It's a consequence of concentration of power. People and organizations do what they have the power to do. Which is why the democracy is built on splitting power between as many people as possible.

Private, consolidated mega-corporations largely sidestep the democratic process, and these kind of things are the consequence of that.

Visa/Mastercard have been doing this for decades, it's certainly not a "right now" thing. You might just be hearing about it.

This isn't new. It's just an increasing problem in a digital, cashless world and people are getting sick of it.

It's nothing new, just the newest wave of credit card attacks based on ideaology.

But what's going on: lots of unrest in the world mixed with a dying generation with the most wealth trying to secure a legacy. Awful combination for freedom and livelihood.