Privacy Act (U.S.)

The Privacy Act of 1974 is a U.S. law that governs how federal agencies collect, use, and protect personal information about individuals. It gives people rights to access, correct, or limit the sharing of their records, and requires agencies to keep data secure. The Act aims to balance the government's need to manage information with individuals’ privacy rights, ensuring transparency and accountability in handling personal data. It applies mainly to records maintained by federal agencies and helps prevent improper disclosure of personal information.