Demystifying Data Privacy in the U.S.

We all expect the federal government to treat us fairly and safeguard our personal information.

And, in fact, the Privacy Act of 1974 serves that function, providing guardrails for when and how personal data is handled and shared. But there are many exceptions to the rules, which are widely misunderstood and are being exploited or twisted to treat individuals unfairly.

The Association of Public Data Users created a set of resources to help policymakers, researchers, advocates, and the public better understand the mechanics of the Privacy Act and how the federal government manages and discloses personal information. These materials can help you effectively assert your rights, close harmful loopholes, and hold the government accountable to treating everyone fairly.

Join experts Maya Bernstein and Bethanne Barnes in a conversation with Amy O’Hara to mark the launch of these new resources.