[Title 47 CFR E]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2004 Edition]
[Title 47 - TELECOMMUNICATION]
[Chapter I - FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION]
[Subchapter A - GENERAL]
[Sec. 5, - 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155, 225,]
[Subpart E - Privacy Act Regulations]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
47TELECOMMUNICATION12004-10-012004-10-01falsePrivacy Act RegulationsESubpart ETELECOMMUNICATIONFEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONGENERAL48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155, 225,
Subpart E_Privacy Act Regulations
Authority: Secs. 4, 303, 49 Stat. as amended, 1066, 1082 (47 U.S.C.
154, 303).
Source: 40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 0.551 Purpose and scope; definitions.
(a) The purpose of this subpart is to implement the Privacy Act of
1974, 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and to protect the rights of the individual in
the accuracy and privacy of information concerning him
[[Page 83]]
which is contained in Commission re cords. The regulations contained
herein cover any group of records under the Commission's control from
which information about individuals is retrievable by the name of an
individual or by some other personal identifier.
(b) In this subpart:
(1) Individual means a citizen of the United States or an alien
lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
(2) Record means any item, collection or grouping of information
about an individual that is maintained by the Commission, including but
not limited to, such individual's education, financial transactions,
medical history, and criminal or employment history, and that contains
such individual's name, or the identifying number, symbol, or other
identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a finger or
voice print or a photograph.
(3) System of Records means a group of records under the control of
the Commission from which information is retrievable by the name of the
individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying
particular assigned to the individual;
(4) Routine Use means, with respect to the disclosure of a record,
the use of such record for a purpose which is compatible with the
purpose for which it was collected;
(5) System Manager means the Commission official responsible for the
storage, maintenance, safekeeping, and disposal of a system of records.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 13368, Apr. 4, 1984]
Sec. 0.552 Notice identifying Commission systems of records.
The Commission publishes in the Federal Register upon establishment
or revision a notice of the existence and character of the system of
records, including for each system of records:
(a) The name and location of the system;
(b) The categories of individuals on whom records are maintained in
the system;
(c) The categories of records maintained in the system;
(d) Each routine use of the records contained in the system,
including the categories of users and the purposes of such use;
(e) The policies and practices of the agency regarding storage,
retrievabil ity, access controls, retention, and disposal of the
records;
(f) The title and business address of the system manager;
(g) The address of the agency office to which inquiries should be
addressed and the addresses of locations at which the individual may
inquire whether a system contains records pertaining to himself;
(h) The agency procedures whereby an individual can be notified how
access can be gained to any record pertaining to that individual
contained in a system of records, and the procedure for correcting or
contesting its contents; and
(i) The categories of sources of records in the system.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 13368, Apr. 4, 1984]
Sec. 0.553 New uses of information.
Before establishing a new routine use of a system of records, the
Commission will publish a notice in the Federal Register of its
intention to do so, and will provide at least 30 days for public comment
on such use. The notice will contain:
(a) The name of the system of records for which the new routine use
is to be established;
(b) The authority for the system;
(c) The categories of records maintained;
(d) The proposed routine use(s); and
(e) The categories of recipients for each proposed routine use.
Sec. 0.554 Procedures for requests pertaining to individual records in a
system of records.
(a) Upon request, the Commission will notify individuals as to
whether it maintains information about them in a system of records and,
subject to the provisons of Sec. 0.555(b), will disclose the substance
of such information to that individual. In order to properly request
[[Page 84]]
notification or access to record information, reference must be made to
the Notice described in Sec. 0.552. A table of contents, which is
alphabetized by bureau or office, precedes the system descriptions and
allows members of the public to easily identify record systems of
interest to them. An individual may inquire into information contained
in any or all systems of records described in the Notice. However, each
inquiry shall be limited to information from systems located within a
single bureau or office and shall be addressed to that bureau or office.
(b) Reasonable identification is required of all individuals making
requests pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section in order to assure
that disclosure of any information is made to the proper person.
(1) Individuals who choose to register a request for information in
person may verify their identity by showing any two of the following:
social security card; drivers license; employee identification card;
medicare card; birth certificate; bank credit card; or other positive
means of identification. Documents incorporating a picture and/or
signature of the individual shall be produced if possible. If an
individual cannot provide suitable documentation for identification,
that individual will be required to sign an identity statement
stipulating that knowingly or willfully seeking or obtaining access to
records about another person under false pretenses is punishable by a
fine of up to $5,000.
Note: An individual's refusal to disclose his social security number
shall not constitute cause in and of itself, for denial of a request.
(2) All requests for record information sent by mail shall be signed
by the requestor and shall include his printed name, current address and
telephone number (if any). Commission officials receiving such requests
will attempt to verify the identity of the requestor by comparing his or
her signature to those in the record. If the record contains no
signatures and if positive identification cannot be made on the basis of
other information submitted, the requestor will be required to sign an
identity statement and stipulate that knowingly or willfully seeking or
obtaining access to records about another person under false pretense is
punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.
(3) If positive identification cannot be made on the basis of the
information submitted, and if data in the record is so sensitive that
unauthorized access could cause harm or embarrassment to the individual
to whom the record pertains, the Commission reserves the right to deny
access to the record pending the production of additional more
satisfactory evidence of identity.
Note: The Commission will require verification of identity only
where it has determined that knowledge of the existence of record
information or its substance is not subject to the public disclosure
requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended.
(c) All requests for notification of the existence of record
information or for access to such information shall be delivered to the
business address of the system manager responsible for the system of
records in question, except that requests relating to official personnel
records shall be addressed to the Associate Managing Director--Personnel
Management. Such addresses can be found in the Federal Register Notice
described in Sec. 0.552.
(d) A written acknowledgement of receipt of a request for
notification and/or access will be provided within 10 days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) to the individual making
the request. Such an acknowledgement may, if necessary, request any
additional information needed to locate a record. A search of all
systems of records identified in the individual's request will be made
to determine if any records pertaining to the individual are contained
therein, and the individual will be notified of the search results as
soon as the search has been completed. Normally, a request will be
processed and the individual notified of the search results within 30
days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) from the date
the inquiry is received. However, in some cases, as where records have
to be recalled from Federal Record Centers, notification may be delayed.
If it is determined that a record pertaining to the individual making
the request
[[Page 85]]
does exist, the notification will state approximately when the record
will be available for personal review. No separate acknowledgement is
required if the request can be processed and the individual notified of
the search results within the ten-day period.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 13368, Apr. 4, 1984]
Sec. 0.555 Disclosure of record information to individuals.
(a) Individuals having been notified that the Commission maintains a
record pertaining to them in a system of records may request access to
such record in one of three ways: by in person inspection at the system
location; by transfer of the record to a nearer location; or by mail.
(1) Individuals who wish to review their records at the system
location must do so during regular Commission business hours (8:00 a.m.-
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). For personal and administrative
convenience, individuals are urged to arrange to review a record by
appointment. Preferences as to specific dates and times can be made by
writing or calling the system manager responsible for the system of
records in question at least two days in advance of the desired
appointment date, and by providing a telephone number where the
individual can be reached during the day in case the appointment must be
changed. Verification of identity is required as in Sec. 0.554(b)(1)
before access will be granted an individual appearing in person.
Individuals may be accompanied by a person of his or her own choosing
when reviewing a record. However, in such cases, a written statement
authorizing discussion of their record in the presence of a Commission
representative having physical custody of the records.
(2) Individuals may request that a record be transferred to a
Commission field office or installation in the vicinity of his or her
home and that access be granted at that location. The addresses of
Commission field offices are listed in Sec. 0.121. A request to
transfer records must specify the exact location where the records
should be sent and a telephone number to call when the information is
available for review at the field location. Paragraph (a)(1) of this
section regarding personal appointments, verification of identity
accompanying persons, and disclosure of original records applies equally
to this paragraph.
(3) Individuals may request that copies of records be sent directly
to them. In such cases, individuals must verify their identity as Sec.
0.554(b)(2) and provide an accurate return address. Records shall be
sent only to that address.
(b) The disclosure of record information under this section is
subject to the following limitations:
(1) Records containing medical information pertaining to an
individual are subject to individual access under this section unless,
in the judgment of the system manager having custody of the records
after consultation with a medical doctor, access to such record
information could have an adverse impact on the individual. In such
cases, a copy of the record will be delivered to a medical doctor named
by the individual.
(2) Classified material, investigative material compiled for law
enforcement purposes, investigatory material compiled solely for
determining suitability for Federal employment or access to classified
information, and certain testing or examination material shall be
removed from the records to the extent permitted in the Privacy Act of
1974, 5 U.S.C. 552(a). Section 0.561 of this subpart sets forth the
systems of records maintained by the Commission which are either totally
or partially exempt from disclosure under this subparagraph.
(c) No fee will be imposed if the number of pages of records
requested is 25 or less. Requests involving more than 25 pages shall be
submitted to the duplicating contractor (see Sec. 0.456(a)).
(d) The provisions of this section in no way give an individual the
right to access any information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a
civil action or proceeding.
(e) In the event that a determination is made denying an individual
access to records pertaining to that individual
[[Page 86]]
for any reason, such individual may either:
(1) Seek administrative review of the adverse determination. Such a
request shall be in writing and should be addressed to the system
manager who made the initial decision. In addition, the request for
review shall state specifically why the initial decision should be
reversed.
(2) Seek judicial relief in the district courts of the United States
pursuant to paragraph (g)(1)(B) of the Act.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 40 FR 58858, Dec. 19, 1975;
49 FR 13369, Apr. 4, 1984]
Sec. 0.556 Request to correct or amend rec ords.
(a) An individual may request the amendment of information contained
in their record. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the
request to amend should be submitted in writing to the system manager
responsible for the records. Requests to amend the official personnel
records of active FCC employees should be submitted to the Associate
Managing Director--Human Resources Management, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, D.C. 20554. Requests to amend official personnel records of
former FCC employees should be sent to the Assistant Director for Work
Force Information, Compliance and Investigations Group, Office of
Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20415. Any
request to amend should contain as a minimum:
(1) The identity verification information required by Sec.
0.554(b)(2) and the information needed to locate the record as required
by Sec. 0.554(a).
(2) A brief description of the item or items of information to be
amended; and
(3) The reason for the requested change.
(b) A written acknowledgement of the receipt of a request to amend a
record will be provided within 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal public holidays) to the individual requesting the amendment.
Such an acknowledgement may, if necessary, request any additional
information needed to make a determination. There will be no
acknowledgement if the request can be reviewed, processed, and the
individual notified of compliance or denial within the 10 day period.
(c) The responsible system manager, or in the case of official
personnel records of active FCC employees, the Associate Managing
Director--Personnel Management, shall (normally within 30 days) take one
of the following actions regarding a request to amend:
(1) If the system manager agrees that an amendment to the record is
warranted, the system manager shall:
(i) So advise the individual in writing;
(ii) Correct the record in compliance with the individual's request;
and
(iii) If an accounting of disclosures has been made, advise all
previous recipients of the fact that the record has been corrected and
of the substance of the correction.
(2) If the system manager, after an initial review, does not agree
that all or any portion of the record merits amendment, the system
manager shall:
(i) Notify the individual in writing of such refusal to amend and
the reasons therefore;
(ii) Advise the individual that further administrative review of the
initial decision by the full Commission may be sought pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Sec. 0.557. (In cases where the request to
amend involves official personnel records, review is available
exclusively from the Assistant Director for Work Force Information,
Compliance and Investigations Group, Office of Personnel Management,
Washington, DC 20415; and
(iii) Inform the individual of the procedures for requesting
Commission review pursuant to Sec. 0.557.
(d) In reviewing a record in response to a request to amend, the
system manager shall assess the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or
completeness of the record in light of each data element placed into
controversy and the use of the record in making decisions that could
possibly affect the individual. Moreover, the system manager shall
ajudge the merits of any request to delete information based on whether
[[Page 87]]
or not the information in controversy is both relevant and necessary to
accomplish a statutory purpose required of the Commission by law or
executive order of the President.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 45 FR 39850, June 12, 1980;
49 FR 13369, Apr. 4, 1984; 65 FR 58466, Sept. 29, 2000]
Sec. 0.557 Administrative review of an initial decision not to amend a
record.
(a) Individuals have 30 days from the date of the determination not
to amend a record consistent with their request to seek further
administrative review by the full Commisison. Such a request shall be in
writing and should be addressed to either the system manager who made
the initial adverse decision, or, in the case of official personnel
records of active FCC employees, to the Assistant Director for Work
Force Information, Compliance and Investigations Group, Office of
Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415. Any request for
administrative review must:
(1) Clearly identify the questions presented for review (e.g.,
whether the record information in question is, in fact, accurate;
whether information subject to a request to delete is relevant and
necessary to the purpose for which it is maintained);
(2) Specify with particularity why the decision reached by the
system manager is erroneous or inequitable; and
(3) Clearly state how the record should be amended or corrected.
(b) The Commission shall conduct an independent review of the record
in controversy using the standards of review set out in Sec. 0.556(d).
It may seek such additional information as is necessary to make its
determination. Final administrative review shall be completed not later
than 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays)
from the date on which the individual requests such review unless the
Chairman determines that a fair and equitable review cannot be made
within the 30 day period. In such event, the individual will be informed
in writing of the reasons for the delay and the approximate date on
which the review is expected to be completed.
(c) If upon review of the record in controversy the Commission
agrees with the individual that the requested amendment is warranted,
the Commission will proceed in accordance with Sec. 0.556(c)(1) (i)
through (iii).
(d) If after the review, the Commission also refuses to amend the
record as requested, it shall:
(1) Notify the individual in writing of its refusal and the reasons
therefore;
(2) Advise the individual that a concise statement of the reasons
for disagreeing with the decision of the Commisison may be filed;
(3) Inform the individual:
(i) That such a statement should be signed and addressed to the
system manager having custody of the record in question;
(ii) That the statement will be made available to any one to whom
the record is subsequently disclosed together with, at the Commission's
discretion, a summary of its reasons for refusing to amend the record;
and
(iii) That prior recipients of the record will be provided a copy of
the statement of dispute to the extent that an accounting of such
disclosures is maintained; and
(4) Advise the individual that judicial review of the Commisison's
decision not to amend the record in any district court of the United
States is available.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 45 FR 39850, June 12, 1980;
49 FR 13369, Apr. 4, 1984]
Sec. 0.558 Advice and assistance.
Individuals who have questions regarding the procedures contained in
this subpart for gaining access to a particular system of records or for
contesting the contents of a record, either administratively or
judicially, should write or call the Privacy Liaison Officer at the
following address:
Federal Communications Commission, Office of General Counsel, 445 12th
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
[[Page 88]]
Individuals who request clarification of the Notice described in Sec.
0.552 or who have questions concerning the characterization of specific
systems of records as set forth therein, should write or call the
Privacy Liaison Officer at the following address:
Federal Communications Commission, Performance Evaluation and Records
Management, Office of the Managing Director, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 13369, Apr. 4, 1984;
65 FR 58466, Sept. 29, 2000]
Sec. 0.559 Disclosure of disputed information to persons other than the
individual to whom it pertains.
If the Commission determines not to amend a record consistent with
an individual's request, and if the individual files a statement of
disagreement pursuant to Sec. 0.557(d)(2), the Commission shall clearly
annotate the record so that the disputed portion becomes apparent to
anyone who may subsequently have access to, use or disclose the record.
A copy of the individual's statement of disagreement shall accompany any
subsequent disclosure of the record. In addition, the Commission may
include a brief summary of its reasons for not amending the record when
disclosing the record. Such statements become part of the individual's
record for granting access, but are not subject to the amendment
procedures of Sec. 0.556.
Sec. 0.560 Penalty for false representation of identity.
Any individual who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains under
false pretenses any record concerning an individual from any system of
records maintained by the Commission shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and subject to a fine of not more than $5,000.
Sec. 0.561 Exemptions.
The following systems of records are totally or partially exempt
from subsections (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4) (G), (H), and (I), and (f)
of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and from Sec. Sec. 0.554
through 0.557 of this subpart:
(a) System name. Radio Operator Records--FCC/FOB-1. Parts of this
system of records are exempt pursuant to Section (k)(2) of the Act
because they contain investigatory material compiled solely for law
enforcement purposes.
(b) System name. Violators File (records kept on individuals who
have been subjects of FCC field enforcement actions)--FCC/FOB-2. Parts
of this system of records are EXEMPT because they are maintained as a
protective service for individuals described in section 3056 of title
18, and because they are necessary for Commission employees to perform
their duties, pursuant to sections (k) (1), (2), and (3) of the Act.
(c) System name. Attorney Misconduct Files--FCC/OGC-2. This system
of records is exempt pursuant to section 3(k)(2) of the Act because it
is maintained for law enforcement purposes.
(d) System name. Licensees or Unlicensed Persons Operating Radio
Equipment Improperly--FCC. Parts of this system of records are exempt
pursuant to section 3(k)(2) of the Act because they embody investigatory
material compiled solely for law enforcement purposes.
(e) System name. Personnel Investigation Records--FCC/Central-6.
Parts of these systems of records are exempt because they emobdy
investigatory material pursuant to sections 3(k)(2) and 3(k)(5) of the
Act as applicable.
(f) System name. Criminal Investigative Files--FCC/OIG-1. Compiled
for the purpose of criminal investigations. This system of records is
exempt pursuant to section (j)(2) of the Act because the records contain
investigatory material compiled for criminal law enforcement purposes.
(g) System name. General Investigative Files--FCC/OIG-2. Compiled
for law enforcement purposes. This system of records is exempt pursuant
to section (k)(2) of the Act because the
[[Page 89]]
records contain investigatory material compiled for law enforcement
purposes.
(Secs. 4(i) and 303(n), Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(n); 47 CFR 0.231(d))
[40 FR 44512, Sept. 26, 1975, as amended at 49 FR 13369, Apr. 4, 1984;
58 FR 11549, Feb. 26, 1993]