Opinion ID: 502436
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Privacy Interest in Names and Addresses

Text: 15 FOIA, 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552 (1982 and Supp. IV 1986), is a general disclosure statute with certain limited and narrowly construed exemptions. Exemption 6 exempts from release personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552(b)(6). We have held that lists of names and addresses are files within the meaning of Exemption 6. Wine Hobby USA, Inc. v. IRS, 502 F.2d 133, 135 (3d Cir.1974); cf. United States Dep't of State v. Washington Post Co., 456 U.S. 595, 599-602, 102 S.Ct. 1957, 1960-62, 72 L.Ed.2d 358 (1982) (similar files incorporates any record which, like medical or personnel files, contains information whose release could damage an individual). 16 It follows that in determining whether the release of such data is barred by Exemption 6, we must determine whether the material sought is subject to privacy protection and, if so, whether the invasion of privacy is not clearly unwarranted. See, e.g., Wine Hobby, 502 F.2d at 135. This inquiry requires a balancing of the public interest served by disclosure against the harm to the individual whose privacy is breached. See Department of the Air Force v. Rose, 425 U.S. 352, 372, 96 S.Ct. 1592, 1604, 48 L.Ed.2d 11 (1976); Committee on Masonic Homes of R.W. Grand Lodge v. NLRB, 556 F.2d 214, 220 (3d Cir.1977). We are mindful, however, that any consideration of exemptions under FOIA begins with a well-known presumption in favor of disclosure. Committee on Masonic Homes, 556 F.2d at 218; accord Rose, 425 U.S. at 360-62, 96 S.Ct. at 1598-1600. Ideally, the Act provides a workable formula which encompasses, balances, and protects all interests, yet places emphasis on the fullest responsible disclosure. S.Rep. No. 813, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. 3 (1965). 17 In arguing that the employees' privacy interest in their names and addresses is paramount, the Shipyard stresses the importance of personal privacy in our law. We do not disagree with, and indeed echo, the Shipyard's statement that [o]ur system [of government] seeks to maximize individual liberty, of which privacy is an essential part. Petitioner's Brief at 30. Unquestionably, individuals have some privacy interest in their home addresses. Indeed, in Wine Hobby, 502 F.2d at 136-37, we held that the names and addresses of home wine producers who registered with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should not be disclosed to someone who requested the information solely for private commercial exploitation. Nonetheless, we recognized that the invasion of privacy effected by such disclosure is not as serious as it would be by the disclosure of more personal information. Id. at 137. 18 The four courts of appeals that have upheld the FLRA's position that the employees' names and addresses should be disclosed to the requesting unions have varied in their evaluation of the strength of the privacy interest at stake. See American Fed'n of Gov't Employees, Local 1760 v. FLRA, 786 F.2d 554, 556 (2d Cir.1986) (privacy interest of the average employee in his address is not particularly compelling); United States Dep't of the Air Force v. FLRA, 838 F.2d 229, 232 (7th Cir.1988) ([b]oth the secrecy and the seclusion components of privacy ... are minuscule where the data in question are already widely dissimenated); United States Dep't of Health and Human Services v. FLRA, 833 F.2d 1129, 1135-36 (4th Cir.1987) (deferring to the FLRA's evaluation); USDA v. FLRA, 836 F.2d 1139, 1143-44 (8th Cir.1988) (employees have a cognizable privacy interest in their home addresses); see also Minnis v. USDA, 737 F.2d 784, 787 (9th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1053, 105 S.Ct. 2112, 85 L.Ed.2d 477 (1985); Heights Community Congress v. Veterans Administration, 732 F.2d 526, 529 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1034, 105 S.Ct. 506, 83 L.Ed.2d 398 (1984). 19 Although it is true that individuals may have varying degrees of sensitivity about disclosure of their identities and home addresses, this court's case law recognizes that individuals generally have a meaningful interest in the privacy of information concerning their homes which merits some protection. See Wine Hobby, 502 F.2d at 136-37; see also United States v. Liebert, 519 F.2d 542, 548-49 & n. 15 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 985, 96 S.Ct. 392, 46 L.Ed.2d 301 (1975). It is therefore necessary to weigh that interest against the public interest in disclosure. See Committee on Masonic Homes, 556 F.2d at 220.