Universities’ privacy concerns over Student Opal Cards

Universities’ privacy concerns over Student Opal Cards

By Raveena Grover

Student Concession Opal Cards will be made available to tertiary students in February, but concerns over privacy and access to student data may effect the release date.

More than 250, 000 students will be eligible for the concession Opal card next month, however many New South Wales universities are still hesitant to sign on because of privacy concerns. Student data is required to be shared by tertiary institutions with Transport NSW before their students can have access to the Opal card.

A spokesperson from the University of Sydney said “the University of Sydney is assisting Transport NSW to find a way to provide information which will allow students to benefit from concessional transport rates.”

Mackenzie Scott, 18, a Communications student from the University of Technology, Sydney, says she doesn’t believe her information should be released to the government.

“When I fill out my university forms, I do so in the belief that no third party will have access to my information without my authorization”.

“It is an invasion of privacy…I’ve got nothing to hide but without a warrant, I don’t like the idea of someone knowing my whereabouts or routine,” she said.

Scott states the only benefit the Opal card will have for her and many other students is they will no longer have to queue for a ticket.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian is optimistic.

“We have been able to start the rollout of the Concession Opal card from early next year, so students can take advantage of Opal’s benefits, including cheaper fares, weekly travel rewards and the convenience of never having to queue for a ticket again,” she said.

The University of NSW, Notre Dame University, Macquarie University, Navitas English and the Australian Catholic University are the only tertiary institutions so far which have agreed to the partnership.

The year begins without the card for tertiary students, but it will be available by February.

More NSW universities are expected to join up with Transport NSW before the card is released.

When contacted Transport NSW said the details are still being finalised by universities.

“The eligibility details are still being confirmed and we cannot comment on those at the moment,” a spokesperson said, “the details for what type of student data is required will be released from February.”

 

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