California SSN and Encryption

[lists@notatla.demon.co.uk]

From: Roland Perry <roland@linx.net>

In message <3.0.2.32.20020712064827.012e3d00@pop3.norton.antivirus>,
Donald ramsbottom <donald@ramsbottom.co.uk> writes
>The problem of identity theft is via Social Security Numbers is getting so
>bad new laws mandating encryption of transmission of neumbers.

>"California Law Curbs Release of Social Security Numbers, Mandates Encryption

book plug:
    Database Nation
    Simson Garfinkel
    O'Reilly
    0-596-00105-3

> There's a strong impression amongst many UK institutions that it's
> illegal under UK law to use the NI numbers for any purpose other than
> gathering NI. For example, as a way to identify employees for more
> general (including IT related) purposes. Does anyone know if this is an
> urban myth?

I don't know what the law says but the paperwork for radiation film badges
in the early 1990s included NI number.  For disambiguation of names at work
we are using staff number if any or date of birth if not.

-- 
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