An Act to amend title 5, United States Code, by adding a section 552a, to safeguard individual privacy from the misuse of Federal records, to provide that individuals be granted access to records concerning them which are maintained by Federal agencies, to establish a Privacy Protection Study Commission, and for other purposes.
PL 93-579 (S.3418), enacted 12/31/1974

1896 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
prepare and execute without consideration such instruments as may be 
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
Approved December 31, 1974. 
Public Law 93-579 
December31, 1974 
A N 
A C T 
^^••^^^i^] 
To amend title 5, United States Code, by adding a section 552a to safeguard 
individual privacy from the misuse of Federal records, to provide that 
individuals be granted access to records concerning them vs^hich are maintained 
by Federal agencies, to establish a Privacy Protection Study Commission, and 
for other purposes. 
Privacy Act of 
1974 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
5 use 552a 
bc clted as the "Privacy Act of 1974". 
Congressional 
SEC. 2. (a) Thc CoRgress finds that— 
^''s^ulc'552a 
^^) ^^^ privacy of an individual is directly affected by the 
note. 
collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal infor-
mation by Federal agencies; 
(2) the increasing use of computers and sophisticated infor-
mation technology, while essential to the efficient operations of 
the Government, has greatly magnified the harm to individual 
privacy that can occur from any collection, maintenance, use, or 
dissemination of personal information; 
(3) the opportunities for an individual to secure employment, 
insurance, and credit, and his right to due process, and other legal 
protections are endangered by the misuse of certain information 
systems; 
(4) the right to privacy is a personal and fundamental right 
protected by the Constitution of the United States; and 
(5) in order to protect the privacy of individuals identified in 
information systems maintained by Federal agencies, it is neces-
sary and proper for the Congress to regulate the collection, main-
tenance, use, and dissemination of information by such agencies. 
statement o
f 
(^Q^ 'pj^g purposc of this Act is to providc certain safeguards for an 
purpose. 
individual against an invasion of personal privacy by requiring 
Federal agencies, except as otherwise provided by law, to— 
(1) permit an individual to determine what records pertaining 
to him are collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by such 
agencies; 
(2) permit an individual to prevent records pertaining to him 
obtained by such agencies for a particular purpose from being 
used or made available for another purpose without his consent; 
(3) permit an individual to gain access to information pertain-
ing to him in Federal agency records, to have a copy made of all 
or any portion thereof, and to correct or amend such records; 
(4) collect, maintain, use, or disseminate any record of identi--
fiable personal information in a manner that assures that such 
action is for a necessary and lawful purpose, that the infor-
mation is current and accurate for its intended use, and that 
adequate safeguards are provided to prevent misuse of such 
information; 
(5) permit exemptions from the requirements with respect to 
records provided in this Act only in those cases where there is an 
important public policy need for such exemption as has been 
determined by specific statutory authority; and 
(6) be subject to civil suit for any damages which occur as a 
result of willful or intentional action which violates any indi-
vidual's rights under this Act. 
5 u s e 552a. 
Ante, 
p. 1564. 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1897 
SEC. 3. Title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding after 
section 552 the following new section: 
^'§ 552a. Records maintained on individuals 
" (a) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
"(1) the term 'agency' means agency as defined in section 
552(e) of this title; 
"(2) the term 'individual' means a citizen of the United States 
or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; 
"(3) the term 'maintain' includes maintain, collect, use, or dis-
seminate ; 
"(4) the term 'record' means any item, collection, or grouping 
of information about an individual that is maintained by an 
agency, including, but not limited to, his education, financial 
transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history 
and that contains his name, or the identifying number, symbol, 
or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such 
as a finger or voice print or a photograph; 
"(5) the term 'system of records' means a group of any records 
under the control of any agency from which information is 
retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying 
number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the 
individual; 
"(6) the term 'statistical record' means a record in a system 
of records maintained for statistical research or reporting pur-
poses only and not used in whole or in part in making any deter-
mination about an identifiable individual, except as provided by 
section 8 of title 13; and 
"(7) the term 'routine use' means, with respect to the dis-
closure of a record, the use of such record for a purpose which 
is compatible with the purpose for which it was collected. 
"(b) 
CONDITIONS OF DISCLOSURE.—No agency shall disclose any 
record which is contained in a system of records by any means of com-
munication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a 
written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual 
to whom the record pertains, unless disclosure of the record would 
be—• 
" (1) to those officers and employees of the agency which main-
tains the record who have a need for the record in the performance 
of their duties; 
"(2) required under section 552 of this title; 
"(3) for a routine use as defined in subsection (a) (7) of this 
section and described under subsection (e)(4)(D) of this section; 
"(4) to the Bureau of the Census for purposes of planning or 
canying out a census or survey or related activity pursuant to 
the provisions of title 13; 
"(5) to a recipient who has provided the agency with advance 
adequate written assurance that the record will be used solely as 
a statistical research or reporting record, and the record is to be 
transferred in a form that is not individually identifiable; 
"(6) to the National Archives of the United States as a record 
which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its con-
tinued preservation by the United States Government, or for 
evaluation by the Administrator of General Services or his 
designee to determine whether the record has such value; 
"(7) to another agency or to an instrumentality of any govern-
mental jurisdiction within or under the control of the LTnited 
States for a civil or criminal law enforcement activity if the 
activity is authorized by law, and if the head of the agency or 
instrumentality has made a written request to the agency which 
1898 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
maintains the record specifying the particular portion desired and 
the law enforcement activity for which the record is sought ; 
"(8) to a person pursuant to a showing of compelling circum-
stances affecting the health or safety of an individual if upon such 
disclosure notification is transmitted to the last known address of 
such individual; 
"(9) to either House of Congress, or, to the extent of matter 
within its jurisdiction, any committee or subcommittee thereof, 
any joint committee of Congress or subcommittee of any such 
joint committee; 
"(10) to the Comptroller General, or any of his authorized rep-
resentatives, in the course of the performance of the duties of 
the General Accounting Office; or 
"(11) pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdic-
tion. 
"(c) ACCOUNTING OF CERTAIN DISCLOSURES.—Each agency, with 
respect to each system of records under its control, shall— 
"(1) except for disclosures made under subsections (b) (1) or 
(b) (2) of this section, keep an accurate accounting of— 
"(A) the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of 
a record to any person or to another agency made under 
subsection (b) of this section; and 
"(B) the name and address of the person or agency to 
whom the disclosure is made; 
"(2) retain the accounting made under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection for at least five years or the life of the record, which-
ever is longer, after the disclosure for which the accounting is 
made; 
"(3) except for disclosures made under subsection (b)(7) of 
this section, make the accounting made under paragraph (1) of 
this subsection available to the individual named in the record 
at his request; and 
"(4) inform any person or other agency about any correction 
or notation of dispute made by the agency in accordance with 
subsection (d) of this section of any record that has been dis-
closed to the person or agency if an accounting of the disclosure 
was made. 
"(d) ACCESS TO RECORDS,—Each agency that maintains a system 
of records shall— 
TiTw""^^ 
"(1) upon request by any individual to gain access to his 
record or to any information pertaining to him which is con-
tained in the system, permit him and upon his request, a person 
of his own choosing to accompany him, to review the record and 
have a copy made of all or any portion thereof in a form compre-
hensible to him, except that the agency may require the indi-
vidual to furnish a written statement authorizing discussion of 
that individual's record in the accompanying person's presence; 
Ar^endment 
"(£) permit the iudividual to request amendment of a record 
pertaining to him and— 
"(A) not later than 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sun-
days, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of 
such request, acknowledge in writing such receipt; and 
"(B) promptly, either— 
"(i) make any correction of any portion thereof 
which the individual believes is not accurate, relevant, 
timely, or complete; or 
"(ii) inform the individual of its refusal to amend 
the record in accordance with his request, the reason 
review. 
request 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
189S) 
for the refusal, the procedures established by the agency 
for the individual to request a review of that refusal by 
the head of the agency or an officer designated by the 
head of the agency, and the name and business address 
of that official; 
" (3) permit the individual who disagrees with the refusal of the 
agency to amend his record to request a review of such refusal, 
and not later than 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and 
legal public holidays) from the date on which the individual 
requests such review, complete such review and make a final 
determination unless, for good cause shown, the head of the agency 
extends such 30-day period; and if, after his review, the reviewing 
official also refuses to amend the record in accordance with the 
request, permit the individual to file with the agenc}' a concise 
statement setting forth the reasons for his disagreement with the 
refusal of the agency, and notify the individual of the provisions 
for judicial review of the reviewing official's determination under 
subsection (g) (1) (A) of this section; 
"(4) in any disclosure, containing information about which 
the individual has filed a statement of disagreement, occurring 
after the filing of the statement under paragraph (3) of this sub-
section, clearly note any portion of the record which is disputed 
and provide copies of the statement and, if the agency deems it 
appropriate, copies of a concise statement of the reasons of the 
agency for not making the amendments requested, to persons or 
other agencies to whom the disputed record has been disclosed; 
and 
"(5) nothing in this section shall allow an individual access to 
any information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil 
action or proceeding. 
"(e) AGENCY 
REQUIREMENTS.—Each agency that maintains a 
system of records shall— 
"(1) maintain in its records only such information about an 
individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of 
the agency required to be accomplished by statute or by executive 
order of the President; 
"(2) collect information to the greatest extent practicable 
directly from the subject individual when the information may 
result in adverse determinations about an individual's rights, bene-
fits, and privileges under Federal programs; 
"(3) inform each individual whom it asks to supply informa-
tion, on the form which it uses to collect the information or on a 
separate form that can be retained by the individual— 
"(A) the authority (whether granted by statute, or by 
executive order of the President) which authorizes the solici-
tation of the information and whether disclosure of such 
information is mandatory or voluntary; 
"(B) the principal purpose or purposes for which the 
information is intended to be used; 
"(C) the routine uses which may be made of the informa-
tion, as published pursuant to paragraph (4) (D) of this 
subsection; and 
"(D) the effects on him, if any, of not providing all or 
any part of the requested information; 
"(4) subject to the provisions of paragraph (11) of this sub-
section, publish in the Federal Register at least annually a notice 
of the exiptence and character of the system of records, which 
notice shall include— 
" (A) the name and location of the system; 
Review. 
Notation 
dispute. 
Publicati 
Federal Re on in 
gister. 
1900 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
"(B) the categories of individuals on whom records are 
maintained in the system; 
"(C) the categories of records maintained in the system; 
"(D) each routine use of the records contained in the sys-
tem, including the categories of users and the purpose of such 
use; 
"(E) the policies and practices of the agency regarding 
storage, retrievability, access controls, retention, and disposal 
of the records; 
"(F) the title and business address of the agency official 
who is responsible for the system of records; 
"(G) the agency procedures whereby an individual can be 
notified at his request if the system of records contains a rec-
ord pertaining to him; 
"(H) the agency procedures whereby an individual can be 
notified at his request how he can gain access to any record 
pertaining to him contained in the system of records, and how 
he can contest its content; and 
" ( I ) the categories of sources of records in the system; 
"(5) maintain all records which are used by the agency in mak-
ing any determination about any individual with such accuracy, 
relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is reasonably necessary 
to assure fairness to the individual in the determination; 
"(6) prior to disseminating any record about an individual to 
any person other than an agency, unless the dissemination is 
made pursuant to subsection (b) (2) of this section, make reason-
able efforts to assure that such records are accurate, complete, 
timely, and relevant for agency purposes; 
"(7) maintain no record describing how any individual exer-
cises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly 
authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record 
is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an 
authorized law enforcement activity; 
"(8) make reasonable efforts to serve notice on an individual 
when any record on such individual is made available to any per-
son under compulsory legal process when such process becomes a 
matter of public record; 
duc"^*"^ °^'^°"' 
"(^) establish rules of conduct for persons involved in the 
design, development, operation, or maintenance of any system of 
records, or in maintaining any record, and instruct each such per-
son with respect to such rules and the requirements of this section, 
including any other rules and procedures adopted pursuant to this 
section and the penalties for noncompliance; 
of'^ecotdt""^^''^ 
"(10) establish appropriate administrative, technical, and 
physical safeguards to insure the security and confidentiality of 
records and to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards 
to their security or integrity which could result in substantial 
harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to any individ-
ual on whom information is maintained; and 
Publication in 
" ( H ) at least 30 days prior to publication of information under 
Register. 
paragraph (4) (D) of this subsection, publish in the Federal 
Register notice of any new use or intended use of the information 
in the system, and provide an opportunity for interested persons to 
submit written data, views, or arguments to the agency. 
"(f) AGENCY RULES.—In order to carry out the provisions of this 
section, each agency that maintains a system of records shall pro-
mulgate rules, in accordance with the requirements (including general 
5 use 553. 
notice) of section 553 of this title, which shall— 
" (1) establish procedures whereby an individual can be notified 
88 
STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1901 
in response to his request if any system of records named by the 
individual contains a record pertaining to him; 
''(2) define reasonable times, places, and requirements for iden-
tifyiiio- an mdividual who requests his record or information 
pertaining- to him before the agency shall make the record or 
nii'orniation available to the individual; 
''(;3) establish procedures for the disclosure to an individual 
upon his request of his record or information pertaining to him, 
including special procedure, if deemed necessary, for the disclo-
sure to an individual of medical records, including psychological 
records, pertaining to him; 
"(4) establish procedures for reviewing a request from an 
individual concerning the amendment of any record or informa-
tion pertaining to the individual, for making a determination on 
the request, for an appeal within the agency of an initial adverse 
agency determination, and for Avhatever additional means may be 
necessary for each individual to be able to exercise fully his rights 
under this section; and 
"(5) establish fees to be charged, if any, to any individual for 
making copies of his record, excluding the cost of any search for 
and review of the record. 
The Office of the Federal Register shall annually compile and publish 
the rules promulgated under this subsection and agency notices pub-
lished under subsection (e) (4) of this section in a form available to 
the public at low cost. 
"(g) (1) CIVIL REMEDIES.—Whenever any agency 
"(A) makes a determination under subsection (d)(3) of this 
section not to amend an individual's record in accordance with 
his request, or fails to make such review in conformity with that 
subsection; 
"(B) refuses to comply with an individual request under sub-
section (d) (1) of this section; 
"(C) fails to maintain any record concerning any individual 
with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness as is 
necessary to assure fairness in any determination relating to the 
qualifications, character, rights, or opportunities of. or benefits to 
the individual that may be made on the basis of such record, and 
consequently a determination is made which is adverse to the 
individual; or 
"(D) fails to comply with any other provision of this section, 
or any rule promulgated thereunder, in such a way as to have 
an adverse effect on an individual, 
the individual may bring a civil action against the agency, and the 
district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction in the 
matters under the provisions of this subsection. 
"(2) (A) In any suit brought under the provisions of subsection 
(g) (1) (A) of this section, the court may order the agency to amend 
the individual's record in accordance with his request or in such other 
way as the court may direct. In such a case the court shall determine 
the matter de novo. 
"(B) The court may assess against the United States reasonable 
attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case 
under this paragraph in which the complainant has substantially 
prevailed. 
"(3) (A) In any suit brought under the provisions of subsection 
(g) (1) (B) of this section, the court may enjoin the agency from with-
holding the records and order the production to the complainant of any 
agency records improperly withheld from him. In such a case the court 
shall determine the matter de novo, and may examine the contents of 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
Jurisdiction. 
Amendment of 
record. 
Injunction. 
1902 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
any agency records in camera to determine whether the records or any 
portion thereof may be withheld under any of the exemptions set forth 
in subsection (k) of this section, and the burden is on the agency to 
sustain its action. 
"(B) The court may assess against the United States reasonable 
attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case 
under this paragraph m which the complainant has substantially 
prevailed. 
Damages. 
u^^^ jj^ ^^y 
g^j^ brought uudcr the provisions of subsection 
(g)(1)(C) or (D) of this section in which the court determines that 
the agency acted in a manner which was intentional or willful, the 
United States shall be liable to the individual in an amount equal to 
the sum of— 
"(A) actual damages sustained by the individual as a result of 
the refusal or failure, but in no case shall a person entitled to 
recovery receive less than the sum of $1,000; and 
"(B) the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney 
fees as determined by the court. 
"(5) An action to enforce any liability created under this section 
may be brought in the district court of the United States in the district 
in which the complainant resides, or has his principal place of business, 
or in which the agency records are situated, or in the District of Colum-
bia, without regard to the amount in controversy, within two years 
from the date on which the cause of action arises, except that where 
an agency has materially and willfully misrepresented any informa-
tion required under this section to be disclosed to an individual and 
the information so misrepresented is material to establishment of 
the liability of the agency to the individual under this section, the 
action may be brought at any time within two years after discovery by 
the individual of the misrepresentation. Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to authorize any civil action by reason of any injury sus-
tained as the result of a disclosure of a record prior to the effective date 
of this section. 
"(h) RIGHTS OF LEGAL GUARDIANS.—For the purposes of this section, 
the parent of any minor, or the legal guardian of any individual who 
has been declared to be incompetent due to physical or mental inca-
pacity or age by a court of competent jurisdiction, may act on behalf 
of the individual. 
" ( i ) ( l ) 
CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—Any officer or employee of an 
agency, who by virtue of his employment or official position, has pos-
session of, or access to, agency records which contain individually 
identifiable information the disclosure of which is prohibited by this 
section or by rules or regulations established thereunder, and who 
knowing that disclosure of the specific material is so prohibited, will-
fully discloses the material in any manner to any person or agency not 
entitled to receive it, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not 
more than $5,000. 
" (2) Any officer or employee of any agency who willfully maintains 
a system of records without meeting the notice requirements of sub-
section (e) (4) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined 
not more than $5,000. 
"(3) Any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains 
any record concerning an individual from an agency under false pre-
tenses shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than $5,000. 
" (j) GENERAL EXEMPTIONS.—The head of any agency may promul-
gate rules, in accordance with the requirements (including general 
5 use 553. 
notice) of sections 553 (b) (1), (2), and (3), (c), and (e) of this title, 
to exempt any system of records within the agency from any part of 
this section except subsections (b), (c) (1) and (2), (e) (4) (A) through 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1903 
_(F), (e)(6), (7), (9), (10), and (11), and (i) if the system of records 
is— 
"(1) maintained by the Central Intelligence Agency; or 
"(2) maintained by an agency or component thereof which 
performs as its principal function any activity pertaining to the 
enforcement of criminal laws, including police efforts to prevent, 
control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals, and the activ-
ities of prosecutors, courts, correctional, probation, pardon, or 
parole authorities, and which consists of (A) information com-
piled for the purpose of identifying individual criminal offenders 
and alleged offenders and consisting only of identifying data 
and notations of arrests, the nature and disposition of criminal 
charges, sentencing, confinement, release, and parole and proba-
tion status; (B) information compiled for the purpose of a 
criminal investigation, including reports of informants and 
investigators, and associated with an identifiable individual; or 
(C) reports identifiable to an individual compiled at any stage 
of the process of enforcement of the criminal laws from arrest 
or indictment through release from supervision. 
At the time rules are adopted under this subsection, the agency shall 
include in the statement required under section 553(c) of this title, 
^ use 553. 
the reasons why the system of records is to be exempted from a pro-
vision of this section. 
"(k) SPEGIFIC EXEMPTIONS.—The head of any agency may pro-
mulgate rules, in accordance with the requirements (including general 
notice) of sections 553(b) (1), (2), and (3), (c), and (e) of this title, 
to exempt any system of records within the agency from subsections 
(c) (3), (d), (e) (1), (e) (4) (G), (H), and (I) and (f) of this sec-
tion if the system of records is— 
"(1) subject to the provisions of section 552(b) (1) of this title; 
^ ^^^ ^^2. 
"(2) investigatory material compiled for law enforcement pur-
poses, other than material within the scope of subsection (j) (2) 
of this section: Provided^ hoioever, That if any individual is 
denied any right, privilege, or benefit that he would otherwise 
be entitled by Federal law, or for which he would otherwise be 
eligible, as a result of the maintenance of such material, such 
material shall be provided to such individual, except to the extent 
that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of 
a source who furnished information to the Government under an 
express promise that the identity of the source would be held in 
confidence, or, prior to the effective date of this section, under 
an implied promise that the identity of the source would he held 
in confidence; 
"(3) maintained in connection with providing protective serv-
ices to the President of the United States or other individuals 
pui-suant to section 3056 of title 18; 
"(4) required by statute to be maintained and used solely as 
statistical records; 
"(5) investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of 
determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for Federal 
civilian employment, military service. Federal contracts, or 
access to classified information, but only to the extent that the 
disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source 
who furnished information to the Government under an express 
promise that the identity of the source would be held in confi-
dence, or, prior to the effective date of this section, under an 
implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in 
confidence; 
"(6) testing or examination material used solely to determine 
individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the 
5 use 553. 
44 use 3103. 
1904 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
Federal service the disclosure of which would compromise the 
objectivity or fairness of the testing or examination process; or 
"(7) evaluation material used to determine potential for pro-
motion in the armed services, but only to the extent that the 
disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source 
who furnished information to the Government under an express 
promise that the identity of the source would be held in confi-
dence, or, prior to the effective date of this section, under an 
implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in 
confidence. 
At the time rules are adopted under this subsection, the agency shall 
include in the statement required under section 553 (c) of this title, 
the reasons why the system of records is to be exempted from a pro-
vision of this section. 
" (1) (1) ARCHIVAL RECORDS.—Each agency record which is accepted 
by the Administrator of General Services for storage, processing, and 
servicing in accordance with section 3103 of title 44 shall, for the pur-
poses of this section, be considered to be maintained by the agency 
which deposited the record and shall be subject to the provisions of 
this section. The Administrator of General Services shall not disclose 
the record except to the agency which maintains the record, or under 
rules established by that agency which are not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this section. 
"(2) Each agency record pertaining to an identifiable individual 
which was transferred to the National Archives of the United States 
as a record which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant 
its continued preservation by the United States Government, prior to 
the effective date of this section, shall, for the purposes of this section, 
be considered to be maintained by the National Archives and shall 
Publication in 
JJQ(; ]JQ subiect to tlic provisious of this section, except that a statement 
generally describing such records (modeled after the requirements 
relating to records subject to subsections (e)(4)(A) through (G) of 
this section) shall be published in the Federal Register. 
"(3) Each agency record pertaining to an identifiable individual 
which is transferred to the National Archives of the United States as 
a record which has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its 
continued preservation by the United States Government, on or after 
the effective date of this section, shall, for the purposes of this section, 
be considered to be maintained by the National Archives and shall be 
exempt from the requirements of this section except subsections (e) (4) 
(A) through (G) and (e) (9) of this section. 
"(m) GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.—When an agency provides by a 
contract for the operation by or on behalf of the agency of a system 
of records to accomplish an agency function, the agency shall, con-
sistent with its authority, cause the requirements of this section to be 
applied to such system. For purposes of subsection (i) of this section 
any such contractor and any employee of such contractor, if such 
contract is agreed to on or after the effective date of this section, shall 
be considered to be an employee of an agency. 
"(n) MAILING LISTS.—An individual's name and address may not 
be sold or rented by an agency unless such action is specifically author-
ized by law. This provision shall not be construed to require the 
withholding of names and addresses otherwise permitted to be made 
public. 
"(o) REPORT ON NEW SYSTEMS.—Each agency shall provide adequate 
oMB."° ° " 
advance notice to Congress and the Office of ISIanagement and Budget 
of any proposal to establish or alter any system of records in order 
to permit an evaluation of the probable or potential effect of such 
Federal Register, 
Notice to 
eongress and 
88 STAT. 1 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1905 
proposal on the privacy and other personal or property rights of 
individuals or the disclosure of information relating to such indi-
viduals, and its effect on the preservation of the constitutional 
principles of federalism and separation of powers. 
"(p) ANNUAL REPORT.—The President shall submit to the Speaker g ^^3^°'^'o°the 
of the House and the President of the Senate, by June 30 of each Hou^se^and Presi-
calendar year, a consolidated report, separately listing for each Fed- dent o
f the 
eral agency the number of records contained in any system of records ^"^*^* 
which were exempted from the application of this section under the 
provisions of subsections (j) and (k) of this section during the pre-
ceding calendar year, and the reasons for the exemptions, and such 
other information as indicates efforts to administer fully this section. 
(q) EFFECT OF OTHER LAWS.—No agency shall rely on any exemp-
tion contained in section 552 of this title to withhold from an indi- 
^ use 552. 
vidual any record which is otherwise accessible to such individual 
under the provisions of this section.". 
SEC. 4. The chapter analysis of chapter 5 of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting: 
"552a. Records about individuals." 
immediately below: 
"552. Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, and proceedings.". 
SEC. 5. (a) (1) There is established a Privacy Protection Study ^^^^l^^''^^Ja'°' 
Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") which commission. 
shall be composed of seven members as follows: 
Establishment. 
(A) three appointed by the President of the United States, 
note. 
(B) two appointed by the President of the Senate, and 
Membership. 
(C) two appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives. 
Members of the Commission shall be chosen from among persons who, 
by reason of their knowledge and expertise in any of the following 
areas—civil rights and liberties, law, social sciences, computer tech-
nology, business, records management, and State and local govern-
ment—are well qualified for service on the Commission. 
(2) The members of the Commission shall elect a Chairman from 
among themselves. 
(3) Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission, as long as 
vacancies. 
there are four members in office, shall not impair the power of the 
Commission but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(4) A quorum of the Commission shall consist of a majority of 
the members, except that the Commission may establish a lower num-
ber as a quorum for the purpose of taking testimony. The Com-
mission is authorized to establish such committees and delegate such 
authority to them as may be necessary to carry out its functions. 
Each member of the Commission, including the Chairman, shall have 
equal responsibility and authority in all decisions and actions of the 
Commission, shall have full access to all information necessary to the 
performance of their functions, and shall have one vote. Action of 
the Commission shall be determined by a majority vote of the mem-
bers present. The Chairman (or a member designated by the Chair-
man to be acting Chairman) shall be the official spokesman of the 
Commission in its relations with the Congress, Government agencies, 
other persons, and the public, and, on behalf of the Commission, shall 
see to the faithful execution of the administrative policies and deci-
sions of the Commission, and shall report thereon to the Commission 
from time to time or as the Commission may direct. 
1906 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 STAT. 
Budget re- 
(5^ (^^ Whenever the Commission submits any budget estimate 
""^^ ^
* 
or request to the President or the OiRce of Management and Budget, 
it shall concurrently transmit a copy of that request to Congress. 
re^ommind'atlons. 
(^) Wheuevcr the Commissiou submits any legislative recommen-
dations, or testimony, or comments on legislation to the President or 
Office of Management and Budget, it shall concurrently transmit a copy 
thereof to the Congress. No officer or agency of the United States 
shall have any authority to require the Commission to submit its 
legislative recommendations, or testimony, or comments on legisla-
tion, to any officer or agency of the United States for approval, com-
ments, or review, prior to the submission of such recommendations, 
testimony, or comments to the Congress. 
(b) The Commission shall— 
study. 
(1) make a study of the data banks, automated data process-
ing programs, and information 
systems of 
governmental, 
regional, and private organizations, in order to determine the 
standards and procedures in force for the protection of personal 
information; and 
(2) recommend to the President and the Congress the extent, 
if any, to which the requirements and principles of section 552a 
Ante, p. 1897. 
gf ^]^\^ 5^ United States Code, should be applied to the informa-
tion practices of those organizations by legislation, administrative 
action, or voluntary adoption of such requirements and principles, 
and report on such other legislative recommendations as it may 
determine to be necessary to protect the privacy of individuals 
while meeting the legitimate needs of government and society for 
information. 
(c) (1) In the course of conducting the study required under sub-
section (b) (1) of this section, and in its reports thereon, the Com-
mission may research, examine, and analyze— 
(A) interstate transfer of information about individuals that 
is undertaken through manual files or by computer or other elec-
tronic or telecommunications means; 
(B) data banks and information programs and systems the 
operation of which significantly or substantially affect the enjoy-
ment of the privacy and other personal and property rights of 
individuals; 
(C) the use of social security numbers, license plate numbers, 
universal identifiers, and other symbols to identify individuals 
in data banks and to gain access to, integrate, or centralize 
information systems and files; and 
(D) the matching and analysis of statistical data, such as 
Federal census data, with other sources of personal data, such as 
automobile registries and telephone directories, in order to 
reconstruct individual responses to statistical questionnaires for 
commercial or other purposes, in a way which results in a 
violation of the implied or explicitly recognized confidentiality 
of such information. 
(2) (A) The Commission may include in its examination personal 
information activities in the following areas: medical; insurance; 
education; employment and personnel; credit, banking and financial 
institutions; credit bureaus; the commercial reporting industry; cable 
television and other telecommunications media; travel, hotel and 
entertainment reservations; and electronic check processing. 
(B) The Commission shall include in its examination a study of— 
(i) whether a person engaged in interstate commerce w^ho 
maintains a mailing list should be required to remove an 
individuaPs name and address from such list upon request of 
that individual; 
Religious or-
ganizations, ex-
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1907 
(ii) whether the Internal Revenue Service should be pro-
hibited from transfering individually indentifiable data to other 
agencies and to agencies of State governments; 
(iii) whether the Federal Government should be liable for 
f
eneral damages incurred by an individual as the result of a will-
Lil or intentional violation of the provisions of sections 552a (g) 
(1) (C) or (D) of title 5, United States Code; and 
^"f«. p- is^?. 
(iv) whether and ho^^' the standards for security and con-
fidentiality 
of records required under section 552a (e) (10) of 
such title" should be applied when a record is disclosed to a 
person other than an agency. 
(C) The Commission may study such other personal information 
activities necessary to carry out the congi'essional policy embodied in cepuon 
this Act, except that the Commission shall not investigate information 
systems maintained by religious organizations. 
(3) In conducting such study, the Commission shall— 
Guidelines for 
(A) determine what laws. Executive orders, regulations, ^^^'^y* 
directives, and judicial decisions govern the activities under study 
and the extent to which they are consistent with the rights of 
privac}^, due process of law, and other guarantees in the 
Constitution; 
(B) determine to Avhat extent governmental and private 
information 
systems affect 
Federal-State 
relations or 
the 
principle of separation of powers; 
(C) examine the standards and criteria governing programs, 
policies, and practices relating to the collection, soliciting, 
processing, use, access, integration, dissemination, and transmis-
sion of personal information; and 
(D) to the maximum extent practicable, collect and utilize 
findings, reports, studies, hearing transcripts, and recommenda-
tions of governmental, legislative and private bodies, institutions, 
organizations, and individuals which pertain to the problems 
under study by the Commission. 
(d) In addition to its other functions the Commission may— 
(1) request assistance of the heads of appropriate departments, 
agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, of 
State and local governments, and other persons in carrying out 
its functions under this Act; 
(2) upon request, assist Federal agencies in complying with the 
requirements of section 552a of title 5, United States Code; 
(3) determine what specific categories of information, the col-
lection of which would violate an individual's right of privacy, 
should be prohibited by statute from collection by Federal agen-
cies; and 
(4) upon request, prepare model legislation for use by State 
and local governments in establishing procedures for handling, 
maintaining, and disseminating personal information at the State 
and local level and provide such technical assistance to State and 
local governments as they may require in the preparation and 
implementation of such legislation. 
(e) (1) The Commission may, in carrying out its functions under 
this section, conduct such inspections, sit and act at such times and 
places, hold such hearings, take such testimony, require by subpena 
the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, 
records, papers, correspondence, and documents, administer such 
oaths, have such printing and binding done, and make such expendi-
tures as the Commission deems advisable. A subpena shall be issued 
only upon an affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Com-
1908 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579~DEC. 31, 1974 
[88 
STAT. 
Reports, trans-
mittal to Com-
mission. 
Ante, p. 1897. 
5 u s e 5101, 
5331 . 
5 u s e 5332 
note. 
Rules and 
regulations. 
mission. Subpenas shall be issued under the signature of the Chair-
man or any member of the Commission designated by the Chairman 
and shall be served by any person designated by the Chairman or any 
such member. Any member of the Commission may administer oaths 
or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission. 
(2) (A) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the execu-
tive branch of the Government is authorized to furnish to the Com-
mission, upon request made by the Chairman, such information, data, 
reports and such other assistance as the Commission deems necessary 
to carry out its functions under this section. Whenever the head of 
any such department, agency, or instrumentality submits a report 
pursuant to section 552a (o) of title 5, United States Code, a copy 
of such report shall be transmitted to the Commission. 
(B) In carrying out its functions and exercising its powers under 
this section, the Commission may accept from any such department, 
agency, independent instrumentality, or other person any individu-
ally indentifiable data if such data is necessary to carry out such powers 
and functions. In any case in which the Commission accepts any 
such information, it shall assure that the information is used only 
for the purpose for which it is provided, and upon completion of that 
purpose such information shall be destroyed or returned to such de-
partment, agency, independent instrumentality, or person from which 
it is obtained, as appropriate. 
(3) The Commission shall have the power to 
(A) appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director, 
and such additional staff personnel as may be necessary, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, govern-
ing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard 
to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title re-
lating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, but at rates 
not in excess of the maximum rate for GS-18 of the General 
Schedule under section 5332 of such title; and 
(B) procure temporary and intermittent services to the same 
extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
The Commission may delegate any of its functions to such personnel 
of the Commission as the Commission may designate and may 
authorize such successive redelegations of such functions as it may 
deem desirable. 
(4) The Commission is authorized— 
(A) to adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations govern-
ing the manner of its operations, organization, and personnel; 
(B) to enter into contracts or other arrangements or modifica-
tions thereof, with any government, any department, agency, or 
independent instrumentality of the United States, or with any 
person, firm, association, or corporation, and such contracts or 
other arrangements, or modifications thereof, may be entered into 
without legal consideration, without performance or other bonds, 
and without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as 
amended (41 U.S.C. 5); 
(C) to make advance, progress, and other payments which the 
Commission deems necessary under this Act without regard to 
the provisions of section 3648 of the Revised Statutes, as amended 
(31 U.S.C. 529); and 
(D) to take such other action as may be necessary to carry out 
its functions under this section. 
note. 
Travel ex-
penses. 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-579-DEC. 31, 1974 
1909 
(f) (1) Each [the] member of the Commission who is an officer or 
compensation. 
employee of the United States shall serve without additional compen-
sation, but shall continue to receive the salary of his regular position 
when engaged in the performance of the duties vested in the Com-
mission. 
(2) A member of the Commission other than one to whom paragraph 
P^'' '^''^"'^ 
(!) applies shall receive per diem at the maximum daily rate for 
GS-18 of the General Schedule when engaged in the actual per- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ 
formance of the duties vested in the Commission. 
(3) All members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel, 
subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the per-
formance of the duties vested in the Commission, 
(g) The Commission shall, from time to time, and in an annual p^^^^^^^^nl° ^^ 
report, report to the President and the Congress on its activities in congress. 
carrying out the provisions of this section. The Commission shall make 
a final report to the President and to the Congress on its findings 
pursuant to the study required to be made under subsection (b) (1) 
of this section not later than two years from the date on which all of 
the members of the Commission are appointed. The Commission shall 
cease to exist thirty days after the date on which its final report is 
submitted to the President and the Congress. 
(h) (1) Any member, officer, or employee of the Commission, who 
Penalties, 
by virtue of his employment or official position, has possession of, or 
access to, agency records which contain individually identifiable infor-
mation the disclosure of which is prohibited by this section, and who 
knowing that disclosure of the specific material is so prohibited, will-
fully discloses the material in any manner to any person or agency 
not entitled to receive it, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined 
not more than $5,000. 
(2) Any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains 
any record concerning an individual from the Commission under false 
pretenses shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than 
$5,000. 
SEC. 6. The Office of Management and Budget shall— 
s use 552a 
•
» 
• 
n o t e 
(1) develop guidelines and regulations for the use of agencies 
in implementing the provisions of section 552a of title 6, United 
States Code, as added by section 3 of this Act; and 
^"'«» P- i ^97. 
(2) provide continuing assistance to and oversight of the im-
plementation of the provisions of such section by agencies. 
SEC. 7. (a) (1) It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local ^^ "sc 552a 
government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or "" ° 
privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to dis-
close his social security account number. 
(2) the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not 
apply with respect to— 
(A) any disclosure which is required by Federal statute, or 
(B) the disclosure of a social security number to any Federal, 
State, or local agency maintaining a system of records in existence 
and operating before January 1, 1975, if such disclosure was 
required under statute or regulation adopted prior to such date to 
verify the identity of an individual. 
(b) Any Federal, State, or local government agency which requests 
an individual to disclose his social security account number shall 
inform that individual whether that disclosure is mandatory or volun-
tary, by what statutory or other authority such number is solicited, 
and what uses will be made of it. 
n o t e . 
38-194 O - 76 - 38 Pt. 2 
1910 
PUBLIC LAW 93-580-JAN. 2, 1975 
[88 
STAT. 
Effective date, 
5 u s e 552a 
note. 
Appropriation. 
5 u s e 552a 
note. 
SEC. 8. The provisions of this Act shall be effective on and after the 
date of enactment, except that the amendments made by sections 3 and 
4 shall become effective 270 days following the day on which this Act 
is enacted. 
SEC. 9. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pro-
visions of section 5 of this Act for fiscal years 1975,1976, and 1977 the 
sum of $1,500,000, except that not more than $750,000 may be expended 
during any such fiscal year. 
Approved December 31, 1974. 
January 2, 1975 
[S. J. Res. 133] 
Public Law 93-580 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To provide for the establishment of the American Indian Policy Review 
Commission. 
2 5 u s e 174 
note. 
CONOUESSIONAL FINDINGS 
The Congress, after careful review of the Federal Government's 
historical and special legal relationship with American Indian people, 
finds that— 
(a) the policy implementing this relationship has shifted and 
changed with changing administrations and passing years, with-
out apparent rational design and without a consistent goal to 
achieve Indian self-sufficiency; 
(b) there has been no general comprehensive review of conduct 
of Indian affairs by the United States nor a coherent investigation 
of the many problems and issues involved in the conduct of Indian 
affairs since the 1928 Meriam Report conducted by the Institute 
for Government Research; and 
(c) in carrying out its responsibilities under its plenary power 
over Indian affairs, it is imperative that the Congress now cause 
such a comprehensive review of Indian affairs to be conducted. 
American In-
dian Policy Re-
view Commis-
sion. 
Establishment. 
2 5 u s e 174 
note. 
Membership. 
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE 
Congress declares that it is timely and essential to conduct a com-
prehensive review of the historical and legal developments underlying 
the Indians' unique relationship with the Federal Government in 
order to determine the nature and scope of necessary revisions in the 
formulation of policies and programs for the benefit of Indians. 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That— 
(a) In order to carry out the purposes described in the preamble 
hereof and as further set out herein, there is hereby created the Amer-
ican Indian Policy Review Commission, hereinafter referred to as the 
"Commission". 
(b) The Commission shall be composed of eleven members, as 
follows: 
(1) three Members of the Senate appointed by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate, two from the majority party and one 
from the minority party; 
(2) three Members of the House of Representatives appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two from the 
majority party and one from the minority party; and 
(3) five Indian members as provided in subsection (c) of this 
section.