My guess is that most people in El Salvador will download the wallet, get their $30, and then abandon it and just continue to use USD.
The Chivo application works for free over cellular data without the need for a data plan. WiFi public hotspots aren't hard to come by either, especially in stores. If anything, getting more people online would be a good thing.
> It makes it a lot easier for the government to track people though given that they are getting their citizens to download the government-sponsored wallet
It should be noted that you don't have to use the government-sponsored wallet, but that is how they're distributing the $30 drop. For all intents and purposes, you could get the drop and delete the application.
If the shops have WiFi that's enough. Also, public WiFi. Still, your point stands to a certain extend, connected to your next line:
> It makes it a lot easier for the government to track people
There is indeed a danger to the democratic process here. But I don't know if the solution is to just not do crypto. I don't know what would be best.
> My guess is that most people in El Salvador will download the wallet, get their $30, and then abandon it and just continue to use USD.
My guess BTC takes off over there.