u/CyanoSecrets

For context, Europe, and particularly the UK which I'll use as an example, is currently pushing a digital ID system for its citizens under the guise of a "social media ban for under 16s". This follows last year's ban on adult content without ID verification. In effect, the government has cast a very broad definition of "social media" to include video games and anything with communications such that you will need your real ID verified to access the internet. Your ID info would be stored in a centralised government database and all web activity would be tracked.

This follows a ban in Australia which did not appear to reduce teen usage of social media but did increase the frequency and severity of data breaches.

Inevitably, the west will follow suit here making the same mistakes but I cannot help but wonder about the situation in China. I've been there, I've used WeChat and alipay, and aside from overzealous security (they flagged my friend as an uhsafe account, i was immediately banned from alipay for suspicious activity on the first use) ive never heard of data breaches. The biggest concern is libs fearing the party tracking your activity - but in the UK the government and foreign billionaires like Zuck track your activity.

My question is, to anyone more informed, do data breaches also happen at this scale in China as we predict will happen in Europe? If not, what steps have they taken to prevent such a measure? Judging on the apparent success of Chinese internet and ID systems compared to their western counterparts, what is the verdict on digital ID and data privacy as a whole? Especially from a materialist take if there is one.

I rented a room in a three bedroom flat for the last three years. As far as it goes, I'd describe my relationship with the landlady as very good. By very good, I mean she attended all of her obligations without any fuss, and never treated us unfairly.

When I gave her notice that I'm leaving, she expressed she was sad to see me go, as I'd been a really great tenant, and even took me out for a quick lunch. It was unexpected but a really nice touch.

I left my room better than i found it - and the entire flat by extension. I'd cleaned every inch of that place. Down to the light switches and electronic plug extenders caked in layers of grease and years of neglect. The mirrors that had never so much as been wiped. The mould growing over tiles. I stood on chairs to reach high up on the walls and clean as much as i could. Not for her obviously, but for me.

In my room she'd provided me with bedding with cigarette holes in it from the previous tenant. I never used it. I put it in the wardrobe and laundered it just before I moved out. I had a spare bedsheet I simply didn't want or need so I informed her I threw away the cigarette-hole bedsheets and washed and left my new one. I had also bought a rug and some cushions that wouldn't be of any use in my new place and decided to leave them because they looked nice in the room. There was precisely no monetary value of them to me and I dislike carrying things around forever.

We'd have precisely zero issues at all until today when I handed over my keys. We met at the property for the last time and she had cash deposit ready. As she was about to hand me the money she begged me to let her keep £50 of my £750 deposit because she had to buy new bedding because of the set with holes in it that she'd previously acknowledged in writing was not caused by me. She'd even thrown away the new bedsheet I'd left for her too, probably out of ignorance.

Her justification was not only that, but the bare minimum basic landlord responsibility of giving the walls a once over with some paint and clearing some cobwebs. £50 "for her labour".

£50 isn't nothing to me, but it's not the end of the world. I was just more stunned that she'd even request it after describing me as a "model tenant" and all the rest. Until now, in 10 years renting the most I was ever charged was £12.50 because "the oven was unclean" and for that miniscule sum of money I just didn't even feel like disputing it.

I am naive for ever thinking otherwise I suppose but I still feel betrayed. I never was under the impression we were friends but I saw us as two parties upholding a contract. With a pleasant interpersonal relationship. I did literally nothing wrong and was punished for actually providing both labour and money that benefitted her, and ultimately fined for it.

I guess I just wanted to share it here so the rest of my comrades 1) laugh at my naivety, and 2) never ever think any of the bourgeoisie class will pass up on exploiting you given the opportunity.

I'm not solely talking about the AE reduction here - we all agree it's great. Are there any nations in a good position in any sense (either optimised, or for RP) to actually make use of espionage ideas outside of the meta ideas such as AE reduction, a diplomat and advisor cost?

I'd love to actually use support rebels, to sabotage reputation and to mess with people's merchants and go to trade wars. But I find it difficult to find a situation that calls for it.

Perhaps the best use so far I've found is the favour growth modifier - I recently started allying the allies of my rivals and using favours to break alliances prior to an invasion. I just wish I could break all the alliances at once instead of having to deal with a 10 year cool down.