Brian’s Ramblings

July 24th, 2008

Louisiana RS 32:409

In a followup to my post about Lousiana drivers licenses, I found the current statute used to require giving over your social security number ( http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88389), emphasis mine:

(vi)  Social security number.  Any alien individual residing in Louisiana who does not possess and is ineligible to obtain a social security number shall not be required to furnish a social security number for issuance of a Class “E” driver’s license.  However, prior to the issuance of a Class “E” driver’s license, in addition to other required documentation, the department shall require the alien individual to present a document demonstrating lawful presence in the United States in a status in which the alien individual may be ineligible to obtain a social security number.  The list of acceptable documents demonstrating lawful presence shall be determined by the department. The department shall maintain confidentiality of an applicant’s social security number. The department shall not deny any person a driver’s license or a renewal if that person has not obtained a government-issued social security number based on Section 7 of Pub. L. 93-579 Section (a)(1).

In my opinion publishing the social security number on a barcode and not disclosing this fact is definitely not maintaining confidentiality.

As a side not I attemepted to contact the dmv today, but apparently only one person answers the phone and it is always busy.

More to come…

Posted in Political Ramblings
By Brian

July 19th, 2008

Louisianna Driver License Privacy Violation

The other day I read an article on Consumerist about Target scanning drivers licenses when buying alcohol. This got me currious about what was encoded on the bar code and magnetic strip of my Louisiana drivers license.  The magnetic strip proved to be pretty benign, it had the license number, name, and address, all pretty standard stuff.  However when I checked the bar code I was shocked to find out that my social security number was encoded in it.

Posted in Featured, Political Ramblings
By Brian