FBI admits buying Americans' location data and says it won't stop
Big quote: The FBI's ongoing use of commercially purchased location data reignited debate in Washington this week over how far law enforcement can go in monitoring Americans' digital footprints without a court order. At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau buys location data from private vendors – data that can reveal people's movements with the kind of precision once obtainable only through phone carriers.
Patel defended the practice as lawful and useful for national security work, citing compliance with the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Patel told lawmakers the data had "led to some valuable intelligence for us," but stopped short of saying the agency would end the purchases. That refusal drew sharp criticism from some senators, who say the practice undermines constitutional protections.
