While last week's article presented a thorough look at Social Security Number usage at Brandeis, it did not offer any reasons why the SSN should be eliminated from University records.
A SSN serves two functions: as an identifier, and as a password. SSNs are used both to find records and to verify identity. It's like using your credit card number or UNet password as your name, published on documents far and wide. Except, like your UNet password or your credit card number, it is almost impossible to change your SSN.
Imagine if someone in, say, a department store looks at your credit card application -- you've put a SSN, a name, an address, and even your mother's maiden name all on one form. Using this information, a person could pretend to be you, raid your bank accounts, destroy your reputation, even commit crimes in your name.
The Social Security Number was established for one purpose -- to administer the Social Security system. Using the SSN as both a unique identifier and as a password is a cruel manipulation of this system that results in huge abuse and even greater potential abuse in the future.
Mark Hewitt is quoted in the article as being surprised that so few students have changed their brandeis ID number from their SSN to a random number. He suggests that a random number would be harder to remember. When should a student ever need to remember their SSN or other number? It is used as an internal identifier only, not something that should ever be posted anywhere else.
Perhaps no one has changed their ID number because the process is so difficult. The Registrar website says that a student can only change his or her ID number by bringing a written request to Kutz along with two forms of identification, one of which contains both the person's picture and social security number. I personally do not even have any document that contains both my picture and my SSN, and am quite happy that this is the case. Additionally, any student who is employed by the University is not allowed to change their ID number.
It should not be the student's responsibility to change his or her SSN, it should be that of the University. Brandeis is supposed to protect us and our sensitive information, not reveal it for all the world to see.Danny Silverman