Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!execu!sequoia!balkan!dogface!wnss!las From: las@wnss (root) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Social Security numbers Message-ID: Date: 19 Feb 91 03:35:59 GMT References: <21979@duke.cs.duke.edu> Organization: We Never Stop Searching, Austin, Texas Lines: 52 jfw@neuro (John F. Whitehead) writes: > In article <4611@orchid12.UUCP> motcid!ellis@chg.mcd.mot.com > (John T Ellis) writes: > > 3. Currently, it is NOT illegal for anyone to ask you for your SS#. > > However, it IS illegal for them to refuse you service if you do > > not give it to them. If you encounter any problems with this, you > > are asked to contact the nearest SS office and report the offence. > This is not exactly true. > > It turns out that the laws (most recently revised at length in 1976) only > protect you from giving your SSN to certain *public* agencies. You are > required to give your SSN to government agencies dealing with tax matters, > state driver's license applications, and several others. Public agencies > not included in this list can not force you to give your SSN, or to refuse > you service for withholding it. > If someone can provide a citation, I'd be glad to (1) enter the text (Provided I can't find it on-line at the State Law Library here :-)) and (2) speak to a few (arg) attorneys about the issue involved here. Unfortunately, they're not civil liberty types, but they are very good. > There doesn't seem to be enough people concerned about this to make a > change to cause the private sector to not ask your SSN. But everyone following this thread is a start, and good things start small! > Several people I've spoken to say "what's the big deal". I don't believe we really understand just how "big a deal this is/will be" until it's too late. Unless people like those interested enough begin some sort of education campaign. It's easy enough. Pick up a sixer, and chew on your neighbors ear for a few minutes. Again, great change begins with a whisper. > By now everyone is probably cross-referenced enough that they can figure > out your SSN anyway. Say "welcome" to Big Brother... Perhaps I'm too idealistic (doubtful!) but I don't believe the "big connection" has been made yet. But it's not far away. > John Whitehead Internet: jfw@neuro.duke.edu > Department of Neurobiology jfw@well.sf.ca.us > Duke University Medical Center Bitnet: white002@dukemc > Durham, North Carolina [...] cs.utexas.edu!dogface!wnss!las Lance Spangler PARENTAL KIDNAPPING IS A CRIME Senior Producer WITH NO AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE! KVUE Television Support its prosecution ! Austin, Texas All appropriate disclaimers apply.