4 ms·
For a long time it was illegal to use SSNs as identifiers except for tax purposes. It was a mistake to allow that restriction to be rescinded.
by mark-r 9y ago
For a long time it was illegal to use SSNs as identifiers except for tax purposes. It was a mistake to allow that restriction to be rescinded.
- masklinn 9y agoIt was never illegal, just not recommended (as printed on the SSN card). The printing was removed because nobody gave two shits about it.
- mark-r 9y agoIn researching the matter further I find that I was mistaken. I was thinking of the Privacy Act of 1974, which stated: "no Federal, State, or local government could withhold a right, privilege or benefit from a person simply because the person refused to furnish his or her SSN."[1] Somehow I've believed for many years that it applied to private businesses as well, my mistake. [1] https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_031606.html https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_031606.html