What does the Privacy Act of 1974 regulate?

The Privacy Act of 1974 is specifically designed to regulate the handling and management of personal information by federal agencies. This foundational piece of legislation establishes a framework for how government entities collect, maintain, and disseminate personally identifiable information (PII). It grants individuals certain rights over their personal information, including the right to access records and seek amendments to incorrect information held by the government.

The act ensures that federal agencies do not misuse or inappropriately disclose personal information, thereby protecting the privacy rights of individuals. This regulation is crucial in maintaining trust between citizens and their government, ensuring transparency and accountability in how personal data is handled.

In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the scope of the Privacy Act. Health care privacy measures relate more specifically to laws like HIPAA, which governs healthcare providers. Classified information management pertains to security protocols related to national security information, while intelligence information sharing protocols focus on the exchange of information across intelligence agencies, which is not directly covered by the Privacy Act. Thus, the correct response emphasizes the main focus of the Privacy Act on personal information management by federal agencies.