FBI is buying location data to track US citizens, director confirms
FBI director Kash Patel told lawmakers that the agency is actively purchasing commercially available location data, which can track Americans without needing a warrant.
TL;DR
- The FBI has resumed purchasing Americans' data and location histories from data brokers.
- Director Kash Patel confirmed the practice, stating it's consistent with the Constitution and laws.
- This method allows the FBI to obtain information without a warrant, circumventing Fourth Amendment protections.
- Senator Ron Wyden criticized the practice, calling it an "outrageous end-run around the Fourth Amendment."
- A bipartisan bill, the Government Surveillance Reform Act, has been introduced to require warrants for federal agencies buying data from brokers.