>1) How will they know if you provide bogus information? My guess is several million people have signed up for hotmail/passport. They will not be checking this information.

Though I have no contacts in the Hotmail/Passport group, I could just about guarantee that they don't check this. Not that I would ever recommend that you violate the EULA, of course.

>2) If MS is required to give information by law, you can't stop them. Your bank, doctor, dentist, accountant, etc. may be required from time to time to provide information by law.

You left out "pastor/minister". I was once put in a postion where this became an issue, and I could have lost my license had the situation escalated to the point that I had information that should be reported to authorities, and I didn't report it. (Long story, consult with me at the DevCon hotel bar if you really want the hairy details.) Patient/layperson confidentiality only goes so far. Point is, when law enforcement wants otherwise confidential information, you give it to them or pay the price. In a lot of cases, it's also just the right thing to do.

>3) The statement says that MS may share your information in the operation of the web site. What operation information does AmEx and eBay have with passport?

None, other than user validation. Despite the conspiracy theories, I can confirm that they've got this locked down tight. I've been trying to put together some VFP samples using Passport and Hailstorm, and I've been stymied by the privacy procedures put into place. I work here, and I can't put together a decent demo without jumping through major hoops. I'll admit, though, that there is the possibility that Microsoft might be able to grab demographic and spending trend info. I'm not saying that it is possible, I'm just allowing that there may be something I missed. As far as I can tell, the system wouldn't make this possible.

> They've never asked for my social security number (which incidentally, you can deny to anyone unless it's tax related),

Not quite true. Financial institutions can legally require it (as per the original 1934 act, I believe; tax purposes), as well as state driver's license agencies. As it concerns the DMV, it's because of some federal law about child support payments. Washington state legislature fought against it, but it got overridden because of said federal law.

Mike Stewart