Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security proposes to modify and reissue a current Department of Homeland Security system of records titled, ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL-025 Law Enforcement Authority in Support of the Protection of Property Owned, Occupied, or Secured by the Department of Homeland Security System of Records.'' This system of records allows the Department of Homeland Security to collect and maintain records on the results of law enforcement activities in support of the protection of property owned, occupied, or secured by the Department of Homeland Security and its Components, including the Federal Protective Service, and individuals maintaining a presence or access to such property. The Department of Homeland Security is updating this system of records notice to, among other things, (1) modify the category of individuals, (2) modify the category of records, (3) modify two existing routine uses, and (4) add a new routine use. The Department of Homeland Security is also issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to add a new exemption from certain provisions of the Privacy Act, elsewhere in the Federal Register. This new exemption is needed to protect information relating to DHS activities from disclosure to subjects or others related to these activities. Specifically, the additional exemptions are required to preclude subjects of these activities from frustrating ongoing operations; to avoid disclosure of activity techniques; to protect the identities and physical safety of confidential informants and law enforcement personnel; to ensure DHS's ability to obtain information from third parties and other sources; to protect the privacy of third parties; and to safeguard classified information. Disclosure of information to the subject of the inquiry could also permit the subject to avoid detection or apprehension. The existing Privacy Act exemptions for this system of records continue to apply to it. Additionally, this notice includes non-substantive changes to simplify the formatting and text of the previously published notice. This system of records notice does not apply to the facilities and perimeters secured by the U.S. Secret Service. Records pertaining to perimeters and facilities secured by the U.S. Secret Service, other than those records subject to the Presidential Records Act, are covered under Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Secret Service-004 Protection Information System of Records, 76 FR 66940, October 28, 2011. This modified system will be included in the Department of Homeland Security's inventory of record systems.