Privacy Act of 1974
Summary
This Department of Homeland Security update to the Privacy Act of 1974 clarifies how federal agencies must handle and protect personal information they collect about U.S. citizens and residents. The rule helps ensure that your personal data—like your name, address, or immigration records—is kept secure and that you have the right to know what information the government has about you.
Key Points
- 1Federal agencies must tell you what personal information they collect and how they plan to use it
- 2You have the right to request, review, and correct your personal information held by government agencies
- 3Agencies must protect your data with security measures and limit who can access it
- 4The rule applies to all Department of Homeland Security records, including those related to immigration, travel, and border security
- 5Agencies can face penalties if they misuse your personal information or fail to protect it properly
Impact Assessment
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, this means you have stronger protections for your personal data held by federal agencies and increased rights to access and correct information the government has about you.
National
Moderate
Key Dates
December 23, 2025
Regulatory Connections
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.