My date of birth is private

As a state employee, my name, job classification and salary are public. However, in the digital age one’s complete date of birth is sensitive information. That’s why I support House Bill 1888, to prevent releasing the DOB of 66,000 state workers.

A January 19 Spokesman-Review editorial (“Birthdates: Don’t gut records law for unions”) calls HB 1888 “a sneaky bill that would wreak havoc when it comes to accountability and public employees.” It adds “we haven’t seen a case yet of a criminal using public records law to get a birthdate and steal a public employee’s identity, but we suppose it’s possible.” Of course it’s possible!

Would S-R editorial staff give their DOB to anyone who asks? The S-R editorial also opines that a DOB “makes background checks possible.” By who exactly? Only the state has a legitimate need to conduct background checks on its workers. They already have our DOB. Hackers might find anyone’s DOB in a minute, but that doesn’t mean we should just hand it over for 66,000 people.

Protecting this one piece of sensitive data is not “sneaky.” It won’t “wreak havoc.” It’s common sense! Anyone who disagrees can go right ahead and publish their own date of birth on the internet.

Scott A. Morrell

Spokane