The FBI is buying Americans’ location data

Data brokers are allowing the FBI to bypass warrant requirements. FBI director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency purchases location data to track people’s movements, which, unlike information from cell phone providers, does not require a warrant and can be used to track anyone. Patel stated that the agency purchases commercially available information in line with constitutional and legal standards, providing valuable intelligence. However, Patel did not commit to stopping this practice despite Senator Ron Wyden’s objections, who argued it bypasses the Fourth Amendment and called for the Government Surveillance Reform Act. The 2018 Supreme Court ruling mandates a warrant for obtaining location data from cell providers, but using data brokers allows the FBI to circumvent this. Senator Tom Cotton defended the practice, highlighting that the data is commercially available.