Federal Privacy Laws: General Privacy

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Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 - 18 U.S. Code 2721 and following.
This law puts limits on disclosures of personal information in records maintained by departments of motor vehicles.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 - 18 U.S. Code sections 2510-2522, 2701-271, 3121, 1367.
This law amends the federal wiretap law to cover specific types of electronic communications, such as e-mail, radio-paging devices, cell phones, private communications carriers, and computer transmissions. It also extends the ban on interception to the communications of wire or electronic communication services and sets restrictions on access to stored wire and electronic communications and transaction records.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) - 20 U.S. Code section 1232g.
This law puts limits on disclosure of educational records maintained by agencies and institutions that receive federal funding.

Video Privacy Protection Act of 1998 - 18 U.S.Code section 2710.
The Act strictly limits the conditions under which a video rental or sales outlet may reveal information about the outlet's patrons. The Act also requires such an outlet to give patrons the opportunity to opt out of any sale of mailing lists. The Act allows consumers to sue for money damages and attorney fees if they are harmed by a violation of the Act.

DATCP Consumer Protection: Consumer Law at Your Fingertips