What does the Privacy Act of 1974 require of the FBI regarding criminal history records?

The Privacy Act of 1974 mandates that federal agencies, including the FBI, maintain a comprehensive audit trail of disclosures pertaining to personal records, such as criminal history. This requirement ensures accountability and transparency, allowing individuals to be aware of when and how their data has been accessed or shared. It is crucial for safeguarding privacy rights and establishing trust in how government agencies handle sensitive information.

This audit trail is integral in enabling individuals to track any disclosures of their personal information, which can be pivotal if they wish to verify that their data is being handled appropriately or if they want to address discrepancies. Other aspects of data management, such as destruction of records or public availability, do not align with the main intent of the Privacy Act, which focuses on individual privacy and the responsible management of personal data by federal agencies.