The Army Privacy Program, 24494-24513 [06-3842]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army
• Army Department

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24494-24513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3842]



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Part IV





Department of Defense





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Department of the Army



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32 CFR Part 505



The Army Privacy Program; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 25, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

32 CFR Part 505

RIN 0702-AA53

[Docket No. USA-2006-0011]


The Army Privacy Program

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army is proposing to update policies and 
responsibilities for the Army Privacy Program, which implements the 
Privacy Act of 1974, by showing organizational realignments and by 
revising referenced statutory and regulatory authority, such as the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and E-Government 
Act of 2002.

DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by June 26, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 32 CFR part 505, 
Docket No. USA-2006-0011 and or RIN 0702-AA53, by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 1160 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1160.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this 
Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other 
submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions 
available for public viewing on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any 
personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Janice Thornton at (703) 428-6503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    The Department of the Army's objective in revising 32 CFR part 505 
is to reinforce Privacy Act policy objectives to include (1) 
restricting disclosure of personally identifiable records maintained; 
(2) to grant individuals rights of access to agency records maintained 
on themselves; (3) to grant individuals the right to seek amendment of 
agency records maintained on themselves upon a showing that the records 
are not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete; and (4) to establish 
practices ensuring the Army is complying with statutory norms for 
collection, maintenance, and dissemination of records.

B. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)

    It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of 
Defense are not significant rules. The rules do not (1) have an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a 
material way the economy; a sector of the economy; productivity; 
competition; jobs; the environment; public health or safety; or State, 
local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious 
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by 
another Agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and 
obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy 
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or 
the principles set forth in this Executive order.

C. Regulatory Flexibility

    It has been certified that Privacy Act rules for the Department of 
Defense do not have significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities because they are concerned only with the 
administration of Privacy Act systems of records within the Department 
of Defense.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    It has been certified that Privacy Act rules for the Department of 
Defense impose no information requirements beyond the Department of 
Defense and that the information collected within the Department of 
Defense is necessary and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 552a, known as the 
Privacy Act of 1974.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    It has been certified that the Privacy Act rulemaking for the 
Department of Defense does not involve a Federal mandate that may 
result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and 
that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments.

F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    It has been certified that the Privacy Act rules for the Department 
of Defense do not have federalism implications. The rules do not have 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

Robert Dickerson,
Chief, U.S. Army Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Office.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 505

    Privacy.

    For reasons stated in the preamble the Department of the Army 
proposes to revise 32 CFR part 505 to read as follows:

PART 505--ARMY PRIVACY ACT PROGRAM

Sec.
505.1 General information.
505.2 General provisions.
505.3 Privacy Act systems of records.
505.4 Collecting personal information.
505.5 Individual access to personal information.
505.6 Amendment of records.
505.7 Disclosure of personal information to other agencies and third 
parties.
505.8 Training requirements.
505.9 Reporting requirements.
505.10 Use and establishment of exemptions.
505.11 Federal Register publishing requirements.
505.12 Privacy Act enforcement actions.
505.13 Computer Matching Agreement Program.
505.14 Recordkeeping requirements under the Privacy Act.

Appendix A to Part 505--References

Appendix B to Part 505--Denial Authorities for Records Under Their 
Authority (Formerly Access and Amendment Refusal Authorities)

Appendix C to Part 505--Privacy Act Statement Format

Appendix D to Part 505--Exemptions; Exceptions; and DOD Blanket Routine 
Uses

Appendix E to Part 505--Litigation Status Sheet

Appendix F to Part 505--Example of a System of Records Notice

Appendix G to Part 505--Management Control Evaluation Checklist

Appendix H to Part 505--Definitions


    Authority: Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896 (5 U.S.C. 552a).


Sec.  505.1  General information.

    (a) Purpose. This part sets forth policies and procedures that 
govern personal information maintained by the Department of the Army 
(DA) in Privacy Act systems of records. This part also provides 
guidance on collecting and disseminating personal information in 
general. The purpose of the Army Privacy Act Program is to balance the 
government's need to maintain information about individuals with the

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right of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasions of 
their privacy stemming from federal agencies' collection, maintenance, 
use and disclosure of personal information about them. Additionally, 
this part promotes uniformity within the Army's Privacy Act Program.
    (b) References: (1) Referenced publications are listed in Appendix 
A of this part.
    (2) DOD Computer Matching Program and other Defense Privacy 
Guidelines may be accessed at the Defense Privacy Office Web site 
https://www.defenselink.mil/privacy.
    (c) Definitions are provided at Appendix H of this part.
    (d) Responsibilities. (1) The Office of the Administrative 
Assistant to the Secretary of the Army will--
    (i) Act as the senior Army Privacy Official with overall 
responsibility for the execution of the Department of the Army Privacy 
Act Program;
    (ii) Develop and issue policy guidance for the program in 
consultation with the Army General Counsel; and
    (iii) Ensure the DA Privacy Act Program complies with Federal 
statutes, Executive Orders, Office of Management and Budget guidelines, 
and 32 CFR part 310.
    (2) The Chief Attorney, Office of the Administrative Assistant to 
the Secretary of the Army (OAASA) will--
    (i) Provide advice and assistance on legal matters arising out of, 
or incident to, the administration of the DA Privacy Act Program;
    (ii) Serve as the legal advisor to the DA Privacy Act Review Board. 
This duty may be fulfilled by a designee in the Chief Attorney and 
Legal Services Directorate, OAASA;
    (iii) Provide legal advice relating to interpretation and 
application of the Privacy Act of 1974; and
    (iv) Serve as a member on the Defense Privacy Board Legal 
Committee. This duty may be fulfilled by a designee in the Chief 
Attorney and Legal Services Directorate, OAASA.
    (3) The Judge Advocate General will serve as the Denial Authority 
on requests made pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for access to or 
amendment of Army records, regardless of functional category, 
concerning actual or potential litigation in which the United States 
has an interest.
    (4) The Chief, DA Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Office 
(FOIA/P), U.S. Army Records Management and Declassification Agency 
will--
    (i) Develop and recommend policy;
    (ii) Execute duties as the Army's Privacy Act Officer;
    (iii) Promote Privacy Act awareness throughout the DA;
    (iv) Serve as a voting member on the Defense Data Integrity Board 
and the Defense Privacy Board;
    (v) Represent the Department of the Army in DOD policy meetings; 
and
    (vi) Appoint a Privacy Act Manager who will--
    (A) Administer procedures outlined in this part;
    (B) Review and approve proposed new, altered, or amended Privacy 
Act systems of records notices and subsequently submit them to the 
Defense Privacy Office for coordination;
    (C) Review Department of the Army Forms for compliance with the 
Privacy Act and this part;
    (D) Ensure that reports required by the Privacy Act are provided 
upon request from the Defense Privacy Office;
    (E) Review Computer Matching Agreements and recommend approval or 
denial to the Chief, DA FOIA/P Office;
    (F) Provide Privacy Act training;
    (G) Provide privacy guidance and assistance to DA activities and 
combatant commands where the Army is the Executive Agent;
    (H) Ensure information collections are developed in compliance with 
the Privacy Act provisions;
    (I) Ensure Office of Management and Budget reporting requirements, 
guidance, and policy are accomplished; and
    (J) Immediately review privacy violations of personnel to locate 
the problem and develop a means to prevent recurrence of the problem.
    (5) Heads of Department of the Army activities, field-operating 
agencies, direct reporting units, Major Army commands, subordinate 
commands down to the battalion level, and installations will--
    (i) Supervise and execute the privacy program in functional areas 
and activities under their responsibility; and
    (ii) Appoint a Privacy Act Official who will--
    (A) Serve as the staff advisor on privacy matters;
    (B) Ensure that Privacy Act records collected and maintained within 
the Command or agency are properly described in a Privacy Act system of 
records notice published in the Federal Register;
    (C) Ensure no undeclared systems of records are being maintained;
    (D) Ensure Privacy Act requests are processed promptly and 
responsively;
    (E) Ensure a Privacy Act Statement is provided to individuals when 
information is collected that will be maintained in a Privacy Act 
system of records, regardless of the medium used to collect the 
personal information (i.e., forms, personal interviews, stylized 
formats, telephonic interviews, or other methods);
    (F) Review, biennially, recordkeeping practices to ensure 
compliance with the Act, paying particular attention to the maintenance 
of automated records. In addition, ensure cooperation with records 
management officials on such matters as maintenance and disposal 
procedures, statutory requirements, forms, and reports; and
    (G) Review, biennially Privacy Act training practices. This is to 
ensure all personnel are familiar with the requirements of the Act.
    (6) DA Privacy Act System Managers and Developers will--
    (i) Ensure that appropriate procedures and safeguards are 
developed, implemented, and maintained to protect an individual's 
personal information;
    (ii) Ensure that all personnel are aware of their responsibilities 
for protecting personal information being collected and maintained 
under the Privacy Act Program;
    (iii) Ensure official filing systems that retrieve records by name 
or other personal identifier and are maintained in a Privacy Act system 
of records have been published in the Federal Register as a Privacy Act 
system of records notice. Any official who willfully maintains a system 
of records without meeting the publication requirements, as prescribed 
by 5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended, OMB Circular A-130, 32 CFR part 310 and 
this part, will be subject to possible criminal penalties and/or 
administrative sanctions;
    (iv) Prepare new, amended, or altered Privacy Act system of records 
notices and submit them to the DA Freedom of Information and Privacy 
Office for review. After appropriate coordination, the system of 
records notices will be submitted to the Defense Privacy Office for 
their review and coordination;
    (v) Review, biennially, each Privacy Act system of records notice 
under their purview to ensure that it accurately describes the system 
of records;
    (vi) Review, every four years, the routine use disclosures 
associated with each Privacy Act system of records notice in order to 
determine if such routine use continues to be compatible with the 
purpose for which the activity collected the information;
    (vii) Review, every four years, each Privacy Act system of records 
notice for which the Secretary of the Army has promulgated exemption 
rules pursuant to sections (j) or (k) of the Act. This is to ensure 
such exemptions are still appropriate;

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    (viii) Review, every year, contracts that provide for the 
maintenance of a Privacy Act system of records to accomplish an 
activity's mission. This requirement is to ensure each contract 
contains provisions that bind the contractor, and its employees, to the 
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(m)(1); and
    (ix) Review, if applicable, ongoing Computer Matching Agreements. 
The Defense Data Integrity Board approves Computer Matching Agreements 
for 18 months, with an option to renew for an additional year. This 
additional review will ensure that the requirements of the Privacy Act, 
Office of Management and Budget guidance, local regulations, and the 
requirements contained in the Matching Agreements themselves have been 
met.
    (7) All DA personnel will--
    (i) Take appropriate actions to ensure personal information 
contained in a Privacy Act system of records is protected so that the 
security and confidentiality of the information is preserved;
    (ii) Not disclose any personal information contained in a Privacy 
Act system of records except as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 552a, DOD 
5400.11-R, or other applicable laws. Personnel willfully making a 
prohibited disclosure are subject to possible criminal penalties and/or 
administrative sanctions; and
    (iii) Report any unauthorized disclosures or unauthorized 
maintenance of new Privacy Act systems of records to the applicable 
activity's Privacy Act Official.
    (8) Heads of Joint Service agencies or commands for which the Army 
is the Executive Agent or the Army otherwise provides fiscal, 
logistical, or administrative support, will adhere to the policies and 
procedures in this part.
    (9) Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, will supervise 
and execute the Privacy Program within that command pursuant to this 
part.
    (10) Overall Government-wide responsibility for implementation of 
the Privacy Act is the Office of Management and Budget. The Department 
of Defense is responsible for implementation of the Act within the 
armed services. The Privacy Act also assigns specific Government-wide 
responsibilities to the Office of Personnel Management and the General 
Services Administration.
    (11) Government-wide Privacy Act systems of records notices are 
available at https://www.defenselink.mil/privacy.
    (e) Legal Authority. (1) Title 5, United States Code, section 552a, 
as amended, The Privacy Act of 1974.
    (2) Title 5, United States Code, section 552, The Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA).
    (3) Office of Personnel Management, Federal Personnel Manual (5 CFR 
parts 293, 294, 297, and 7351).
    (4) OMB Circular No. A-130, Management of Federal Information 
Resources, Revised, August 2003.
    (5) DOD Directive 5400.11, Department of Defense Privacy Program, 
November 16, 2004.
    (6) DOD Regulation 5400.11-R, Department of Defense Privacy 
Program, August 1983.
    (7) Title 10, United States Code, section 3013, Secretary of the 
Army.
    (8) Executive Order No. 9397, Numbering System for Federal Accounts 
Relating to Individual Persons, November 30, 1943.
    (9) Public Law 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Act of 
1974.
    (10) Public Law 107-347, section 208, Electronic Government (E-Gov) 
Act of 2002.
    (11) DOD Regulation 6025.18-R, DOD Health Information Privacy 
Regulation, January 24, 2003.


Sec.  505.2  General provisions.

    (a) Individual privacy rights policy. Army policy concerning the 
privacy rights of individuals and the Army's responsibilities for 
compliance with the Privacy Act are as follows--
    (1) Protect the privacy of United States living citizens and aliens 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence from unwarranted intrusion.
    (2) Deceased individuals do not have Privacy Act rights, nor do 
executors or next-of-kin in general. However, immediate family members 
may have limited privacy rights in the manner of death details and 
funeral arrangements of the deceased individual. Family members often 
use the deceased individual's Social Security Number (SSN) for Federal 
entitlements; appropriate safeguards must be implemented to protect the 
deceased individual's SSN from release. Also, the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act extends protection to certain 
medical information contained in a deceased individual's medical 
records.
    (3) Maintain only such information about an individual that is 
necessary to accomplish the Army's mission.
    (4) Maintain only personal information that is timely, accurate, 
complete, and relevant to the collection purpose.
    (5) Safeguard personal information to prevent unauthorized use, 
access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
    (6) Maintain records for the minimum time required in accordance 
with an approved National Archives and Records Administration record 
disposition.
    (7) Let individuals know what Privacy Act records the Army 
maintains by publishing Privacy Act system of records notices in the 
Federal Register. This will enable individuals to review and make 
copies of these records, subject to the exemptions authorized by law 
and approved by the Secretary of the Army. Department of the Army 
Privacy Act systems of records notices are available at https://
www.defenselink.mil/privacy.
    (8) Permit individuals to correct and amend records about 
themselves which they can prove are factually in error, not timely, not 
complete, not accurate, or not relevant.
    (9) Allow individuals to request an administrative review of 
decisions that deny them access to or the right to amend their records.
    (10) Act on all requests promptly, accurately, and fairly.
    (11) Keep paper and electronic records that are retrieved by name 
or personal identifier only in approved Privacy Act systems of records.
    (12) Maintain no records describing how an individual exercises his 
or her rights guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of religion, 
freedom of political beliefs, freedom of speech and press, freedom of 
peaceful assemblage, and petition) unless expressly authorized by 
statute, pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law 
enforcement activity, or otherwise authorized by law or regulation.
    (13) Maintain appropriate administrative technical and physical 
safeguards to ensure records are protected from unauthorized alteration 
or disclosure.
    (b) Safeguard personal information.
    (1) Privacy Act data will be afforded reasonable safeguards to 
prevent inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of records during 
processing, storage, transmission, and disposal.
    (2) Personal information should never be placed on shared drives 
that are accessed by groups of individuals unless each person has an 
``official need to know'' the information in the performance of 
official duties.
    (3) Safeguarding methods must strike a balance between the 
sensitivity of the data, need for accuracy and reliability for 
operations, general security of the area, and cost of the safeguards. 
In some situations, a password may be enough protection for an 
automated system with a log-on protocol. For additional guidance on 
safeguarding personal information in automated records see

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AR 380-67, The Department of the Army Personnel Security Program.
    (c) Conveying privacy protected data electronically via e-mail and 
the World Wide Web.
    (1) Unencrypted electronic transmission of privacy protected data 
makes the Army vulnerable to information interception which can cause 
serious harm to the individual and the accomplishment of the Army's 
mission.
    (2) The Privacy Act requires that appropriate technical safeguards 
be established, based on the media (e.g., paper, electronic) involved, 
to ensure the security of the records and to prevent compromise or 
misuse during transfer.
    (3) Privacy Web sites and hosted systems with privacy-protected 
data will employ secure sockets layers (SSL) and Public Key 
Infrastructure (PKI) encryption certificates or other DoD-approved 
commercially available certificates for server authentication and 
client/server authentication. Individuals who transmit data containing 
personally identifiable information over e-mail will employ PKI or 
other DoD-approved certificates.
    (4) When sending Privacy Act protected information within the Army 
using encrypted or dedicated lines, ensure that--
    (i) There is an ``official need to know'' for each addressee 
(including ``cc'' addressees); and
    (ii) The Privacy Act protected information is marked For Official 
Use Only (FOUO) to inform the recipient of limitations on further 
dissemination. For example, add FOUO to the beginning of an e-mail 
message, along with the following language: ``This contains FOR 
OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) information which is protected under the 
Privacy Act of 1974 and AR 340-21, The Army Privacy Program. Do not 
further disseminate this information without the permission of the 
sender.''
    (iii) Do not indiscriminately apply this statement. Use it only in 
situations when actually transmitting protected Privacy Act 
information.
    (iv) For additional information about marking documents ``FOUO'' 
review AR 25-55, Chapter IV.
    (5) Add appropriate ``Privacy and Security Notices'' at major Web 
site entry points. Refer to AR 25-1, para 6-4n for requirements for 
posting ``Privacy and Security Notices'' on public Web sites. 
Procedures related to the establishing, operating, and maintaining of 
unclassified DA Web sites can be accessed at https://
www.defenselink.mil/webmasters/policy/DOD_web_policy.
    (6) Ensure public Web sites comply with policies regarding 
restrictions on persistent and third party cookies. The Army prohibits 
both persistent and third part cookies. (see AR 25-1, para 6-4n)
    (7) A Privacy Advisory is required on Web sites which host 
information systems soliciting personally identifying information, even 
when not maintained in a Privacy Act system of records. The Privacy 
Advisory informs the individual why the information is solicited and 
how it will be used. Post the Privacy Advisory to the Web site page 
where the information is being solicited, or to a well marked hyperlink 
stating ``Privacy Advisory--Please refer to the Privacy and Security 
Notice that describes why this information is collected and how it will 
be used.''
    (d) Protecting records containing personal identifiers such as 
names and Social Security Numbers.
    (1) Only those records covered by a Privacy Act system of records 
notice may be arranged to permit retrieval by a personal identifier 
(e.g., an individual's name or Social Security Number). AR 25-400-2, 
paragraph 6-2 requires all records covered by a Privacy Act system of 
records notice to include the system of record identification number on 
the record label to serve as a reminder that the information contained 
within must be safeguarded.
    (2) Use a coversheet or DA Label 87 (For Official Use Only) for 
individual records not contained in properly labeled file folders or 
cabinets.
    (3) When developing a coversheet, the following is an example of a 
statement that you may use: ``The information contained within is FOR 
OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) and protected by the Privacy Act of 1974.''
    (e) Nomination of individuals when personal information is lost, 
stolen, or compromised.
    (1) Whenever an Army organization becomes aware the protected 
personal information pertaining to a Service member, civilian employee 
(appropriated or non-appropriated fund), military retiree, family 
member, or another individual affiliated with Army organization (e.g., 
volunteer) has been lost, stolen, or compromised, the organization 
shall inform the affected individuals as soon as possible, but not 
later than ten days after the loss or compromise of protected personal 
information is discovered.
    (2) At a minimum, the organization shall advise individuals of what 
specific data was involved; the circumstances surrounding the loss, 
theft, or compromise; and what protective actions the individual can 
take.
    (3) If Army organizations are unable to comply with policy, they 
will immediately notify their superiors, who will submit a memorandum 
through the chain of command to the Administrative Assistant of the 
Secretary of the Army to explain why the affected individual's or 
population's personal information has been lost, stolen, or 
compromised.
    (4) This policy is also applicable to Army contractors who collect, 
maintain, use, or disseminate protected personal information on behalf 
of the organization.
    (f) Federal government contractors' compliance.
    (1) When a DA activity contracts for the design, development, or 
operation of a Privacy Act system of records in order to accomplish a 
DA mission, the agency must apply the requirements of the Privacy Act 
to the contractor and its employees working on the contract (See 48 CFR 
part 24 and other applicable supplements to the FAR; 32 CFR part 310).
    (2) System Managers will review annually, contracts contained 
within the system(s) of records under their responsibility, to 
determine which ones contain provisions relating to the design, 
development, or operation of a Privacy Act system of records.
    (3) Contractors are considered employees of the Army for the 
purpose of the sanction provisions of the Privacy Act during the 
performance of the contract requirements.
    (4) Disclosing records to a contractor for use in performing the 
requirements of an authorized DA contract is considered a disclosure 
within the agency under exception (b)(1), ``Official Need to Know'', of 
the Act.


Sec.  505.3  Privacy Act systems of records.

    (a) Systems of records. (1) A system of records is a group of 
records under the control of a DA activity that are retrieved by an 
individual's name or by some identifying number, symbol, or other 
identifying particular assigned to an individual.
    (2) Privacy Act systems of records must be--
    (i) Authorized by Federal statute or an Executive Order;
    (ii) Needed to carry out DA's mission; and
    (iii) Published in the Federal Register in a system of records 
notice, which will provide the public an opportunity to comment before 
DA implements or changes the system.
    (3) The mere fact that records are retrievable by a name or 
personal identifier is not enough. Records must actually be retrieved 
by a name or personal identifier. Records in a group

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of records that may be retrieved by a name or personal identifier but 
are not normally retrieved by this method are not covered by this part. 
However, they are covered by AR 25-55, the Department of the Army 
Freedom of Information Act Program.
    (4) The existence of a statute or Executive Order mandating the 
maintenance of a system of records to perform an authorized activity 
does not abolish the responsibility to ensure the information in the 
system of records is relevant and necessary to perform the authorized 
activity.
    (b) Privacy Act system of records notices.
    (1) DA must publish notices in the Federal Register on new, 
amended, altered, or deleted systems of records to inform the public of 
the Privacy Act systems of records that it maintains. The Privacy Act 
requires submission of new or significantly changed systems of records 
to OMB and both houses of Congress before publication in the Federal 
Register (See Appendix E of this part).
    (2) Systems managers must send a proposed notice at least 120 days 
before implementing a new, amended or altered system to the DA Freedom 
of Information and Privacy Office. The proposed or altered notice must 
include a narrative statement and supporting documentation. A narrative 
statement must contain the following items:
    (i) System identifier and name;
    (ii) Responsible Official, title, and phone number;
    (iii) If a new system, the purpose of establishing the system or if 
an altered system, nature of changes proposed;
    (iv) Authority for maintenance of the system;
    (v) Probable or potential effects of the system on the privacy of 
individuals;
    (vi) Whether the system is being maintained, in whole or in part, 
by a contractor;
    (vii) Steps taken to minimize risk of unauthorized access;
    (viii) Routine use compatibility;
    (ix) Office of Management and Budget information collection 
requirements; and
    (x) Supporting documentation as an attachment. Also as an 
attachment should be the proposed new or altered system notice for 
publication in the Federal Register.
    (3) An amended or altered system of records is one that has one or 
more of the following:
    (i) A significant increase in the number, type, or category of 
individuals about whom records are maintained;
    (ii) A change that expands the types of categories of information 
maintained;
    (iii) A change that alters the purpose for which the information is 
used;
    (iv) A change to equipment configuration (either hardware or 
software) that creates substantially greater access to the records in 
the system of records;
    (v) An addition of an exemption pursuant to section (j) or (k) of 
the Act; or
    (vi) An addition of a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3).
    (4) For additional guidance contact the DA FOIA/P Office.
    (5) On behalf of DA, the Defense Privacy Office maintains a list of 
DOD Components' Privacy Act system of records notices at the Defense 
Privacy Office's Web site https://www.defenselink.mil/privacy.
    (6) DA PAM 25-51 sets forth procedures pertaining to Privacy Act 
system of records notices.
    (7) For new systems, system managers must establish appropriate 
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the 
security and confidentiality of records. This applies to all new 
systems of records whether maintained manually or automated.
    (i) One safeguard plan is the development and use of a Privacy 
Impact Assessment (PIA) mandated by the E-Gov Act of 2002, section 208. 
The Office of Management and Budget specifically directs that a PIA be 
conducted, reviewed, and published for all new or significantly altered 
information in identifiable form collected from or about the members of 
the public. The PIA describes the appropriate administrative, 
technical, and physical safeguards for new automated systems. This will 
assist in the protection against any anticipated threats or hazards to 
the security or integrity of data, which could result in substantial 
harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to any individual on 
whom information is maintained. Contact your local Information Officer 
for guidance on conducting a PIA.
    (ii) The development of appropriate safeguards must be tailored to 
the requirements of the system as well as other factors, such as the 
system environment, location, and accessibility.


Sec.  505.4  Collecting personal information.

    (a) General provisions. (1) Employees will collect personal 
information to the greatest extent practicable directly from the 
subject of the record. This is especially critical, if the information 
may result in adverse determinations about an individual's rights, 
benefits, and privileges under Federal programs (See 5 U.S.C. 
552a(e)(2)).
    (2) It is unlawful for any Federal, state, or local government 
agency to deny anyone a legal right, benefit, or privilege provided by 
law for refusing to give their SSN unless the law requires disclosure, 
or a law or regulation adopted before January 1, 1975, required the SSN 
or if DA uses the SSN to verify a person's identity in a system of 
records established and in use before that date. Executive Order 9397 
(issued prior to January 1, 1975) authorizes the Army to solicit and 
use the SSN as a numerical identifier for individuals in most Federal 
records systems. However, the SSN should only be collected as needed to 
perform official duties. Executive Order 9397 does not mandate the 
solicitation of SSNs from Army personnel as a means of identification.
    (3) Upon entrance into military service or civilian employment with 
DA, individuals are asked to provide their SSN. The SSN becomes the 
service or employment number for the individual and is used to 
establish personnel, financial, medical, and other official records. 
After an individual has provided his or her SSN for the purpose of 
establishing a record, the Privacy Act Statement is not required if the 
individual is only requested to furnish or verify the SSN for 
identification purposes in connection with the normal use of his or her 
records. If the SSN is to be used for a purpose other than 
identification, the individual must be informed whether disclosure of 
the SSN is mandatory or voluntary; by what statutory authority the SSN 
is solicited; and what uses will be made of the SSN. This notification 
is required even if the SSN is not to be maintained in a Privacy Act 
system of records.
    (4) When asking an individual for his or her SSN or other personal 
information that will be maintained in a system of records, the 
individual must be provided with a Privacy Act Statement.
    (b) Privacy Act Statement (PAS). (1) A Privacy Act Statement is 
required whenever personal information is requested from an individual 
and will become part of a Privacy Act system of records. The 
information will be retrieved by the individual's name or other 
personal identifier (See 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3)).
    (2) The PAS will ensure that individuals know why the information 
is being collected so they can make an informed decision as to 
providing the personal information.
    (3) In addition, the PAS will include language that is explicit, 
easily understood, and not so lengthy as to deter an individual from 
reading it.

[[Page 24499]]

    (4) A sign can be displayed in areas where people routinely furnish 
this kind of information, and a copy of the PAS will be made available 
upon request by the individual.
    (5) Do not ask the person to sign the PAS.
    (6) A Privacy Act Statement must include the following four items--
    (i) Authority: Cite the specific statute or Executive Order, 
including a brief title or subject that authorizes the DA to collect 
the personal information requested.
    (ii) Principal Purpose(s): Cite the principal purposes for which 
the information will be used.
    (iii) Routine Uses: A list of where and why the information will be 
disclosed OUTSIDE of DOD. Applicable routine uses are published in the 
applicable Privacy Act system of records notice(s). If none, the 
language to be used is: ``Routine Use(s): None. However the `Blanket 
Routine Uses' set forth at the beginning of the Army's compilation of 
systems of records notices apply.''
    (iv) Disclosure: Voluntary or Mandatory. Include in the Privacy Act 
Statement specifically whether furnishing the requested personal data 
is mandatory or voluntary. A requirement to furnish personal data is 
mandatory ONLY when a Federal statute, Executive Order, regulation, or 
other law specifically imposes a duty on the individual to provide the 
information sought, and when the individual is subject to a penalty if 
he or she fails to provide the requested information. If providing the 
information is only a condition of or prerequisite to granting a 
benefit or privilege and the individual has the option of receiving the 
benefit or privilege, providing the information is always voluntary. 
However, the loss or denial of the privilege, benefit, or entitlement 
sought must be listed as a consequence of not furnishing the requested 
information.
    (7) Some acceptable means of administering the PAS are as follows, 
in the order of preference--
    (i) Below the title of the media used to collect the personal 
information. The PAS should be positioned so that the individual will 
be advised of the PAS before he or she provides the requested 
information;
    (ii) Within the body with a notation of its location below the 
title;
    (iii) On the reverse side with a notation of its location below the 
title;
    (iv) Attached as a tear-off sheet; or
    (v) Issued as a separate supplement.
    (8) An example of a PAS is at appendix B of this part.
    (9) Include a PAS on a Web site page if it collects information 
directly from an individual and is retrieved by his or her name or 
personal identifier (See Office of Management and Budget Privacy Act 
Guidelines, 40 FR 28949, 28961 (July 9, 1975)).
    (10) Army policy prohibits the collection of personally identifying 
information on public Web sites without the express permission of the 
user. Requests for exceptions must be forwarded to the Army CIO/G-6. 
(See AR 25-1, para 6-4n.)
    (c) Collecting personal information from third parties. (1) It may 
not be practical to collect personal information directly from the 
individual in all cases. Some examples of when collection from third 
parties may be necessary are when--
    (i) Verifying information;
    (ii) Opinions or evaluations are needed;
    (iii) The subject cannot be contacted; or
    (iv) At the request of the subject individual.
    (2) When asking third parties to provide information about other 
individuals, they will be advised of--
    (i) The purpose of the request; and
    (ii) Their rights to confidentiality as defined by the Privacy Act 
of 1974 (Consult with your servicing Staff Judge Advocate for potential 
limitations to the confidentiality that may be offered pursuant to the 
Privacy Act).
    (d) Confidentiality promises. Promises of confidentiality must be 
prominently annotated in the record to protect from disclosure any 
information provided in confidence pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), 
(k)(5), or (k)(7).


Sec.  505.5  Individual access to personal information.

    (a) Individual access. (1) The access provisions of this part are 
intended for use by individuals whose records are maintained in a 
Privacy Act system of records. If a representative acts on their 
behalf, a written authorization must be provided, with the exception of 
members of Congress acting on behalf of a constituent.
    (2) A Department of the Army ``Blanket Routine Use'' allows the 
release of Privacy Act protected information to members of Congress 
when they are acting on behalf of the constituent and the information 
is filed and retrieved by the constituent's name or personal 
identifier. The said ``Blanket Routine Use'' is listed below.

    Congressional Inquiries Disclosure Routine Use: Disclosure from 
a system of records maintained by a DOD Component may be made to a 
congressional office from the record of an individual in response to 
an inquiry from the congressional office made at the request of that 
individual.

    (3) Upon a written request, an individual will be granted access to 
information pertaining to him or her that is maintained in a Privacy 
Act system of records, unless--
    (i) The information is subject to an exemption, the system manager 
has invoked the exemption, and the exemption is published in the 
Federal Register; or
    (ii) The information was compiled in reasonable anticipation of a 
civil action or proceeding.
    (4) Legal guardians or parents acting on behalf of a minor child 
have the minor child's rights of access under this part, unless the 
records were created or maintained pursuant to circumstances where the 
interests of the minor child were adverse to the interests of the legal 
guardian or parent.
    (5) These provisions should allow for the maximum release of 
information consistent with Army and DOD's statutory responsibilities.
    (b) Individual requests for access.
    (1) Individuals will address requests for access to records in a 
Privacy Act system of records to the system manager or the custodian of 
the record designated in DA systems of records notices (See DA PAM 25-
51 or the Defense Privacy Office's Web site https://www.defenselink.mil/
privacy).
    (2) Individuals do not have to state a reason or justify the need 
to gain access to records under the Act.
    (3) Release of personal information to individuals under this 
section is not considered a ``public release'' of information.
    (c) Verification of identity for first party requesters.
    (1) Before granting access to personal data, an individual will 
provide reasonable verification of identity.
    (2) When requesting records in writing, the preferred method of 
verifying identity is the submission of a notarized signature. An 
alternative method of verifying identity for individuals who do not 
have access to notary services is the submission of an un-sworn 
declaration in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746 in the following format:
    (i) If executed within the United States, its territories, 
possessions, or commonwealths: ``I declare (or certify, verify, or 
state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. 
Executed on (date). (Signature)''.
    (ii) If executed outside of the United States: ``I declare under 
perjury or penalty under the laws of the United States of America that 
the foregoing is

[[Page 24500]]

true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).''
    (3) When an individual seeks access in person, identification can 
be verified by documents normally carried by the individual (such as 
identification card, driver's license, or other license, permit or pass 
normally used for identification purposes). However, level of proof of 
identity is commensurate with the sensitivity of the records sought. 
For example, more proof is required to access medical records than is 
required to access parking records.
    (4) Telephonic requests will not be honored.
    (5) An individual cannot be denied access solely for refusal to 
provide his or her Social Security Number (SSN) unless the SSN was 
required for access by statute or regulation adopted prior to January 
1, 1975.
    (6) If an individual wishes to have his or her records released 
directly to a third party or to be accompanied by a third party when 
seeking access to his or her records, reasonable proof of authorization 
must be obtained. The individual may be required to furnish a signed 
access authorization with a notarized signature or other proof of 
authenticity (i.e. telephonic confirmation) before granting the third 
party access.
    (d) Individual access to medical records.
    (1) An individual must be given access to his or her medical and 
psychological records unless a judgment is made that access to such 
records could have an adverse effect on the mental or physical health 
of the individual. This determination normally should be made in 
consultation with a medical doctor. Additional guidance is provided in 
DOD 5400.11-R, Department of Defense Privacy Program. In this instance, 
the individual will be asked to provide the name of a personal health 
care provider, and the records will be provided to that health care 
provider, along with an explanation of why access without medical 
supervision could be harmful to the individual.
    (2) Information that may be harmful to the record subject should 
not be released to a designated individual unless the designee is 
qualified to make psychiatric or medical determinations.
    (3) DA activities may offer the services of a military physician, 
other than the one who provided the treatment.
    (4) Do not require the named health care provider to request the 
records for the individual.
    (5) The agency's decision to furnish the records to a medical 
designee and not directly to the individual is not considered a denial 
for reporting purposes under the Act and cannot be appealed.
    (6) However, no matter what the special procedures are, DA has a 
statutory obligation to ensure that access is provided the individual.
    (7) Regardless of age, all DA military personnel and all married 
persons are considered adults. The parents of these individuals do not 
have access to their medical records without written consent of the 
individual.
    (8) DOD 6025.18-R, DOD Health Information Privacy Regulation, 
issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 
Act (HIPAA) of 1996, has placed additional procedural requirements on 
the uses and disclosure of individually identifiable health information 
beyond those found in the Privacy Act of 1974 and this part. In order 
to be in compliance with HIPAA, the additional guidelines and 
procedures will be reviewed before release of an individual's 
identifiable health information.
    (e) Personal notes.
    (1) The Privacy Act does not apply to personal notes of individuals 
used as memory aids. These documents are not Privacy Act records and 
are not subject to this part.
    (2) The five conditions for documents to be considered personal 
notes are as follows--
    (i) Maintained and discarded solely at the discretion of the 
author;
    (ii) Created only for the author's personal convenience and the 
notes are restricted to that of memory aids;
    (iii) Not the result of official direction or encouragement, 
whether oral or written;
    (iv) Not shown to others for any reason; and
    (v) Not filed in agency files.
    (3) Any disclosure from personal notes, either intentional or 
through carelessness, removes the information from the category of 
memory aids and the personal notes then become subject to provisions of 
the Act.
    (f) Denial or limitation of individual's right to access.
    (1) Even if the information is filed and retrieved by an 
individual's name or personal identifier, his or her right to access 
may be denied if--
    (i) The records were compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil 
action or proceeding including any action where DA expects judicial or 
administrative adjudicatory proceedings. The term ``civil action or 
proceeding'' includes quasi-judicial, pre-trial judicial, and 
administrative proceedings, as well as formal litigation;
    (ii) The information is about a third party and does not pertain to 
the requester. A third party's SSN and home address will be withheld. 
However, information about the relationship between the individual and 
the third party would normally be disclosed as it pertains to the 
individual;
    (iii) The records are in a system of records that has been properly 
exempted by the Secretary of the Army from the access provisions of 
this part and the information is exempt from release under a provision 
of the Freedom of Information Act (See appendix C of this part for a 
list of applicable Privacy Act exemptions, exceptions, and ``Blanket'' 
routine uses);
    (iv) The records contain properly classified information that has 
been exempted from the access provision of this part;
    (v) The records are not described well enough to enable them to be 
located with a reasonable amount of effort on the part of an employee 
familiar with the file. Requesters should reasonably describe the 
records they are requesting. They do not have to designate a Privacy 
Act system of records notice identification number, but they should at 
least identify a type of record or functional area. For requests that 
ask for ``all records about me,'' DA personnel should ask the requester 
for more information to narrow the scope of his or her request; and
    (vi) Access is sought by an individual who fails or refuses to 
comply with Privacy Act established procedural requirements, included 
refusing to pay fees.
    (2) Requesters will not use government equipment, supplies, 
stationery, postage, telephones, or official mail channels for making 
Privacy Act requests. System managers will process such requests but 
inform requesters that using government resources to make Privacy Act 
requests is not authorized.
    (3) When a request for information contained in a Privacy Act 
system of records is denied in whole or in part, the Denial Authority 
or designee shall inform the requester in writing and explain why the 
request for access has been refused.
    (4) A request for access, notification, or amendment of a record 
shall be acknowledged in writing within 10 working days of receipt by 
the proper system manager or record custodian.
    (g) Relationship between the Privacy Act and the Freedom of 
Information Act.
    (1) Not all requesters are knowledgeable of the appropriate 
statutory authority to cite when

[[Page 24501]]

requesting information. In some instances, they may cite neither the PA 
nor the Freedom of Information Act in their request. In some instances 
they may cite one Act but not the other. The Freedom of Information Act 
and the PA works together to ensure that requesters receive the 
greatest amount of information possible.
    (2) Do not deny the individual access to his or her records simply 
because he or she failed to cite the appropriate statute or regulation.
    (3) If the records are required to be released under the Freedom of 
Information Act, the PA will never block disclosure to requester. If 
the PA allows the DA activity to deny access to an individual, the 
Freedom of Information Act must still be applied, and the information 
released if required by the Freedom of Information Act.
    (4) Unlike the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act applies 
only to U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence.
    (5) Requesters who seek records about themselves contained in a 
Privacy Act system of records (1st party requesters) and who cite or 
imply only the Privacy Act, will have their request processed under the 
provisions of both the PA and the Freedom of Information Act. If the 
information requested is not contained in a Privacy Act system of 
records or is not about the requester, the individual's request will be 
processed under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act only, 
and the Freedom of Information Act processing requirements/time lines 
will apply.
    (6) Third party information.
    (i) Third party information contained in a Privacy Act system of 
records that does not pertain to the requester, such as SSN, home 
addresses, and other purely personal information that is not about the 
requester, will be processed under the provisions of Freedom of 
Information Act only. Third party information that is not about the 
requester is not subject to the Privacy Act's first party access 
provision.
    (ii) Information about the relationship between the first party 
requester and a third party is normally disclosed as pertaining to the 
first party requester. Consult your servicing Staff Judge Advocate if 
there is a question about the release of third party information to a 
first party requester.
    (7) If an individual requests information about them contained in a 
Privacy Act system of records, the individual may be denied the 
information only if the information is exempt under both the PA and the 
Freedom of Information Act. Both PA and Freedom of Information Act 
exemptions will be cited in the denial letter and appeals will be 
processed in accordance with both Acts.
    (8) Each time a first party requester cites or implies the PA, 
perform this analysis:
    (i) Is the request from a United States living citizen or an alien 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence?
    (ii) Is the individual requesting an agency record?
    (iii) Are the records within a PA system of records that are filed 
and retrieved by an individual's name or other personal identifier? (If 
the answer is ``yes'' to all of these questions, then the records 
should be processed under the ``Privacy Act'') and
    (iv) Does the information requested pertain exclusively to the 
requester?
    (A) If yes, no further consideration of Freedom of Information Act 
exemptions required. Release all information unless a PA exemption 
authorizes withholding.
    (B) If no, process the information that is not about the requester 
under the Freedom of Information Act and withhold only if a proper 
Freedom of Information Act exemption applies.
    (h) Functional requests. If an individual asks for his or her 
records and does not cite or reasonably imply either the Privacy Act or 
the Freedom of Information Act, and another prescribing directive or 
regulation authorizes the release, the records should be released under 
that other directive or regulation and not the PA or the FOIA. Examples 
of functional requests are military members asking to see their 
Official Military Personnel Records or civilian employees asking to see 
their Official Personnel Folder.
    (i) Procedures for denying or limiting an individual's right to 
access or amendment and the role of the Denial Authority.
    (1) The only officials authorized to deny a request for records or 
a request to amend records in a PA system of records pertaining to the 
requesting individual, are the appropriate Denial Authorities, their 
designees, or the Secretary of the Army who will be acting through the 
General Counsel.
    (2) Denial Authorities are authorized to deny requests, either in 
whole or in part, for notification, access and amendment of Privacy Act 
records contained in their respective areas of responsibility.
    (i) The Denial Authority may delegate all or part of their 
authority to a division chief under his supervision within the Agency 
in the grade of 0-5/GS-14 or higher. All delegations must be in 
writing.
    (ii) The Denial Authority will send the names, office names, and 
telephone numbers of their delegates to the DA Freedom of Information 
and Privacy Office.
    (iii) If a Denial Authority delegate denies access or amendment, 
the delegate must clearly state that he or she is acting on behalf of 
the Denial Authority, who must be identified by name and position in 
the written response to the requester. Denial Authority designation 
will not delay processing privacy requests/actions.
    (iv) The official Denial Authorities are for records under their 
authority (See appendix B of this part). The individuals designated as 
Denial Authorities under this part are the same individuals designated 
as Initial Denial Authorities under AR 25-55, the Department of the 
Army Freedom of Information Act Program. However, delegation of Denial 
Authority pursuant to this part does not automatically encompass 
delegation of Initial Denial Authority under AR 25-55. Initial Denial 
Authority must be expressly delegated pursuant to AR 25-55 for an 
individual to take action on behalf of an Initial Denial Authority 
under AR 25-55.
    (3) The custodian of the record will acknowledge requests for 
access made under the provisions of the Privacy Act within 10 working 
days of receipt.
    (4) Requests for information recommended for denial will be 
forwarded to the appropriate Denial Authority, along with a copy of the 
records and justification for withholding the record. At the same time, 
notify the requester of the referral to the Denial Authority for 
action. All documents or portions thereof determined to be releasable 
to the requester will be released to the requester before forwarding 
the case to the Denial Authority.
    (5) Within 30 working days, the Denial Authority will provide the 
following notification to the requester in writing if the decision is 
to deny the requester access to the information.
    (6) Included in the notification will be:
    (i) Denying Official's name, position title, and business address;
    (ii) Date of the denial;
    (iii) The specific reason for the denial, citing the appropriate 
subsections of the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act, AR 25-
55, The Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act Program and 
this part; and
    (iv) The individual's right to administratively appeal the denial 
within 60 calendar days of the mailing date of the notice, through the 
Denial Authority, to the Office of the General Counsel, Secretary of 
the Army, 104

[[Page 24502]]

Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0104.
    (7) The appeal must be in writing and the requester should provide 
a copy of the denial letter and a statement of their reasons for 
seeking review.
    (8) For denials made by the DA when the record is maintained in a 
Government-wide system of records, an individual's request for further 
review must be addressed to each of the appropriate government Privacy 
Act offices listed in the Privacy Act system of records notices. For a 
current listing of Government-wide Privacy Act system of records 
notices see the Defense Privacy Office's Web site https://
www.defenselink.mil/privacy or DA PAM 25-51.
    (j) No records determinations.
    (1) Since a no record response may be considered an ``adverse'' 
determination, the Denial Authority must make the final determination 
that no records exist. The originating agency shall notify the 
requester that an initial determination has been made that there are no 
responsive records, however the final determination will be made by the 
Denial Authority. A no records certificate must accompany a no records 
determination that is forwarded to the Denial Authority.
    (2) The Denial Authority must provide the requester with appeal 
rights.
    (k) Referral of requests.
    (1) A request received by a DA activity having no records 
responsive to a request shall be referred to another DOD Component or 
DA activity, if the other Component or activity confirms that they have 
the requested records, or verifies that they are the proper custodian 
for that type of record. The requester will be notified of the 
referral. In cases where the DA activity receiving the request has 
reason to believe that the existence or nonexistence of the record may 
in itself be classified, that activity will consult the Component or 
activity having cognizance over the records in question before 
referring the request. If the Component or activity that is consulted 
determines that the existence or nonexistence of the records is in 
itself classified, the requester shall be so notified by the DA 
activity originally receiving the request that it can neither confirm 
nor deny the existence of the record, and no referral shall take place.
    (2) A DA activity shall refer a Privacy Act request for a 
classified record that it holds to another DOD Component, DA activity, 
or agency outside the Department of Defense, if the record originated 
in the other DOD Component, DA activity, or outside agency, or if the 
classification is derivative. The referring DA activity will provide 
the records and a release recommendation with the referral action.
    (3) Any DA activity receiving a request that has been misaddressed 
will refer the request to the proper address and advise the requester.
    (4) Within DA, referrals will be made directly to offices having 
custody of the requested records (unless the Denial Authority is the 
custodian of the requested records). If the office receiving the 
Privacy Act request does not know where the requested records are 
located, the office will contact the DA FOIA/P Office, to determine the 
appropriate office for referral.
    (5) The requester will be informed of the referral whenever records 
or a portion of records are, after prior consultation, referred to 
another activity for a release determination and direct response. 
Additionally, the DA activity referral letter will accomplish the 
following--
    (i) Fully describe the Privacy Act system of records from which the 
document was retrieved; and
    (ii) Indicate whether the referring activity claims any exemptions 
in the Privacy Act system of records notice.
    (6) Within the DA, an activity will refer a Privacy Act request for 
records that it holds but was originated by another activity, to the 
originating activity for direct response. An activity will not, in any 
case, release or deny such records without prior consultation with the 
originating activity. The requester will be notified of such referral.
    (7) A DA activity may refer a Privacy Act request for records that 
originated in an agency outside of DOD, or that is based on information 
obtained from an agency outside the DOD, to that agency for direct 
response to the requester, only if that agency is subject to the 
Privacy Act. Otherwise, the DA activity must respond to the request.
    (8) DA activities will not honor any Privacy Act requests for 
investigative, intelligence, or any other type of records that are on 
loan to the Department of Defense for a specific purpose, if the 
records are restricted from further release in writing. Such requests 
will be referred to the agency that provided the records.
    (9) A DA activity will notify requesters seeking National Security 
Council (NSC) or White House documents that they should write directly 
to the NSC or White House for such documents. DA documents in which the 
NSC or White House have a concurrent reviewing interest will be 
forwarded to the Department of Defense, Office of Freedom of 
Information and Security Review, which will coordinate with the NSC or 
White House, and return the documents to the originating DA activity 
after NSC or White House review. NSC or White House documents 
discovered in DA activity files which are responsive to a Privacy Act 
request will be forwarded to DOD for coordination and return with a 
release determination.
    (10) To the extent referrals are consistent with the policies 
expressed above; referrals between offices of the same DA activity are 
authorized.
    (l) Reproduction fees. (1) Use fees only to recoup direct 
reproduction costs associated with granting access.
    (2) DA activities may use discretion in their decision to charge 
for the first copy of records provided to an individual to whom the 
records pertain. Thereafter, fees will be computed pursuant to the fee 
schedule set forth in AR 25-55, including the fee waiver provisions.
    (3) Checks or money orders for fees should be made payable to the 
Treasurer of the United States and will be deposited in the 
miscellaneous receipts of the treasury account maintained at the 
activity's finance office.
    (4) Reproduction costs shall only include the direct costs of 
reproduction and shall not include costs of--
    (i) Time or effort devoted to searching for