A group of senators on Friday will introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from selling citizens’ personal data, in an effort to reduce identity theft and credit card fraud.
The bill, sponsored by Sens. Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesTrump: I am ‘looking hard’ at bipartisan infrastructure plan of -2 trillion Hillicon Valley: Facebook nears settlement with FTC | Lawmakers push bill restricting border agency from selling data | Ocasio-Cortez backs Warren plan to break up tech giants Senators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data MORE (R-Mont.) and Gary PetersGary Charles PetersHillicon Valley: Facebook nears settlement with FTC | Lawmakers push bill restricting border agency from selling data | Ocasio-Cortez backs Warren plan to break up tech giants Senators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data Sanders, Klobuchar among five most popular senators: poll MORE (D-Mich.), would close a legal loophole that allows CBP to sell certain personal information to third-party data brokers when they move overseas.
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The measure, which is being reintroduced in both chambers, would require CBP to remove personally identifiable information from any manifests produced when Americans move their belongings into or out of the country.
Those documents typically have personal information like residential addresses, Social Security numbers and passport numbers. The information is included when CBP releases certain shipment data, making the sensitive information publicly available.
This has led to some instances of identity theft and credit card fraud.
The bill, which was introduced in 2017 but stalled in the previous Congress, is aimed at safeguarding the personal information of Americans making international moves. It would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to prevent the disclosure of personal information contained in manifests when CBP releases shipment data.
The measure is also backed by GOP Sens. John HoevenJohn Henry HoevenSenators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data Overnight Energy: Bipartisan Senate group seeks more funding for carbon capture technology | Dems want documents on Interior pick’s lobbying work | Officials push to produce more electric vehicle batteries in US Officials, automakers aim to produce more electric vehicle batteries in US: report MORE (N.D.), James LankfordJames Paul LankfordSenators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data Mueller fails to break stalemate on election meddling crackdown Schumer calls for briefing on 2020 election security after Mueller report MORE (Okla.) and Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanSenators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data Embattled senators fill coffers ahead of 2020 Republicans defend McCain amid Trump attacks MORE (Alaska).
“Montanans and the American people need assurance that their private information is safeguarded from all threats,” Daines said in a statement. “This commonsense legislation ensures transparency as well as security in protecting our citizens from identity theft and fraud.”