[Federal Register: January 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 3)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 507-508]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ja04-14]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
32 CFR Part 806b
[Air Force Instruction 37-132]
Privacy Act; Implementation
AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DoD.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force is revising a (j)(2) exemption
to an existing exemption rule for the Privacy Act system of records
notice F090 AF IG B, Inspector General Records. The (j)(2) exemption
will increase the value of the system of records for law enforcement
purposes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 12, 2002.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Anne Rollins at (703) 601-4043.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rule was previously published
on January 11, 2002, at 67 FR 1423. No comments were received;
therefore, the rule is being adopted as final.
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''
It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of
Defense are not significant rules. The rules do not (1) Have an annual
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a
material way the economy; a sector of the economy; productivity;
competition; jobs; the environment; public health or safety; or State,
local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by
another Agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or
the principles set forth in this Executive order.
Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6)
It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of
Defense do not have significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities because they are concerned only with the
administration of Privacy Act systems of records within the Department
of Defense.
Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)
It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of
Defense impose no information requirements beyond the Department of
Defense and that the information collected within the Department of
Defense is necessary and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 552a, known as the
Privacy Act of 1974.
Section 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''
It has been determined that Privacy Act rulemaking for the
Department of Defense does not involve a Federal mandate that may
result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and
that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments.
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''
It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of
Defense do not have federalism implications. The rules do not have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 806b
Privacy.
0
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 806b is amended as follows:
PART 806b--AIR FORCE PRIVACY ACT PROGRAM
0
1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 806b continues to read as
follows:
Authority: Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896 (5 U.S.C. 552a).
0
2. Appendix C to section 806b is amended by adding paragraph a.(6) to
read as follows:
Appendix C to Part 806b--General and Specific Exemptions
* * * * *
a. * * *
(6) System identifier and name: F090 AF IG B, Inspector General
Records.
(i) Exemption: (A) Parts of this system of records may be exempt
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) if the information is compiled and
maintained by a component of the agency which performs as its
principle function any activity pertaining to the enforcement of
criminal laws.
(B) Any portion of this system of records which falls within the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) may be exempt from the following
subsections of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (c)(4), (d), (e)(1), (e)(2),
(e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), (e)(5), (e)(8), (f), and (g).
(ii) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
(iii) Reasons: (A) From subsection (c)(3) because the release of
accounting of disclosure would inform a subject that he or she is
under investigation. This information would provide considerable
advantage to the subject in providing him or her with knowledge
concerning the nature of the investigation and the coordinated
investigative efforts and techniques employed by the cooperating
agencies. This would greatly impede the Air Force IG's criminal law
enforcement.
(B) From subsection (c)(4) and (d), because notification would
alert a subject to the fact that an open investigation on that
individual is taking place, and might weaken the on-going
investigation, reveal investigative techniques, and place
confidential informants in jeopardy.
(C) From subsection (e)(1) because the nature of the criminal
and/or civil investigative function creates unique problems in
prescribing a specific parameter in a particular case with respect
to what information is relevant or necessary. Also,
[[Page 508]]
information may be received which may relate to a case under the
investigative jurisdiction of another agency. The maintenance of
this information may be necessary to provide leads for appropriate
law enforcement purposes and to establish patterns of activity which
may relate to the jurisdiction of other cooperating agencies.
(D) From subsection (e)(2) because collecting information to the
fullest extent possible directly from the subject individual may or
may not be practical in a criminal and/or civil investigation.
(E) From subsection (e)(3) because supplying an individual with
a form containing a Privacy Act Statement would tend to inhibit
cooperation by many individuals involved in a criminal and/or civil
investigation. The effect would be somewhat adverse to established
investigative methods and techniques.
(F) From subsections (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I) because this system
of records is exempt from the access provisions of subsection (d).
(G) From subsection (e)(5) because the requirement that records
be maintained with attention to accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and
completeness would unfairly hamper the investigative process. It is
the nature of law enforcement for investigations to uncover the
commission of illegal acts at diverse stages. It is frequently
impossible to determine initially what information is accurate,
relevant, timely, and least of all complete. With the passage of
time, seemingly irrelevant or untimely information may acquire new
significance as further investigation brings new details to light.
(H) From subsection (e)(8) because the notice requirements of
this provision could present a serious impediment to law enforcement
by revealing investigative techniques, procedures, and existence of
confidential investigations.
(I) From subsection (f) because the agency's rules are
inapplicable to those portions of the system that are exempt and
would place the burden on the agency of either confirming or denying
the existence of a record pertaining to a requesting individual
might in itself provide an answer to that individual relating to an
on-going investigation. The conduct of a successful investigation
leading to the indictment of a criminal offender precludes the
applicability of established agency rules relating to verification
of record, disclosure of the record to that individual, and record
amendment procedures for this record system.
(J) From subsection (g) because this system of records should be
exempt to the extent that the civil remedies relate to provisions of
5 U.S.C. 552a from which this rule exempts the system.
(iv) Authority: (A) Investigative material compiled for law
enforcement purposes, other than material within the scope of
subsection 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
552a(k)(2). However, if an individual is denied any right,
privilege, or benefit for which he would otherwise be entitled by
Federal law or for which he would otherwise be eligible, as a result
of the maintenance of the information, the individual will be
provided access to the information exempt to the extent that
disclosure would reveal the identity of a confidential source. NOTE:
When claimed, this exemption allows limited protection of
investigative reports maintained in a system of records used in
personnel or administrative actions.
(B) Therefore, portions of this system of records may be exempt
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) from the following subsections of 5
U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H) and (I), and (f).
(v) Reasons: (A) From subsection (c)(3) because to grant access
to the accounting for each disclosure as required by the Privacy
Act, including the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure and
the identity of the recipient, could alert the subject to the
existence of the investigation. This could seriously compromise case
preparation by prematurely revealing its existence and nature;
compromise or interfere with witnesses or make witnesses reluctant
to cooperate; and lead to suppression, alteration, or destruction of
evidence.
(B) From subsections (d) and (f) because providing access to
investigative records and the right to contest the contents of those
records and force changes to be made to the information contained
therein would seriously interfere with and thwart the orderly and
unbiased conduct of the investigation and impede case preparation.
Providing access rights normally afforded under the Privacy Act
would provide the subject with valuable information that would allow
interference with or compromise of witnesses or render witnesses
reluctant to cooperate; lead to suppression, alteration, or
destruction of evidence; enable individuals to conceal their
wrongdoing or mislead the course of the investigation; and result in
the secreting of or other disposition of assets that would make them
difficult or impossible to reach in order to satisfy any Government
claim growing out of the investigation or proceeding.
(C) From subsection (e)(1) because it is not always possible to
detect the relevance or necessity of each piece of information in
the early stages of an investigation. In some cases, it is only
after the information is evaluated in light of other evidence that
its relevance and necessity will be clear.
(D) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H) because this system of
records is compiled for investigative purposes and is exempt from
the access provisions of subsections (d) and (f).
(E) From subsection (e)(4)(I) because to the extent that this
provision is construed to require more detailed disclosure than the
broad, generic information currently published in the system notice,
an exemption from this provision is necessary to protect the
confidentiality of sources of information and to protect privacy and
physical safety of witnesses and informants.
(F) Consistent with the legislative purpose of the Privacy Act
of 1974, the AF will grant access to nonexempt material in the
records being maintained. Disclosure will be governed by AF's
Privacy Regulation, but will be limited to the extent that the
identity of confidential sources will not be compromised; subjects
of an investigation of an actual or potential criminal or civil
violation will not be alerted to the investigation; the physical
safety of witnesses, informants and law enforcement personnel will
not be endangered, the privacy of third parties will not be
violated; and that the disclosure would not otherwise impede
effective law enforcement. Whenever possible, information of the
above nature will be deleted from the requested documents and the
balance made available. The controlling principle behind this
limited access is to allow disclosures except those indicated above.
The decisions to release information from these systems will be made
on a case-by-case basis.
* * * * *
Dated: December 24, 2003.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 04-24 Filed 1-5-04; 8:45 am]
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