In the Rush to Release Classified Files Many People’s Social Security Numbers Have Been Leaked

William A. Harnage, who is a former government contractor, was one of those affected. A reporter informed him that his Social Security number had appeared in the documents. "I consider it almost criminal," Harnage said.

Many others whose personal information was included are prominent figures. Some have held high-ranking positions in the government, including a former assistant secretary of state and a U.S. ambassador. Others were researchers in intelligence agencies or prominent lawyers.

Joe DiGenova, a former staff member of the Senate Church Committee, who would investigate intelligence abuses in the 1970s, was also affected. He had no idea his personal information was in the JFK files until a reporter called him while he was grocery shopping. Since then, he and others whose information was exposed have been working to protect their identities. Some have frozen their bank accounts and are considering legal action against the National Archives.

This issue has sparked frustration, with many people pointing out that basic security practices, like redacting sensitive data, were ignored. As DiGenova put it, “It’s like a first-grade, elementary-level rule of security.”