Privacy Act in relation to the Federal Act

The stated Privacy Act of 1974 protects the public from a possible privacy breach by the Federal agencies use of personal records. The law basically allows a person to know how the Federal government gets, uses and destroys his data. It also allows a person to get access to most personal information that the federal agencies keep; in addition, they can seek corrections on any incomplete, wrong, irrelevant or untimely information.

The privacy act still applies to any personal information that the executive branch of the federal government agencies have on an individual. In reference to the executive branch those implicated include departments that deal with corporations, military, cabinet and government. Agencies, that include both government and interdependent. Government controlled corporations and other executive branch institutions. In addition all agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act fall under the Freedom Act. However, records kept by private organizations or companies or the local and state governments often do not apply to the privacy act

In a broader perspective the Privacy Act only applies to records stored within a recording system. The system of record idea is new to the privacy act and thus needs further clarification. The record is defined within the act to incorporate mostly personal data kept by an agency on a person. From that description a personal record has data that is familiar but not bound to information history on: educational background, employment, transactions, medical or criminal information. Not all the personal information is kept within the system records. The privacy act is not subject to such information; however permission may be requested under the FOIA.

Many of the personal information files in government often fall under the jurisdiction of the Privacy Act. Meaning Federal agencies records requirements are created within the policies of the Privacy Act. In accordance to personal information, there are procedural and substantive rights that relate to individuals. First, it dictates that the government agencies show a person any personal record kept on him/her. Secondly it calls for the adherence to the fair information practices within the agencies, while handling or collecting any personal information. Thirdly, it places boundaries on how an individual’s data can be shared within the agencies. Lastly the act allows individuals to take legal action in case their rights are violated by the government.