Path: utzoo!lsuc!ecicrl!clewis
From: clewis@ecicrl.UUCP (Chris Lewis)
Newsgroups: can.general
Subject: Re: SIN Number
Keywords: one more time
Message-ID: <166@ecicrl.UUCP>
Date: 22 Dec 88 05:15:22 GMT
References: <302@idacom.UUCP> <723@apss.apss.ab.ca>
Reply-To: clewis@ecicrl.UUCP (Chris Lewis)
Distribution: can
Organization: Elegant Communications Inc. (CRL Division)
Lines: 38

In article <723@apss.apss.ab.ca> jhp@apss.ab.ca (Herbert Presley) writes:
>	I hope these remarks will be of benefit.  Basically, your SIN is a piece
>of ID, no more, no less.

SINs are particularly crummy ID.  They've been recycling numbers for over 10
years - and most of the time they don't know for sure that the original holder
is dead.  Secondly, a store would have a particularly difficult time trying
to track someone using a SIN number (or an OHIP number for that matter).
CPP and Revenue Canada have pretty strict guidelines as to who can use their
files (eg: nobody except employees of the departments dealing with them).
Record spills notwithstanding (which usually turn out to be disgruntled
civil servants) it's pretty difficult getting anywhere near them.

Secondly, except for taxation or CPP requirements, you are not required
to produce your SIN number for anything.  Many companies use them for 
ID numbers, but nowadays they can't insist on them, and will invent
some other number if necessary.

The risks to *you* of some non-government agency (or non-CPP or RC) being 
able to use your SIN (or OHIP) number to do a number on you are pretty slim.
The legitimate concern appears to be "big brother" style government using linked
governmental databases.  Considering the total mess that most of the major
databases are in, the likelyhood of linkage short of multi-mega-buck
software efforts is also pretty slim.

Believe it or not, the *biggest* danger is letting anyone know your name,
birthdate or address.  These are used *far* more often for "linking" than 
exotic things like SIN's or OHIP numbers.  The biggest danger to your 
privacy comes from insurance companies, adjusters and their detective 
agencies.  Police and other governmental agencies don't even come close.

How do I know?  I was part of the Ontario Royal Commission studying this
back in '78.
-- 
Chris Lewis, Markham, Ontario, Canada
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