Did we all read in the weekend papers about Carr's wonderful new
electronic payment card he's got plans for?
>A card that may change all our lives
>EXCLUSIVE By chief writer NATHAN VASS
>12aug01
>A REVOLUTIONARY commuter "smartcard" with the potential to create a
>cashless society in Sydney will be introduced by the State Government.
<http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,2566711%255
E701,00.html>
>This means one card will pay for bus, train and ferry trips, highway
>tolls, groceries, retail goods, online shopping, phone and utility bills,
>movie and concert tickets, traffic fines and professional services.
all sounding fine, except maybe the penultimate item listed... which
raises a red flag when I then read:
>"The smartcard will not need to be removed from a wallet or bag, it only
>needs to pass the validator, which will signal acceptance of the fare
and also
>They can be linked to a bank account so the card automatically "tops up"
>without the user ever having to go to a bank. The card could also become a
>driver's licence and Medicare card.
I wonder if the identification details will be automatically released and
handed over by the ticket scanners? I can't wait for the targeted
advertising in my mail box.
Panic starts to then set in when a few pages further into the paper I
find
>Revealed: Sydney's greediest speed cameras
<http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,2566643%255
E3163,00.html>
I imagine a dark future where a ticket inspector will walk up and down
the train, and by virtue of being in scanning range automatically issue
fines for not having a valid ticket. A quick stroll, without the
inconvenience of actually stopping and investigating, and the gummint
raises more revenue.
e.
______________________________________________________________________
eric@ironclad.net.au i r o n c l a d n e t w o r k s
information architect http://www.ironclad.net.au/
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