HUD gathers information on employees, individuals applying for HUD programs, business partners, contractors and clients. The Privacy Act of 1974 established controls over what personal information is collected by the federal government and how it is used.
The Act grants rights to United States citizens and legal permanent residents. Under the Privacy Act you:
" Have the right to see records about yourself; and
" Can correct a record that is inaccurate, irrelevant, untimely, or incomplete.
The Act mandates that the Government:
" Informs you why information is being collected and how it is going to be used;
" Assures that information is accurate, relevant, complete and up-to-date before disclosing it to others;
" Allows you to find out about disclosures of your records to other agencies or persons; and
" Provides you with the opportunity to correct inaccuracies in your records.
The Privacy Act applies only to records about individuals maintained by agencies in the executive branch of the government. It applies to these records only if they are kept in a "system of records." A "system of records" is a group of records from which the information was retrieved by an individual's name, social security number, date of birth or some other personal identifier.
Puerto Rico HUD Privacy Act Handbook is a comprehensive resource that outlines the guidelines and provisions of the Privacy Act applicable in Puerto Rico, as enforced by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This handbook serves as a useful reference for HUD employees, contractors, and individuals who handle personal information within the HUD programs in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico HUD Privacy Act Handbook provides a detailed explanation of the key aspects of the Privacy Act, which is a legislation designed to safeguard the privacy of individuals' personal information held by federal agencies. It outlines the various provisions and requirements that must be adhered to when collecting, maintaining, using, and disseminating personal data. This handbook includes important information regarding individuals' rights to access and amend their records, as well as the procedures involved in handling requests for records pertaining to one's personal information. It highlights the significance of maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of personal data and the measures in place to ensure compliance with the Privacy Act. Moreover, the Puerto Rico HUD Privacy Act Handbook elucidates the roles and responsibilities of HUD employees in safeguarding personally identifiable information (PIN). It emphasizes the importance of training personnel in handling sensitive data and implementing security measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction of personal data. Additionally, the Puerto Rico HUD Privacy Act Handbook may contain different variations tailored to specific components within the HUD programs in Puerto Rico. These variations may encompass handbooks specific to the Public Housing program, Section 8 housing assistance programs, Community Development Block Grant programs, and other HUD-operated initiatives in the region. In summary, the Puerto Rico HUD Privacy Act Handbook with Explanation is a comprehensive and informative document that educates users on the policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Privacy Act in Puerto Rico. Its relevance is essential in ensuring the protection of personal information and upholding the privacy rights of individuals within the HUD programs operating in Puerto Rico.