I am right there with you, Bob.
We can be programmed, spied on, tracked, etc. by the bloody things, smartphones.
I routinely give out a fax number I keep in a separate building from my house when absolutely forced to recite a 7 digit number, but most often decline to give one.
Just yesterday I wanted to buy a Microsoft software bundle for kid #3 who starts university in a few weeks. Online you are not permitted to buy the software and get the activation code without saving the credit card number in the Microsoft account one is obligated to have when purchasing the bloody software. Round and round I went with customer service rep, her supervisor, then his supervisor (they were in India)... color me suspicious and non-trusting of the good will involved with their rules for purchase.
Went to the stupid store in the stupid mall today and paid cash just to piss them off.
We are in a world of hurt if Q and POTUS don’t win.
Even my 3 kids are leery of smartphones...progress on the home front.
A team of scientists in Korea and the United States have invented a device that can control neural circuits using a tiny brain implant controlled by a smartphone.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190805143525.htm
Sounds very astute of you and your progeny. I have been suspicious of this smart phone tech from the start; but one reason I haven't gotten involved is simply the time involved... I move at sort of glacial speed anyway nowadays. Add all the tracking, marketing and digital personal archiving and it just seems to be a bit of a trap.
I feel the same (spiritual) caveat about debit cards: what if they digitalize all currency? Not only do I become dependent on the card to survive, the banking system can exercise complete control over me. I use the debit card, notwithstanding, but I would like to keep at least a little cash on hand in case a crush comes. (Greece)
Perilous times.