[net.aviation] FAA violations of the Privacy Act

kfr (01/06/83)

The FAA's application for a flight test, as well as other FAA forms,
request the Social Security Number (SSN) of the applicant.

The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits federal agencies from using the SSN
unless specifically granted permission by statute. The FAA's use of
the SSN is not so covered, and the FAA's use is illegal!.
The Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579) also requires any agency "which requests
an individual to disclose his social security account number shall
inform that individual whether that disclosure is mandatory or voluntary,
by what statutory or other authority such number is solicited, and what
uses will be made of it." The FAA does not comply with this either.

I am in possession of a letter from the FAA in Washington that says  that
an applicant does not have to disclose their SSN, and in that case the FAA
will assign their own ID number. So far this has not helped much on the
local (New Jersey) level. Has anyone else had any experience with this
issue?

ark (01/06/83)

When I got my instrument ticket, I decided I didn't want my SSN used
anymore.  I had been naive enough to supply it the first time around.
After I passed, I told the examiner that I didn't want my SSN used.
She said: "fine; where it says 'certificate number' I will just write
PENDING, and they will assign a new number and purge your SSN from their
files."  She did, and they did.

I can see one small advantage to using your SSN as a license number:
if you lose it, it's easier to remember the number when sending for
a duplicate.

kco (01/06/83)

Who cares if they have your SSN? In practical effect, your name
and every other vital statistic are mapped and cross-mapped, indexed
and cross-indexed in hundreds of data bases. When they want you,
they got you.

cfiaime (01/06/83)

Consulting with a copy of FAA form 8710-1 "Airman Certificate and/or
Rating Application" which I happen to have at my desk (once a CFI, always
a CFI) if I may quote some of the supplemental information:

     "The information on tthe accompanying form is solicited under authority
           of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 61 and Part 143.
 
      Submission of all the data is mandattory except for social security
           account number which is voluntary.
      
      [Two paragraphs of other data omitted]

      Disclosure of your social security account number is optional.   
           Disclosure will facilitate maintenance of your records which are
           maintained in alphabetical order and cross referenced with
           your SSAN and airman number to provide prompt access.  In event
           of nondisclosure a unique number will be assigned to your file."

So, there you have it, gang.  The FAA is indeed in compliance with the
Privacy Act.  (By the way, this form is dated July, 1976).  You may
request an unique certificate number and still have the SSAN on your
ticket if you desire.  (Those who got the original certificate before
1974(?) will have an unique number anyway)

By the way, in my opinion, the FAA GADO has got to be the best bunch of
Federal people going.  Flame if you wish, but by mail (IHUXA!CFIAIME).

Jeff Williams
BTL - IH

dmmartindale (01/07/83)

What does the FAA do with non-US citizens who don't have a social security
number?