Slashdot Mirror
Personal Info of 3.5 Million Texans Was Publicly Accessible
SpaceGhost writes "The Houston Chronicle reports, 'Personal information of about 3.5 million Texans — including names, mailing addresses and Social Security numbers — was posted on a publicly accessible server at the state comptroller's office, much of it for more than a year.' Many of the records were for retired teachers and the unemployed, and they sometimes included DOB and drivers license numbers."
Fortunately the unemployed are less desirable than average for identity theft, so that will limit the losses a little bit.
I were in Texas, then I would have an easy claim to having my identity stolen for a good long time.
Pity.
Names and addresses I can get from a phone book. SSNs are "not to be used for identification purposes." Thus, BFD.
Place blame squarely where it belongs: lending providers and others who use the SSN as some sort of magic key to an individual's identity. All it takes is a simple law and this shit could stop next week.
....even their screw ups.
How could that mistake have gone on for a year without somebody seeing it?
Better duck and cover. Typical person from Texas shoot first then ask questions later.
for propane and propane accessories. Maybe this will help the USPS.
=+300 million of us unchosens, not including the genuine native americans who are not inclined to expose themselves, having sovereignty in this territory.
what with searching for more terror, religious initiations, love etc..., do we really need clothes, or so-called 'private parts''? open society?
Then I saw who was affected and said "Phew! This is only the unproductive people!"
I love it when jackasses speak from their rear.
You oughta meet my wife. She took unemployment for two months while she was looking for a job. Other than that, she's had a steady job since before I knew her, 7 years ago... and outperforms kids half her age.
Unproductive, my foot.
Let me guess: you're a conservative.
Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
BFD? Then by all means, let's see your name, address, and SSN. ;)
I8-D
As a resident of this state, I had my last paycheck from my previous employer go to the state. I never knew about it until many years later. Apparently my pervious employer tried locating me, and gave up. So now that the state was given it, they contacted a collectors agency whom hunted me down. The basic idea is that they collect a small percentage of the finders-fee. It sucks, but I never would have known about it otherwise. Anyways, I had to contact the Comptroller office in Austin, TX to make my claim. Makes me wonder if I was on that list...
Life is not for the lazy.
Wow, and she didn't find it shameful at all to go on unemployment just for a two month gap?
Gosh, I wish my morals let me quit my job to take a two month vacation while drawing unemployment to supplement my savings. (Of course, I'd probably have to engineer my firing from the job the way UI works.)
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
even private information disclosure :-)
Let me guess: you're a conservative.
In Texas, that ain't exactly a reach... And there is also a very strong thread of personal responsibility and self reliance. Hence, people are much less likely to try for unemployment then in traditional "entitlement" states. That said, I do consider teachers (even if retired) to be productive people.
Can I sue the state of Tex-ASS for damages?
As they say, things are always bigger in Texas, including STUPIDITY
( from using MICROCRAP )
Yours In Ashgabat,
Kilgore Trout
Wow, and she didn't find it shameful at all to go on unemployment just for a two month gap?
Actually, she was fired for something she didn't do, and the state of Texas backed her on it when her former employer decided to appeal.
Anything else you'd like to be wrong about?
Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
she didn't find it shameful at all to go on unemployment just for a two month gap?
Not nearly as shameful as your assumption that everyone has psychic powers and knows how long it will take to find a job.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
Actually, it only skews conservative outside the urban areas and the valley....
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/states/texas.html
Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
Then that's not "taking unemployment", that's "taking payments from a court victory/legal settlement", and thus loses its objectionability.
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
Wow, and she didn't find it shameful at all to go on unemployment just for a two month gap?
Why would you be ashamed when you don't know how long it'll take to get another job? It's not like there is a magic pony who tells you how long you'll be looking for another job.
Gosh, I wish my morals let me quit my job to take a two month vacation while drawing unemployment to supplement my savings.
I wish your morals included walking in people's shoes for a mile or so before you thought you knew them.
Too bad that won't happen.
BTW, if you want to fix the education system, you should consider that there is NOBODY with any control or authority over it across the nation. True story, it's much more local responsibility and thus more local failure.
We'll see if Khan has any results worth writing home about.
to get the info for illegal immigration.
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
Not nearly as shameful as your assumption that everyone has psychic powers and knows how long it will take to find a job.
The point was that (in the original story before he clarified that his wife was actually receiving a legal settlement, not "unemployment") she *didn't even wait* those two months before deciding she had to resort to being a leech. No psychic powers necessary.
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
many people would object to giving up their "private parts".
Are you a grown up? I'm just asking because you don't represent yourself as one.
That is just what we need.
Joe Public: What do you mean I have to pay verisign a $100 a year just to file my taxes?
IRS Operative: You have to have your signature signed to prove who you are to us.
JP: You don't know who I am? Can you tax me if you can't identify me?
IRS: We can not tax you but you will be charged with tax evasion.
JP: How can you charge me if you don't know who I am?
IRS: Well first you will have to have your signature signed by verisign.
JP: Where did you get such a messed up idea like this?
IRS: From a slashdot poster.
seriously man this is a terrible idea.
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice" -- God
Why the heck is taking unemployment leach behavior? It's called unemployment insurance for a reason you dipstick. Do people who make claims on their homeowners insurance when their house gets robbed count as leaches too, in your book?
Just because the insurance is public doesn't make it bad, or do you hate socialized fire protective services too?
A few years ago, I found a publicly accessible server that belonged to the local K-12 school system in a medium sized city. By using the username "test," and password "test", any one could access all of the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that the school system kept for each and every one of its special education students. Probably, most of these documents were for "Gifted and Talented" children, and were standardized forms that had contact information. However, some of them almost certainly contained details about the learning disabilities that various children had.
Also racism, sexism, violence and bitter poverty, leaving many fewer people eligible for unemployment.
Then that's not "taking unemployment", that's "taking payments from a court victory/legal settlement", and thus loses its objectionability.
You really have NO idea how unemployment claims work, do you?
They canned her, saying money was missing, even though the manager that was in charge of the cash at that time was later let go due to embezzlement. They had no proof, no documentation, etc., and I can guarantee you that she'd not taken a dime. Y'know, that whole "moral structure" riff. She decided to get unemployment and started looking for a job. She found one in short order and IMMEDIATELY dropped the UI.
About a week later, we get a letter that stated that her former client didn't like her getting UI, so they appealed. Denied. They appealed AGAIN, and showed up armed with only a bunch of accusations, telling the mediator that it was "good enough".
The state disagreed, allowed one last appeal that they didn't even respond to on time, and closed the case.
BTW, what twisted chain of logic leads you to believe that going on UI temporarily is sign of moral turpitude?!?
Don't tell me to get a life. I'm a gamer; I have LOTS of lives!
Can't you read my question: Can I sue the state of Tex-ASS for damages?
Thanks for you (il)literacy.
What if Social Security Numbers + the Person's name were a Copyrighted Work? That would be the legal protection that would scare snarks!
My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
... nothing to hide, nothing to worry? 1 2 3 That's how long it takes to be modded flamebait!
Perhaps I'm trolling, perhaps I'm not.
Conservatives seem to detest civilization in general.
So y'all couldn't wait until you actually needed the money? It was just, "Fired ... WHOO HOO! First unemployment check, here I come!"?
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
Why should we pay for the unemployment program from our own taxes and then altruistically choose not to benefit from it? I guess you enjoy paying into the system and having leeches collect on it. Sorry dude, I've been paying taxes into this program since I got out of high school and you're fucking crazy if you think I won't take the benefit if and when I'm eligible for it.
Dang. They *are* running the government like a business down there.
Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
Bad example... Many Texans liked neither choice... Conservative voter turnout was the lowest for a presidential election in years.
"It's called unemployment insurance for a reason..."
Save your breath. It's clear from the language "deciding she had to resort to being a leech" that all unemployed for however long or whatever reason are immoral people getting what they deserve because they chose their circumstances. Nothing you say will penetrate DriedClexler's Calvinist glee at the suffering of the unelect or endless search for Obama's birth certificate.
Unemployment is insurance - you pay the premiums, no shame in collecting the payout when the insured event occurs. I'm not sure you're even eligible if you wait.
Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
So when you donate to a church/non-religious charity, do you apply for their aid to the needy when you're not needy, on the grounds that "well I done paid my f'r share, so I's gonna git it right back!"?
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
A donation to charity is made with the express purpose of helping OTHER PEOPLE. When you pay taxes into the unemployment program, do you feel as if you are doing it to help others or to help yourself? If you feel that it's to help yourself, why would you not take the payout? If you feel it is to help other people, why do you call those people leeches? Furthermore, I am in no way legally compelled to donate to charity. Your comparison is ridiculous and your viewpoint paradoxical.
Names, home addresses, email addresses, and home telephone numbers are posted by default for all UCLA students (including minors) on a publicly-accessible "directory" at http://directory.ucla.edu./ There are only 60,000 people associated with the university, but apparently it generates 3mm searches/mo... not surprising because it doesn't require a username or password and has only limited protection against scraping. One student was involved in the a mistaken identity case with the Rose Bowl stabbing and received (misplaced) death-threats from gang-bangers. Another student posted a racist video online and also received death threats and harassment (her actions were stupid but she didn't deserve what she got either). Neither knew that their information was out there. The school's response? We're subject to the CA Information Practices Act but don't consider this personally-identifiable information. "UCLA cannot change the default settings on URSA because that would violate UCLA’s policy, according to university registrar Anita Cotter." (http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2011/01/uclas_online_campus_directory_undermines_student_privacy) I'm pretty sure it was Hitler's policy to exterminate millions of Jews but that doesn't make it ethical, legal, or immutable, right? If you know anyone who is a disgruntled student at UCLA and feels like making a little cash with the help of a trial attorney, now's your chance.
Retired teachers and the unemployed, what do they have worth taking?
go buttfuck your dog. it should be your t
Take that line up with the taxman sometime, see how it works out. "Hey, I'm paying taxes to benefit *myself*, and I don't *benefit* from that project, so I shouldn't have to ..."
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
"I deeply regret the exposure of the personal information that occurred and am angry that it happened," [State Comptroller] Combs said in a statement.
[Translation] Let me put out this public statement saying absolutely nothing, but serving to CMA.
"I want to reassure people that the information was sealed off from any public access immediately after the mistake was discovered and was then moved to a secure location."
[Translation] I soiled myself, and berated my minions.
"We take information security very seriously"
[Translation] Oh *f+ck*! How am I going to spin this?
"...and this type of exposure will not happen again."
[Translation] With the grace of God, this'll all be forgotten by November, and I'll get reelected.
Some days it's just not worth
chewing through my restraints.
Giving money to the church or food bank or charity organization is just that, giving in free will to a worthy cause (in your opinion). Unemployment taxes however are compulsory as in no choice or free will; if you had an option every year to 'donate' that portion of your income to support those unemployed or instead keep it, would you do it? I'm not sure I would.. In fact it's almost become an American tradition to 'maximize your refund' ! I resent how much I have to pay in taxes at the town, state and federal level and I'll take any means necessary to reduce my finacial obligation to uncle Sam.
As the AG and the FBI are looking into matters: "Combs has endorsed legislation enhancing information security, including a proposal that each agency designate a chief privacy officer and another to create a state Information Security Council."
Gee Susan, I think the horse has left this burning barn...unless you're looking for ways to spread the blame the next time this happens?
Some days it's just not worth
chewing through my restraints.
"Hey, I'm paying taxes to benefit *myself*, and I don't *benefit* from that project, so I shouldn't have to ..."
Show me where I said that. Do it. Quote me, and explain where I said that.
If you actually think that's what I said, then you're even more of a fucking retard than I thought. May I suggest a repeat of third grade English?
Fine, "I'm paying taxes to benefit *everyone*, and this project doesn't benefit everyone so I'm going to try to get some of my money back for it by fraudulently applying for benefits."
Same diff.
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
Well, swearing at you didn't work, so I'll switch to treating you as a child.
What I asked, sweetheart, is which of the following two things you believe in your own little head. Here's number 1 for you. "I believe that the taxes I pay toward unemployment are paid ultimately for my own benefit." Let's say you believe that ok honey? If that's the case, why would you refuse to take an unemployment payout when you are eligible for it?
And here's the other possibility, you perfect angel. "I believe that the taxes I pay toward unemployment are paid ultimately for the benefit of others." Let's say you think that instead of number 1. If that's the case, then why would you resent it when those people make use of that benefit?
Also, on a semi-related note, your name looks familiar and I've been meaning to ask you if you used to hang out at a right wing American politics site (I stopped being a regular there in early 2009). If you're the same Kilgore Trout, I think I know you from somewhere.
That's not talking to me like a child, that's talking to me like a queen, thweetie.
Information theory is life. The rest is just the KL divergence.
The press release regarding this incident says that those responsible for the breach were fired. Sadly, that doesn't mean the Chief Technology Officer is accepting responsibility for enabling an infrastructure to exist where this could happen. He's still there:
http://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=21676&staff=2476
He's a political appointee who has followed Susan Combs from job-to-job. After this fiasco and the Texas State Budget overrun of $27 billion, this could very well be Combs' last campaign win for some time.
Sadly, some lower-level scapegoats will be looking for jobs sooner rather than later.
Especially the fuckups!
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
It's okay, I'm not using mine anyway...
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
Inquiring minds want to know....
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
The "not for identification" on the Social Security Card didn't mean "You may not use the Social Security Number for Identification" - it wasn't a pro-privacy imperative.
It was simply a disclaimer that the Social Security Administration was making no promises that the card they'd handed out was of any use for identifying the person now holding it. It was a card providing information, not identification.
Bill Stewart
New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
WHO CARES?!?!
Only if you hunt them all down, and remove their over sized *sses?
Only in Texas! a XXXXXL tee-shirt that you can use as a car cover.
Only criminals have something to hide by demanding privacy!
In Sweden all this information is public for all citizens. Private organizations do however need a permit to keep a registry with personal information.
Erik Dalén
And the entire database is now online in one zip file shared over the usual clandestine networks for your viewing pleasure.
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Never go to sea with two chronometers; take one or three.
Names and addresses I can get from a phone book. SSNs are "not to be used for identification purposes." Thus, BFD.
Place blame squarely where it belongs: lending providers and others who use the SSN as some sort of magic key to an individual's identity. All it takes is a simple law and this shit could stop next week.
The world is perfect. People obey the laws, and nobody takes unfair advantage of anyone else. Thus, BFD.
PPlace blame squarely where it belongs: criminals and malcontent who try to get things dishonestly. All you have to do is get rid of the bad people and it's puppies and rainbows forever.
Yeah, when looking for a name for your kid, write a poem and use that as the name. And if anyone uses the name without permission, invoke the DMCA.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
There are any number of publicly accessible (or for-fee) search sites where all manner of personal information is available. The US Government is not particularly careful about how, where, and what they store about citizens. True, the SSN was not "meant" to be used as a means of identification, but it IS used as such (hence identity theft). Like the fire team getting to the bar-be-que says, "Where's the fire"?
Having names, addresses, driver's license, voting, DOB, marriage, titles, deeds, etc ad nauseum is nothing new. Creating "new" legislation in response to such events is equally pointless as the previous "law" left unenforced.
Obviously he feels that everybody should pay in, and nobody should cash out. Wait, I think he might be a shill for the Treasury!