My colleague right behind me just had one of these wonderful conversations with Singapores famous phone operators (famous for assuming you dont care whatsoever about your private details, giving them whatever they ask for).
The Phone Call Of Horror
So my colleague, same as me, and most likely all people coming from countries where personal data is per law secured and protected from the government and all kind of public companies was kind of sceptical talking to this person which drew my attention. To understand the situation you have to know that in most European countries you can officially hide and keep your phone number secret, you can ask every internet company to completely delete your data (since it is your private “property”), you can take part in games, competitions etc without submitting your passport number, your picture is not allowed to even appear on private homepages, not to speak of press or magazines, without your written acknowledment and so on…
So there is my sceptical colleague sitting right behind me on the phone:
Phone Operator: Is this Mister Colleague?
Colleague: Yes
PO: Whats your birthdate?
C: Excuse me??
PO: Whats your Birthdate??
C: Why should i tell you my birthdate?
PO: Because we need to varify that you are Mr. Colleague!
C: Well, then maybe you want to tell me first who you are?
PO: No, i cant, i first have to varify you are Mr. Colleague, so whats your birthdate!
C: I wont give you my birthdate until you tell me who you are! You cant expect me to give my private details to anyone, especially to people calling me and not explaining me what it is good for…
PO: But i cant tell you what its for until you tell me your birhdate!
C: Well, Goodbye Then!!
One week later my colleague received a letter from his Banking Institute, denying him his upgrade of his Credit Card since they couldnt reach him, resp. get confirmation of him personally having applied for the Upgrade…
I cant believe it…
by an Asia experienced 26 year young expat living and surviving in Singapore since years!
Discovering new interesting and strange things everyday, he provides guides, news and tips for how to survive Singapore and how to best prepare for it.
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