Alan Butler Executive Director and President | Official website
Cyberprivacy expert Alan Butler has expressed concern over the use of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers, stating, "It’s terrible from a security perspective." As the executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit dedicated to defending privacy and identity rights, Butler has highlighted that these numbers are mandatory for any activity that triggers tax reporting. This includes employers reporting wages to the IRS.
Butler also advises caution when asked to share this sensitive information. If an entity insists on obtaining your Social Security number and you feel uncomfortable sharing it, his advice is clear: don't. He warns, "Every time another entity stores your Social, it’s one more chance for identity theft."
