Smart Card Ticket Barrier Event Logging

[coursemyhorse]

When an individual goes through a barrier using a Smart Card, say on South Western network, and also on TFL barriers, what information is logged on an individual?

Is it:

a) Nothing, the barrier simply checks if the smart card is valid and allows/denies entry
b) Date and time stamp is logged to "the network" and stored along with the Smart Card number as an event against a customer.

The reason I ask, is I am wondering if such events stored in case B could be obtained either through legal channels (network operators permission) or illegally to track movement of an individual in cases of law.

 

[paddington]

Information is certainly logged for TfL barriers otherwise it would not be visible on your Oyster online account (or able to be seen should you register for one later), nor would a contactless bank card be able to be charged.

AFAIK the information is easily accessible for up to 8 weeks and then it is anonymised. If the police or GCHQ etc. wish to track you then they probably are already doing so, including requesting TfL records where needed, and even if you always topped up in cash and regularly discarded Oysters, they would probably be (attempting to) follow you on CCTV.

 

[route:oxford]

illegally to track movement of an individual in cases of law.

It can't track the movement of an individual, only the movement of the card.

Can you clarify what you mean by illegally tracking movement? It's unlikely to be illegal if there is a court order or warrant.

 

[Mathew S]

It can't track the movement of an individual, only the movement of the card.

Can you clarify what you mean by illegally tracking movement? It's unlikely to be illegal if there is a court order or warrant.

An example of illegal tracking would be someone with access to the the data using it to track the movements of a spouse/friend/neighbour/etc without valid reason or permission. I'd assumed that was what the OP meant.

 

[MikeWh]

AFAIK the information is easily accessible for up to 8 weeks and then it is anonymised.

In the case of Oyster, yes, 8 weeks is the limit. For contactless journeys the limit is a year as they are justifications for direct transactions with your bank account or credit card.