Is it legal to publish someones social security number in a book without their knowledge?

Far too many variables exist in the short post you wrote for any further observation by me. What is the book? Many attorneys have information posted here on Avvo.

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No federal laws prohibit the printing of a social security number necessarily. How the number was obtained, though, may lead to liability (e.g., stealing it, taking it from records that are protected, hacking into a computer system to get it). Some states, like Virginia, have laws that prohibit publicly displaying the social security number and other information. If the information was provided subject to a privacy policy, that may lead to civil liability if it caused damage. A complaint to the appropriate federal authority is possible depending on how the person got the information.

As the prior answer said, more information is needed.

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[This communication is intended as general information and not specific legal advice, and this communication does not create an attorney-client relationship.]