Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (US): A United States federal law that establishes a code of fair information practices governing the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. It was enacted in response to concerns about how the creation and use of computerized databases might impact individuals’ privacy rights. The Privacy Act requires federal agencies to share information about their records with individuals upon request and to follow various principles, known as “Fair Information Practices,” about information collection, use, and disclosure. It also restricts the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the individual.