Which authority governs the collection of personal information by the Federal government?

Which authority governs the collection of personal information by the Federal government?

• A. The Privacy Act of 1974
• B. The Privacy and Security Act
• C. The Data Privacy Act
• D. The Public Records Act

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how personal information is regulated when the federal government collects it. The Privacy Act of 1974 sets the rules for how federal agencies collect, maintain, use, and disclose information about individuals. It requires agencies to collect only information that is relevant and necessary for their mission, to publish a system of records notice describing what data are collected and why, and to give individuals the right to access and request amendments to their records. It also restricts how information can be disclosed and often extends to contractors acting on behalf of agencies. Other options don’t govern federal data collection in the same way: there isn’t a federal Privacy and Security Act or Data Privacy Act that handles this, and the Public Records Act deals with public access to records rather than privacy and collection controls.

The main idea here is how personal information is regulated when the federal government collects it. The Privacy Act of 1974 sets the rules for how federal agencies collect, maintain, use, and disclose information about individuals. It requires agencies to collect only information that is relevant and necessary for their mission, to publish a system of records notice describing what data are collected and why, and to give individuals the right to access and request amendments to their records. It also restricts how information can be disclosed and often extends to contractors acting on behalf of agencies. Other options don’t govern federal data collection in the same way: there isn’t a federal Privacy and Security Act or Data Privacy Act that handles this, and the Public Records Act deals with public access to records rather than privacy and collection controls.