Method and apparatus for protecting personal information and for verifying identities

A method for verifying the identity of a person, the method comprising:

• a. storing personal information regarding one or more persons in an electronic database;
• b. receiving an electromagnetic signal pursuant to which the verification of personal information of one or more persons is requested;
• c. verifying that the information in the electromagnetic signal is linked to certain personal information in the electronic database for one or more persons;
• and
• d. confirming that the information in the electromagnetic signal and certain personal information are linked in the computer database.

A system for protecting personal information comprising:

• a. a computer system, said computer system including an electronic data storage device and operating instructions to manipulate data stored in said data storage device;
• b. a personal key, said personal key being associated with data stored in said data storage device;
• and,
• c. a communication interface, said communication interface being arranged to receive requests for verification from one or more sources and transmit a result of the manipulation of the data in the data storage device in response thereto.

A method for verifying personal information provided to a merchant by an individual in a commercial transaction, the steps comprising:

• a. providing a code to the merchant together with personal information;
• b. communicating the code and the personal information to computer for verifying that the code and the personal information is linked in the database of the computer;
• and,
• c. receiving a confirmation that the code and the personal information are linked in the database of the computer before consummating the commercial transaction.

A system for protecting personal information, the system comprising:

• a. an electronic data storage device, said electronic data storage device containing personal information for at least one individual;
• b. a personal key generator, said personal key generator arranged to generate a personal key in response to a request by a person whose information is stored in the electronic data storage device;
• c. a communication interface, said communication interface being in selective communication with said electronic data storage device and said personal key generator so as to respond to at least one of:
• a request for the generation of a personal key, a request to transmit a personal key, and a request to verify that the personal information stored in said electronic storage device is associated with a previously generated personal key.