1) Bank account is a right https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/financial-pr...
2) debit and credit card fees are capped very low http://www.thetravelmagazine.net/no-credit-debit-card-fees-e...
This does not remedy privacy issues, but in general is more democratic way of doing things. Card payment cap also effectively killed cashback cards and premium credit cards that largerly favour rich.
True, they try to compensate by pulling some other shitties. Like the old "Do you want to pay in your home currency?" crap.
Worst are ATMs, which offer you to "conveniently guarantee a fixed exchange rate", which can be over 10% of the amount retrieved and - needless to say - which you should never accept.
You also have proper debit cards without fees and anonymous: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/nerdwallets-best-pre...
1) walmart charges 3% for all purchases outside of walmart
2) walmart charges 1$ for all purchses
3) walmart charges 5$ monthly maintenance fee
4) walmart charges 3$ to 5$ per deposit
5) even to check account status costs 50cents
Holding cash has none of these costs. I am not surprised that there is a large contingent of society that doesn't trust cards and banks.