Transport for London has been criticised by the Information
Commissioner's Office for collecting data on child travellers
"without a clear purpose", reports the BBC.
TfL collects names, ages, addresses and school details of
children aged 11-18 who apply for free travel using the Oyster Zip
photocard.
TfL admits application data will be shared with its
subsidiaries. Those not wanting to share their information will not
get a card and will not be able to travel for free.
TfL said it needed the information to prevent anti-social
behaviour and to be able to cancel the card to prevent miscreants
from travelling on its network.
Police already use information collected from the adult
Oyster card system to glean details about passenger
movements.
BBC London has learned that in the past year alone, they have
made at least 3,000 requests for information.
A spokesperson for the ICO told the BBC, "It is not clear
whether young people are really being offered a genuinely free
choice here.
"We have some concerns that the information provided to young
people about Zip cards does not clearly state why the personal
information is being collected, how it will be used and how long it
will be retained."
The ICO said it would be contacting the TfL about its
concerns.
TfL said it needed the information to make sure young travellers
abided its "behaviour code".