Federal Privacy Act Reform

Federal Privacy Act reform focuses on bringing a 1974 law into line with cloud computing, data brokers, cross-agency data sharing, automated analysis, and AI.

Proposals associated with Representative Lori Trahan and other privacy advocates would broaden who and what the law protects, limit data collection and routine-use exceptions, require clearer inventories and audits, and strengthen agency privacy officers and independent oversight. The debate also addresses remedies for misuse, government purchases of commercial data, and how to preserve useful public-sector data sharing while preventing expansive profiling.