Resolve Conflicts and Omit Unconfirmed Data — Resolve Conflicts and Omit Unconfirmed Data

Federal agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974 are required to review records for accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and completeness before they are disseminated to third parties. If a record contains conflicting or unconfirmed data, it may fail to meet these strict statutory standards of fairness.

When compiling public profiles, omitting unconfirmed relationship details and resolving conflicts with neutral, objective language is the safest approach. Prioritizing absolute certainty over speculative completeness protects individuals from unwarranted speculation and maintains editorial integrity.