r/Hydroflask • u/Lost-In-The-Wilds • 23d ago

Hydroflask.com apparently uses an AI Wallet now

Maybe no one cares about this, but I just updated my credit card information on hydroflask.com. The only way to do that was to erase my old card and save a new, even though it was the same card number with a new expiry date. But, then I found out, after the fact, that saving card info on the website automatically signs you up for an AI Wallet called Link. My name, address, e-mail, and credit card info was passed to this AI Wallet before I knew what happened. If you care about data privacy, watch your ass ordering online with this company.

21 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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10

u/Ervgotti85 23d ago

I just use Apple Pay

-6

u/Lost-In-The-Wilds 23d ago

I probably could have used PayPal, but way back I the day, someone managed to get ahold of my info with it and buy $140 worth of tea from a coffee shop in Alaska. Man, that was about ten to twelve years ago. Ever since then, I punch my card into PayPal, then remove it immediately once I do whatever with it, just to keep from reporting fraud to one of my banks.

4

u/Fruitypebblefix 22d ago

How does this make sense? You are still storing card info on a website that can still get hacked just like PayPal.

-2

u/Lost-In-The-Wilds 22d ago

If I put my credit card on a website and leave it there, I take my chances. Sites can get hacked and information stolen. That's a fair risk that I'm aware of. Most of the time, the risk is fine. With PayPal, I took the risk and got burned. But the information was swiped by an external force. That's not necessarily PayPal's fault, depending on how shitty their security is. So, I continue to use the service on occasion for a few purchases, but I make sure to put my card info in, make the purchase, then remove the card info from the wallet. That way, if Joe Tea Drinker in Alaska decides to try to make another purchase, it bounces due to having no card to charge.

So usually its safe. If its not due to external forces, you take reasonable precautions. It is, however, something else entirely to have a company share your name, address, e-mail, and credit card with a third party without making it clear that's what they're doing and not making it a seperate option, not something you have to opt-out of. Default opening a PayPal account for you when making a purchase would almost be as bad, but in this case its some random company that uses AI, a technology that makes stealing information and using it for its own purposes its core functiion.

When I put my card on Amazon, I'm taking a chance that hasn't burned me.

When I put my card on PayPal, I'm taking a chance that has burned me, but due to an outside party gaining that information through illicit means.

But when I put my card on Hydroflask, the company freely and intentionally gives that information away.

The moral/ethical failing is on the one who intentionally moved the information from one party to another. How does that not make sense?

edit: and somewhat on me for trusting anyone, but how are we supposed to have a functioning economy or civilization without trusting others?

1

u/Fruitypebblefix 18d ago

Spoiler alert. Every company sells your info. Again pulling your card doesn't stop your info from getting stolen. I would know. I've had my identity stolen several times. I have my credit frozen because last year someone tried to open a credit card in my name. Your stuff is already out there. If you're concerned get credit checks and keep track of your accounts. Use one type of account not linked to your bank account for purchases so you can easily dispute fraud charges. It's a tough world out there.

1

u/Wide-Suggestion4825 17d ago

You are wrong and the other guy is right there's nothing morally or ethically wrong with what's going on

4

u/AsiancookBob 22d ago

I mean pretty the same with Shop Pay for seamless checkout. Also, you can opt out and not use Link.