CBP tapped into the online advertising ecosystem to track peoples’ movements (404media.co)

Article summary

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has purchased data from the online advertising ecosystem to track people's movements, leveraging data from ordinary apps like video games and fitness trackers. This practice raises concerns about surveillance and the potential risks of online advertising data. The news follows a similar purchase by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has sparked calls for investigation. The use of such data allows for precise tracking of individuals over time.

Main themes

• Surveillance and tracking
• Online advertising data
• Privacy protection
• Government data purchases
• Ad network security
• Cell carrier data sales

What commenters say

• Turning off location permissions and using a VPN can help protect individual privacy, but may not be enough to prevent tracking.
• Some commenters argue that using a phone with a hardware kill switch or removable battery can provide additional privacy protection.
• Others suggest that even with precautions, phones can still be tracked through cell tower pings and IP addresses.
• The use of ad networks to spread malware and scams is a significant concern, and some argue that these networks should be held liable for their role in such activities.
• There is disagreement about the accuracy and value of location data sold by ad networks, with some arguing that it is often inaccurate or based on vague guesses.
• Some commenters believe that the government's purchase of such data is unnecessary and potentially invasive, while others see it as a useful tool for tracking and surveillance.
• The fact that carriers have sold customer location data without a warrant is seen as a significant privacy concern by some commenters.
• There are differing opinions on the effectiveness of various privacy-focused cell services and measures, such as using a Faraday bag or a phone with a hardware kill switch.