With paper printed books, you have certain freedoms. You can acquire the book anonymously by paying cash, which is the way I always buy books. I never use a credit card. I don't identify to any database when I buy books. Amazon takes away that freedom.

The quote "With paper printed books, you have certain freedoms. You can acquire the book anonymously by paying cash, which is the way I always buy books. I never use a credit card. I don't identify to any database when I buy books. Amazon takes away that freedom." by Richard Stallman highlights the issue of privacy in the context of purchasing and owning books. Stallman points out that when buying physical books with cash, a person can do so without leaving a trace or being tracked by any databases, maintaining their anonymity. In contrast, purchasing books from online retailers like Amazon often involves the use of personal information, credit cards, and account registrations, which compromises one's privacy and freedoms.

Stallman, a well-known advocate for software freedom and privacy, emphasizes the loss of these freedoms in the digital age. He is particularly concerned about the surveillance that accompanies online transactions, where personal information is collected and stored in databases. For Stallman, the act of buying a book should be a private transaction, free from external tracking and control, which he feels is increasingly compromised in the digital marketplace.

Richard Stallman’s stance on privacy and freedom is deeply rooted in his broader philosophy about digital rights and the importance of freedom in all areas of technology. As the founder of the Free Software Foundation, Stallman has been a strong proponent of user autonomy, advocating for systems and practices that respect privacy and allow individuals to have control over their own data. His critique of Amazon is consistent with his broader concerns about the loss of personal freedom in a world where data collection and digital surveillance are pervasive.

In conclusion, Stallman’s quote serves as a critique of the loss of privacy in the digital age, where even simple activities like buying a book can lead to being tracked and monitored. His view is that while paper books provide a level of anonymity and freedom, online purchases—especially with large companies like Amazon—remove that freedom, replacing it with a system that collects and stores personal information. For Stallman, this represents a broader issue about the erosion of personal rights in the digital world.