In the Netherlands we have something similar: the BSN (translated: citizen service number). This used to be the social security number, but because it was used by an increasing number or government agencies unrelated to social security it was changed to BSN.
One of the major problems with this number is that it has a special status under the law. There are very strict rules as to who can process and/or store this number and for which purpose. For example: a bank can process this when opening a bank account, under anti money laundering regulations, but they cannot use it to identify an existing customer.
If you originally set up your database to use SSNs you now have a problem. This actually happened with our chamber of commerce: if you registered a one-man business they used the SSN as the business id and you’re required as a business to publish this. Now it’s suddenly a number that is subject to strict privacy rules and they have to renumber all one-man businesses.
So that’s another problem with data you don’t control: the legal status of this data can change.
One of the major problems with this number is that it has a special status under the law. There are very strict rules as to who can process and/or store this number and for which purpose. For example: a bank can process this when opening a bank account, under anti money laundering regulations, but they cannot use it to identify an existing customer.
If you originally set up your database to use SSNs you now have a problem. This actually happened with our chamber of commerce: if you registered a one-man business they used the SSN as the business id and you’re required as a business to publish this. Now it’s suddenly a number that is subject to strict privacy rules and they have to renumber all one-man businesses.
So that’s another problem with data you don’t control: the legal status of this data can change.