Opal Cards Big Brother purpos confirmed

NSW commuters, you'll feel extra-specially secure and protected shortly once all of the state's public transport swaps over to the new Opal card system. It's quick, it's easy, and your data can be accessed by the police, Centrelink, the ATO and other organisations any time they want. It's just so convenient!

Yes, by using the handy tap-on tap-off system your card can automatically recharge itself via your nominated bank account - just one of the details that can be accessed under the terms and conditions that you're required to accept as part of using the card that is shortly to be the only way to use public transport. It saves all that messy mucking around buying tickets every week or having to produce evidence of just cause to apply through the courts for a warrant.

Victorians and Queenslanders have already long enjoyed the benefits of smartcard transport access and covert surveillance. Especially Queenslanders, as it turns out.

NSW Council for Civil Liberties spokesman Stephen Blanks is especially excited. "There's probably more than 100 agencies that have law enforcement powers which could have access to Opal records under its privacy policy. It's everyone from the RSPCA through to environmental protection agencies and even local councils."

It's worth making clear that "unregistered" Opal cards will be available shortly that can be topped up with cash rather than linked to the bank accounts of specific users, so there's a work around. But where's the thrill in catching a bus without wondering if someone is monitoring your movements without your knowledge?