Interesting post.

I am generally a big fan of Oystercard - makes accounting for travel easier, has the potential for intelligent fares (one day cards, loyalty etc).

The privacy issues are a concern and for me the issue is making the risks fully transparent and trying to ensure that no one is fooled.

Thanks for an interesting blog which I scan regularly!

any more info on jamming techniques would be appreciated

Thanks for your post. I too am not a great fan of giving out my personal details to all, specially to the likes of Ken L., who would only use it to track down your every move and think of ways to maximize his fares. As it is, too many organisations already have my details. I had thought that the prepay Oyster card would be ideal for me, now that I have been forced into using TFL (YUK!). Problem is, they won't sell me one unless I register. No amount of explaination works,even showing their leaflet which explains it. I do not mind paying the deposit, that makes sense. The idea of this card is great, only if it was'nt used to screw the poor defencless public. After all, it's only a glorified train ticket. (I await phone taps etc)

We certainly have not registered our pre-paid Oyster Cards. Perhaps it is worth trying to find some better trained staff at a different station ?

If you don't want to give your information to Uncle Ken, register with fake details. I did. Makes no difference whatsoever, and nobody has ever checked anything. I think I gave my real date of birth in case it's ever used as password verification or something, but that's it and I've never been asked for it anyway.