Privacy Act

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), Canada... 

The Privacy Act prevents industry from generally releasing information on individual cases which could be traced back to the person involved. This may hinder efforts to estimate occupational exposures for pollutants for which published literature does not already exist. Area monitoring data may, however, be released by industry upon request and can provide a general indication of nearby worker exposure. 

We note that legal issues involving the Privacy Act are faced by any information systems that mine information about US citizens, even if such information is in the public domain. 

Public schools are further bound by federal legislation that mandates how student information is to be maintained. For students, information safety is specifically addressed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as FERPA. FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education information. FERPA assures that students have specific rights regarding information and requires that schools strictly adhere to the guidelines. Therefore, it is imperative that schools have a plan regarding information security. 

The Eamily Education and Privacy Act was enacted by Congress to protect the privacy of student educational information. This privacy right is a right vested in the student. Institutions may disclose directory information in the student s educational record without the student s consent. Institutions must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student s educational record (McCallister et al, 2010). 

Federal Register. (2001). 34 CFR Part 99, Part V, Family Education Rights and Privacy, Final Rule. Office of Family Policy Compliance, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Washington, D.C. 

Schools, for example, have comprehensive information security measures mandated by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as... 

Office of Family Policy Comphance, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). (2008). FERPA primer the basics and beyond. Available November 15, 2011, at http // www.naceweb.org/pubhc/ferpa0808.htm... 

Confidentiality of student health records and information is a major concern for schools. There are several federal statutes that are relevant including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (ferpa), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (idea), as well as state laws concerning a minor s right to medical treatment. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to present a detailed discussion on confidentiality. However, the confidentiality of health records and a student s desire for privacy may limit the information on a student s health condition that can be shared with teachers. All schools should have policies and procedures regarding student confidentiality. These policies should distinguish health records from academic records and have clear guidelines for how confidential health information is shared within the school (American School Health Association (asha), 2000). 

In the United States, surveillance laws against interception were not fuUy defined until they were reformed in the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, adopted prior to the widespread introduction of the Internet and World Wide Web. Courts have referred to such laws as convoluted, confusing and uncertain. In the decision of Konop v Hawaiian Airlines,handed down by the United States Court of Appeal 9th Circuit in 2002, the court noted inter alia that the Act defines electronic communication as a transfer of signals, and that unlike the definition of wire communication, the definition of electronic communication does... 

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