Transmitting personal identification numbers, specifically those assigned for social security purposes, via electronic mail involves the act of digitally dispatching this sensitive datum. An instance of this would be typing the nine-digit sequence into the body of an email message and directing that message to another party through an internet-based email service.
The implications of such transmission are significant. Historically, the proliferation of digital communication has led to increased convenience in data exchange. However, the inherent vulnerabilities present in many email systems raise substantial security concerns. Unencrypted email communication, for example, can be intercepted, exposing the transmitted number to unauthorized parties. This can lead to identity theft and other forms of fraud.