Privacy Tool Spotlight: Privacy.com
When paying for things, we often face a dilemma: should we prioritize privacy or security? For privacy in person, cash without a loyalty card works best. For security at the register, tap-to-pay with a credit card offers protection, though it sacrifices some privacy. Similarly, using a phone for tap-to-pay is highly secure, yet it too reduces privacy.
But what happens with online purchases? Many websites push us to store credit card details for convenience. This can be risky. Even if a site follows PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards, breaches can still happen. Surely there's a better option.
In the US, there is. Privacy.com provides virtual debit cards that safeguard your online privacy and security. These cards are unique to each merchant and lock to that merchant after their first use, even for small verification transactions like checking if the card is real. If someone steals the card number, it only works at the locked merchant.
Security gets even better with use limits. You can make virtual cards single-use for one-time buys or limit them by time. For example, set a card for an annual subscription to allow just one charge per year. For a monthly streaming service, restrict it to one transaction per month.
Another layer of protection comes from spending limits. You can cap how much each transaction costs, reducing your risk. Imagine creating a virtual card for a pizza delivery site, locked to that merchant, with a $40 limit. If hacked, the worst outcome is a $40 pizza order. These limits pair with time restrictions too. For that streaming service, you could allow one $20 charge per month.
If a Privacy.com card is compromised or you suspect trouble, you can turn it off instantly. No more payments will go through.
Privacy shines here too. When using these cards, you can enter a different name and address. Want to keep that streaming habit quiet? Become Jane Doe from Denver, CO, and your real identity stays hidden.
Exciting news: Privacy.com now offers Privacy Everywhere cards for smartphones. These work with online and tap-to-pay systems, bringing the same privacy and security features, like spending limits, to in-person purchases.
Other countries have options like Revolt, but I haven't tried them, so I can't speak to their features.
If you want to pay online with confidence, shrink your risk, and protect your privacy, consider Privacy.com's virtual debit cards. They're a smart, secure way to shop while keeping your personal details safe.
Learn more about Privacy.com at https://www.privacy.com/
