When an individual is asked to supply private or confidential data about himself/herself, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requires the individual be informed of:
- Purpose for collecting the data
- Intended use of the data
- Whether the individual possessing the data may refuse or is legally required to supply the requested information
- Any known consequences arising from supplying the data
- Any known consequences arising from refusing to supply the data
- The identity of other persons or entities authorized by state or federal law to receive the data
The Tennessen Warning (Minnesota Statute 13.04, Subd. 2) can be given orally or in writing.
It is the position of the Minnesota Department of Administration that the data may only be used in accordance with the notice, or subsequent consent.
Such notice is called a Tennessen warning (named for Robert Tennessen, senate author of the original Data Privacy Act).