A barrier for separating a cargo area from a passenger area of a vehicle includes a support structure that is fixedly attached to a frame of a rear seat, adjacent a seatback of the seat. A gate is attached to and supported by the support structure, and is rotatably moveable relative to the support structure between a stowed position and a deployed position. A latch mechanism automatically secures the gate relative to the support structure when the gate is in the deployed position. A release system is coupled to the latch mechanism for moving the latch mechanism into a release position to allow the gate to rotate back into the stowed position.