So much for Oyster Card's claim that we don't have to register, can remain private etc so they can only snoop on our travel but not who we are etc.

I recently tried to put in a claim for the 15 minute tube delay 'customer charter' and found out that by submitting a claim that my name and address would be uploaded to the TFL database and my Oyster card could be 'reverse' searched, meaning my details would be known to TFL even though my Oyster Card is unregistered.

When I contacted them about this I was told that even though my card is unregistered the fact that I submit a claim means my card is 'associated' my my name and address. This isn't privacy. This is back door data capture and not only intrusive but makes a mockery of TFL's claim that we can preserve our privacy on their tracking databases.

When I asked why they needed my name and address to make a customer charter claim (as they can see the journey I attempted to make or was delayed on, where I touched in and out etc) they insisted they still needed to know 'who I am' but won't say why! Yet again we are being conned and tricked into giving out masses of personal info to a database which is part of the current surveillance society.
NB, TFL is a government body. Go figure!

If you're that paranoid, get another card?

> If you're that paranoid, get another card?

and a time machine so you only use the registered card on journeys you know will be delayed

Another way to avoid TFL snooping is to completely shun the Oyster system altogether by paying cash, or save your money and buy a bike which is a much faster method of travel overall anyway.

> Another way to avoid TFL snooping is to completely
> shun the Oyster system altogether by paying cash, or
> save your money and buy a bike which is a much faster
> method of travel overall anyway.

Yes, obviously it's much easier to bike all the way from Cockfosters to Heathrow than it is to get on the tube... Ummm..

I guard the privacy of my Oyster card by shielding it from prying eyes when touching it on the reader.