Full Breakdown
Government Surveillance Through Advertising Data: A Deep Dive
3/3/2026, 8:58:46 PM
Overview of the Core Event
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has utilized data from the online advertising ecosystem to monitor individuals' movements, as revealed by an internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document. This practice involves acquiring data from various applications, including video games, dating services, and fitness trackers, raising significant privacy concerns.
Background & Context
The document obtained by 404 Media indicates that CBP's use of location data is part of a broader trend where government agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have increasingly turned to commercial data sources for surveillance. This shift began as traditional tracking methods became less effective, leading to the adoption of Advertising IDs (AdIDs) by Apple and Google, which allow for device tracking without directly linking to personal information.
Key Figures & Groups
Johnny Ryan, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), has been vocal about the implications of this surveillance, describing RTB-sourced location data as a significant risk. Senator Ron Wyden has also criticized the collaboration between tech companies and government agencies, advocating for legislative measures to restrict the purchase of such data.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to inquiries about its data practices, CBP acknowledged the use of location data but did not provide specific comments on ongoing practices. Senator Wyden and a coalition of lawmakers have urged the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate the continued purchase of location data by ICE, highlighting concerns over a lack of comprehensive policy governing such actions.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics argue that the use of advertising data for surveillance purposes poses a severe threat to privacy. The DHS OIG previously found that both CBP and ICE misused location data, with instances of tracking individuals without a legitimate investigative purpose. Wyden has called for an end to government purchases of location data, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to protect citizens' privacy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the DHS has established a commercial data working group, as of April 2023, it has yet to implement a comprehensive policy regarding the use of commercial location data. Reports indicate that ICE has resumed its purchases of location data, despite ongoing investigations and recommendations from previous reviews.
What's Next
The situation is evolving, with a scheduled briefing regarding ICE's recent purchase of a location tracking system called Webloc. Lawmakers continue to push for transparency and accountability in the use of commercial data for surveillance, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks to protect citizens' privacy rights.
Verbatim Quotes
“RTB is the world’s biggest data breach,” Ryan added.” — Johnny Ryan, Director, Irish Council for Civil Liberties
“As a result, every internet ad on a website or app could be collecting location data that ICE will use for its next operation,” Senator Ron Wyden told 404 Media in a statement.” — Senator Ron Wyden
“Public reports indicate that ICE has resumed its location data purchases, even though DHS has yet to adopt all of the recommendations from your prior review,” — Letter from Senator Wyden and lawmakers to DHS OIG
“is gathering information to better understand how the industry’s commercial Big Data and Ad Tech providers can directly support investigations activities,” — ICE announcement on data procurement.
