NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/comp/society/privacy/844

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-22 | 1.6 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!computer-privacy-request
Date: 19 Dec 92 23:38:15 CST
From: [e-mail]
Newsgroups: comp.society.privacy
Subject: Re: Blockbuster Video
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Data Research Associates, Inc.
Sender: [e-mail]
Approved: [e-mail]
X-Submissions-To: [e-mail]
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X-Computer-Privacy-Digest: Volume 1, Issue 116, Message 9 of 11
Lines: 27

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jerry Bryan) writes:
> I just had my first encounter with Blockbuster Video.  They wanted
> my driver's license number, my SSN, a credit card number, where
> I worked, and my boss's name.  I balked on the SSN, they would not
> give in, and I walked out.

BLOCKBUSTER must being using different forms in different areas.  The forms
used as the St. Louis stores have the word "optional" written over the space
for the Social Security Number.  That may be because Missouri uses the SSN
as its driver's license number (records sold to anyone for $1, or in bulk
for 1 cent each).

However, its the "Membership Terms and Conditions" that have the real privacy
related stuff (on a seperate piece of paper from the Application).

     Membership Terms and Conditions
[...]
3. Member authorizes BLOCKBUSTER Video to release information contained
in this Application or generated through the use of the membership card.
[...]
2/92

--
Sean Donelan, Data Research Associates, Inc, St. Louis, MO
Domain: [e-mail], Voice: (Work) [phone]