Date: Fri, 25 Jun 93 15:57:18 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 V2#054
Computer Privacy Digest Fri, 25 Jun 93 Volume 2 : Issue: 054
Today's Topics: Moderator: Dennis G. Rears
Re: ssn and life insurance ??
Article on EFF in WIRED
A public experiment in how private our lives really are
new Electronic Cash scheme: technical report available
The Computer Privacy Digest is a forum for discussion on the
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(Moderated). Submissions should be sent to
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Back issues are available via anonymous ftp on ftp.pica.army.mil
[129.139.160.133].
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1993 15:07:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Jurassic Park [out of] Control Center" <0005066432@mcimail.com>
Reply-To: "Jurassic Park [out of] Control Center" <0005066432@mcimail.com>
Subject: Re: ssn and life insurance ??
From: Paul Robinson <TDARCOS@MCIMAIL.COM>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
-----
> I have just applied for whole life insurance for my 2
> year old (he is 2 today, the application went in a couple of
> weeks ago). the insurance company is insisting on his ssn (he
> doesn't have one).
>
> The question. Does anyone know if the insurance company
> is REQUIRED by the feds or by the state (mass) to secure this
> info?
There is probably a dividend involved with the insurance and thus since
they may be paying a dividend, they have to ask for tax reasons. They
probably figure he has one since after 2 you have to get one in order to
get the dependent deduction. If you do not have one, state as such; if
you are not planning to get one, say so.
Ask the insurance company why; if they claim it's because of the law, ask
which law and pin them down on it. If you do not wish to give them the
Social Security number and do not intend to get him one, then you can just
say that, or just give them yours and say he doesn't have one. Or ask
where in the contract or the state insurance code that allows them to
refuse to issue a policy without the social security number.
If they are still sticky about it, find another insurance agent, or tell
your current agent that when your policies come up for renewal, you will
consider strongly going to another agency. You might want to do that
anyway, as you might find other insurance agents to be cheaper.
Or check for companies that sell life insurance by mail without agents. A
lot of these companies (even the larger ones) are hungry and want the
business. Especially try finding someone who is brand new as an insurance
agent; since all of his money comes from commissions, he is going to be
much more receptive to your requests.
---
Paul Robinson - TDARCOS@MCIMAIL.COM
-----
The following Automatic Fortune Cookie was selected only for this message:
Success is overrated. Incompetence is what we should revere -- it marks us off
from animals.
-- Stephen Pile
------------------------------
From: Tom Thomas <thomas@ponder.csci.unt.edu>
Subject: Article on EFF in WIRED
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1993 02:18:50 GMT
The May/June issue of WIRED contains an article titled 'Crypto Rebels',
which provides a high-level treatment of issues sourrounding privacy
in electronic communications. It talks a lot about the EFF and John Gilmore.
However, on page 97 in the 'Hype List' column, there is a blurb about the
EFF 'selling out' and reorganizing.
I'm curious about the current state of the EFF, and any other information
about them. I've seen many references to them in Dorothy Denning's series of
articles in CACM, but now have a stronger curiosity. Any info/leads will
be appreciated. Also, any discussion about EFF and its activities would
be of interest to me.
Thanks - Tom Thomas
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 93 15:02:00 PDT
From: John Gilmore <gnu@toad.com>
Reply-To: tye@nws.globe.com
Subject: A public experiment in how private our lives really are
A reported has asked me for help in finding people who will help to
pentrate the privacy of four volunteers, for a major newspaper story.
Any takers? Contact the reporter:
Reporter for major metro paper is interested in help finding out anything
there is to find on four prominent people who have volunteered to have their
privacy breached.
Financial fundamentals. Lives of crime. Aches and pains. How rich they are,
where they vacation, who they socialize with. You name it, we're interested in
seeing if it's out there.
All for a good cause.
If you're willing to advise this computer-ignorant reporter, or dig in and
get the dope on these volunteers, please contact him at tye@nws.globe.com
Or call at +1 617 929 3342.
Soon.
Thanks.
Feel free to forward this far and wide.
--
John Gilmore gnu@toad.com -- gnu@cygnus.com -- gnu@eff.org
Creating freedom, rather than longer chains, bigger cages, better meals, . . .
------------------------------
From: Niels Ferguson <Niels.Ferguson@cwi.nl>
Newsgroups: alt.privacy,comp.society.privacy,alt.security,comp.security.announce,comp.security.misc,sci.crypt
Subject: new Electronic Cash scheme: technical report available
Date: 25 Jun 93 13:48:26 GMT
Followup-To: sci.crypt
New electronic cash system: report available by FTP.
---------------------------------------------------
Electronic cash is the equivalent of paper cash in an electronic form.
It has all the same basic properties as ordinary cash: It carries
value, can be used to pay other people without contacting any central
organization and is completely anonymous.
Recent work at the CWI has resulted in significantly improved
protocols for electronic cash. The following CWI technical report is
now available by FTP:
Title: Single Term Off-Line Coins
Author: Niels Ferguson
Report: CS-R9318
Site: ftp.cwi.nl
directory:/pub/CWIreports/AA
file: CS-R9318.ps.Z (compressed PostScript file)
Abstract
--------
We present a new construction for off-line electronic coins that is
both far more efficient and much simpler than previous systems.
Instead of using many terms, each for a single bit of the
challenge, our system uses a single term for a large number of
possible challenges. The withdrawal protocol does not use a
cut-and-choose methodology as with earlier systems, but uses a
direct construction.
This report is slightly more extensive than the version that appeared
in the pre-proceedings of EuroCrypt '93.
If you are interested in this report, you might also be interested in
a report by my colleague Stefan Brands entitled "An Efficient Off-line
Electronic Cash System based on the Representation Problem". It can be
found under the name "CS-R9323.ps.Z" in the same directory.
Note: Followup set to sci.crypt
Niels
-------------------------------------------------#include<stddisclaimer>------
... of shoes and ships and sealing-wax, of | Niels Ferguson
cabbages and kings, and why the sea is boiling | CWI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
hot, and whether pigs have wings ... | e-mail: niels@cwi.nl
--
-------------------------------------------------#include<stddisclaimer>------
... of shoes and ships and sealing-wax, of | Niels Ferguson
cabbages and kings, and why the sea is boiling | CWI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
hot, and whether pigs have wings ... | e-mail: niels@cwi.nl
------------------------------
End of Computer Privacy Digest V2 #054
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