The proposal would create a national database of all employees based on Social Security Numbers. Employers would be required to check this database before hiring. Civil liberties groups believe that this system, once in place, would lead to the development of a national ID card. The Commission previously proposed the creation of an ID card but backed off in the face of public opposition. Leaders of civil rights and immigration organizations and privacy advocates attended a meeting at the White House with representatives from the Department of Justice, HHS, INS, and the White House to discuss the implications of the program in early January.
Further discussion is likely.
We reported in EPIC Alert 2.01 that the Council of Ministers had reached a common position on the closely watched European data protection directive. The directive, once adopted, will establish European-wide privacy standards. We jumped the gun. At the time of the report, the common position had not been reached officially, though our sources told us they thought the Council of Ministers had effectively endorsed the final proposal. More news as it happens.