Which federal law focuses on protecting personal information held by government and specific private entities?

The Privacy Act of 1974 is designed specifically to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information by federal agencies. This law mandates that federal agencies establish safeguards to protect personal information and gives individuals the right to access and correct their own records held by these agencies. It primarily protects individuals' privacy by limiting the ways federal agencies can collect information and ensuring that personal information is used only for its intended purposes.

In addition to federal agencies, the Privacy Act also applies to specific private entities that are considered to be maintaining personal records. This dual focus on both government and select private entities makes it distinct and relevant for individuals concerned about the handling of their personal information in both realms.

The Freedom of Information Act primarily deals with disclosure of government information, rather than personal information protection. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act focuses on the privacy of electronic communications, and primarily pertains to the interception of those communications. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act specifically addresses health information privacy, mainly in healthcare providers and insurers. While these laws serve important roles in their respective domains, they do not share the broad protective mandate over personal information held by government and relevant private entities that the Privacy Act of 1974 does.