Supreme Court of the United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration v. Robert M. Nelson
January 19, 2011178 L. Ed. 2d 667
Summary
The Court assumed, without deciding, that the Constitution protects a privacy interest in avoiding disclosure of personal matters. It held that the Government’s background check questions for federal contractors were reasonable employment inquiries and satisfied privacy concerns under the Privacy Act. Justices Scalia and Thomas concurred in the judgment, arguing no such constitutional right exists.
Holding
- Constitutional right to informational privacy in employment background checks.. The Government’s interest in managing operations combined with Privacy Act protections satisfies any privacy interest in avoiding disclosure.
Docket No. 09-530
Cited authorities
- Pub. L. 111-314, § 3
- 124 Stat. 3333
- 51 U.S.C. § 20112
- 75 FR 5359
- 88 Stat. 1695
- 44 U.S.C. § 2111
- 5 U.S.C. § 3301
- 75 FR 5359