Census ends use of social security numbers in AES

Census ends use of social security numbers in AES    The U.S. Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division has issued an interim final rule to end the use of social security numbers as identification when registering and filing electronic export information in the Automated Export System, or AESDirect.
   Current regulations allow the authorized AES filer to either enter a social security number, employer identification number (EIN), or Dun and Bradstreet number (DUNS). Census said social security numbers are often used by individual filers, whereas businesses use either the EIN or DUNS. However, the EIN is available to both businesses and individuals, the agency said.
   Under the interim rule, the AES filer, also called the 'U.S. principal party in interest,' must obtain an EIN through the Internal Revenue Service. Those filers, who want to use a DUNS rather than the EIN, must first obtain an EIN for identification purposes, the agency said.
   Census said the rule is being implemented to ensure that the AES filer is protected in accordance with the 1974 Privacy Act.
   The interim rule (published in Wednesday's Federal Register) takes effect on Sept. 4, but the agency will accept comments about the change through Oct. 5. Census plans to implement the provisions of the rule Dec. 3.