The Australian Privacy Foundation seeks reassurance from the Minister for Transport that an electronic ticketing system will protect traveler’s privacy and writes, in part:
The human right to freedom of movement within one’s own country requires that people be able to travel anonymously, including on public transport. This has always has been respected in the NSW transport network. In addition, people want to avoid their travel patterns being stored in a government database, because to many this is very sensitive personal data. Features such as this are expensive to retro-fit, but inexpensive if designed in from the outset.
Would you please confirm that:
• the scheme is required to support anonymous travel;
• such data as is gathered will not be personally identifiable; and
• your Government will ensure that the delivered product conforms with that Requirement.