Privacy Act Overview

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended) is a code of Fair Information Practices that attempts to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information by federal executive branch agencies.
 
The Act provides that no agency shall disclose any record, which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains, unless disclosure is pursuant to the 12 Statutory Exemptions.
 
The Objectives of the Privacy Act, as amended:

• Restrict disclosure of personally identifiable records maintained by federal agencies
• Grant individuals rights of access to agency records maintained on themselves
• Grant individuals the right to seek amendment of agency records maintained on themselves
• Require agencies to comply with statutory norms for collection, maintenance, and dissemination of records

The Privacy Act applies only to records about individuals that are kept in an agency System of Records. A System of Records is defined as a group of records from which information is retrieved by an individual's name, any number, symbol, or other unique identifier assigned to that individual.
 
Mission of DFAS FOIA/PA Office
Safeguard the personal information of our internal and external customers by embedding and enforcing protections, while balancing the needs and requirements of DFAS with the privacy interests and concerns of the individual.  
 
Coordinate with every directorate within the Agency to ensure privacy considerations are addressed when planning or updating any program, system, or initiative.
 
Our mission emphasizes the importance of ensuring all DFAS systems, technologies, and programs that either collect personally identifiable information or have a privacy impact, are subject to the oversight of the FOIA/PA Adherence Division as provided by the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Title 5 U.S. Code §552a), and the Department of Defense Privacy Act Program.
 
Vision
Preserve our core value of privacy, while meeting the needs of, and delivering effective services to our customers and employees. In addition, enhance, coordinate, and collaborate with the Agency stakeholders and subject matter experts.
 
Goals

• Ensure Agency systems sustain, and do not erode, privacy protections by making certain that System of Records Notices are created or modified, and published in the Federal Register.
• Find even more efficient and innovative ways to protect the privacy of our customers and Agency employees.
• Protect the privacy of individuals when collecting personally identifiable information and handling records.
• Promote the management of the Agency Privacy Program and the implementation of appropriate laws, policy, and guidance.
• Provide privacy program expertise and assistance throughout the Agency.
• Consistently communicate with our customers in a clear and concise manner.