It will not only be retailers and marketing companies who might take an interest in the movements and purchases of individuals.
Many government agencies have sweeping statutory powers to access such records.
It will now be feasible for agencies such as the Australian Tax Office and the Department of Social Security to seek access to records of smart card use to check records of expenditure. Smart card promoters, who may be able to ensure confidentiality in most circumstances through the use of encryption and other security measures, would still be required to release information in a decrypted format to government agencies exercising statutory powers. This information is then forwarded to the Australian Tax Office and a number of law enforcement agencies, often by direct computer link. In addition, the Australian Tax Office now targets particular professions, such as solicitors or taxi drivers, and carries out intensive audits of these professions on a group basis.