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 EPIC FOIA Notes

EPIC FOIA Notes #4
April 26, 2005

JUST SAY "9/11" TO OBTAIN SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION

SNAPSHOT [click for full document]

THE DISCLOSURE
Formerly secret documents obtained by EPIC from the Social Security Administration reveal that the agency adopted a broad "ad hoc" policy for disclosing personal information to law enforcement officials investigating 9/11.

THE ISSUE
Oversight of law enforcement access to sensitive personal data after 9/11.

THE BACKGROUND
Under the Privacy Act, the Social Security Administration may disclose personal information to law enforcement officers only in narrowly defined circumstances. Just days after 9/11, the agency changed its traditionally strict disclosure policy to allow law enforcement agencies to obtain personal information merely by stating the data was sought "in connection" with a 9/11 investigation. The documents show the policy was still in effect in May 2004.

THE SIGNIFICANCE
The new policy undermines the Privacy Act and permits disclosure of personal information held by a federal agency with little accountability.

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