The Privacy Office has also taken actions to integrate privacy considerations into the DHS decision-making process by establishing an advisory committee, holding public workshops, and participating in policy development. However, limited progress has been made in updating public notices required by the Privacy Act for systems of records that were in existence prior to the creation of DHS. These notices should identify, among other things, the type of data collected, the types of individuals about whom information is collected, and the intended uses of the data. Until the notices are brought up-to-date, the department cannot assure the public that the notices reflect current uses and protections of personal information.
Further, the Privacy Office has generally not been timely in issuing public reports. For example, a report on the Multi-state Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange program--a pilot project for law enforcement sharing of public records data--was not issued until long after the program had been terminated. Late issuance of reports has a number of negative consequences, including a potential reduction in the reports' value and erosion of the office's credibility.
GAO recommends that the Secretary of Homeland Security take several actions including appointing privacy officers in key DHS components, implementing a process for reviewing Privacy Act notices, and establishing a schedule for timely issuance of Privacy Office reports.
DHS generally agreed with the content of this report and its recommendations and described actions initiated to address GAO's recommendations.
