# Understanding the RECOVER Act of 2022

Back in 2015, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)—the federal agency that handles government employee records—suffered a massive data breach. Hackers stole sensitive personal information from millions of people, including current and former federal employees and their families. Their names, Social Security numbers, fingerprints, and other identifying details were compromised. This bill is about making sure those victims get the protection they deserve.

The RECOVER Act extends identity protection coverage to everyone affected by that OPM breach and other recent federal data breaches. Previously, this coverage was set to expire after 2026, but this bill makes it permanent—lasting for the rest of each victim's life. That's important because identity theft doesn't have an expiration date. Criminals can use stolen information years or even decades later, so victims need long-term protection. The bill also requires that the identity protection package include at least $5 million in identity theft insurance per person. This insurance helps cover costs if someone's identity is actually stolen, including legal fees, credit monitoring, and other expenses related to fixing the damage.

If you were affected by the OPM breach or similar federal data breaches, this means you'd have access to identity protection services for your entire life rather than just for a limited time. The $5 million insurance requirement ensures there's real financial backing if you become a victim of identity theft. Essentially, the government is taking responsibility for protecting people whose personal information was compromised due to federal security failures, rather than leaving them vulnerable after a few years of coverage ends.

RECOVER Act of 2022

Norton, Eleanor Holmes

Reducing the Effects of the Cyberattack on OPM Victims Emergency Response Act of 2022 or the RECOVER Act of 2022 This bill provides lifetime identity protection coverage for individuals affected by previous federal agency data breaches.