Databases Illuminated, 4th Edition

16.3 Databases and Privacy Issues

Much of the data that people provide about themselves in the regular course of their lives ends up in databases. School records, which contain personal information such as name, address, date of birth, and details about performance in school, are usually kept in a database. When people apply for employment, information about their career goals, their job history, their educational background, and their references may be stored in a database long after they have completed the application process. When income tax returns are filed, people provide detailed information about the sources and amounts of their income, as well as their name, address, and Social Security number. Census forms request personal information ...