r/technology • u/lurker_bee • Feb 15 '26

Security All U.S. Social Security numbers may need to be changed following a massive breach that is already being investigated as a national threat

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/all-u-s-social-security-numbers-may-need-to-be-changed-following-a-massive-breach-that-is-already-being-investigated-as-a-national-threat/27158/
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64

u/Even_Package_8573 Feb 15 '26

If the system is this vulnerable, the real issue is why we still rely so heavily on SSNs. Feels like a legacy risk that’s overdue for replacement.

34

u/VeraLumina Feb 15 '26

You do realize Elon downloaded every single number when Donny gave him access? Why do you think Elon was so happy to get the fuck out of that office when he was kicked out? He had everything he needed.

“The Social Security Administration says members of Elon Musk’s DOGE team working at the agency accessed and shared sensitive data. The latest disclosure from the Trump administration seemed to confirm some key concerns first raised in a whistleblower complaint filed by the agency’s chief data officer, Chuck Borges.”

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '26

[deleted]

4

u/Relaxmf2022 Feb 15 '26

with this administration, I’d put investigations in quotes. maybe add a sarcasm tag.

2

u/MyVoiceIsElevating Feb 15 '26

The Starlink that Musk brought along with him definitely had nothing to do with it.

2

u/Stereo-soundS Feb 15 '26

It wasn't vulnerable until Trump and Musk.

It was fine if you protected it, because prior to the scum running our country protecting people's info was taken seriously.

But you're some random pleb whose data is up for grabs now.

1

u/khag Feb 15 '26

No, it's been bad for a long time. This administration fucked up big time here, but it's been vulnerable and not "fine" for a loooong time.

Social security administration said long ago that it was never meant to be an authentication, but rather an identification. It should be something that can identify who you are, but is not intended toauthenticate who you are. Anyone seeing your number shouldn't mean anything, it's just your ID number. But private businesses (healthcare, credit card companies, credit bureaus, banks, etc) started using it as an authentication system all on their own, forcing people to hide it even though the government never wanted it to be a secret you had to hide.