What is the difference between freedom of information and information privacy?

Freedom of Information − The concept of freedom of information (FOI) broadly defines the principle that individuals and the public have the right to access information relevant to their interests.

The United Nations recognizes freedom of information as a fundamental human right. The UN believes that free information allows governments to be held accountable through institutional transparency and is therefore essential for maintaining the rule of law within a jurisdiction.

Freedom of information defines the right of citizens to access information about matters of state influence. In some countries, this freedom is recognized as a constitutional right. A key principle of freedom of information legislation and practice is facilitating public access to information about occupational health and safety issues under government influence. Individuals are recognized to have specific rights to access government-held information about themselves.

Freedom of information was developed for the purposes of transparency, government accountability, education, and protecting the public from mismanagement and exploitation. Over 70 countries with governments have ratified initial freedom of information legislation.

The principle of freedom of information is often associated with the principle of the “right to know.” In occupational health and safety, the “right to know” supports employees’ rights to know and learn about chemicals and other hazards they may be exposed to in the workplace. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard is an example of a “right to know” regulation, which ensures that employees have the opportunity to learn about hazardous elements used in the workplace.

Information Privacy − Privacy can be expressed as the ability of an individual or group to withhold information about themselves and then selectively disclose it. This implies that privacy is reserved for sensitive or important information. The field of privacy overlaps somewhat with the field of security, intervening in the appropriate use and protection of data.

The concept of global privacy is a modern concept primarily associated with Western cultures and is largely unknown in a few cultures. Most cultures recognize that individuals have the right to retain certain aspects of their personal data from the broader society.

In the organizational world, individuals may voluntarily provide confidential information to obtain certain benefits. Public figures may be subject to regulations and rules regarding their benefits. Sharing voluntarily confidential personal information can ultimately lead to identity theft if misused.

Privacy is concerned with ensuring that sensitive information processed, stored, or transmitted by an organization complies with the owner’s consent.

This means informing individuals upfront what types of data will be collected, for what purposes, and with whom the data will be shared. To support this transparency, individuals should agree to terms of use that allow the organization collecting the information to use it according to its stated objectives.