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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jlallen who wrote (251243)	4/26/2002 9:55:26 AM
From: bonnuss_in_austin	Respond to of 769670

ACLU Action Alert truthout.org t r u t h o u t \| Statement Protect Your Privacy! Our personal information, including medical and financial records, is being collected through an ever expanding number of computer networks that allow the data to be linked, transferred, shared and sold, often without our consent or knowledge. Although there are federal laws regulating the disclosure of information within the government, privacy continues to be treated as an afterthought in the development of new federal policy. Massive amounts of personal data are stored by federal agencies, but there is little opportunity for the public to comment on - or even understand -- the choices these agencies are making about how our personal information is used both inside and outside the walls of government. To prevent potential privacy violations, Representatives Bob Barr (R-GA), Mel Watt (D-NC), Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) have introduced H.R. 4561, the "Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act." This important legislation would require the completion of a "privacy impact statement" every time a federal agency considers new regulations. The privacy impact statement would give public notice about when the government seeks to use and disclose our personal information, require the government to justify the use of identifiable personal information and provide clear procedures on how individuals can access the information. The Barr/Watt legislation would prevent unjustified intrusions into our privacy. We must act now or what little control we have over our personal information will continue to disappear. Urge Your Members of Congress to Support the Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act! Control over personal information is a fundamental privacy right. Individuals-not the government-should control the details of our personal lives. There was a time when we could be secure in our privacy because personal information was kept at home, on paper, and stored as a personal effect. Today a wide array of personal information is electronic and is often collected and stored by others, including the government. New laws must be enacted to help preserve privacy in these changing times. All Americans must have control over their own data, whatever form it takes, and the ability to grant or deny access to it. The government has a duty to protect Americans' privacy. The public must have a meaningful review of government actions that impact our privacy. The Barr/Watt bill would require federal agencies to give notice to the public when they seek personal information, justify the necessity of its collection and provide clear procedures for individuals to access the information that is collected about them. Print This Story E-mail This Story © : t r u t h o u t 2002 bia