Notice2024-09608
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Primary source
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Published
May 6, 2024
Effective
May 6, 2024
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the DoD is establishing a new system of records titled, "All-domain Anomaly Resolution and Anomalous Phenomena (AARO) Program Records," AARO-0001. This system of records describes the AARO's collection, use, and maintenance of correspondence and reports submitted from current or former U.S. government employees, service members, or contractors with direct knowledge of U.S. Government programs or activities related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP) dating back to 1945. This system also includes correspondence and reports submitted from members of the general public and government-affiliated personnel on reported events related to UAP. The submitted information will be used to carry out AARO's mission, including to inform AARO's congressionally directed Historical Record Report. Additionally, DoD is issuing a direct final rulemaking, which will exempt this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act, elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 88 (Monday, May 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 88 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37182-37184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09608]
[[Page 37182]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket ID: DoD-2024-OS-0048]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the DoD is
establishing a new system of records titled, ``All-domain Anomaly
Resolution and Anomalous Phenomena (AARO) Program Records,'' AARO-0001.
This system of records describes the AARO's collection, use, and
maintenance of correspondence and reports submitted from current or
former U.S. government employees, service members, or contractors with
direct knowledge of U.S. Government programs or activities related to
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP) dating back to 1945. This
system also includes correspondence and reports submitted from members
of the general public and government-affiliated personnel on reported
events related to UAP. The submitted information will be used to carry
out AARO's mission, including to inform AARO's congressionally directed
Historical Record Report. Additionally, DoD is issuing a direct final
rulemaking, which will exempt this system of records from certain
provisions of the Privacy Act, elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
DATES: This system of records is effective May 6, 2024; however,
comments on the Routine Uses will be accepted on or before June 5,
2024. The Routine Uses take effect at the close of the comment period.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and
title, by any of the following methods:
* Federal Rulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
* Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense for Privacy, Civil Liberties and Transparency,
Regulatory Directorate, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Attn: Mailbox 24, Suite
08D09, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number for this Federal Register document. The general
policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is
to make these submissions available for public viewing on the internet
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> as they are received without change,
including any personal identifiers or contact information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Plescow, Chief of Staff, All-
domain Anomaly Resolution Office, Office of the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, 5000 Defense Pentagon, 3C949, Washington, DC 20301-5000, ATTN:
AARO; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95fae6f1bbe5f0fbe1f4f2fafbbbfae0e6f1b8fcfbe1f0f9b8e6f0f6bbf8f0e6f2bbf6fafbe1f4f6e1b8f4f4e7fab8f8f7edd5f8f4fcf9bbf8fcf9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7619051258061318021711191858190305125b1f1802131a5b051315581b13051158151918021715025b171704195b1b140e361b171f1a581b1f1a">[email protected]</span></a>; phone
703-693-6081.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The All-domain Anomalous Resolution Office is an office within the
Office of the Secretary of Defense charged with the mission to
synchronize efforts across the DoD, and with other U.S. Federal
departments and agencies, to detect, identify and attribute objects of
interest in, on or near military installations, operating areas,
training areas, special use airspace and other areas of interest, and,
as necessary, to mitigate any associated threats to safety of
operations and national security. This includes anomalous, unidentified
space, airborne, submerged and transmedium objects. In furtherance of
this mission, the AARO Report System covers the AARO's maintenance of
correspondence and reports received from current or former U.S.
government employees, service members, or contractor personnel with
direct knowledge of U.S. Government programs or activities related to
UAP dating back to 1945. This system also includes correspondence and
reports received from members of the general public and government-
affiliated personnel on events related to UAP. The records include
contact information and any other reported information voluntarily
provided by submitters.
Additionally, DoD is issuing a direct final rule to exempt this
system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act elsewhere
in today's issue of the Federal Register. DoD SORNs have been published
in the Federal Register and are available from the address in FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or at the Defense Privacy, Civil Liberties,
and Transparency Division website at <a href="https://dpcld.defense.gov">https://dpcld.defense.gov</a>.
II. Privacy Act
Under the Privacy Act, a ``system of records'' is a group of
records under the control of an agency from which information is
retrieved by the name of an individual or by some identifying number,
symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. In
the Privacy Act, an individual is defined as a U.S. citizen or lawful
permanent resident.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) and Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, DoD has provided a report of this
system of records to the OMB and to Congress.
Dated: April 29, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal RegisterLiaison Officer, Department of Defense.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
All-domain Anomaly Resolution and Anomalous Phenomena Program
Records,'' AARO-0001.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified; Classified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, Office of the Deputy
Secretary of Defense, 5000 Defense Pentagon, 3C949, Washington, DC
20301-5000. Information may also be stored within a government-
certified cloud, implemented and overseen by the Department's Chief
Information Officer (CIO), 6000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-
6000.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
The system manager for this system of records is the Chief of
Staff, All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, Office of the Deputy
Secretary of Defense, 5000 Defense Pentagon, 3C949, Washington, DC
20301-5000, ATTN: AARO; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0afb3a4eeb0a5aeb4a1a7afaeeeafb5b3a4eda9aeb4a5acedb3a5a3eeada5b3a7eea3afaeb4a1a3b4eda1a1b2afedada2b880ada1a9aceeada9ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="412e32256f31242f3520262e2f6f2e3432256c282f35242d6c3224226f2c2432266f222e2f352022356c2020332e6c2c2339012c20282d6f2c282d">[email protected]</span></a>; phone 703-693-6081.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
10 U.S.C. 113, Secretary of Defense; 44 U.S.C. 2107, Acceptance of
Records for Historical Preservation; Section 1673 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Pub. Law 117-263).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
A. To manage records maintained in furtherance of AARO's mission,
including to synchronize efforts across the DoD and with other U.S.
Federal departments and agencies to detect, identify, and attribute
objects of interest in, on or near military installations, operating
areas, training areas, special use airspace and other areas of
interest, and, as necessary, to mitigate any associated threats to
safety of operations and national security. This includes anomalous,
unidentified space, airborne, submerged and transmedium objects.
[[Page 37183]]
B. To document, manage, track, and oversee correspondence and
reports from current or former U.S. government employees, service
members, or contractor personnel with direct knowledge of U.S.
Government programs or activities related to UAP dating back to 1945.
C. To document, manage, track, and oversee correspondence and
reports from the general public and Government-affiliated personnel
concerning events related to UAP.
D. To track and report data, conduct research and statistical
analysis, and evaluate program effectiveness.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
A. Current or former U.S. Government employees, uniformed service
members, and contractor personnel with direct knowledge of U.S.
Government programs or activities related to UAP dating back to 1945 or
who report any event related to UAP;
B. Members of the general public and Government-affiliated
personnel who provide correspondence or reports concerning events
related to UAP.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
A. Personal information including: Name, DoD ID number, home and
email addresses, phone numbers, U.S. Government or contractor
employment status, driver's license ID information, security clearance
information.
B. Information related to UAPs including: correspondence and
reports of events related to UAP, event description or narrative,
location relative to the observer, any reported health implications
related to UAP, metadata, night vision camera footage, characteristics,
including physical state (e.g., size shape, color), observer's
assessment of the UAP, including the nature of the phenomenon and
whether it was benign, hazard, or a threat, imagery and metadata from
photography or recording devices, including mobile phones, and
analytical products related to submitted correspondence and reports.
The specific types of data in these records may vary widely depending
on the nature of the individual's report or correspondence.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Records and information maintained in this system of records are
obtained from the individuals; some records may also be obtained from
other systems or databases maintained by other DoD or OSD components or
other agencies.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, all or a portion of the
records or information contained herein may specifically be disclosed
outside the DoD as a Routine Use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as
follows:
A. To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, students, and
others performing or working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative
agreement, or other assignment for the Federal Government when
necessary to accomplish an agency function related to this system of
records.
B. To the appropriate Federal, State, local, territorial, tribal,
foreign, or international law enforcement authority or other
appropriate entity where a record, either alone or in conjunction with
other information, indicates a violation or potential violation of law,
whether criminal, civil, or regulatory in nature.
C. To any component of the Department of Justice for the purpose of
representing the DoD, or its components, officers, employees, or
members in pending or potential litigation to which the record is
pertinent.
D. In an appropriate proceeding before a court, grand jury, or
administrative or adjudicative body or official, when the DoD or other
Agency representing the DoD determines that the records are relevant
and necessary to the proceeding; or in an appropriate proceeding before
an administrative or adjudicative body when the adjudicator determines
the records to be relevant to the proceeding.
E. To the National Archives and Records Administration for the
purpose of records management inspections conducted under the authority
of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
F. To a Member of Congress or staff acting upon the Member's behalf
when the Member or staff requests the information on behalf of, and at
the request of, the individual who is the subject of the record.
G. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) the DoD
suspects or confirms a breach of the system of records; (2) the DoD
determines as a result of the suspected or confirmed breach there is a
risk of harm to individuals, the DoD (including its information
systems, programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national
security; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and
persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with the DoD's
efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent,
minimize, or remedy such harm.
H. To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when the DoD
determines that information from this system of records is reasonably
necessary to assist the recipient agency or entity in (1) responding to
a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or
remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or
entity (including its information systems, programs and operations),
the Federal Government, or national security, resulting from a
suspected or confirmed breach.
I. To another Federal, State or local agency for the purpose of
comparing to the agency's system of records or to non-Federal records,
in coordination with an Office of Inspector General in conducting an
audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review as
authorized by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.
J. To such recipients and under such circumstances and procedures
as are mandated by Federal statute, treaty, or other international
agreement.
K. To an authorized appeal or grievance examiner, formal complaints
examiner, equal employment opportunity investigator, arbitrator, or
other duly authorized official engaged in investigation or settlement
of a grievance, complaint, or appeal filed by an employee.
L. To appropriate Federal, State, local, territorial, tribal,
foreign, or international agencies for the purpose of scientific study
or counterintelligence activities authorized by U.S. law or Executive
Order, or for the purpose of executing or enforcing laws designed to
protect the national security or homeland security of the United
States, including those relating to the sharing of records or
information concerning terrorism, homeland security, or law
enforcement.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
Records may be stored electronically or on paper in secure
facilities in a locked drawer behind a locked door. Electronic records
may be stored locally on digital media; in agency-owned cloud
environments; or in vendor Cloud Service Offerings certified under the
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Records may be retrieved by name and case number, or combination of
both.
[[Page 37184]]
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Disposition pending; until the National Archives and Records
Administration has approved the retention and disposition schedule,
treat as permanent.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
DoD safeguards records in this system of records according to
applicable rules, policies, and procedures, including all applicable
DoD automated systems security and access policies. DoD policies
require the use of controls to minimize the risk of compromise of
personally identifiable information (PII) in paper and electronic form
and to enforce access by those with a need to know and with appropriate
clearances. Additionally, DoD has established security audit and
accountability policies and procedures which support the safeguarding
of PII and detection of potential PII incidents. DoD routinely employs
safeguards such as the following to information systems and paper
recordkeeping systems: Multifactor log-in authentication including
Common Access Card (CAC) authentication and password; physical token as
required; physical and technological access controls governing access
to data; network encryption to protect data transmitted over the
network; disk encryption securing disks storing data; key management
services to safeguard encryption keys; masking of sensitive data as
practicable; mandatory information assurance and privacy training for
individuals who will have access; identification, marking, and
safeguarding of PII; physical access safeguards including multifactor
identification physical access controls, detection and electronic alert
systems for access to servers and other network infrastructure; and
electronic intrusion detection systems in DoD facilities.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking access to their records should follow the
procedures in 32 CFR part 310. Individuals should address written
inquiries to the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff Freedom
of Information Act Requester Service Center, 1155 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-1155. Signed written requests should contain the
name and number of this system of records notice along with the full
name, current address, and email address of the individual. In
addition, the requester must provide either a notarized statement or an
unsworn declaration made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the
appropriate format:
If executed outside the United States: ``I declare (or certify,
verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United
States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on
(date). (Signature).''
If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions,
or commonwealths: ``I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under
penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on
(date). (Signature).''
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking to amend or correct the content of records
about them should follow the procedures in 32 CFR part 310.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking to determine whether information about
themselves is contained in this system of records should follow the
instructions for Record Access Procedures above.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
The DoD has exempted records maintained in this system from 5
U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d)(1), (2), (3), and (4); (e)(1); (e)(4)(G), (H),
and (I); and (f) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1). In addition, when
exempt records received from other systems of records become part of
this system, the DoD also claims the same exemptions for those records
that are claimed for the prior system(s) of records of which they were
a part, and claims any additional exemptions set forth here. An
exemption rule for this system has been promulgated in accordance with
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c), and published in
32 CFR part 310.
HISTORY:
None.
[FR Doc. 2024-09608 Filed 5-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
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