[hackuser]

Generally I agree, but ...

> Social Security Number in the US pre-dates the internet and any concerns people had about privacy.

People in the US were concerned about privacy long before the Internet. The 4th Amendment to the US Constitution dates back to the 18th century, for example.

In fact, I'd say people are much less concerned about privacy in the Internet era; they put everything online and happily give private info to corporations and government.

[prodmerc]

The fact is that having an SSN and the person's name can be enough to literally take his identity and do whatever you want.

Or literally get a birth certificate and become a "US citizen".

It's a bit more complicated, but not impossible, to do that in the UK, Belgium and Germany as well. Probably other countries, too.

So you're all crying about India being dystopian while your own ID systems are completely fucked.