CBP leverages commercial data for surveillance, revealing systemic privacy gaps in digital infrastructure
Original framing: “CBP Used Online Ad Data to Track Phone Locations” — Wired
Scientific research on digital privacy has consistently shown that location data is highly sensitive and can be used to infer personal habits, relationships, and movements. The lack of encryption and anonymization in commercial data exchanges exacerbates these risks, as demonstrated by studies on data broker practices.
The CBP's use of commercial data to track phone locations is a symptom of a larger systemic issue where corporate data collection practices enable state surveillance without public consent or oversight.
This pattern has deep historical roots in the use of private infrastructure for state control and is exacerbated by the lack of regulatory frameworks that protect digital privacy. Marginalized communities bear the brunt of these practices, while corporate and government actors benefit from the normalization of surveillance. A solution requires a multi-pronged approach that includes legal reform, independent oversight, public education, and the development of privacy-respecting technologies. By integrating Indigenous knowledge, scientific evidence, and cross-cultural perspectives, a more holistic and equitable digital governance model can emerge.