Under the Privacy Act, which requirement ensures individuals know how their information has been used by an agency?

• A. Guarantees copies of information
• B. Question accuracy
• C. Refuse to disclose SSN
• D. Requires agencies to inform individuals where the data has been used

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is that the Privacy Act requires agencies to inform individuals about how their information is used. This transparency means when an agency collects data, it should tell the person the purposes for collection and how the data may be used or disclosed within the agency or to others. That’s why the option stating that agencies must inform individuals where the data has been used best captures the requirement—the act aims to make usage and disclosures clear to the person whose information is involved. The other options relate to unrelated rights—having copies of information (access), ensuring accuracy (data correctness), or restricting a specific data element like a Social Security number—not to how the data is used.