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Explore a detailed conference talk examining the bureaucratic battles that ensued when two researchers submitted Freedom of Information requests to UK and Slovenian railway operators seeking specifications for train ticket barcode systems. Learn about the months-long legal processes, internal reviews, and appeals that followed these seemingly straightforward requests for public information. Discover the technical aspects of train ticket encoding systems, including how barcodes store passenger journey data and personal information, building upon previous reverse engineering work while addressing gaps in understanding newer ticket formats with updated cryptographic keys. Understand the Freedom of Information Act processes in both the UK and Slovenia, including strategies for challenging unreasonable arguments from public authorities when they resist disclosure requests. Follow the ongoing legal drama as railway companies across both countries mobilized to prevent access to what should be publicly available technical specifications, despite the non-sensitive nature of public key cryptography information. Gain insights into digital rights advocacy, government transparency issues, and the intersection of transportation technology with information freedom laws through this real-world case study of institutional resistance to legitimate public information requests.
