FBI Admits to Illegally Purchasing US Citizens’ Data

The FBI has authorized the purchase of US citizens’ location data collected by certain smartphone apps. The admission angered privacy activists, especially since the office obtained the data without a court order.

The recognition comes from a statement made by Christopher Wray, director of the office, during a Senate hearing on global threats. Ray confirmed that the office had previously acquired the aforementioned information for a national security project that he did not elaborate on, but he claimed that the FBI had stopped this practice and that the office was now obtaining the data needed for the investigation in an authorized manner.

This is the first time the office has admitted to buying location data from US citizens without obtaining a court order. This confirmed the suspicions of human rights associations, which have long expressed concern about the FBI’s violation of the privacy of citizens.

The U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled that government access to location data of U.S. citizens without official permission is a violation of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution. However, the ruling left a legal loophole that was exploited by several federal agencies, including the US Customs and Border Protection and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Department of Homeland Security has also previously been known to acquire location data for U.S. citizens from private marketing companies.

As expected, these admissions have angered human rights and privacy groups, who say such actions by the FBI and other investigators could have serious implications for American citizens’ digital freedom and privacy.

In a statement to Ars Technica, EFF Senior Attorney Adam Schwartz said, “U.S. government agencies should not be allowed to circumvent Article IV of the Constitution by buying private information from data brokers who collect information about the exact movements of hundreds of millions of people without their actual knowledge or consent.” This highly sensitive information can reveal where we live, work, who we associate with, where we worship, hold demonstrations and seek medical attention.”

Sean Vitka, a lawyer for civil liberties group Demand Progress, called the FBI’s actions appalling: “The public needs to know who gave the green light to these purchases, why, and what others have done or are trying to do the same?” said. He also called for legislation to completely ban the practice.