Reports indicate that CBP agents have exploited electronic databases for personal surveillance and to assist drug traffickers.
Agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have allegedly misused digital databases to surveil family members, pursue romantic interests, and even provide sensitive information to suspected drug criminals, according to information obtained through freedom of information requests. These officers are said to have misappropriated data from various sources, including license plate recognition systems, facial recognition technology, and mobile device searches, infringing on the privacy of many individuals.
Records obtained through these requests, covering incidents from 2009 to 2022, unveil several alarming cases. For instance, one CBP officer reportedly used a government database to reach out to a flight attendant, while another is accused of leveraging data from trusted-traveler programs to solicit dates. Additionally, one agent shared crossing records with an individual involved in a divorce, and another tracked the mobile phones of colleagues using location data derived from advertising tech.
Among 300 reported incidents detailed in the obtained files, 138 were elevated to CBP management, 78 were handed over to criminal investigators, and 43 went unexamined. While many of these cases were internally resolved or deemed minor misconduct, 21 were withheld potentially due to imminent law enforcement actions suggesting serious wrongdoing.
This situation is particularly concerning given that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now has unprecedented access to private citizens’ information, creating one of the largest surveillance frameworks globally. Notably, this access includes records of immigration arrests, border screenings, naturalization applications, and data from the SENTRI trusted-traveler program. Moreover, the agency is equipped with advanced tools such as Palantir’s ICM and FALCON systems, as well as the DHS Mobile Fortify facial recognition application utilized by field agents.
In response to the allegations, CBP emphasized its commitment to addressing misconduct seriously, asserting efforts to “uphold the rule of law and hold ourselves accountable,” and mentioned taking appropriate investigative and corrective measures.
