PART 3 : COMPUTER MATCHING AGREEMENTS

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988

 (the Act), Pub.L.100-503, amends the Privacy Act of 1974, and establishes procedural safeguards affecting agencies' use of Privacy Act records in performing certain types of computerized matching programs. The Act regulates the use of computer matching by Federal agencies involving personally identifiable records maintained in a system of records subject to the Privacy Act. The Act requires agencies to have written agreements in place specifying the terms under which matches are to be conducted. The Act applies to the computerized comparison of two or more automated systems of records (or Federal personnel or payroll systems of records) between Federal agencies or between a Federal agency and a non-Federal agency when:

1. establishing or verifying eligibility or continuing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements of applicants or recipients or beneficiaries, or
2. recouping payments on delinquent debts under Federal benefits programs. The Act does not apply to matches that produce aggregate statistical data without any personal identifiers; research or statistical project data that do not concern the rights, benefits, or privileges of an individual; or to certain activities involving matches of tax information or the enforcement of criminal laws.