BTC ATMs

[Pantum]

I didn't know what to expect when I tried using one of these ATMs for the first time. I needed to provide my ID, though, which I wasn't completely comfortable with, and then scan a barcode from my phone. Luckily I have 2 phones, one of them an HTC 10 that has a 5.2" screen because my OnePlus 3T wouldn't have fit in the scanning window with it's 5.5" screen (I guess these are older ATMs that didn't account for phablet-sized devices). Anyhow, by the time I completed all the necessary verification requirements, I realized that they absolutely RAPE you in fees. I was looking to buy $200USD worth of BTC at $3660 (on exchanges) and they were charging in excess of $4200!!! I was like "oh hell no!!". Unless you're very very desperate and can afford to pay those absurdly exorbitant fees (i.e. highway robbery), I would definitely recommend seeking alternative methods of deposit.  

WAIT! WHAT!? There's simply no way I use one of those with that kind of fees!! I wonder if all companies use the same fees for them though.

[Pantum]

There were ways around the controls of the ATMs I've seen. For example, you could get $1000 USD cash out of the ATM, with only a phone number. This can done easily by simply asking a bystander what their number is and then asking them to tell you the code they just got texted. Several people did this for me in a casino, in exchange for me offering them some little token amount of cash

I see! So not all of them ask you for an ID. If that would be the case I would feel a little more comfortable since you can always have a cheap phone with a prepaid card not linked to you.

There's a venezuelan company that intend to install BTC ATMs at my country. I'm just wondering, are those really safe to use? Do they respect privacy and decentralized ideals of BTC?

I would like opinion and knowledge of people who have used them

I've used the bitcoin debit card and it seems very easy to use it through atm even usual atm that already supported the visa. About the privacy because some company gives a mandatory to the users to filling the form of the KYC/AML. I think to use the bitcoin ATM still keep your privacy because that was working based on the algorithm such as bitcoin wallet.
So, it's not possible to know who is you and where are you from.
This is just my 2 cents.

I guess I'll have to wait to see the policies they adopt for our local legislation.

[btcprospecter]

If you are really worried about it maybe use a different wallet to your main one. Ether transfer btc to that one and use that wallet for any atm transaction.