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As federal courts make the transition from paper to electronic case files, the Judicial Conference of the United States is studying the privacy and security implications of vastly wider public access to court documents via the Internet.

Public comment is sought.

Case files, long presumed to be open for public inspection and copying unless sealed by court order, often contain private or sensitive information. Bankruptcy debtors must divulge intimate details of their financial affairs. In other courts, case files may contain medical records, personnel files, tax returns or proprietary information.

Creation of electronic files means they soon may be viewed,printed or downloaded, for a minimal fee of 7 cents per page, by anyone, at any time, through the Internet. The new technology has sparked the Judiciary's review of public-access policies. Should electronic case files be protected from unlimited public disclosure, or should they be treated the same as paper files?

What should be the Judiciary's response to the growing ability to obtain court documents without being physically present at a courthouse? The public is invited to comment on the various policy options being considered.

Options currently under consideration can be found by clicking on the A Document for Comment @ box at www.privacy.uscourts.gov.

Comments should be submitted by 5 p.m., Jan. 26, 2001. All must include the name, mailing address and phone number of the commentator. Electronic comments may be submitted to www.privacy.uscourts.gov or e-mailed to Privacy_Policy_Comments@ao.uscourts.gov.

Regular mail should be addressed to The Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Court Administration Policy Staff, Attn: Privacy Comments, Suite 4-560, 1 Columbus Circle N.E., Washington, D.C. 20544.

Commentators should indicate whether they are interested in participating in a public hearing, if one is held. It may not be possible, however, to honor all requests to speak at any such hearing.