So if they can just buy the data, instead of getting a warrant, does that make it right? CBP’s warrantless use of cell phone location data is under investigation
CBP is part of DHS, so that data will probably go to the FBI. And they spent $460,000 to get the data, though Ars Technica didn't find that number interesting.
"CBP is not above the law and it should not be able to buy its way around the Fourth Amendment," the senators told Inspector General Joseph Cuffari while requesting an investigation into "CBP's warrantless use of commercial databases containing Americans' information, including but not limited to Venntel's location database."
Cuffari granted the request for an investigation, telling the senators that his office will "initiate an audit that we believe will address your concerns" in a letter sent November 25 and made public by the Democratic senators yesterday. The senators who requested the investigation are Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
DHS is claiming that of course buying the data is legal, so my guess is that they've done it before.
Every time you let an app know your location you are feeding the police state. It may be small today, but it won't stay small forever. Police states never do.
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