X-GANYMEDE-MailScanner-SpamScos X-MailScanner-From: n3kn@comcast.net Return-Path: n3kn@comcast.net X-OriginalArrivalTime: 27 Jul 2005 20:54:05.0426 (UTC) FILETIME=[53699520:01C592ED] Chris wrote: "If I understand the policies the VEC will for the first time have the passwords of all applicants who file through that VEC for an upgrade or a new license. This entitles the VEC to know the Social Security number of each person, and other data. I suppose that is nothing new, but having the password as well as the FRN seems to be a big step toward having the ARRL VEC for example accused of mishandling or disclosing an SSN or other information to permit identity theft." I believe the password requirement will only apply to applicants for new licenses and to upgrade applicants who have somehow so far escaped registration in CORES. But I could be wrong about that. It may apply to everybody who fills out a Form 605. All I know is what I read in the ARRL Web story. I'm sure our VEC staff have all the details. I am not aware of any VEC, not even the notoriously sloppy W5YI/VEC, ever being accused of mis-handling sensitive personal data. But you make a good point. The more items of personal data a VEC must handle, the more strict procedures there must be to ensure confidentiality (a) because it's the right thing to do and (b) to protect our staff and corporate rear-end. To me, the password requirement is another instance of the FCC shifting their workload onto the private sector and the individual citizen. And with the shift of workload comes a shift of expenses, which VEC's either have to absorb or pass along to applicants, making it more expensive for people to take an exam. As FCC Washington reduces barriers -- insofar as 5 wpm constitutes a barrier -- FCC Gettysburg increases them through bureaucratic burdens placed on citizen applicants and the VEC's who serve them. If that's "progress," I need a new dictionary. 73 - Kay N3KN