Clubs, pubs and nightspots are increasingly scanning and recording their patron's driver licences but are being warned by authorities to take their responsibilities under privacy laws seriously.
Dozens of the machines, which either scan and record ID cards or take photographs and record the basic details of club visitors, can be found in areas of the Illawarra where binge-drinking and alcohol-fuelled trouble among youths is common.
Clubs have praised their impact on reducing anti-social behaviour but the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, says if clubs are reckless with the information, they risk having a privacy complaint lodged against them.
According to results of a national privacy survey, only 18 per cent of Australians believe it is acceptable for their ID to be copied or scanned when entering licensed premises.
Ms Curtis said that her office received its first complaint on ID scanning in December 2001, but said that there had been an increase in the number of enquiries and complaints on the issue in recent months, possibly because of a growth in the number of pubs and clubs using the scanning technology.
"People are understandably concerned that having their ID scanned could lead to identity theft, or that their details will be used by the pubs or clubs for unrelated purposes, such as direct marketing," Ms Curtis said.
A Mercury straw poll found most club visitors went along with the practice. There was some concern, particularly among younger women who visited night-clubs, that the information might be mis-used.
They weren't sure they trusted security staff at all venues with all the information available on licences.
Tony Heathwood, of Kiama Downs, said he was refused entry to Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club recently because he asked that his driver licence not be scanned.
"I was quite fine with the club having my name, address and signature but there are other details on the licence that I don't think they need," he said.
"My concern is that a driver licence contains a lot of information and an image and if it fell into the wrong hands someone could create a fraudulent licence.
"I also couldn't be sure what would happen to my information and how long it would be kept."
The club's chief executive, Matt O'Hara, said the machines had become more common around the Illawarra because of the positive effect they had in keeping undesirable elements out of clubs.
His club stores information for no longer than two weeks and has a strict privacy policy.
"We noticed the impact straight away and they did slow down business a bit," he said. "But we want to make sure the right people get into our club."
Mr O'Hara said the technology meant that at another club where a crime had been committed, police were able to be given the person's name and photograph within hours.
A spokeswoman for the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing said clubs must comply with privacy laws but hotels had no legal reason to obtain the information.
Obligatio ns that organisations have under the Privacy Act
Allowing patrons to interact with them anonymously where possible.
Only scanning people's ID if the organisation can prove it needs it for its functions and activities, and has established that sighting the ID is not sufficient.
Only collecting the minimum amount of information needed.
Giving people notice as to why their ID is being scanned and what will be done with the information.
Only using the information for the purposes for which it was collected.
Protecting the scanned information from misuse and loss.
Destroying the information when it is no longer needed.
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