Basic Requirements of Privacy Legislation and the Federal Government Privacy Act

In addition to the basic right to privacy that an individual is entitled to under the U.S. Constitution, the government also enacted the Privacy Act of 1974. A e purpose of this is to provide certain safeguards to an individual against an invasion of personal privacy. A is act places certain requirements on federal agencies, which include the following:

1. Permits an individual to determine what records pertaining to him or her are collected and maintained by federal agencies

2. Permits an individual to prevent records pertaining to him or her that were obtained for a particular purpose from being used or made available for another purpose without consent

3. Permits an individual to gain access to information pertaining to him or her in federal agency records and to correct or amend them

4. Requires federal agencies to collect, maintain, and use any personal information in a manner that assures that such action is for a necessary and lawful purpose, that the information is current and accurate, and that safeguards are provided to prevent misuse of the information

Source:IT Control & Audit, Sandra Senft, Frederick Gallegos 2008