Wired: CBP staff accused of misusing federal databases to spy on exes, colleagues
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Wired obtained internal CBP records spanning 2009–2022 that contain hundreds of allegations that agency employees and contractors misused law enforcement databases for personal reasons. The records describe employees accused of looking up romantic interests, monitoring family members, exposing personal information, and in some cases providing intelligence to suspected smugglers. A DHS employee is also accused of using ad-tech-derived location data to track coworkers’ phones, in what Wired identifies as the first known internal abuse case involving such data.
Key Facts
- The records, dating from 2009 through 2022, were obtained by Wired through Freedom of Information Act requests to CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
- The records contain hundreds of allegations that CBP employees and contractors misused law enforcement databases to look up romantic interests, monitor family members, and expose personal information.
- Some CBP employees were accused of providing intelligence to suspected smugglers or drug-trafficking organizations.
- One DHS employee allegedly used ad-tech-derived location data to track several coworkers’ cell phones, which Wired identifies as the first known internal abuse case involving DHS use of such data.
- A CBP officer allegedly used government databases to contact a flight attendant, and another officer was accused of pulling trusted-traveler information to ask people out.
Database Misuse Allegations
Wired obtained the records through Freedom of Information Act requests to CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. The documents, which date from 2009 through 2022, contain hundreds of allegations that CBP employees and contractors misused sensitive government databases for personal reasons. The alleged misuse includes querying data to look up romantic interests, monitor family members, and expose personal information. Some records describe employees providing border-crossing data to someone involved in a heated divorce. Other allegations describe CBP employees providing intelligence to suspected smugglers or drug-trafficking organizations.
Specific Alleged Incidents
In one case, a CBP officer allegedly used government databases to contact a flight attendant. In another, an officer was accused of pulling information from trusted-traveler applications to ask people out. Among the hundreds of allegations, additional cases involve employees querying data about coworkers and romantic interests. CBP states that digital surveillance tools are intended to help officers screen travelers and investigate crimes more efficiently.
Ad-Tech Location Data Case
One DHS employee allegedly used ad-tech-derived mobile location data to track several coworkers’ cell phones. Wired identifies this as the first known internal abuse case involving DHS use of ad-tech-derived mobile location data. The 2009–2022 dataset shows what officers did with access they already had before gaining more surveillance tools. Laura Rivera, an attorney with Just Futures Law, said CBP has a long history of impunity and abuse of people’s civil and human rights.
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Wired: CBP staff accused of misusing federal databases to spy on exes, colleagues
