FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT:  Chris McCannell
April 9, 1997					(202) 225-6511

Take Earnings Information Off Internet,
Congressman Kanjorski Tells Social Security Administration


Washington, DC-- Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced today
the he will introduce legislation to prohibit the Social Security
Administration from releasing private earnings information on the
Internet.  Over the last month the Social Security Administration,
through its Web site, has allowed individuals instant access to their
anticipated Social Security benefits, as well as earnings records.  

"The federal government has no right to allow unauthorized access to
highly sensitive, private information about individuals, such as their
lifetime earnings.  The Social Security Administration's Web site does
not provide adequate safeguards to ensure that private information
remains private," said Congressman Kanjorski.

"While I appreciate the efforts of the Social Security Administration to
make its information user-friendly for the American people, this system
is abuser-friendly and needs to be stopped," said Congressman 
Kanjorski.

With just five pieces of information -- a person's name, Social Security
number, mother's maiden name, date and place of birth -- anyone can gain
access to someone else's earnings records.  

"Too much private information about individuals is already easily
available through the wonders of the World Wide Web.  The federal
government needs to be more careful than ever with the sensitive
information it has in its possession about American citizens," said
Congressman Kanjorski.  A senior member of the Government Reform and
Oversight Committee, Congressman Kanjorski is seeking hearings to be held
on this issue.  

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Congressman Kanjorski's bill would prohibit the Social Security
Administration and the Internal Revenue Service from providing access to
any individual's tax records, earnings history, or other Social Security
information without a specific written request from the individual.  His
bill also would establish a Commission on Privacy of Government Records,
with the mandate to make 
recommendations on privacy issues to the President and the Congress by
April 15, 1998.

"The Internet is a powerful tool for disseminating information, which is
precisely why government agencies need to be extraordinarily cautious
about what information is posted on the Internet until adequate
safeguards are implemented to protect individuals' privacy," said
Congressman Kanjorski.