2004-02-22

I just heard on the news yet another report of a website accidently, inadvertantly exposing some of its users personal details. In this case it was an educational institution's website, or at least a part of it.

My first thought was "So what?". My personal details arent' that interesting. But then I got the paranoia about people stealing identities and how much easier it might be to assume someone's identity in the digital age. I thought of horror stories where people become 'persona non grata' as someone has taken over their identity. Uh, The Net, anyone?

So yeh, this might be a bit of an issue.

And does it mean that if we keep hearing enough news items about stolen personal details, we all become that little bit more scared? And does that make it easier to accept ideas such as personal ID card, microchips or (god forbid, the classic) barcode tattoo. Becuase my first solution in my casual musings was a microchip, then we'd always be sure who was who.

Then I got the horrors, formulating this idea that we are indeed becoming more paranoid about identity theft. And therefore maybe more open to 'big brother' style solutions.

Even me?