http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15690187

Keep a beady eye on these credit card statements. Again.

What pisses me off about this is that you are required to have a card on file. Firms need to remove that requirement immediately.

+1

Absolutely. I only joined Steam to download a copy of Portal, which was free that weekend. But, yes, I’d rather type in a card number at time of purchase. That would control any impulse buying. iTunes is much the same. I’d be happy to load my iTunes account with, say, a tenner, and spend that without having to keep a card on file.

When did that start? Or is it if you ever by anything?

I have/had a steam account but I only ever downloaded free things. Never had to link a card. But you're quite right, I hate any company that doesn't allow you the choice of them storing your card details or not.

You don't need to have a card on file for Steam. You do get the option to save your details though stupidly they tick this box by default at the checkout.
I don't store my card details on there.

Me neither.
When ever there's an option I don't store my details.

I write to my MP (Simon “Third Degree” Burns) about this. He says I’ve raised some valid points and will be bringing them up with the minister concerned. He said I may have to wait 6 weeks for a reply though.

Got a reply from my MP today. It was a long time coming, and he has sent two apologetic letters in the meantime. He enclosed a letter from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The basics are this: the Data Protection Act covers the storage of credit card details. As long as there is a legitimate reason for doing so, they can be stored. A “customer client” relationship covers this use. So signing up for an online service that requires a credit card is legitimate as you are initiating such a relationship, I guess. They can’t keep your details if that relationship ends.

The letter also points me to the Information Commissioner’s Office if I feel anything nefarious is going on. So beyond the boiler plate ICO stuff, it is as it is. The message: if you don’t like the storage of personal information by someone else, don‘t sign up in the first place or terminate the relationship.

I have to say I for one don't consider that an entirely unreasonable position. However, the person who is holding the information should be required to explicitly state how the information will be stored and what it will be used for before the relationship is considered valid.

Jon

Are the Visa "one-time" cards still available? The card expires automatically after one transaction.