[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E665-E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRIVACY IN SOCIAL SECURITY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 1997

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker. On March 5, 1997, the Social Security 
Administration [SSA] initiated online access to individual Social 
Security earnings data and projected benefits via the Internet. Because 
this access raised a number of serious privacy and security concerns, I 
recommended that The Social Security Subcommittee hold hearings on this 
issue and asked the General Accounting Office to review SSA's actions. 
Subsequently, SSA suspended its Internet access to these records, 
pending nationwide hearings to obtain public comment on the 
desirability of electronic access to individual data.
  I am today introducing legislation to require the Social Security 
Administration to consult experts at the cutting edge of computer 
technology regarding the security and privacy of online Social Security 
files. I believe such consultation is necessary to assure the public 
that the Social Security Administration has used the most advanced 
technology available to protect individual Social Security earnings 
information.
  The legislation would require the Commissioner to assemble a panel of 
experts to advise him on issues such as the confidentiality, security, 
and authenticity of online transmission of records. In addition, the 
Commissioner would receive advice on appropriate techniques for 
authenticating the identify of the person requesting the information 
and procedures for detecting unauthorized access to individual records. 
Such action should help to assure the public that, if these records are 
offered via the Internet, they have been protected by the most advanced 
means available.

[[Page E666]]

  The Social Security Subcommittee intends to move forward with a May 
hearing. In addition, SSA will be holding its field hearings in the 
next 60 days. With the addition of expert consultations, as proposed in 
this legislation, the public should have some degree of confidence that 
an appropriate balance has been struck between efficient access to 
personal Social Security records and the privacy and security of that 
data.

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