Social Security

Records Are Confidential

When Social Security began collecting information on millions of workers in 1937, some doomsayers said this would lead .to Federal control and regimentation of all Americans. Just over a decade later, George Orwell warned against undue government intervention in his classic novel, 1984. As 1984 ends, we find a still-imperfect world but the sky has not fallen. Despite the advent of- television, the computer, and other technology, there in no Big Brother controlling our lives. EARLY ON, Social Security founders recognized people's concern about the collection of personal 1CL11UU U1 fAil OUI1UI

data. They drafted regulations that would ensure that information provided by employees, their employers, and ■ others would remain I confidential. '

These regulations have been modified over the years as Social Security took on new responsibilities and in response to new laws. Those statutes include the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 as amended, the Privacy Act of 1974, the Tax Reform Act of 1976, and the Government-in-the Sunshine Act. As a whole, these related laws open up information about government operations and reduce secrecy. At the same time, they protect a person's right to privacy. IT MIGHT appear that the public's "right to know" under the Freedom of

Information Act is in conflict with the individual's "right to privacy" under the Privacy Act, but quite the opposite is true. For example, one section of the Freedom of Information Act exempts personal and medical files from disclosure, and the Privacy Act actually clarifies that section. Under the Privacy Act, the government is allowed to collect only the minimum amount of informa- . tion needed for efficient and fair program administration and, where possible, directly from the person involved. The in-i dividual has the right to know what information is being collected and why, to examine such information, and to request revision of incorrect material " \ , * GENERALl/Y, Social Security will give out information only if required by law of if the individual gives permission. Information can be given without permission only in very specific situations s >ch as: • to determine eligibility for assistance programs, such as aid to families with depen-

dent children, food stamps, and Medicaid; • to help locate a parent with child support obligations \ • for certain law enforcement purposes; • to prevent- fraud and abuse; • for certain lifethreatening situations and national security; and •for census, statistical, and research purposes. More information about how we handle information is available in 'any Social Security office. Also a person can inspect and copy various legal, administrative, and informational publications on this subject.

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