The Privacy Act
Historical Context
Citizens demanded greater government transparency when President Nixon refused to provide tape recordings of his meetings after the 1972 Watergate Scandal.
The Act
On November 21, 1974, Congress passed the Privacy Act.
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What Changed
Citizens' rights :
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Government responsibilities :
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Government right and responsibility to withhold information if it...
- belongs to the CIA
- relates to Presidential protection
- is investigatory material
Rights and Responsibilities vs. Reality
"The right to privacy and the right to information are both essential human rights...For the most part, these two rights complement each other in holding governments accountable to individuals. But there is a potential conflict between these rights when there is a demand for access to personal information held by government bodies."
- David Banisar
The Right to Information and Privacy: Balancing Rights and Managing Conflicts