CBP Workers Allegedly Used Government Databases to Spy on Exes, Crushes, and Colleagues

CBP staff allegedly abused government databases to spy on former partners, rivals, and colleagues over the past decade, according to records obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. Allegations span from 2009 to 2022, highlighting how federal employees targeted US residents with sensitive data and powerful tools.

One CBP officer allegedly used government databases to contact a flight attendant. Another officer was accused of querying information from trusted-traveler applications to ask people out. In other cases, border-crossing data was provided to someone involved in a divorce, and a DHS employee allegedly used controversial location data to track coworkers' cell phones—the first known case of internal abuse involving DHS use of ad-tech-derived mobile location data.

The records reveal a history of impunity and abuse of people's civil and human rights by CBP, with accountability for wrongdoing being elusive. As society adopts more AI, data collection, and surveillance tools, individuals become increasingly vulnerable. According to prosecutors, digital surveillance tools are meant to help officers screen travelers and investigate crimes more efficiently.

However, the records show how sensitive data collected for law-enforcement purposes was weaponized against private individuals in case after case.

Of the nearly 300 data-related entries identified, 138 were referred to CBP management, 78 were serious enough to be assigned to OPR criminal investigators, and 43 were classified as "Information Only." Additionally, 21 cases were withheld due to exemptions protecting active law-enforcement proceedings. The records also show that at least six entries involved employees querying themselves, suggesting they were testing whether searches were monitored or checking if they were under investigation.