Internal records obtained by WIRED reveal numerous allegations against employees of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for misusing sensitive government databases over a span of years. These records indicate that CBP employees and contractors have exploited internal tools for personal reasons unrelated to their official duties.
The allegations, gathered through Freedom of Information Act requests, detail instances where federal agents used law enforcement databases to look up romantic interests, monitor family members, and, in some cases, even provide intelligence to individuals suspected of smuggling or drug trafficking. The documents show a disturbing trend of data misuse and highlight the vulnerabilities of citizens who can be targeted by those with access to sensitive information.
For example, one CBP officer allegedly contacted a flight attendant using information accessed through government databases. Another was accused of utilizing trusted-traveler applications for personal pursuits, such as asking people out. Reports include instances of officers supplying border-crossing information to individuals involved in personal disputes, as well as using commercial ad tech-derived location data to track colleagues’ cell phones, marking a rare internal abuse case involving this type of data.
Experts argue that this pattern of abuse reflects a broader issue of accountability within CBP. "Customs and Border Protection has a long history of impunity and abuse of people’s civil and human rights," says Laura Rivera, an attorney with Just Futures Law. The records from 2009 to 2022 underscore that sensitive data collected for law enforcement can easily be weaponized against individuals, raising concerns about the implications of digital surveillance tools.
Allegations against CBP employees were often processed through the Joint Intake Center, with the majority being routed for further review or investigation. While a subset of cases was deemed serious enough for criminal investigation, many allegations lacked sufficient resolution tracking, making it difficult to ascertain outcomes or disciplinary actions taken.
DHS has positioned itself as a leader in implementing expansive surveillance programs, bolstering its databases that include fingerprints, travel records, and migrant arrest details. Recent developments have granted employees a wider range of access to databases and tools, including facial recognition technology and commercial location-tracking data, further increasing the likelihood of misuse.
The excessive data access raises concerns, as noted by Rivera: “This access allows officers to track people’s daily movements in ways that can expose whether someone is seeking reproductive care, their religious practice, or their sexual activity.” A recent DHS inspector general report also found that handling of mobile tracking data did not comply with recommended privacy protocols, indicating systemic issues within the department.
The troubling trend of CBP and other law enforcement agencies misusing sensitive data highlights urgent calls for greater oversight, enhanced accountability, and a reevaluation of surveillance practices that compromise individual rights and privacy.
