Date: Thu, 02 Jul 92 17:07:58 EST
Errors-To: Comp-privacy Error Handler <comp-privacy-request@PICA.ARMY.MIL>
From: Computer Privacy Digest Moderator <comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL>
To: Comp-privacy@PICA.ARMY.MIL
Subject: Computer Privacy Digest V1#058
Computer Privacy Digest Thu, 02 Jul 92 Volume 1 : Issue: 058
Today's Topics: Moderator: Dennis G. Rears
Re: SSNs and Social Insurance Numbers
Re: speakerphone spooks
ACM articles
CPSR Challenges Virginia SS
The Computer Privacy Digest is a forum for discussion on the
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From: Brian Murrey <towers.rn.com!brian@homebase.vistachrome.com>
Subject: Re: SSNs and Social Insurance Numbers
Organization: Small System Specialists
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 92 17:35:52 GMT
Not sure if this is still true, but at least 7 years ago the ABC part of the
SSN was an indication as to what state the SSN was issued in. I used to do
some skip tracing for a major plastic credit company and we had a sheet that
identified where the first 3 digits belonged. IE: 303 is Indiana, though many
states had 3 or 4 prefixes assigned to them.
I also remember that there were two or three "special" prefixes reserved for
Railroaders, Government Dependents, and another special group that I can't
remember.
By knowing what state the SSN came from, we had a lead in tracking the
individual down. (Although the lead was usually useless but on ocassion it
helped nail someone down to a specific area)
I enjoyed skip tracing a lot. I remember tracking a guy down in Germany that
had pretty much abused his plactis to the limit before he left. He was
shocked as hell when his phone rang and it was me. <g>
--
=======================================================================
: Brian Murrey - KB9BVN - QTH Indpls : Fidonet: 1:231/30 317-535-9097 :
: UUCP:..towers!brian : Login:Ham Radio Password:Yagi :
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From: Erik Nilsson <erikn@boa.mitron.tek.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 92 10:22:34 PDT
Subject: Re: speakerphone spooks
In Computer Privacy Digest Tue, 23 Jun 92 Volume 1 : Issue: 054
Daniel P. B. Smith Writes:
> Our office AT&T Merlin systems offer a built-in speakerphone mode
....
> Potentially, it seems as if the system could be used to eavesdrop on
> offices.
We have Meridian (Northern Telecom). It had a "Voice Call" feature
that definitely could be used to eavesdrop. One of the first things I
did was disable this feature, but it seemed to mysteriously turn
itself on. Perhaps someone was playing with the phone system (!).
Since we upgraded to voicemail, the voice call feature seems to have ceased to
exist. I can't even deliberately turn it on now.
- Erik
erikn@boa.MITRON.TEK.COM (503) 690-8350 fax: (503) 690-9292
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From: Mike Percy <grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu>
Subject: ACM articles
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1992 15:08:16 GMT
The most recent Communications of the ACM has a number of very
interesting articles about encryption, DES, FBI phone tapping, etc.
Recommended reading.
Mike Percy | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET | is really...bossy.
Clemson University | (803) 656-3780 | (Laurie Anderson)
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Organization: CPSR, Washington Office
From: Dave Banisar <banisar@washofc.cpsr.org>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1992 21:22:27 EDT
Subject: CPSR Challenges Virginia SS
CPSR Challenges Virginia SSN Practice
PRESS RELEASE
June 30, 1992
CPSR Challenges Virginia SSN Practice
WASHINGTON, DC -- A national public interest organization
has filed a "friend of the court" brief in the federal court of
appeals, calling into question the Commonwealth of Virginia's
practice of requiring citizens to provide their Social Security
numbers in order to vote. Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility (CPSR) alleges that Virginia is violating constitu-
tional rights and creating an unnecessary privacy risk.
The case arose when a Virginia resident refused to provide
his Social Security number (SSN) to a county registrar and was denied
the right to register to vote. Virginia is one of a handful of states
that require voters to provide an SSN as a condition of registration.
While most states that require the number impose some restrictions
on its public dissemination, Virginia allows unrestricted public
inspection of voter registration data -- including the SSN. Marc A.
Greidinger, the plaintiff in the federal lawsuit, believes that the
state's registration requirements violate his privacy and impose an
unconstitutional burden on his exercise of the right to vote.
The CPSR brief, filed in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
in Richmond, supports the claims made by Mr. Greidinger. CPSR
notes the long-standing concern of the computing community to
design safe information systems, and the particular effort of
Congress to control the misuse of the SSN. The organization cites
federal statistics showing that the widespread use of SSNs has
led to a proliferation of fraud by criminals using the numbers to gain
driver's licenses, credit and federal benefits. The CPSR brief
further describes current efforts in other countries to control
the misuse of national identifiers, like the Social Security number.
Marc Rotenberg, the Director of the CPSR Washington
Office said that "This is a privacy issue of constitutional dimension.
The SSN requirement is not unlike the poll taxes that were struck
down as unconstitutional in the 1960s. Instead of demanding the
payment of money, Virginia is requiring citizens to relinquish their
privacy rights before being allowed in the voting booth."
CPSR argues in its brief that the privacy risk created by
Virginia's collection and disclosure of Social Security numbers is
unnecessary. The largest states in the nation, such as California,
New York and Texas, do not require SSNs for voter registration. CPSR
points out that California, with 14 million registered voters, does not
need to use the SSN to administer its registration system, while
Virginia, with less than 3 million voters, insists on its need to
demand the number.
David Sobel, CPSR Legal Counsel, said "Federal courts have
generally recognized that there is a substantial privacy interest
involved when Social Security numbers are disclosed. We are
optimistic that the court of appeals will require the state to develop
a safer method of maintaining voting records."
CPSR has led a national campaign to control the misuse of the
Social Security Number. Earlier this year the organization testified
at a hearing in Congress on the use of the SSN as a National Identifier.
CPSR urged lawmakers to respect the restriction on the SSN and to
restrict its use in the private sector. The group also participated in a
federal court challenge to the Internal Revenue Service's practice of
displaying taxpayers' SSNs on mailing labels. CPSR is also undertaking
a campaign to advise individuals not to disclose their Social Security
numbers unless provided with the legal reason for the request.
CPSR is a national membership organization, with 2,500
members, based in Palo Alto, CA. For membership information contact
CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94303, (415) 322-3778, cpsr@csli.
stanford.edu.
For more information contact:
Marc Rotenberg, Director
David Sobel, Legal Counsel
CPSR Washington Office
(202) 544-9240
rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org
sobel@washofc.cpsr.org
Paul Wolfson, attorney for Marc A. Greidinger
Public Citizen Litigation Group
(202) 833-3000
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End of Computer Privacy Digest V1 #058
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