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.

The Data Integrity Board (the Board) was established in accordance with the provisions of P.L. 100-503, the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (the Act). The Board is responsible to:

1. Review, approve, and maintain all Departmental computer matching agreements
2. Review annually agreements to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and guidelines
3. Review record-keeping and disposal policies and practices
4. Provide interpretation and guidance
5. Serve as clearinghouse for receiving and giving information on reliability of records
6. Report matching agreements to congress and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
7. Submit an annual report on matching activities to the Secretary and OMB

For more information on the U.S. Department of Education, Data Integrity Board Charter (PDF, 123.4K)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-108, Section 14 requires agencies to submit annually to OMB an Annual Matching Activity Report. The Department reports to OMB annually about their matching activities. The following are the Department's Matching Activity Reports for 2019-2021:

• Annual Matching Activity Report CY2019
• Annual Matching Activity Report CY2020
• Annual Matching Activity Report CY2021

The following are official CMAs at the U.S. Department of Education:

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