FBI Buys Location Data Like It’s Candy, No Warrant Required
KEY POINTS
- •On March 18, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel testified at a Senate Intelligence hearing in Washington, DC.
- •He confirmed the FBI purchases commercially available location data that can track individuals’ movements without warrants.
- •Senators requested the FBI stop buying this data, but Patel declined to make such a commitment.
On March 18, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel sheepishly admitted during a Senate Intelligence hearing at Washington’s Hart Senate Office Building that the agency is cashing out on commercially sold location data—tracking movements like it’s a stealthy holiday shopper free from warrant hassles. Unlike the quaint old days of subpoenaing cell phone providers, this location data purchase springs directly from the shady invisible vending machine of corporate info, all ‘consistent with the Constitution’ as Patel claims. Senators begged Patel to stop this merry-data-shopping spree, but he didn’t commit—stalemating like a pro. This covert location shopping feels less 'law enforcement' and more 'agency on a Black Friday spree.'
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(1 of 3)The FBI is now basically stalking us with purchased location data, no warrant needed—because asking nicely is so 20th century.
Congrats to the FBI for turning location privacy into a retail outlet—warrant sales discontinued indefinitely.
FBI Director Kash Patel said ‘It’s constitutional,’ which in government-speak means ‘We’re drawing lines in invisible ink.’
Source: Theverge | Published: 3/18/2026 | Author: Gaby Del Valle
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