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by zippy5 1903 days ago
SSN were never really secret. For the most part the first 5 digits are a derivative of when and where you were born (public record) and you’ve given out the last 4 to every financial institution and employer.

You last part is spot on. Basically people should setup a password at the DMV or something.
2 comments
EvanAnderson 1902 days ago
The United States Postal Service would be a great "trust provider" (managed PKI, signing personal certificates for individuals and busnesses, etc). They already do it inasmuch as many government agencies (the BMV in my state, for example) accept addressed official correspondence as proof of residency.
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Aloisius 1902 days ago
> the first 5 digits are a derivative

SSN assigned after 2011 are randomly assigned. The first digits no longer have any special meaning.

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