We often talk about FOIA, Privacy, and Records Management as if they’re unique to the U.S federal government, but the truth is, the reach is far broader.
Here’s the global picture in one snapshot
- 160+ countries have national privacy or data protection laws
- 130+ countries have FOIA or Access-to-Information laws
- Nearly every nation has records or archives laws, though the maturity varies
What does this tell us?
That FOIA, privacy, and records management aren’t niche disciplines — they’re universal commitments. Every country structures them differently, but the purpose is the same:
protect people, preserve records, and build public trust.
As information governance continues to evolve worldwide, understanding these shared foundations helps us collaborate more effectively and strengthen the systems that support accountable, ethical, and resilient institutions
Related reading: More insights from Dr. Moya Hill | Explore the Unified Information Governance Model
