To ask the US government for your own records, you must now use a website

The Department of Homeland Security now requires people to submit requests for their own personal records electronically. This means you can no longer mail or fax requests for your Privacy Act records to DHS.

For decades, people could send paper letters or faxes to government agencies to get copies of their own personal information. This change means that the default method is now digital, pushing people towards online portals. It also streamlines the process for the agency, making it easier to manage requests centrally.