What federal statute requires public agencies to provide information requested by citizens?

• A. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• B. Privacy Act
• C. Sunshine Law
• D. Open Records Act

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that access to records held by federal agencies is guaranteed by a single, broad federal law: the Freedom of Information Act. This statute requires federal agencies to disclose information upon written request from any nonmilitary citizen, with certain statutory exemptions to protect things like national security, privacy, and law enforcement interests. That broad, nationwide access mechanism is what makes this act the standard tool for citizens seeking government information at the federal level.

The Privacy Act focuses on how agencies handle personal information about individuals, and it can restrict disclosure of those records in some cases. The Sunshine Law and Open Records Act are typically state-level measures aimed at openness of meetings or records within state governments, not federal agencies. So the federal statute that directly mandates providing information requested by citizens is the Freedom of Information Act.