We have another breach of personal data. This time, 4.5 million health records were compromised by what appears to be the Chinese hacker gangs. This gave them dates of birth, social security numbers, full names and addresses, and in some cases credit card information.
Here's the real issue. Decades ago, it was enacted into law that social security numbers could not be used for identification purposes. But even the government uses them; they form your Medicare number and your military service number. They are issued the minute you are born in this country, whereas they are not required until you... start school. It used to be they were not required until you started working.
It sees that today you can't even purchase a bag of peanuts without providing your social security number. Banks require them. Credit card companies, hospitals, insurance companies and retailers issuing credit cards require them. Although not displayed on your driver's license, most states require the number before they will issue a permit to drive.
If the social security number was used only for working and reporting for income tax and benefits purposes, I think the problem would be far less serious.
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