Palm Coast Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Moving American's Privacy Protection Act (MAPPA), a bipartisan bill aimed at safeguarding the personal information of Americans. Introduced by U.S. Congressmen Mike Waltz and Bill Pascrell, the bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove personally identifiable information (PII) from cargo manifests before public disclosure.

The passage of this bill addresses the concern that the current public disclosure of cargo manifests poses a risk to the privacy and security of Americans, particularly military service members and their families who are moving abroad. By removing sensitive information such as Social Security and passport numbers, the legislation aims to prevent identity theft and fraud.

Congressman Waltz emphasized the importance of protecting the personal information of every American, stating, "It is critical we take the necessary steps to protect them against dangerous and fraudulent activity." He further expressed his pride in passing legislation in the House to secure international travel and safeguard the livelihoods of Americans.

Senator Steve Daines, who led companion legislation in the Senate, echoed Waltz's sentiments, stating, "Safeguarding Americans from identity theft and fraud is a top priority of mine." He expressed his satisfaction in seeing this bipartisan bill move closer to becoming law.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) also expressed their support for the bill, as it aligns with their long-standing advocacy for changes to disclosure requirements on shipping forms. ATA President and CEO Chris Spear commended Reps. Waltz and Pascrell for their leadership in passing this bill, which will protect repatriating Americans' personal data and prevent them from becoming victims of financial fraud.

Ryan Bowley, Executive Director of ATA's Moving & Storage Conference, emphasized the significance of this legislation in protecting military families and other Americans relocating from overseas. He stated, "We have strongly pushed for this legislation to help reduce repatriating Americans' risk of having their identities stolen."

The Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act also enjoys support from the trade data brokerage industry, the entire relocation industry, including the National Association of Realtors, and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

Background information reveals that CBP currently requires manifest sheets, which contain personally identifiable information, to disclose and document the cargo of incoming vessels for customs and security purposes. The public disclosure of certain manifest information was initially required in 1984 to increase competition and facilitate better public analysis of import trends. However, in recent years, the release of PII of relocating individuals has led to identity theft, credit card fraud, and unwanted solicitations.

The passage of the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act in the House represents a significant step forward in protecting the privacy and security of Americans, particularly those who are relocating abroad. By removing personally identifiable information from cargo manifests, the legislation aims to prevent identity theft and fraud. With the support of industry associations and advocacy groups, this bill has the potential to become law and provide much-needed protection to individuals and families moving internationally.