27 June 1997 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: June 27, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 124)] [Notices] [Page 34721] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr27jn97-96] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET Options for Promoting Privacy on the National Information Infrastructure AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget. ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On April 28, 1997, OMB announced the availability of ``Options for Promoting Privacy on the National Information Infrastructure'' (Options Paper) on behalf of the Information Policy Committee of the National Information Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) and requested public comments to be submitted on or before June 27, 1997. (62 Fed. Reg. 22978). Pursuant to public request, this notice serves to extend the deadline for receipt of comments through July 11, 1997. The Options Paper results from work performed by the Privacy Working Group and refined by the Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB). None of the options presented has been adopted as Administration policy; they are set forth in this document in the belief that they are worthy of public discussion. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 11, 1997. ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY AND ADDRESSES: The options paper is available electronically from the IITF site on the World Wide Web: http:// www.iitf.nist.gov/ipc/ipc-pub.html and in paper form from the OMB Publications Office, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, telephone: 202/395-7332, facsimile: 202/395-6137. Comments may be sent to the Information Policy Committee c/o the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10236, Washington, D.C. 20503. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to 202-395-5167, or by electronic mail to BERNSTEIN__M@A1.EOP.GOV. Comments submitted by facsimile or electronic mail need not also be submitted by regular mail. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maya A. Bernstein, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503. Voice telephone: 202-395-4816. Facsimile: 202- 395-5167. Electronic mail: BERNSTEIN__M@A1.EOP.GOV. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The paper describes the status of electronic data protection and fair information practices in the United States today, beginning with a discussion of the ``Principles for Providing and Using Personal Information,'' issued by the Information Infrastructure Task Force in 1995. It then provides an overview of new information technologies, which shows that personal information is currently collected, shared, aggregated, and disseminated at a rate and to a degree unthinkable just a few years ago. Government is no longer the sole possessor of extensive amounts of personal information about U.S. citizens: in recent years the acquisition of personal information by the private sector has increased dramatically. The paper next considers in more detail the laws and policies affecting information privacy in four specific areas: government records, communications, medical records, and the consumer market. The paper then turns to the core question: in the context of the Global Information Infrastructure (GII), what is the best mechanism to implement fair information practices that balance the needs of government, commerce, and individuals, keeping in mind both our interest in the free flow of information and in the protection of information privacy? At one end of the spectrum there is support for an entirely market-based response. At the other end of the spectrum, the federal government is encouraged to regulate fair information practices across all sectors of the economy. In between these poles, the paper reviews some of the myriad of options. In particular, the paper considers a number of options that involve creation of a federal privacy entity. It discusses some of the many forms that such an entity could take and considers the advantages and disadvantages of the various choices. It also considers the functions that such an entity might perform, as well as various options for locating a privacy entity within the federal government. This paper presents a host of options for government and private sector action. The ultimate goal is to identify the means to maintain an optimal balance between personal privacy and freedom of information values in the digital environment. The next step is to receive and respond to public comment on the report in order to develop consensus regarding the appropriate allocation of public and private sector responsibility for implementation of fair information practices. Sally Katzen, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. [FR Doc. 97-16784 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3110-01-P