Privacy Act Law

The Privacy Act, enacted in 1974, governs how U.S. government agencies collect, use, and share personal information about citizens. It aims to protect individual privacy by ensuring federal agencies disclose their data practices and allowing individuals to access and correct their records. The law requires agencies to minimize data collection and restricts the sharing of personal information without consent. In essence, it balances the government's need for information with the right of individuals to control their personal data, promoting transparency and accountability in government operations.