Big Brother is Watching You Ride the Bus

Electronic passes used to board transit systems in the Seattle region could offer a new eye for Big Brother. According to privacy rights activists, the data in the employer-provided passes can be monitored by employers without employees' knowledge.

1 minute read

December 20, 2009, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg

"While those riders enjoy not having to dig for change, their movements are recorded electronically on buses and at rail stations. Governments use that information to help divide the fare income and study travel patterns among seven different transit agencies in four Puget Sound counties.

But what thousands of commuters might not realize is that their movements also could be checked by their bosses."

Employers have the ability to monitor where their employees' transit passes are being used. Though the intention is to fight fraud, the ability also allows them to effectively see everywhere their employees go on public transit.

FULL STORY: Is Big Brother watching your ORCA card?

Friday, December 18, 2009 in The Seattle Times

Government / Politics Social / Demographics Transportation Washington Transit Seattle Bus Transit Passes View More

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