1. U.S. Spy Agencies Know Your Secrets. They Bought Them.
- Author
-
Tau, Byron
- Subjects
- *
CREDIT card fraud , *PUBLIC records , *EAVESDROPPING , *STATE power , *CELL phone systems , *CONSUMER preferences , *LOCATION data - Abstract
U.S. intelligence agencies, the military, and local police departments have gained access to vast amounts of personal data through arrangements with commercial data brokers. This data includes biographical information, consumer preferences, and geolocation data, among other things. While it is legal for the government to use this data in intelligence programs, concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency and oversight. Foreign governments can also access this data, prompting President Biden to sign an executive order to prevent certain adversary countries from buying bulk commercial data sets about Americans. The issue of government use of commercial data is now before Congress as lawmakers consider reauthorizing a key surveillance law. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024