Question

9. Take the last 4 digits of your SSN and make it into a repeating decimal. Find the exact rational number that this represents. Does your calculator do this for you automatically? If so, add some more digits (non-repeating) to the front of the decimal. Make up a paradox from daily life whose resolution involves summing up a geometric series

For confidentiality's sake, we'll sake the SSN is 1238

Answer 1

I agree, SSN is a horrible benchmark to compare with. They were launched for a different purpose initially. However, SSN is practically mandatory now, besides some exemptions decided decades back. Aadhar was started with the purpose of being an UID, and is much more secure as a result.

They represent the same thing now. For a long time, SSN used to mention that "This is not a valid ID," and people could opt out. No longer, and even the ID part is gone.

On a side note, see this video if you have time. Ignoring the Aadhar comparison, the video on its own is pretty interesting and extremely well made

Just because Aadhar was decided with the purpose of being a UID, it is more secure? Security doesn't work that way. The purpose of Aadhar has no bearing on the security aspects of Aadhar.

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You know about Aadhar card very well. But what about the USA’s Social Security Number or SSN ? In 1936, SSN was a 9-digit number that was used by the government to track ac citizen’s income and ensure the social benefit on the basis of the same. That’s quite much like Aadhar of ours. Gradually more government agencies and incorporates started storing the records of SSN. In 1961, just like Aadhar, the Internal Revenue Service of USA started using SSN for identifying taxpayers.

Until then, there was no legal framework that would prevent any credit card company to judge a person basis their SSN. However in 1977, under Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, it was decied that SSN cannot be used as an identification document. Rather, it should only be used as a legal permit to work.

On the Social Security website of the USA government, under the Social Security Testimony Before Congress, it is clearly mentioned: “The card was never intended to serve as a personal identification document – that is, it does not establish that the person presenting the card is actually the person whose name and SSN appear on the card.”

Now contrast this with our Aadhar, which is a single digital identity number and you will find that any government and private bodies may use the same as a identity card to authenticate you as an Indian citizen. Also, anyone who has stayed in India for 182 days can apply for enrolling oneself for Aadhar card . However SSN is only given to the US citizens who have permit to work in the country.

The process of registering people on Aadhar was executed through private enterprises known as enrollers who operated freely without any government supervision at the field level. The qualifications needed to become an enrolment agency were quite low and nobody was from a recognized name.

Your biological data is stored in Aadhar
In Aadhar, from finger print to iris, everything is stored. However in SSN, the US government didn’t collect finger prints. To support their logic, the Social Security website reads: “The use of fingerprints was associated in the public mind with criminal activity, making this approach undesirable.” SSN doesn’t even contain any photograph for that matter. In 2007, there were talks to include these details to act against terrorism, but the country who have experienced terrorist attacks in its worst form and often behave cynical on this matter actually went against it.

“A biometric identifier, such as a fingerprint, can be an effective and highly accurate way to establish the identity of an individual, but it can also facilitate a much higher degree of tracking and profiling than would be appropriate for many transactions,” said Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director, Electronic Privacy Information Center a research organisation, while the hearing on the Use and Misuse of the Social Security Number before the Subcommittee on Social Security Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives.
“The problems that will arise when biometric identifiers are compromised are severe. What will happen at the point that your biometric identifiers no longer identify you?” he added.

Aadhar is linked to central database
However SSN is never seeded. “Department of Homeland Security program s shall not collect or use an SSN as a unique identifier; rather, programs shall create their own unique identifiers to identify or link information concerning an individual,” reads the Privacy Policy Guidance Memorandum of the Homeland Security in the USA.