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System Identification Number, a number that uniquely identifies you in "the system". The definition of "the system" being used is all of the many databases a person gets entered in during the course of his or her life in order to identify that person. Everything ranging from the Department of Motorized Vehicles, the Internal Revenue Service, a Bonus Air Miles Registration System to the Local Blockbuster Simchip Rental.
Databases
These databases are centralized and contain millions upon millions of records from all kinds of users from all over the country/world and when someone retrieves information from one of these databases they have to provide a unique identifier in order to specify who's information they actually want to retrieve, this key is the SIN.
This is also the key that binds all of the databases together. For instance, if you want to find out what simchips the person driving a red pick-up with license-plate number "FUBAR01" has rented in the last six months you first retrieve the SIN of the owner of the pick-up from the DMZ database and use that to retrieve his history at Blockbusters. And so referencing was born. Using this method someone can retrieve any information on storage, provided they have access to the right databases.
Data Gathering
Now, this means that information is completely secure unless the ones maintaining the databases sell the content to other companies, or unless someone finds a way in there without having the proper access. When this happens people can start collecting data on others by simply harvesting data and connecting several datasets. They can take the information from the DMZ database and Blockbuster database and put the right connections in place, the connection being; your SIN.
Scary Scenario
If it means that those with the right resources can retrieve all stored information they want, what could that lead to? Well, it means that someone, your employer for instance, can compile a list of all the expenditures you have made within the last six months. On that list might be some emberassing little details. They'll be able to check what size underwear you wear, what your favorite yoghurt flavor is, who's literature you read, what type of sex toys you order, if you buy tampons or maxi-pads, if you bought condoms and how many you buy at what interval.
Shadowrunners
Consumer history is a fucking bitch to Shadowrunners. You don't want anyone to find out you've been regularly donating money to the Joey The Fixer fund. The IRS will want to see some receipts and how will you explain that you've brought three grenades, 200 rounds of ADPS ammo and telecom-number for someone who'll take wetwork from your Fixer? You won't. Also, everyone with the right access will be able to track you down, know where you live, know where you regularly drink a soycaff and have a synthburger. A hit waiting to happen.
Types of SINs
There are two types of SINs; Normal SINs and Criminal SINs. With a Normal SIN you are concidered a citizen and you will have the rights of one. A Criminal SIN is a SIN given to you for purposes of registration and processing in a situation where you, as a SINless, are charged with a crime. In order to charge you, process you and institutionalize you when necessary, you have to be a citizen. However, awarding full citizen-ship on a potential criminal is not what the UCAS wants to do; therefor they upgrade you to probationary citizen. A sort of a: "Sorry, we didn't know you exist. We hereby formally recognize your existence so that we can actually try and put you in jail."
The SINless
The life of a SINless is not easy; he or she has no rights. If anything happens to that person, they will not be able to count on any help from the government. If you get shot, you are not even a statistic. You are not entitled to foodstamps, welfare, medical support because you haven't been calculated in the budget. You have no rights; officially you cannot use public services because you pay no tax which provides for these services. You can't get a job because holding a job means having a place of residence and having a place of residence means you have to have a SIN.
If you want any of the luxuries life has to provide you either have to get a falsified SIN or have to find someone who can provide you with the commodities you are looking for without asking for a SIN. You pay 50% more for all your equipment, provided it hasn't been stolen and you have to be very hush hush about it because Fixers value their privacy.
It's not illegal to be SINless. You can't be arrested for it, however, you can get arrested for not showing proper identification on demand. So what it comes down to is that you are fragged as soon as the Star asks for your ID.
Being SINless can be compared to being an ex-convict and homeless at the same time. Nobody wants to hire you because you have had no official schooling, nobody wants to know you because you have nothing to offer. People are afraid of you because you often are viewed as a criminal. "You are SINless and you've survived this long, you must be a bad ass!"
Acquiring a SIN
You get a SIN at birth if your parents bother to register you. But then again, you're mother has to have a SIN in order to register you, so sometimes you are not in luck. Orphanages are good breeding places for SINless children who want to apply for a SIN, that's why Orphanages are always completely booked solid. Because there are so many children who try to apply for a SIN at an orphanage, it's also good recruitment ground for organized crime since most children don't hack it long enough for their application to be processed.
When you application gets taken into consideration a lengthy investigation follows. This investigation goes into your background, but most importantly into your abilities. If you can't be a productive member of society, or if they have the slightest suspicion you have been involved in anything illegal, your application gets ripped to shreds right in front of your nose. Also, you'll need someone to vouche for you; someone that will put his name and reputation on the line for you, and those are hard to find.
Pro's
You are not a number in the system. You are untracable if you want to be.
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