The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has announced findings that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility has shared too much personally identifiable information, “putting its mission ahead of protecting sensitive personal data,” Federal Times reports. A request from Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., catalyzed the review, which found that while the agency did not violate the Privacy Act of 1974, many of its practices were questionable and needed repurposing, the report states. “We believe the manner in which CBP OPR shared the sensitive PII showed a lack of regard for, and may have compromised these individuals’ privacy,” the OIG report states. The CBP OPR agreed with the OIG’s guidance to remedy policies and better train employees, and has 90 days to provide the OIG with an action plan.
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