An Oldie but a Goodie: Uncle Sam’s Song for Safeguarding Personal Privacy

Brush up on the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, which prohibits disclosure of government records without prior written consent of the individual to whom the record pertains unless one of 12 statutory exceptions applies. This practice note discusses the exceptions from the prohibition against disclosure, the process for providing access to individual records, and the requirements for agencies maintaining a system of records.

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Related Content 

• Privacy Act of 1974 and FOIA: Interaction and Key Differences
  Find out how the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, allow the disclosure of certain government records while having key differences and aims.  

• Protection of Personal Information in Government Records Key Federal Laws
  Check out this overview of key federal laws that protect personal information in government records, including the Privacy Act, FOIA, the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act, and the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.   

• Protection of Personal Information in Government Records State Law Survey
  Compare state laws protecting personally identifiable information (PII) contained in government records. This survey includes a chart highlighting each state's protections of PII in government records. Also see the Protection of Personal Information in Government Records topic in the Data Security & Privacy State Law Comparison Tool.

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