Privacy Protection
Public records are open by design, but every state and the federal government places limits on what can be released, who can request it, and how the information can be used. This page covers the laws that protect your privacy when records are disclosed and the steps you can take to remove your information from data broker sites.
The Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA, FERPA, and the Driver Privacy Protection Act each cover a different category of records. State open records laws fill in the rest.
Federal Privacy and FOIA Resources
Federal agencies and official government resources for submitting FOIA requests, understanding privacy laws, and exercising your federal privacy rights.
Opt Out of Data Broker Sites
People-search and data-broker sites aggregate public records and sell access to your name, address, phone number, and relatives. Most are required by their own privacy policies to honor opt-out requests.
State Privacy Resources
Every state has its own open records and privacy laws. Use your state public records page for direct links to the agencies that handle FOIA-equivalent requests, vital records, and law enforcement disclosures.
Visit your state on the government records hub for state-specific privacy and FOIA contacts.