There was also a report in one of the free London papers reporting on how the authorities are using technology to trace peoples movements from thier Oyster cards.Intresting,espically as tfl intends to phase out the travel card and introduce oyster across the spectrum. Big Brother is here and watching.Be careful of O`Brien!!!!

At least at the moment, it's possible to get an Oyster card without 'registering', and anyway, it's very easy to get a card with a made-up name and address (and it's not illegal to do so either). Of course in the future that may all change, but if you've already got one like that.....

The only way to not give your details, though, is to get a weekly travel card. If you get a monthly you do have to give your personal details...

The Oyster card scheme was always about following people's movements.

The scary thing is that data retained in their database is impossible to contest or correct; imagine what can happen, when used at a hearing for instance.

Imagine you get bus number 25, which goes from Oxford Street to East London. Imagine the bus driver forgets to tell his "machine" that he has long ago left Oxford Street. Every one who gets on the bus, even if they get on at Stepney Green, record on their Oyster Card (and to the central database) that they get on the bus at Oxford Street.

I have seen this happen. It may sound trivial. But wait for the Oyster records to be used at trials.

In response to the above comments,may I put a few things right.As a working bus driver in London I am expirencing many changes in the industry that are eroding peoples civil liberties in my view. Firstly the use of CCTV combined with the use of oyster cards which as I understand tfl and the British transport police(BTP) are trying to get the legislation changed so that it will be a criminal offence to give false information for the application for oyster cards.As for bus drivers changing the fare stages on our ticket machines noting where we are,this system has be out dated long ago,nearly every,if not every bus is/are now fitted with tracking devices which have signal receptors at bus stops and traffic lights(this is how the countdown system works). As I understand the oyster card system,TFL and BTP and I should think the security services in general intend to be able to track every single passenger in time for the London olympics. In my opinion by 2012 the movements of every single Londoner will be monitored.CCTV oyster cards on public transport,CCTV on roads for cars,face recognition by CCTV. In fact I can see the only way round this is for anyone not wanting to be noted is to wear a muslim veil. What is needed is a militant assembly of bus drivers.Alas due to the divide and rule tactics of both management and the main union the TGWU this seems far off. The only way is for autonomous actions by drivers which is on the increase.There are a lot of drivers wo don`t care whether passengers have a valid ticket or not,after all why should we risk life and limb so the privatised companies make vast profits whilst us drivers on the front line as it were take all the flack while being denied any decent pay increase.To add insult to injury,any fare eveder found on a bus,the driver is then finacially penalised. Free public transport!!!!!! Can`t pay wont pay. Only when these companies see thier vast profits reduced will they take action,it is up to all of us who use public transport to reclaim it. Apathy is not an option!