What is the key distinction of the "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) designation?

The "For Official Use Only" (FOUO) designation is primarily used to protect sensitive but unclassified information from public disclosure. It is important to understand that this designation does not indicate that the information is classified, such as top secret, nor does it imply that it is public information. Instead, the FOUO designation signifies that the information requires restricted handling procedures to ensure that it is only accessible to authorized personnel.

FOUO information can be sensitive enough that, if disclosed improperly, it might adversely affect government operations or the privacy of individuals. As such, the requirement for restricted handling procedures is a critical component of protecting this type of information. This means that even though the information is not classified in the traditional sense, it still has protocols around its dissemination and use to safeguard it from unauthorized access.

The distinction is significant because it underlines the importance of managing sensitive information appropriately, even when it doesn't reach the classification level that requires more stringent safeguards.