You might not remember that you bought two bottles of champagne for New Year's Eve, but chances are, the state does.

Pennsylvania's 638 Wine and Spirits shops keep data on anyone who is asked to show a photo ID. The data is kept for seven years, and it is sometimes turned over to law enforcement agencies.

The data serves two purposes. If a minor uses someone else's license to buy liquor, the records would show whether the ID was properly checked. Second, the records provide a paper trail to the purchaser when minors are caught with alcohol.

While the state has a valid interest in trying to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol and punish those who supply it, this system is flawed.

First, the data is only taken from some customers: those who are carded. Young people are far more likely to be asked to show IDs than older people. A 45-year-old might be supplying liquor to her children and their friends, but there probably won't be a paper trail in this case. But if the minors are caught with liquor from a 21-year-old supplier, there's a good chance that the 21-year-old will get caught. The data collection borders on age discrimination.

If the state feels the data collection is absolutely vital to protect minors, the data collection should not be arbitrary. Everyone's cards should be scanned.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union, among others, has questioned whether the state has a good enough reason to collect this information at all. Some people consider it a violation of privacy that the state keeps records on their alcohol purchases, included what they buy and how often they purchase it.

Representatives should seriously consider doing away with the data collection. If they choose to continue the practice, it shouldn't be arbitrary.

Also, state stores should clearly and prominently display the policy. Plenty of consumers assume that when their IDs are scanned, it is only to ensure that the ID is valid. Signs or stickers should be on every register to let the purchaser know that seven years from now, the state will still know they prefer Riesling to Chardonnay.