The Transparency–Privacy–Trust Triangle

In today’s digital landscape, trust in public institutions is fragile — and earned only through deliberate, principled action.

That’s why I created the Transparency–Privacy–Trust Triangle

a governance model designed to help organizations balance openness with protection in a digital-first world.

Transparency

The public’s right to know. It requires clarity, access, and accountability.

Privacy

The public’s right to be protected. It safeguards dignity, safety, and sensitive information.

Trust

The outcome when transparency and privacy are held in balance — consistently, visibly, and with integrity.

This triangle isn’t just a visual. It’s a decision-making framework.

It guides how we design systems, train teams, and respond to FOIA requests as technology accelerates — cloud platforms, collaboration tools, mobile messaging, and AI-assisted search.

FOIA isn’t only about releasing records,

it is about strengthening democracy through responsible stewardship of information.

When we honor transparency and privacy together, trust follows.

It is important to note the importance of Records Management in enabling this model.

***It is key to keep in mind that the TPTT model CANNOT work without proper Records Management practices***

Related reading: More insights from Dr. Moya Hill | Explore the Unified Information Governance Model