OPM Proposes NDAs for 2 Million Federal Workers as 30-Day Comment Period Opens
Updated
Updated · TIME · May 26
OPM Proposes NDAs for 2 Million Federal Workers as 30-Day Comment Period Opens
10 articles · Updated · TIME · May 26
A 30-day public comment period starts Wednesday on an OPM proposal to let agencies require new and current federal workers to sign nondisclosure agreements covering sensitive nonpublic information.
The draft defines “confidential government information” broadly, including internal operations, personnel matters, procurement and pre-decisional material, while preserving disclosures authorized by law, including whistleblower protections.
OPM said the rule is meant to curb leaks that it says disrupted immigration enforcement and exposed details of a January U.S. operation in Venezuela, potentially endangering agents and troops.
Agencies could choose whether to adopt the NDAs, and OPM said penalties for violations have not yet been determined.
The proposal expands Trump-era efforts to tighten leak controls after agency-specific NDAs at Veterans Affairs and planned Pentagon restrictions, alongside past lawsuits over alleged NDA or classified-information breaches.
How can new government NDAs protect secrets without punishing whistleblowers who expose official misconduct?
As cyber threats grow, are legal agreements like NDAs more crucial than technical security upgrades?