Can't Stop Identity Theft When It's Someone Else's Fault
from the too-bad,-nice-try dept
For years, despite all the stories about the things you should do to prevent identity theft, it’s been clear that the real problem is rarely the end user. As CNN is pointing out, both the ChoicePoint and Paris Hilton stories show that the best way to prevent identity theft is to not give you info to anyone else and to hope that no one else gives it out for you. In other words, your info is already out there. If someone wants it, they’re going to get it, and it’s not going to be through you, but through someone else who has your info and who you think/hope/expect/pray will keep it safe. So how do you stop identity theft or simple privacy violations when you no longer have any control over the info? David Brin’s solution is sounding more and more appealing. If the info is already out there, it might as well be set up in a way that at least you know if someone else takes a look at it.
Comments on “Can't Stop Identity Theft When It's Someone Else's Fault”
Next-generation identity crimes
The federal government is pushing the health care industry to computerize medical records. Since the health care industry tends to be poorly trained in computers, we can assume that security will be poor as well. The next generation of identity criminals can either steal medical information, or even kill people by inserting wrong information in their files. One could e.g. terrorize parents of newborn babies by marking their baby as positive for genetic disorders, requiring invasive diagnostic procedures or harmful medications.