Privacy Act of 1974

The Privacy Act limits how data can be collected and released on private individuals by the government:

• restricts disclosure of personally identifiable records maintained by agencies;
• grants individuals increased rights of access to agency records maintained on them;
• grants individuals the right to seek amendment of agency records maintained on themselves upon a showing that the records are not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete; and
• establishes a code of “fair information practices” that requires agencies to comply with statutory norms for collection, maintenance, and dissemination of records.

The Privacy Act overlaps with the Paperwork Reduction Act.