[LINK] Number One Privacy Debacle

[Karl Auer]

This was Number One in the Privacy Debacle Hall of Fame in 2003:

1. The creation of the Social Security Number: 
Although security blogger Adam Shostack is known for his expertise on
information-age data leaks, he considers the creation of the Social
Security Number in 1936 to be the "largest privacy disaster in the
history of the U.S." Referencing controversy over the card's creation at
the time, he said, "Ironically, privacy advocates warned that the number
would become a de facto national ID, and their concerns were belittled,
then proven right, setting a pattern that still goes on today."

See http://www.wired.com/news/politics/privacy/0,71622-0.html

Regards, K.

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Karl Auer (kauer at biplane.com.au)                   +61-2-64957160 (h)
http://www.biplane.com.au/~kauer/                  +61-428-957160 (mob)