Email. The Stored Communications Act (“SCA”) has been found to apply to all email stored in the United States whether it belongs to U.S. citizens or foreigners. [See Suzlon Energy Ltd. v. Microsoft Corps. 671 F.3d 726 (9th Cir. 2011)]. Federal Laws Related To Social Security Numbers A social security number is a sensitive piece of information and remains one of the easiest ways for a criminal to pursue identity theft. There are a variety of federal and state laws that require businesses to protect the confidentiality of social security numbers. Federal legislation specifically focused on restricting the use and disclosure of social security numbers has been introduced but no comprehensive law exists today at the federal level. The GLBA and HIPAA protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, including social security numbers. FCRA limits access to credit data (including social security numbers) to those with a permissible purpose. FACTA (which amended FCRA) allows consumers who request a copy of their credit report to ask that the first five digits of their social under GLBA or Section 5 of the FTC Act to pursue claims of unreasonable data security practices if it finds that social security numbers were being used as passwords for consumers to authenticate their identity. [See Solove and Hartzog, FTC and the New Common Law of Privacy, 114 Columb. L. Rev. 583 (2014)]. Many states, including Minnesota, have passed laws that restrict the use and dissemination of social security numbers. There is much variety in what the various state laws provide. Some states prohibit the request of a social security number to complete a transaction. Other states mandate a formal privacy policy for any entity that collects social security numbers. security number not be included in the file. The FTC may be able to exercise its authority
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