Which practice aligns with protecting traveler privacy during screening?

• A. Collect extensive personal data
• B. Follow the Privacy Act and minimize data collection
• C. Disclose traveler data to all agencies
• D. Store data indefinitely without access controls

Answer: (B)

Protecting traveler privacy during screening means collecting only what is necessary and applying the Privacy Act safeguards. The Privacy Act governs how federal agencies handle personal information, so following it involves asking whether data is essential for screening, limiting collection to what’s needed, using it only for legitimate purposes, and implementing appropriate safeguards. This approach minimizes the sensitive information at risk, reduces opportunities for misuse, and supports lawful, responsible handling of data.

Collecting extensive personal data increases exposure and the potential for misuse, making privacy harder to protect. Disclosing traveler data to all agencies expands access beyond what is needed and undermines privacy controls. Storing data indefinitely without access controls creates unnecessary risk and typically violates retention and security requirements.