The DHS Privacy Office was created in response to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The first Chief Privacy Officer was appointed in April 2003. It was the first statutorily mandated privacy office in the federal government. The mission of the Office is to preserve and enhance privacy protections for all individuals, to promote transparency of DHS operations, and to serve as a leader in the federal privacy community. The Office accomplishes its mission by focusing on by several core activities: File:Snapshot 2009-10-18 22-58-56.jpg