Does New York protect my Social Security number from exposure?

What the Law Says

New York has specific laws limiting how organizations may collect, display, transmit, or store your Social Security number (SSN). These laws aim to prevent identity theft and unauthorized access.

The primary law is New York Civil Rights Law § 50-e, which prohibits any person or business from publicly displaying or transmitting an individual’s SSN unless required by federal or state law or with the individual’s written consent.

It also bans printing an SSN on identification cards or documents mailed to individuals — unless the document is a government-issued ID or used for tax, wage, or benefit administration.

Additionally, the New York State Education Department’s regulation (8 NYCRR § 200.19) prohibits schools from using SSNs as student identifiers and requires them to remove SSNs from public records and internal systems where not legally required.

Statutory Text

No person or entity shall publicly display or communicate an individual's social security number.

— Civil Rights Law § 50-e(1) — Prohibition on public display or communication of SSN

Statutory Text

No person or entity shall print an individual's social security number on any card required to access products or services, or on any document mailed to an individual, unless required by federal or state law.

— Civil Rights Law § 50-e(2) — Restrictions on printing SSN on cards or mail

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