Which act focuses specifically on the privacy of personally identifiable information collected by U.S. government agencies?

The Federal Privacy Act of 1974 is the correct choice because it was specifically designed to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information by federal government agencies. This act provides individuals with specific rights regarding their personal information held by government entities, including the right to access their records and the right to request corrections to inaccurate information. The Privacy Act aims to protect citizens from potential misuse of their information by establishing guidelines that agencies must follow when handling personal data.

In contrast, the other acts listed focus on different areas of privacy and data protection. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily addresses the protection of health information and applies mainly to healthcare providers and other entities involved in healthcare. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) pertains to the financial sector, regulating how financial institutions handle personal financial information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records, but it does not extend to all personally identifiable information collected by government agencies. Thus, the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 stands out as the most relevant legislation for the privacy of personally identifiable information within the context of government agencies.