In April, Locke issued an executive order to protect citizens' sensitive personal information held in state files. Agencies were directed to take immediate and systematic action to limit the amount of information they collect. They were also directed to publish privacy statements on their web sites and safeguard sensitive personal data. In his executive order, Locke emphasized the importance of open records and the public's right to know, but said that the state must also be a leader in preventing unauthorized uses of sensitive information about its citizens.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation.
As a precaution against identity theft and financial fraud, many agencies have changed the way they use Social Security numbers and bank account numbers of the public and their own employees. As of August, state employee pay stubs no longer display these numbers, and the Department of Personnel is developing an alternate means of identifying employees. Other agencies, such as the Department of Labor and Industries, have removed Social Security numbers from nearly 50 of their forms. Central Washington University has changed its student information system so that Social Security numbers are masked. Central also uses a new software system that randomly assigns student ID numbers and avoids the use of Social Security numbers.