SSN privacy? Are teachers entitled? Heads up Fla teachers!

[lindamg]

The local newspaper recently requested a list of all of the teachers' social security numbers for "research purposes". The numbers were turned over to them under current law. Our teacher's union and the state department of education took them to court and the second circuit court has now ruled that any media entity may request and get social secuity numbers for all teachers in the state.

What do you think of this? Personally, I am furious! My social security number should NOT be a matter of public record. Just because the public pays my salary does not give the public the right to my personal information. I think this is a huge abuse of the "open records" laws that this state has. I don't like the thought that my social security number is now sitting on some computer in the newspaper office, and anyone else who can claim to be a "media entity" can get my information. What else are they going to be able to get? Identity theft is such a huge problem these days, I feel like I now have a sign out "Come steal my identity!"

I haven't spent the past 24 years working for the public interest, to have my future ruined because someone can now easily access my SSN, just because I'm a teacher!

 

[caitycaity]

i agree that it sucks, but your ssn is not public record. it would be against florida law, for example, to have the paper print your ssn. also, from what i understand, the paper was not given the ssn's. they were given data where the ssn's were taken out, that is why the paper sued.

from what i understand, a new law will take effect in july that will enable any florida teacher to request that their ssn remain private and then it won't be released. it sounds like that will clear up the problem.

 

[floridafam]

I agree. The numbers should not have been handed over.

We now have to give our Social Security Number when we apply for a driver's license here in Michigan.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I would also be interested in knowing if the just the SSNs were to be provided, or was it the SSNs with names. If the latter, I would think that would be a violation of the federal Privacy Act.

 

[caitycaity]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8939629.htm

Posted on Wed, Jun. 16, 2004

Judge orders release of teacher records, Social Security numbers

JACKIE HALLIFAX

Associated Press


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A state judge has ordered the Department of Education to release public records, including teachers' Social Security numbers, sought by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

But Florida's top education official said Wednesday the order would be appealed. When the state appeals a ruling by a trial judge, the ruling is automatically stayed.

Although Social Security numbers are generally confidential, there is in state law an exception for a "legitimate commercial entity" seeking the numbers for identification purposes, according to Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation.

The Legislature this spring passed a new law that lets teachers and other government workers request that their full Social Security number still be held confidential and the last four digits only released when requested. But the law doesn't take effect until July.

The Herald-Tribune wanted information from two databases. One contains basic information about teachers and the other holds information about teacher certification.

The Social Security numbers are the only item in both databases, according to Rachel Fugate, a Tampa lawyer for the newspaper. Fugate said the paper did not intend to publish the numbers, which would not be allowed under current law, but to use them to match other data in the two databases.

Circuit Judge Nikki Ann Clark issued an order Tuesday directing the state Department of Education to release the records sought by the newspaper.

The Department of Education did give the newspaper Social Security numbers with other data from the staff database. But the department redacted the numbers from the certification database.

The paper sued the department last month, alleging it was unlawfully withholding public documents.

In Tuesday's order, Clark ruled the information was public and ordered the department to release it within five days.

Education Commissioner Jim Horne blasted the ruling, which he said could threaten other confidential records.

"On behalf of Florida's hardworking teachers, students and parents, we will appeal this decision," Horne said in a statement issued by his office.

Horne also said the order would require the state to compile new public records to comply with the newspapers request.

In her order, Clark had rejected that argument.

"The Herald-Tribune's public records requests do not require the Department to reformat its data or create new data," Clark wrote. "The Department has the capability and technology to provide the information in the format that the Herald-Tribune requested, which is what the law requires."

Fugate called the judge's order appropriate.

"We think the judge did the right thing here," Fugate said. "She applied the law."

Petersen also praised Clark's order and said her non-profit organization had questions about the constitutionality of the new law.

i just found this article. it looks like they did give ssn's from one database, but not the other. the judge has ordered them to turn over the ssn's, but the ruling was automatically stayed since it was appealed.

 

[lindamg]

floridafam,

I would be very interested in knowing why you think the newspaper has the right to my social security number. Applying for a driver's license is one thing. Newspapers, having and possibly printing, my number seems to me to be an entirely different story.
Would you willingly hand over your SSN to your local paper?

 

[lindamg]

caity,

Obviously, I am following all the ins and outs of this with interest. As in anything, there are a large number of differing versions of the facts out there. What I DO know - having been told by my teacher's union and by my county board of education is that the Herald Tribune does have all of our SSN's stored on a computer in their office. They claim it is under "tight" security. I'm not happy taking that chance. I've seen too many hackers at work!

AND -

the law that is supposed to take effect in July is what I believe they are trying to declare unconstitutional. (could be wrong, but that's my current understanding) However, if the newspaper already has my number, what good does it do me anyway? An example of closing the barn door after the horse got out?

 

[floridafam]

I meant to say should NOT have been handed over.

Yikes. I am totally against giving out my SSN.

I hate it when my Dr's office asks for my children's numbers. No way.

SORRY for the confusion. I about fell off my chair when I read my statement.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Come on, we make little enough money, if someone steals a teachers identity we would be doomed!
I hope that doesn't happen here in Ohio. I'll tell them what I make before I give them my SSN.
Robin M.

 

[lizfromfl]

I agree, these should be private and should not be given out...

I don't think Florida is very good with privacy issues. I live in Broward County and was disturbed to go on my county web
site one day and find my mortgage information including
my SS# posted on-line in the county records section. This
might be a common practice everywhere, I don't know...but,
I was sure shocked!