Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act of 2005

H.R. 2840, the Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act of 2005, would require federal agencies to evaluate how new regulations might affect the privacy of individuals before those rules are finalized. If a proposed rule involves collecting or using personally identifiable information from ten or more people, the agency must conduct a "privacy impact assessment" to identify potential risks and explain how they will keep that data secure.

For everyday citizens, this bill provides greater transparency and protection regarding how the government handles their private information. It requires agencies to notify individuals if their personal data is compromised by a security breach and mandates a public review of existing rules every ten years to ensure privacy protections remain effective. Additionally, the bill grants citizens the right to participate in the rulemaking process and allows for judicial review to ensure agencies are following these privacy requirements.