Person-Number Systems of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Israel

摘要

For some years, the proposal to establish a person numbering system in the United States has been a matter of public policy debate. The use of a number to uniquely identify an individual, and its application universally for commercial, governmental and military identification purposes has obvious advantages from a data processing, epidemiological and health research, and record linkage point of view; and personal advantages to the individual as well. Person numbering systems have existed in many parts of the world under a variety of systems of governments. However, many persons view the establishment of such a system as a real or potential threat to the traditional freedoms enjoyed by Americans. The report describes the techniques used in these numbering systems. No attempt has been made to assess the health, social, or economic impact of these systems. The report is intended to be factual, and makes no recommendations either for or against the use of person numbering systems in the United States.