I think that allowing individuals to choose to keep their information private or share it is the key. My thoughts on this subject have not changed after reading your paper. I don't think anyone should have access to your social security number or your drivers license without your knowing about it. If society insists on making these types of records public, they should be forced to tell you who wants to look at your information. When someone or some company wants your information they should have to provide to you some pertinent information also such as the name and address of the person requesting the information, the date, and detailed plans on what they intend to do with it.
Data mining is an invasion of privacy.
It is no different from people snooping around in your neighborhood asking all your neighbors about you and then digging through your trash to find out some kind of information that they feel is useful. If I were a retailer, I would be concerned about my customers' right to privacy. If I could guarantee it to them, I could attract more business by offering them that advantage. In my eyes data mining is an invasion of privacy no matter how you look at it.