But, thanks to your official identity and your latest purchase at a store, your information has probably been scooped up into a database with the records of millions of other people who hate technology, too.

FORBES: Networks

The collective that can claim Huaxi's assets is a tiny subset of the 35, 000 people who live there now, consisting of residents who hold an official government identity card from the original village.

WSJ: He Led Village to Become China's Richest

The identity number will help the poor, who find it difficult to access public services and benefits because they do not have official records or identity.

BBC: Is India's identity number scheme unravelling?

Most members of the ring were what are known in espionage parlance as "illegals" agents who go to a country using a false identity and without official cover such as a diplomatic position.

WSJ: Russian Spy Ring Aimed to Make Children Agents

It is extremely worrisome and dangerous to appoint a radical such as Aissami as the official in charge of issuing identity cards and passports but this serves the goals of the Iranian and Venezuelan presidents in their joint efforts to radicalize the region and build terrorist networks.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Venezuelas Tarek El-Aissami

As proof, they have to show identity cards, or an affidavit signed by a priest or local official.

ECONOMIST: East Timor

The Washington Post quoted a "senior administration official" in a story Sunday as saying that two top White House officials disclosed the identity of Wilson's wife in calls to at least six Washington journalists.

CNN: Novak: 'No great crime' with leak

The official version of events said he died under the plastic surgeon's scalpel while trying to change his identity.

BBC: Heriberto Lazcano: The fall of a Mexican drug lord

Although this is the most official claim to date, there are questions about how the Chadian military were able to confirm the militant's identity so quickly, our correspondent says.

BBC: Islamist militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar 'killed in Mali'