Which of the following is a basic provision of the Privacy Act of 1974?

• A. Allows an individual to question the accuracy of any information gathered
• B. Requires the agency that collected data about a person to inform the individual in which the data has been used
• C. Guarantees individual right to copies of information pertaining to the individual.
• D. Provides for individuals to refuse to disclose social security number unless required by fed statute

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the Privacy Act guarantees individuals access to the records the government keeps about them. Among the options, the most direct and foundational provision is the right to obtain copies of information pertaining to the individual. This explicit right makes it the best fit because it directly states that a person can see and receive copies of their records from the agency that maintains them, which is a core component of how the Act protects personal information.

The other statements touch on related protections but are not the basic right described here. The Act does allow individuals to request amendments to correct information that’s inaccurate, which is a separate remedy beyond simply getting copies. It also involves notices about how records are used and restrictions on disclosure, including considerations around sensitive identifiers like the Social Security number, but those are additional safeguards rather than the core right to access copies of one’s records.