Anyone I suppose could compromise a users # understanding their writing style, knowledge etc. I suspect that once compromised the best thing to do would be for the user to get a new user name, and thus a new # along with it if need be.
That may be true, but why can't people, especially those in places of power just have the simple morality and integrity to respect poster's privacy? Then look at those like phoenix, grog, strider and celcius who give themselves away by their grammer and spelling. Multiple names and numbers, even banning from the site does not hide their on-line personality. The same may be true for a lot of us.