At this point though, I prefer a government run program. Considering Equifax can't manage to keep my data safe or keep their Java packages updated, and in addition not be liable to any damages caused, it is practically a public liability. Why not just make the government do it. At least they wont sell the data.
Yes, but if the government screws up, the onus is on them to fix the lack of a secure way to identify a person. Re-issue new SSNs (maybe with more bits of entropy) to everyone, give everyone a UUID and public/private key, issue national IDs, whatever it takes.
If your bank or company or Equifax leaks all your SSNs the government won't take a shit, they'll just let people continue stealing your identity.
