Sunday, December 26, 2004
Local Records
While most attention goes to what information is kept at a federal level, the GAO has just published an eye-opening report on what is happening at the state and local level. The report estimates that “individuals’ SSNs are displayed in some public records in 80 to 94 percent of U.S. counties.” Government agencies in 41 states and the District of Columbia fess up to showing the SSN on at least one public record – most often court and property records.
In addition to routine records, the report also noted that id cards issued by the government to employees and for some benefits programs also display an SSN. The GAO’s count of vulnerable folk: 57 million.
We will probably see some action from this report, which is too gently titled Government Accountability Offce, Social Security Numbers: Governments Could Do More to Reduce Display in Public Records and On Identity Cards. Until legislators clean up the risk they themselves have created, you might want to check out what to do in the chapter on government records in my book.
In addition to routine records, the report also noted that id cards issued by the government to employees and for some benefits programs also display an SSN. The GAO’s count of vulnerable folk: 57 million.
We will probably see some action from this report, which is too gently titled Government Accountability Offce, Social Security Numbers: Governments Could Do More to Reduce Display in Public Records and On Identity Cards. Until legislators clean up the risk they themselves have created, you might want to check out what to do in the chapter on government records in my book.
# posted by AmandaWelsh @ 7:33 AM 
