Overview
Title
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is updating how they keep track of workers who get help paying for their bus or train rides to work. They want to make sure people know about these changes and invite everyone to share their thoughts.
Summary AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced modifications to an existing system of records related to the FERC Transit Subsidy Program (TSP). In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, FERC is updating and republishing the entire notice. Changes include three new routine uses and updates to several existing ones, as well as revisions to various sections such as system name, purpose, and record-keeping practices. Public comments on these changes are invited and must be submitted no later than 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, all agencies are required to publish in the Federal Register a notice of their systems of records. Notice is hereby given that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is publishing notice of modifications to an existing FERC system of records titled "FERC Transit Subsidy Program (TSP) Records (FERC-41)" previously titled "FERC Transit Subsidy Program (TSP) (FERC-41)."
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document published by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announces changes to its existing system for managing records related to the Transit Subsidy Program. This update, required under the Privacy Act of 1974, includes new and revised routine uses as well as updates to several sections including the system's name and purpose. The public is invited to comment on these changes within 30 days of publication.
General Summary
FERC has modified a key system of records associated with its transit benefits program for employees. These changes pertain to the management and disclosure of employee records and fall under the regulations outlined by the Privacy Act of 1974. The program itself helps FERC employees by subsidizing their commuting costs. The updates comprise three new routine uses and adjustments to existing record policies. Public feedback is being solicited, which must be submitted within a specified 30-day window.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues within this document warrant attention:
Technical and Legal Jargon: The document references federal regulations and acts using abbreviations like CFR and U.S.C., which could be difficult for the general public to comprehend without further elaboration.
Record Retention and Exceptions: While it details retention timelines for records based on National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) guidelines, it does not clarify how exceptions to these timelines will be managed.
Vague Definitions: The term "special circumstances," intended to cover specific employee conditions like being a senior citizen or having a disability, isn't clearly defined, which could lead to misunderstandings or inconsistent application.
Safeguards Explanation: Though security measures like Single Sign-On and Multi-Factor Authentication are mentioned, they are not explained in detail, potentially leaving stakeholders unclear about their efficacy in protecting sensitive data.
Disclosure Criteria: Criteria for determining which entities can access disclosed records lack clarity, raising privacy concerns.
Response Timeline: Procedures for requesting access to records don't specify expected response times, which may be a source of frustration for individuals seeking their information.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, the modifications in FERC's system of records might sound technical, yet they carry implications for transparency and privacy. Such documents ensure that federal programs meet current privacy standards and protect personal information, thus assuring employees and the public of secure handling of sensitive data.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The primary stakeholders impacted are FERC employees involved in the transit subsidy program. Positive impacts include enhanced management of personal transit records and improved access as outlined by the amended policies. Potential negative impacts might arise from ambiguities in terms of data protection specifics or understanding what constitutes "special circumstances."
In addition, federal agencies gaining restricted access to these records, as specified through various routine uses, stretch beyond internal operations, affecting privacy and influencing how government entities collaborate. Asset protection successes or breaches could reflect on the transparency and reliability of federal systems, impacting trust in federal administration.
Overall, while these updates aim to bolster record management and transparency within FERC, there remains a need for clear communication to fully understand the implications of these changes and ensure stakeholder confidence and collaboration.
Issues
• The document uses technical and legal jargon that may be hard to understand for the general public, such as references to specific CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) or U.S.C. (United States Code) sections without further explanation.
• The notice states that records are retained for varying periods based on NARA schedules, but doesn't specify how exceptions to these timelines will be evaluated or approved.
• Details about what constitutes 'special circumstances' (senior citizen or disabled) are vague, which could lead to inconsistent application or misunderstanding by those affected.
• The description of safeguards mentions a 'Single Sign-On and Multi-Factor Authentication Solution' and 'principle of least privilege' without detailing what these entail or how they effectively protect sensitive data.
• The document outlines multiple routine uses of records, but the criteria for determining 'appropriate agencies, entities, and person(s)' who can receive disclosures is not clear, which might lead to concerns about privacy and data protection.
• The procedure for submitting written requests for access to records is mentioned, but there is no clarity on the expected timeline for a response or resolution.