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by rokobobo 1832 days ago
I never wanted Equifax to have any of my data, and yet here we are. After the breach, I wouldn’t ever be a paying customer to them if I had a choice. (Indirectly, I am still a “customer” in the sense that they probably still have my data and get new data about me—but apart from canceling all my cards, not sure what choice I have). In comparison, Stripe seems to charge for each product it offers. I think that’s a more fair and transparent model.
6 comments

If the company you're interacting with uses Stripe ID verification and you are forced to use it to pay them, I'm not sure it's much better than going to a bank and opening an account and then Equifax getting the information immediately.
Edit (sorry, I don't think I can edit my own comment at this point): I think I was missing the point. Storing user data for 3 years after verification seems unnecessary for the user. So yes, it does sound like some data-mongering f*ckery is going to happen/is happening.
> In comparison, Stripe seems to charge for each product it offers. I think that’s a more fair and transparent model.

They could be charging you AND creating an international ID database.

You are not a credit bureau's customer - the stores, public utilities, cell phone companies, banks, and so forth, are. They share that information to minimize their risk in extending credit (even something like billing you at the end of the month for services rendered is a form of credit) to you.

And frankly, if Stripe is offering any form of credit, it's likely working with the credit unions too.

Vote for representatives that pass laws similar to the GDPR but for USA? If Equifax or you were EU-liable, you could ask them to show, modify or remove any and all of your data.
For equifax you’re the product, not the customer