by 
The Curious Bag
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Social security numbers (SSN) were first issued in 1936 for use in government Social Security programs. However, the numbers have evolved to become the main identifier of all American citizens.
History
The Social Security Number Protection Act was signed into law in 2004 by President Bush.
Purpose
The law was written to meet the evolving needs of society, with particular emphasis on keeping SSNs secure and private, thereby reducing the occurrence of identity theft and fraud.
Benefits
The law is beneficial for both American citizens and businesses so they don't suffer the expense of paying for SSN theft or system abuse.
Mandates and Punishments
The law authorizes fines and criminal charges for SSN theft and abuse, and denies benefits to non-U.S. citizens. The law also makes it a crime to sell products or services American citizens get for free from the Social Security Administration.
Updates
In 2007, an amendment was presented before the House of Representatives providing the federal government with the authority to make it illegal to buy and sell SSNs or display them on public websites. However, this amendment has yet to be passed, and has been tabled, awaiting further debate.
Source:
theorator.com: SSN Protection Act of 2007
retirement.gov: SSN Protection Act of 2004
opencongress.org: SSN Act of 2007
More Information:
privacyrights.org: My Social Security Number: How Secure is it?
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