American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

When is material redacted in a public record?

1. When it is outdated

2. When it contains sensitive information

3. When it is irrelevant to the public

4. When it is overly lengthy

The correct answer is: When it contains sensitive information

Material is redacted in a public record primarily when it contains sensitive information. This process is essential for protecting personal privacy, maintaining confidentiality, and safeguarding sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, financial information, medical records, or anything else that, if disclosed, could harm individuals or violate privacy laws. Redaction ensures that while a document remains accessible for public scrutiny, certain critical details that could lead to harm, identity theft, or privacy invasions are appropriately withheld. This practice supports the broader objectives of transparency in government and accountability while simultaneously upholding the rights of individuals to privacy. In contrast, the other options do not directly pertain to typical standards for redaction in public records. Being outdated, irrelevant, or overly lengthy does not automatically warrant redaction, as these aspects may not necessarily compromise privacy or security concerns. Instead, public records are multifaceted, and considerations like relevance or the length of a document would typically be handled through other means rather than redaction.