WH: Social Security numbers no longer useful IDs

Are social security numbers' days...numbered?

Equifax and the White House agree that America may have reached its tipping point when it comes to the actual effectiveness of using social security numbers as a means of identification.

“I feel very strongly that the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness...Every time we use the Social Security number, you put it at risk.” 

- White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Rob Joyce

What will we use instead?

Two ideas are already being floated around as to what means of ID could be used to effectively replace the social security number:

  • Private keys (a secured, personal identifier somewhat akin to the "chip" in chip credit cards
  • Digitized Fingerprints (encrypted right down to the DNA level)

Meanwhile, Equifax has announced the conclusion of its forensic investigation of the breach:

Read more about the potential end of the social security number at Consumerist.


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