FBI buys location data from mobile apps and games
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is acquiring location data of individuals through ordinary mobile applications and games installed on smartphones. This is significant as such data is reportedly used in federal investigations, highlighting new technological methods in law enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau purchases this information commercially, though he did not reveal specific details regarding the cases or volumes of data. The information is bought from brokers who gather it from various sources, including mobile apps and video games.
Besides the FBI, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection also employs similar methods, purchasing large datasets collected through mobile and web advertising technologies. This points to a systemic approach by government agencies to data collection.
These developments reflect a trend toward utilizing modern digital tools for data gathering at the governmental level to enhance oversight and investigative efficiency.
Moving forward, law enforcement agencies are likely to continue expanding their capabilities in collecting and using digital data, raising new challenges for protecting citizens’ privacy.
