Mark Of The Beast??

One of the crazy dichotomies of our modern age is that the same computer databases that provide so many conveniences can also wreak havoc with our lives. Take, for example, Social Security numbers. A task force appointed by the President just issued a preliminary report urging the passage of legislation restricting how the S.S. numbers are used, due to the threat of identity theft. It seems like every week there are stories in the media about various companies or government agencies being hacked, or having laptops with personal records stolen. This puts a lot of people's financial well-being at risk, when criminals get their hands on the data.

When the Social Security system was created back in the 1930s, people nervous about the government creating a citizen registry were assured that the data would only be used for administering the program. But over the decades, the Social Security has become a de facto national ID number. Many government forms, as well as financial applications, contracts, etc., require it. I'll hav eto do some research on it, but I remember hearing before that legally, one can't be compelled to provide it in most of these instances. I hope my memory is right.

Interim Task Force Recommends Social Security Number Limits