Prawo i regulacje · 29.01.1996

Order Providing for the Confidentiality of Statistical Information

The proposed order is intended to clarify, and make consistent, government policy protecting the privacy and confidentiality interests of individuals or organizations who furnish data for Federal statistical programs. It is intended to assure respondents who supply statistical information needed to develop or evaluate Federal policy that their responses will be held in confidence and would not be used against them in any government action. In effect, it clarifies and amplifies the privileged status afforded ``confidential statistical data'' about businesses and organizations as set forth in the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905, as well as the principles of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, concerning information about individuals. It establishes policies to assure ``fair information practices'' (as advocated by the Privacy Protection Study Commission and the Commission on Federal Paperwork) for respondents and subjects of statistical inquiries, based on the concept of ``functional separation'' developed by the Privacy Protection Study Commission. The proposed order permits functional separation to be achieved by two means--1) identifying an agency or unit that is purely statistical,