One of my favorite parts about working at HHS is that our predecessor agency published the privacy principles that helped lay the groundwork for all Federal privacy programs. It also influenced many of the privacy programs, policies, and laws you will find across the world!
In the early 1970s, the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was concerned that a computer’s ability to store and transmit records could impact people’s privacy. HEW’s Secretary formed a committee which published a report in 1973 titled Records, Computers and the Rights of Citizens (PDF). In includes a set of privacy principles and considers the privacy implications of administrative data and statistical research systems.
In 2016, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published OMB Circular Number A-130 (PDF). Appendix II discusses what should appear in a comprehensive Federal agency privacy program. Page two includes a set of privacy principles that all Federal agencies should use when evaluating information systems, processes, programs, and activities that affect individual privacy. It explains that these modern privacy principles are rooted in HEW’s.
Every year, during Data Privacy Week, I reflect on our agency’s contribution to privacy across the Federal government, our country, and the world. This includes the original HEW privacy principles and how I still see them today in many privacy laws. It includes HHS’ later work to adopt the Common Rule to help protect the privacy of individuals who participate in HHS supported research studies, including several OPRE projects. It also includes my recent work to help publish a Toolkit and two Case Study Reports that show how to navigate the privacy challenges that arise when trying to share data to enhance services that promote the well-being of children and families (Responsibly Sharing Confidential Data: Tools and Recommendations).
Everyone can and should consider the privacy implications of collecting and sharing personally identifiable information in both their home and work lives. The history of privacy within HHS makes this work feel even more special.
Aaron Goldstein is a Government Information Specialist with over 10 years’ experience in the field. He works to assess and enhance the privacy implications of OPRE’s internal activities, help other ACF offices resolve privacy challenges, and develop public-facing tools on how to share data while preserving privacy.