It makes much more sense to implant a microchip. That would have less
chance of being stolen (8-)
-- Howard. LANNet Computing Associates Contact detail at http://www.lannetlinux.comOn Mon, 13 Aug 2001, Eric Scheid wrote:
> 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/ > >
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.1 : Fri Aug 31 2001 - 03:10:04 EST