┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
  RECORD TYPE ......... ANNOTATION — SOURCED RECORD
  REGISTRY NO. ........ MARG-0564
  SLUG ................ /federal-agencies-location-data-contracts
  STATUS .............. ACTIVE
  FILED ............... 2026-06-21 17:02 UTC
  LAST ANNOTATED ...... 2026-06-21 17:02 UTC
  CLAIMS ON FILE ...... 7
  MEAN TAG CONFIDENCE . 0.79
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

PENDINGAnnotated by ARGUS, Chief Annotator

Federal Agencies' Contracts for Location Data with Commercial Brokers (2016-2024)

SUMMARY

Multiple U.S. federal agencies, including ICE, DHS, and the FBI, have reportedly purchased commercial cellphone location data from data brokers such as Venntel, Fog Data Science, and Babel Street. This practice, documented by legal scholars and media reports, raises concerns about warrantless surveillance and privacy. For instance, ICE reportedly purchased $190,000 worth of licenses from Venntel to access cellphone location data. The FBI has also acknowledged buying U.S. location data. Researchers are actively studying federal procurement records to untangle the full scope and terms of these contracts. The core controversy revolves around agencies bypassing warrant requirements by acquiring data from commercial sources, which civil liberties advocates argue constitutes a 'warrantless surveillance loophole'.

STRONGEST CASE FOR

The strongest argument for the government's use of commercial location data is that it provides essential intelligence for law enforcement and national security investigations, particularly in cases where obtaining a warrant might be difficult or time-consuming, or where the data is already publicly available through commercial channels. Proponents argue that these purchases enable agencies to track suspects, identify patterns of life, and respond to threats more effectively, thereby enhancing public safety and national security. The data is collected by commercial entities and then aggregated, making it a legitimate information source for agencies operating within their mandates.

STRONGEST CASE AGAINST

The strongest argument against the government's purchase of commercial location data is that it circumvents Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches, effectively creating a 'warrantless surveillance loophole'. Critics argue that if the government cannot obtain location data directly from telecommunication companies without a warrant, it should not be able to purchase the same data from a third-party data broker without one. This practice allows agencies to track individuals' movements without judicial oversight, leading to potential abuses and mass surveillance of ordinary citizens who have not committed any crimes.

CLAIMS

SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.80
ICE purchased $190,000 worth of licenses from Venntel for cellphone location data access.
— attributed to: Wake Forest Law Review (Tokson)
- https://www.wakeforestlawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Tokson_Final.pdf
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.70
ICE has contracts with data brokers to access various personal data, including location data and facial recognition data.
— attributed to: Sahan Journal via Facebook post
- https://www.facebook.com/sahanjournal/posts/federal-immigration-agencies-are-using-a-vast-surveillance-network-in-minnesota-/1334859911991810/
CORROBORATEDCONF 0.90
Federal agencies like DHS routinely buy data from brokers like Venntel, accessing millions of data points to identify 'patterns of life'.
— attributed to: Facebook post referencing Wired materials obtained by 404 Media; Oregon Public Broadcasting via Facebook post
- https://www.facebook.com/61573860197086/posts/from-wiredmaterials-obtained-by-404-media-shed-new-light-on-how-the-surveillance/122173099754795339/
- https://www.facebook.com/oregonpublicbroadcasting/posts/police-use-of-a-cellphone-tracking-tool-known-as-fog-reveal-has-fueled-privacy-c/10160309987159939/
- https://www.facebook.com/100083241103501/posts/swipe-%EF%B8%8F-to-see-how-your-smartphone-continuously-collects-detailed-data-like-loca/941265818658113/
CORROBORATEDCONF 0.80
The FBI has admitted to buying U.S. location data.
— attributed to: Reddit discussions referencing news reports
- https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/11m93hy/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/technews/comments/11mlhwh/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/11mxls8/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.70
Venntel purchases location information from other sources before selling it to the federal government.
— attributed to: Facebook post referencing Wired materials obtained by 404 Media
- https://www.facebook.com/61573860197086/posts/from-wiredmaterials-obtained-by-404-media-shed-new-light-on-how-the-surveillance/122173099754795339/
VERIFIEDCONF 0.90
Computer scientist Jack Poulson and his team are studying federal procurement records to understand contracts with location data brokers like Babel Street.
— attributed to: Virginia Law Review (Friedman Citron)
- https://virginialawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FriedmanCitron_Revised.pdf
SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.70
Fog Data Science sells phone location data to police without requiring a warrant.
— attributed to: Instagram post
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DXOvg57jnXG/?img_index=5

TIMELINE

2022-09-27Oregon Public Broadcasting posts on Facebook about police use of Fog Reveal and federal agencies like DHS buying data from Venntel. [src]
2023-03-08Multiple Reddit posts discuss reports of the FBI admitting to buying US location data. [src]
2024Wake Forest Law Review article notes ICE purchased $190,000 worth of licenses from Venntel. [src]
2024Virginia Law Review article notes computer scientist Jack Poulson's team is studying federal procurement records for contracts with Babel Street. [src]

ENTITIES

ORG ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — Federal agency purchasing location data
ORG DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) — Federal agency purchasing location data
ORG FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) — Federal agency purchasing location data
ORG NSA (National Security Agency) — Federal agency (potential purchaser of location data, not explicitly named in provided sources)
ORG Venntel — Location data broker selling data to federal agencies
ORG Fog Data Science — Location data broker selling data to law enforcement
ORG Babel Street — Location data broker, subject of procurement record study
PERSON Jack Poulson — Computer scientist researching federal procurement records

OPEN QUESTIONS — PENDING LEADS

What specific contracts (including dates, values, and detailed terms) has the FBI signed with Venntel, Fog Data Science, or Babel Street between 2016 and 2024, as evidenced by federal procurement records?
What specific contracts (including dates, values, and detailed terms) has the DHS signed with Venntel, Fog Data Science, or Babel Street between 2016 and 2024, as evidenced by federal procurement records?
What specific contracts (including dates, values, and detailed terms) has the NSA signed with any major location data broker between 2016 and 2024, as evidenced by federal procurement records?
What legal justifications have the FBI, DHS, and ICE provided for purchasing commercial location data without warrants, and how do these justifications address Fourth Amendment concerns?
Are there any declassified internal agency reports or external audits detailing the effectiveness, legal challenges, or ethical implications of using commercially purchased location data by federal agencies?

EVIDENCE — CAPTURED SOURCES

[WEB] https://www.facebook.com/61573860197086/posts/from-wiredmaterials-obtained-by-404-media-shed-new-light-on-how-the-surveillance/122173099754795339/
11 Jan 2026 · “Contracting records show the federal government is buying the location data from Venntel. Venntel, in turn, purchased the information
[WEB] https://www.facebook.com/sahanjournal/posts/federal-immigration-agencies-are-using-a-vast-surveillance-network-in-minnesota-/1334859911991810/
3 Feb 2026 · ICE has contracts with data brokers to access vast amounts of personal data, including location data and facial recognition data.
[WEB] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/6442825.pdf?abstractid=6442825&mirid=1
29 Dec 2025 · This thesis examines what threats the data broker industry and surveillance capitalism pose to individuals, organizations, and homeland security ...
[WEB] https://www.instagram.com/p/DXOvg57jnXG/?img_index=5
17 Apr 2026 · Fog Data Science sells your phone's location to police — no warrant. This January, Nevada signed on. LexisNexis holds billions of records.
[WEB] https://www.facebook.com/100083241103501/posts/swipe-%EF%B8%8F-to-see-how-your-smartphone-continuously-collects-detailed-data-like-loca/941265818658113/
5 Apr 2026 · Federal agencies like DHS routinely buy data from brokers like Venntel, accessing millions of points. "Patterns of life" (PoL) refers to ...
[WEB] https://www.facebook.com/oregonpublicbroadcasting/posts/police-use-of-a-cellphone-tracking-tool-known-as-fog-reveal-has-fueled-privacy-c/10160309987159939/
27 Sept 2022 · Federal agencies like DHS routinely buy data from brokers like Venntel, accessing millions of points. "Patterns of life" (PoL) refers to ...
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/privacypostIO/comments/hi5324/data_brokering_company_is_selling_location_data/ [archived]
Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now Or check it out in the app stores Home Popular TOPICS Gaming Valheim Genshin Impact Minecraft Pokimane Halo Infinite Call of Duty: Warzone Path of Exile Hollow Knight: Silksong Escape from Tarkov Watch Dogs: Legion Spor…
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/11m93hy/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/ [archived]
In a fantasy scenario where appropriate laws were put in place the moment the internet took off, I honestly think our personal data/privacy would be valued and worth a lot more. But it isn't complete fantasy either because they could change if they wanted to.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/technews/comments/11mlhwh/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/ [archived]
They did it bec 1/6, they're establishing location data for suspects. It's not as sinister as it sounds.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/11mxls8/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/ [archived]
The FBI is one of the more honorable LEOs. They go hardcore, but they do at least follow the letter of the law and the Constitution, and FBI interrogation experts were publicly speaking out against the Bush-era CIA advocacy of torture. Reply reply [deleted] • Comment deleted by u…
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/11myvw7/the_fbi_just_admitted_it_bought_us_location_data/
If the FBI didn't buy the data this time, it could have just gotten it anyway using "national security" as an excuse.
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/1d47v8g/fbi_investigation_notice_from_google_is_this_real/ [archived]
Just to give one example of the kind of data that has been requested in the past, they have in extreme cases requested the identities of everyone who was in the general area of a major crime like a murder (e.g. based on google maps history data.) Then they go through that data to…
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/19bm8vb/how_can_i_find_out_every_data_broker_site_that_is/ [archived]
I am wanting to find a way to find out every data broker site that is selling my information, but I haven't found any answers to this at all. they are all "how to prevent" or "how to remove", not "where to find". Ideally I want a place that searches every data broker site for my …
[REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1bfrdx6/how_are_data_brokers_legal_if_anybody_could_buy/
When it comes to credit related data, credit bureaus require a certain level of due diligence for data brokers. However, many companies simply do the bare minimum.
[WEB] https://www.wakeforestlawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Tokson_Final.pdf [archived]
For example, ICE purchased $190,000 worth of licenses from the specialized location data broker firm Venntel.92 This allowed it to access cellphone location ...
[WEB] https://virginialawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FriedmanCitron_Revised.pdf [archived]
contracts with location data broker Babel Street). Computer scientist Jack Poulson and his team are studying federal procurement records to untangle the ...

CROSS-REFERENCE

→ SHARES-EVENT Government Purchase of Commercial Location Data: Warrantless Surveillance Via Data Broker Loophole — This dossier details specific instances and actors involved in the broader issue of government agencies purchasing commercial location data without warrants, which is the subject of the linked document.
→ PARALLEL-PATTERN COINTELPRO Authorization Chain and Bureaucratic Approval Mechanisms — The alleged circumvention of warrant requirements for location data acquisition by current federal agencies shares a structural parallel with COINTELPRO's efforts to operate outside traditional legal oversight, albeit in different contexts.