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Telecommunications Privacy: GSA's Planned FTS 2000 Telephone Record Controls Appear Reasonable

IMTEC-89-6 Published: Dec 23, 1988. Publicly Released: Jan 24, 1989.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the General Services Administration's (GSA) plans to provide privacy and security for users of the Federal Telecommunications System (FTS) 2000.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Office of Management and Budget In order to establish the basis for a policy on the releasability of call-detail data appropriate to the circumstances of FTS 2000, the Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) as part of the responsibilities under the Privacy Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act, should review the extent to which telephone call-detail records should be protected from disclosure and the circumstances under which they should be released; and (2) with the assistance of GSA and the Department of Justice, should explore various alternatives and, if applicable, propose legislation or issue clarifying guidance for the treatment of such records.
Closed – Implemented
OMB worked with GSA and Justice on the Federal Telecommunications Privacy Advisory Committee to review the policies for protecting and releasing call-detail records. However, an OMB official responsible for the area does not foresee further actions on this recommendation.

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Topics

Computer securityConfidential communicationsFederal records managementFreedom of informationInformation disclosureInformation systemsPrivacy lawTelecommunications equipmentTelephonesRight of privacy