Law Articles

Return to Law Dictionary Index

Your Right to CIA Information Under the Privacy Act

What Kinds of Records CIA Collects

To better understand the information which is available, users should note that the CIA was organized pursuant to the National Security Act of 1947 and that its primary mission is the collection and analysis of foreign intelligence information for use by our nation's leadership; the CIA has no police, subpoena, law enforcement, or internal security functions.

Limits to Public Access

The Agency's information on you must be retrievable from its record systems by your name, a number such as a social security number, or some other personal identifier. It should be noted that the Act does not apply to information about you in records filed under other subjects, such as organizations and events, unless they are retrievable by your name or other personal identifier.

What the CIA Must Protect

The PA allows the Agency to exempt certain records from disclosure. Exempt in their entirety are polygraph records. Exempt in part are those portions of records that contain classified information, information concerning intelligence sources and methods, or information about other persons.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency

Return to Civil Rights

Return to Law Dictionary Index