By the way, how do you buy bitcoin from the Vietnam machine pictured in the OP? Do you put cash into it like a soda vending machine or do you have to use a credit/debit card?
The small slot with red lighting is for inserting the cash, it looks like the basic ultraviolet scanner to identify fake bills.
I don't see anything that would fit a credit/debit card on that thing.
Can you actually buy bitcoin anonymously at any of these ATMs? How is that possible aside from feeding the machine cash?
That's the anonymity, you stuff some bills in, tell it where to send your coins and if you're below a certain amount (depends on the country) they won't ask you for any documents. I know for certain that in the Czech Republic and Poland you can buy for under 100 euros (at least, no sure on the max) with no id.
Also, I wonder how old that ATM is, sure looks like it had been through some rough times..and the location....
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Privately owned by the local owner?
For credit/debit it needs an iso7816 reader, but most importantly, banking support, and this is the biggest obstacle.
The ATMs can easily be taking pictures of you. Maybe not the ones you tried, but i expect them to do it either verbosely of secretly, just to "cover themselves" in case of a legal investigation. The camera might be on the atm itself, or nearby. Usually they have cameras pointed at them, just to "deter vandalism"...
Just like most bank atms take pictures or video of you all the time, so can these. Cameras are very easy to conceal nowdays, don't expect to notice them.