About FOIA | **About the Privacy Act** | FOIA LibraryMaking a Request | FAQs | Contacts | Links

## About the Privacy Act

|  |  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--|--|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  |  | More ResourcesText of the Privacy ActDOJ Overview of the Privacy ActPrivacy Act System of Records Notices - 2006
The Privacy Act of 1974 is a companion to the FOIA. The Privacy Act:
- Regulates Federal Government agency recordkeeping and disclosure practices.
- Allows most individuals to seek access to Federal agency records about themselves.
- Requires that personal information in agency files be accurate, complete, relevant, and timely.
- Requires that agencies obtain information directly from the subject of the record and that information gathered for one purpose not be used for another purpose.
- Provides civil remedies for individuals whose rights may have been violated.
- Provides that the subject of a record may challenge the accuracy of information.
- Recognizes the legitimate need to restrict disclosure of some information.
- Requires that each Federal agency publish a description of each system of records maintained by the agency that contains personal information. ( See the Department's systems of records published in the  Federal Register )
- Restricts the disclosure of personally identifiable information by Federal agencies.
Making Requests
Consult the Making a Request link if you plan to make a Privacy Act request to the U.S. Department of Education.
  Last Modified: 08/28/2020 |