Privacy Act of 1974: Overview

Summary

This practice note provides an overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552a. It identifies the exceptions from the prohibition against disclosure, outlines the process for providing access to individual records, and describes requirements for agencies maintaining a system of records, including publishing notices in the Federal Register, and ensuring the accuracy, relevance, completeness, and timeliness of records. It also identifies the circumstances under which agencies can exempt systems of records from the requirements of the Privacy Act. In addition, it describes the circumstances under which disclosure of records for use in a computer matching program is permitted.