Techie news doesn’t always make it to print. And sometimes if it does, it comes late. This past Sunday Buffalo News caught on to a story that’s been brewing since late last year (probably found it under a just melted snowbank). You can’t purchase an iPhone with cash. I never realized the fact since we bought our iPhones (yes, that’s plural) on a credit card. But that’s not much different from any of my other purchases (see “AmEx Points” or “AA miles”). So truly, if Apple is denying cash for a purchase, they MUST be using any one (or a combination) of the attributes that your credit card gives them, versus those good ole greenbacks in your pocket. But why?

Google reveals a few interesting articles on the topic. David Berlind on ZDNet has two nice articles, “Apple, hackenomics, and the waning anonymity (and obsolescense) of cash” and the follow-up “Why Apple only takes credit cards for iPhones & the legal questions raised” that are worth a read, especially the latter. While exploring the possible reasons for using PII (personally identifiable information) — from preventing users from eBaying the devices, to ensuring activation on AT&T, to limiting the number purchased. However David brings up the excellent point that use of your PII in this case may be a violation of PCI DSS — but there doesn’t seem to be any follow-up to is requests of his VISA friends on the matter.

I’ve purchased four iPhones — two original 4 GB models, which have long since departed the way of eBay, and recently purchased two 8 GBs and have never been prevented from buying any one of them (nor called or emailed or charged for not activating nary a one).

I couldn’t dig up one story on Apple using the PII from previous transactions to suspend, deny, sue, etc… anyone!

What do you think?

Filed under: Anonymity, Mobile Access, Privacy