- Prepared by the Office of Information and Privacy in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), it is updated and expanded each year. Any inquiry about the Privacy Act's provisions should be made to individual agency Privacy Act officers in conjunction with use of this "Overview." Particularly important Privacy Act policy/litigation questions, or questions concerning the OMB Guidelines, may be directed to Maya A. Bernstein, Policy Analyst, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, at (202) 395-3785.
TABLE OF CONTENTS - Introduction
- Legislative History
- Role of the Privacy Protection Study Commission
- Role of the Office of Management and Budget
- Computer Matching
- Policy Objectives
- Definitions
- Conditions of Disclosure to Third Parties A. The "No Disclosure Without Consent" Rule
B. Twelve Exceptions to the "No Disclosure Without Consent" Rule- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(1) ("need to know" within agency)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(2) (required FOIA disclosure)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(3) (routine uses)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(4) (Bureau of the Census)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(5) (statistical research)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(6) (National Archives)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(7) (law enforcement request)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(8) (health or safety of an individual)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(9) (Congress)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(10) (General Accounting Office)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(11) (court order)
- 5 U.S.C. ' 552a(b)(12) (Debt Collection Act)
- Accounting of Certain Disclosures
- Individual's Right of Access
- Individual's Right of Amendment
- Agency Requirements
- Agency Rules
- Civil Remedies A. Amendment Lawsuits
B. Access Lawsuits
C. Accuracy Lawsuits for Damages
D. Other Damages Lawsuits
E. Intentional/Willful Standard and Actual Damages in Accuracy and Other Damages Lawsuits
F. Principles Applicable to All Privacy Act Civil Actions - Criminal Penalties
- Ten Exemptions
- Social Security Number Usage
- Government Contractors
- Mailing Lists
- Miscellaneous Provisions
Last Updated December 21, 1998
usdoj/css/mam
Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974
This article was edited and reviewed by FindLaw Attorney Writers | Last reviewed March 26, 2008
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Was this helpful?