Policy & Regulation

FBI director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is purchasing commercially available

FBI director Kash Patel testified the agency purchases commercially available location data for federal investigations. That data can be acquired from brokers without a warrant, prompting lawmakers to call for new restrictions. Patel said the purchases comply with the Constitution and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

1 source · Mar 18

Timeline

• Mar 18 Reported by TechCrunch Security

Sources

• Mar 18 TechCrunch Security

  FBI is buying location data to track US citizens, director confirms | TechCrunch

  FBI director Kash Patel told lawmakers that the agency is actively purchasing commercially available location data, which can track Americans without needing a warrant.

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Part of the PlainSec briefing for 2026-03-20

Every edition of this story: FBI director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is purchasing commercially available