Which type of information does ATOMAL apply to?

ATOMAL specifically pertains to information related to Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) concerning nuclear weapons and the associated nuclear material and technology. This designation applies to certain aspects of atomic energy that have been declassified to some extent but still require controlled access due to their sensitivity and potential implications for national security. Additionally, ATOMAL can encompass classified information shared with U.S. allies, such as the UK, regarding nuclear capabilities.

Understanding this classification is crucial because it highlights the balance between transparency and safeguarding critical national defense technologies. While FRD is a category of information that can be shared to promote international cooperation, it must still be handled with care to ensure that sensitive details are not disclosed inappropriately.

In contrast, other choices refer to different classifications or types of information that do not fall under the ATOMAL designation. U.S. National Security Information broadly encompasses a wide variety of classified data but is not specific to the nuclear context covered by ATOMAL. NATO Confidential Information pertains to the security interests of NATO member states but does not focus solely on atomic matters. Restricted Nuclear Weapon Data specifically deals with classified details about the design and use of nuclear weapons, which might sometimes overlap with ATOMAL aspects but is distinguished as a separate category of information.