HB 77-FN: prohibiting businesses from scanning individuals’ licenses when selling alcohol or tobacco products.
Thank you for addressing this issue that threatens the public’s ability to protect against identity theft and other dangers associated with private identifying information. Since delving into this issue, I have come across other threats to individual’s rights to keep themselves safe from identity theft.
In this packet, there is a screenshot of the information collected, from driver’s licenses, and saved to databases. This is only one example of applications being marketed for this purpose, which begs the question of how the Federal Law (also included in packet) is being ignored. I have included URLs for several other similar applications.
While I first noticed and sounded the alarm regarding the scanning, I witnessed in convenience stores when standing behind customers during alcohol and tobacco purchases, my article in Granite Grok brought comments from others that point out other venues where driver’s licenses are being scanned. I was notified that Macy’s Department Store was scanning in order to prove identity during credit card transactions. Additionally, some election polls are using scanning rather than just viewing ID’s. These other examples might give consideration to broaden the title of this bill so that it is made clear that all driver’s license scanning is prohibited (except for those specified in the law).
For decades, I have been alarmed at how casually our social security numbers are used in various businesses for proof of identity. Those of us over a certain age might remember that these numbers were originally strictly limited to employment use only. That was the promise when created. Today, we see that identity theft is running rampant and this is one of the key pieces.
Last summer, I chose to give up my position as a lake host, after 4 years of service, because I became aware that, without first notifying staff, NH Lakes put employee information into a cloud based human resources software including full name, address, email, birth date and social security number. It took over a week for them to take my information out of that system once I objected, resigned and demanded that they delete my record from the cloud. During the back and forth, I was told that the system is very secure. That same month, the military employment data of the UK had been hacked and I sent NH Lakes a newspaper report covering that event. I have since learned that this style of human resource management is becoming widespread practice.
I urge you all to be vigilant in protecting the public against the real danger of identity theft in every possible area.
My testimony begins at 1:07:16.
Note: Subcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2025 10:00 am LOB 302-304
We’d like to thank Deb Johnson for the Op-Ed. As a reminder, authors’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com
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