Privacy is an integral part of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), formerly US-VISIT, and it is essential to the program mission. OBIM takes privacy into account from conception through planning and development, and during the execution of every aspect of the OBIM program.
Personal information collected by OBIM is to be used only for the purposes for which it was collected, unless specifically authorized or mandated by law.
OBIM has carefully monitored systems and security practices in place to protect the privacy of individuals in accordance with the Privacy Act and Judicial Redress Act using the Fair Information Practice Principles. This ensures the integrity of data maintained by OBIM. OBIM has dedicated privacy personnel to further ensure that the information collected is protected from misuse by anyone inside or outside OBIM.
The mission of the OBIM Privacy Office is to uphold the privacy of people while protecting our national borders. We do this by adhering to the letter and spirit of U.S.. privacy laws, complying with fair information practices (notice, choice, access, security and redress), by treating people and their personal information with respect and by ensuring a high standard of privacy protection.
OBIM's privacy personnel regularly coordinate with their counterparts within the government regarding federal privacy policies and initiatives and meet with interested stakeholders. Through ongoing public information and education efforts, coupled with the development and publication of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and System of Records Notices (SORNs), OBIM maintains accountability and transparency with regard to personal information. These documents are available to the public.
For privacy questions and concerns related to OBIM, please contact:
OBIM Privacy / TSA HQ 0678
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598
Phone: 202-343-1743 or 866-431-0486
Fax: 202-343-4011
E-mail: OBIMprivacy@hq.dhs.gov
For OBIM Freedom of Information Act requests, please contact:
OBIM Privacy / TSA HQ 0678
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598
Phone: 202-343-1743 or 866-431-0486
Fax: 202-343-4011
E-Mail: FOIA-OBIM@hq.dhs.gov