why do you need this information?

I'm getting rather hot around the collar here in SG.  It seems that every single time I want to do anything, buy anything, book anything I need to tell some one everything and anything that they've deemed part of their system needs to know.

My latest was booking tickets with Sistic.  If I do that in Hong Kong, they want my name and credit card number and expiry date and we're done.  Here in SG, they "need" my ID number, my nationality, my mobile number, my email address and then my credit card, name and expiry date.

I went for a foot massage today.  They wanted all my details including my address and race.

Race, yes, did you know if you want a loyalty card at Yamaha to buy a never ending needed supply of clarinet reeds they need to know your race and nationality?  In a country which jails people for sedition and racial slurs, I find that a racial slur.  What does my race have to do with me buying a clarinet reed?  Who needs to know and why?  I come from Africa people, we've been through that whole race thing.  I'm from the human race these days.  (He wouldn't let me put that down).

And once they've gotten hold of your email and / or mobile number, heaven help you, the number of unsolicited emails and sms's you'll receive.

Apparently a new privacy law is coming in at the end of this year - not a moment too soon.  Apparently then I can give them information on a "need to know for this transaction" basis.  I'm not holding my breath.