ethos

> What do you do when you pay with 20$ for something, but get change for 10$? Why are "argue with them", "accept the loss and move on", "karate chop" and infinite other things not among the options?

Well, some of them are illegal for the aggrieved party to employ, and in any case not providing better options than that list, for a party facilitating and profiting from the transaction, who is thus not an uninvolved third party, will greatly increase the risk of legal liability and PR damage.

> How did taxi drivers handle that for the last nearing 100 years?

They used specially-built cars with plexiglass barriers and uncomfortable thick vinyl covered seats that could be easily replaced.

I rode in plenty taxis and never in ones that had either of that. The drivers seemed pretty relaxed about the whole thing, as was I.

Because otherwise people, on forums such as this one, will argue (loudly) that the information is clearly available in $ABC's systems and refuses to act on it. And I'm not sure those people are wrong.

Taxi drivers didn’t have a intermediary in the sky taking its vig.

No, the medallion owners just lived in deluxe apartments in the sky.